Top 10 HDTV

High Definition TV or HDTV first came into the market around 1998, and has ushered in an era of superior resolution and sound. Since then HDTV technology has evolved quite a bit with many manufacturers jumping in the bandwagon, each trying to outdo the other in size, features and specs. This has brought about better quality TVs and prices have dropped quite substantially as a result of mass production.

HDTVs now come in many different sizes ranging from 22-inch to models over 100 inches. Coupled with ever increasing features and constantly evolving HD technologies, consumers now have a daunting task trying to figure out which is the right HDTV to buy.

To help narrow your search for the perfect HDTV we compiled a list of the Top 10 HDTVs that is updated monthly. As individual needs and preferences vary, this list is based on actual user ratings, search popularity and sales. Feel free to use this as a starting point in your search for the TV that caters best to your needs.

January 2010 Update: Larger TV sizes continue to be the top choices for consumers with Panasonic and Samsung and leading the pack. The Panasonic TC-P50G10 climbs to the top spot garnering many positive reviews by users. Samsung’s popular LN52B750 takes the 2nd spot.

Panasonic TC-P50G10 50 inch HDTV
It is tough to find a Plasma TV that performs well in all areas, yet keeping the price affordable. Panasonic managed to break new ground with the Panasonic TC-P50G10. It offers so many features and perks that can single handedly take on other LCD displays of the same size. This is a plasma TV that is affordable and backed by plenty of technologies making Panasonic’s biggest answer to the ongoing competition among other brands. The new TC-P50G10 boasts cinema-quality movie reproduction, clear, smooth sports and gaming action all made possible by Panasonic’s Neo PDP technology, which delivers sharp, detailed images, deep blacks and remarkable brightness, all with lower power consumption. If you’re looking for the best picture quality in a post-Kuro world, the Panasonic TC-P50G10 is the safest bet so far this year.

Actual user comment:
“I have had the unit installed and working for 4 weeks now, and must say its been an extremely satisfying time. The G10 is a major step up, from my previous plasma, in terms of picture, inputs i.e. 3 HDMI vs 1, and ability to control each picture setting independently. I have tweaked the picture setting on the Standard and THX settings a bit to sharpen and brighten the picture a bit, but most of the other settings are very good out of the box. As the unit is stand mounted, and in a room with mostly indirect and overhead lighting there are no issues with glare or light reflection, from the main glass or its glossy black bezel. In the process I also moved up to a Panasonic BMP-BD60 Blu-ray player and the 1080P picture is nothing short of amazing.” – D.Delena (West Milford,NJ)

Average User Rating:

List Price: ~~$1799.95~~

Read the Panasonic TC-P50G10 Review

Samsung LN52B750 52-Inch LCD HDTV
The Samsung LN52B750 features the beautiful Touch of Color design and sharp 1080p picture. The amazing 150,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio brings out the deepest blacks and most pristine whites. Media@2.0 lets you enjoy more with Internet@TV that allows you to receive content via Yahoo!, Flickr, and other online TV widgets on screen. Also comes with Auto Motion Plus 240 Hz that virtually eliminates motion blur creating smooth transitions between frames and produces an unbelievably clear picture, no matter how fast the action.

Actual user comment:
“Product arrived with no problems. The TV easily installed and was a snap to set up. If you’re looking for a TV and can’t decide “plasma or LCD” this is the one for you. I wanted the explosive colors of a plasma but wanted more stability and energy efficiency with a LCD. The LN52B750 delivers all of that as you can adjust the picture with various settings such as “natural” and “movie” so that you lose the associated brightness often found in LCDs. I set my on “natural” for most TV watching since it looks most natural for everyday viewing. XBox, Cox cable and DVD all look stunning via HDMI cables. “ – M.Turner (OK,USA)

Average User Rating:

List Price: ~~$2899.99~~

Read the Samsung LN52B750 Review

Samsung LN46B750 46 inch LCD HDTV
The 46″ Samsung LN46B750 LCD HDTV displays colors that are natural and rich for a new level of the lifelike movie action made possible by its full HD 1080p resolution and Samsung’s latest AutoMotion Plus 240Hz technology. Also features deep Internet connectivity and expanded digital media format support.

Actual user comment:
“I know a lot of you are looking at a lot of HDTVs. Let me tell I looked at all the TVs in BestBuy to see how they look. I saw the LN46B650 as it stood out from the rest with clarity. So I decided to take a gamble and pre order this one. This TV has an extra setting for the upscaling which makes it adjust to the size making it a little clearer for normal dvds then the regular upscaling. Clearest picture I’ve seen so far for LCD TV. No artifacts on 240hz settings. The colors are bright and stunning. For you video game addicts – I have a PS3 and a Xbox360 hooked up to it and let me tell you the game looks crisp and has no lag whatsoever.” – D.Makowski (NJ,USA)

Average User Rating:

List Price: ~~$2399.99~~

Read the Samsung LN46B750 Review

Panasonic TC-P42G10 42-inch HDTV
The 42-inch Panasonic TC-P42G10. 1080p resolution combines with a 480 Hz processor to bring you exceptional clarity and smooth, fluid motion – even during high-speed action. The TC-P42G10 Plasma HDTV offers incredible black reproduction, with a rated dynamic contrast ratio of up to 1,000,000:1, so you’ll get warm, accurate skin tones, gorgeous greens, breathtaking blues and vivid reds. And now, all of your friends and family can get in on the action thanks to an extra-wide viewing angle that provides an excellent view from almost anywhere in the room.

