Buying advice LCD TVs

LCD TVs pack a lot of bang for a lot of bucks. Their svelte profile is the main attraction

Once available only with small screens, LCD (liquid-crystal display) TVs now come with bigger screens suitable for a household's primary set. The introduction of 37- to 50-inch sets has positioned LCD TVs as strong competition to flat-panel plasma sets. In fact, Sony has stopped offering plasma TVs for the consumer market, instead focusing its flat-panel effort on LCD sets. That illustrates the growing importance of this category.

LCD TVs cost more than comparably sized plasma sets, but the gap is gradually narrowing. Differences in picture quality are narrowing as well. Recent improvements in LCDs address earlier weaknesses at displaying deep black levels, accurate colors, and fast motion. The introduction of some LCD sets with 1080p resolution--the highest currently available--has also raised the bar for picture quality.

Regardless of screen size, LCD TVs are only a few inches thick, giving them a small footprint. They're also relatively lightweight--30 pounds or less for midsized models, 60 pounds or so for big-screen sets--so they're easily moved or wall-mounted. But LCD technology, like plasma technology, is fairly new, so long-term reliability of these TVs is still a question. However, preliminary data are encouraging.


WHAT'S AVAILABLE

Top-selling brands include Sony, Sharp, Samsung, Panasonic, Magnavox, and Westinghouse. Prices have been dropping steadily, thanks in part to the arrival of low-priced brands from computer makers such as Dell and store brands from major retailers such as Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-Mart, and Target.

Most LCD TVs with screens larger than 20 inches or so are high-definition (HD) models. HDTVs can display the sharpest, most detailed images. On most high-def sets, the resolution is 1024x768 or1366x768. Recently, some 1080p HDTVs have been introduced. With a native resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, the highest so far, 1080p TVs are the first with the potential to display all 1,080 lines in the most common high-definition format, called 1080i. The improvement is most noticeable on large screens, say, 50 inches and up.

In smaller sizes--screens of 20 inches or less--enhanced-definition LCD TVs are also available. ED sets, which are digital, have picture quality that's slightly better than standard definition but not as good as HD; these can accept 480p signals like those from a progressive-scan DVD player. Standard-definition TVs are analog models that can display only 480i signals like those used for most TV broadcasts. Analog TV broadcasts will cease on Feb. 17, 2009, when all broadcasters must switch to digital. An analog set you buy now will be able to receive digital programming when used with an external digital tuner, such as that in a cable or satellite box, or a set-top box and antenna.

Major-brand LCD HDTVs with 26-inch screens typically start at $1,000; $1,200 to $2,000 for a 32-inch set; and $2,000 to $2,500 for 37-inch set. In all size categories, you'll see less-familiar brands selling for hundreds less. A growing number of LCD TVs have even larger screens--up to 50 inches or more--and prices go up along with size.


HOW TO CHOOSE

Consider what level of picture quality you're willing to pay for. The best LCD TVs are capable of excellent picture quality, although blacks may not be quite as deep as on a good plasma set. For a main TV or one you'll watch often, we'd strongly recommend an HD set with resolution of at least 1024x768. On screens larger than 30 inches or so, 1366x768 has the potential to offer better quality, though native screen resolution in and of itself doesn't guarantee a certain level of picture quality. Check our Ratings online to see which models make the most of their resolution. It's probably not worth paying the premium for a 1080p set with 1920x1080 resolution for screens much smaller than 50 inches. The quality difference isn't as noticeable below that size. We'd recommend an ED or standard-definition LCD TV only for small sets used for casual viewing in the kitchen, for example, where you wouldn't want the cable or satellite box you generally need to receive HD signals. The picture quality almost certainly won't be as good as what you'll get with an HD set.

Check the viewing angle. Viewing angles have improved, so many new LCD TVs display a better image from off-center than older sets did--a must if the TV will be watched by several people at once. Some sets have wider viewing angles than others. Before buying one, see how the picture looks if you step off to the side or move up and down. With some, you'll see a dimmer, somewhat washed-out image as your viewing position angles away, particularly in a vertical direction.

Look for easy-to-use inputs. On many LCD televisions, the connections are on the side or rear of the panel and might be hard to reach. Some larger models have a separate control unit to which you connect all your external audio/video devices, such as a DVD player or cable box. You then have only one cable going from the control box to the panel itself. That's a plus for wall-mounting and can make the inputs easier to access. But it does give you another box to contend with.

Consider a set that doubles as a computer display. If you need a computer display as well as a TV, check connectivity options. An HD set with high native resolution is best for computer use. A standard VGA connection works with all computers; a Digital Visual Interface (DVI) input would be compatible with newer midrange computers.

Our preliminary survey data found few repair problems during the first year of use for LCD sets from Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, and Toshiba, but it's too early to comment on other brands or on long-term reliability for any brand.