List Price: ~~$1299.95~~

Read the Panasonic TC-P42G10 Review

Panasonic TC-P46G10 46-inch Plasma HDTV
The Panasonic TC-P46G10 offers superb black-level performance with excellent shadow detail and highly-accurate primary colors and grayscale in THX mode. It’s color saturation is exemplary and uses less power than previous 1080p Plasmas. Panasonic’s unique VieraCast provides access to select Internet services. If you’re looking for exceptional picture quality and awesome blacks, the Panasonic TC-P46G10 ranks as one of the best out there.

List Price: ~~$1499.95~~

Read the Panasonic TC-P46G10 Review

Sony Bravia KDL52V5100 52-inch LCD HDTV
Showcasing innovative LCD display technologies,the Sony KDL52V5100 is another product of Sony’s passion for delivering uncompromising details in high definition television. Like proud parents, the brand introduces KDL52V5100 as the solution for those who wanted to keep up with the fast-action movies, sports or game play with its full HD 1080p and 120 Hz MotionFlow technology. Thanks to its other patented display technologies, it has stamped another option for people who demand sharp, vibrant and life-like viewing experiences.

List Price: ~~$2299.99~~

Read the Sony Bravia KDL52V5100 Review

Samsung LN40B650 40-inh LCD HDTV
Samsung has outdone themselves once again when they introduced their new TV Samsung LN40B650. The Internet is brimming with rave reviews for this marvel of workmanship and technology. It is a high quality LCD HDTV that gives a top of the line picture in 1080p high def resolution. Enjoy the sharpest details and vivid color with a 100,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for more realistic images. This B650 series HDTV combines an ultra-fast 4ms response time with Samsung’s Auto Motion Plus frame interpolation technology, which utilizes a 120Hz refresh rate helps ensure crisp, easy viewing of sports, video games and movies.

List Price: ~~$1699.99~~

Read the Samsung LN40B650 Review

Samsung LN46A850 46-inch LCD HDTV
The slim 46″ Samsung LN46A850 is a full hi-def TV at 1080p resolution, with a super-fast 4ms pixel-response time for a smooth, lifelike image. Samsung’s Auto Motion Plus 120Hz frame-rate conversion technology delivers accurate reproduction of film-based content for a true home-theater experience. Enjoy MPEG and JPEG files stored on external devices by connecting through a side-mounted USB port and turn your TV into a full-scale home viewing gallery, or connect your MP3 player for a unique audio experience.

List Price: ~~$2599.99~~

Read the Samsung LN46A850 Review

Sharp Aquos LC46D85U 46-inch LCD HDTV
The sleek Sharp LC-46D85U utilizes a proprietary Advanced Super View Panel with Spectral Contrast Engine UD providing a high Dynamic Contrast Ratio and wide viewing angles. With sports programs and movies with fast moving action Sharp’s cutting edge 120Hz Fine Motion image processing engine consistently renders smooth images. This technology brings you smooth, accurate playback of your favorite movies and deliver a truly cinematic home theater experience.

List Price: ~~$1499.99~~

Read the Sharp LC46D85U Review

Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR7 52-inch LCD HDTV
The slim Sony KDL52XBR7 comes with optional color speaker grills that complement the entire polished bezel look. It is rigged with full HD 1080p resolution and Motionflow™ 240Hz technology which quadruples the frame rate of standard HDTVs and provides unprecedented motion details and smooth scene transitions. If you love fast-paced cinematic action, the KDL-52XBR7 is just the TV for you. Toss in the 24p True Cinema you will be able to enjoy movies at their intended 24 frames per second(fps) cinematic film-like quality when using a 24p source.

List Price: ~~$2999.99~~

Read the Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR7 Review

HDTV Buying Tips

What to consider before buying a HDTV:

Decide on a budget

Decide on the size of screen – This depends on your room size and viewing distance. General rule of thumb is if you are viewing from a distance of 6 feet – 46? is ideal; above 7 feet buy a TV size 52? or above. Here’s a guide on the The Right HDTV Size For Your Room.

Decide on the Type of HDTV – LCD or Plasma each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Read Plasma vs LCD

Evaluate features and connectivity options – Convenience features, inputs, and even the sound system are all factors to consider. Many TV makers differentiate their baseline models from step-up versions by including all kinds of add-ons, so you need to determine whether that “loaded” set you’re considering really has the features that matter to you.

Judging picture quality – The most difficult thing to judge when shopping for a TV is how good the picture looks. Here are some useful tips from CNET on how to judge picture quality.

Where to buy – You can often get a great deal if you buy your TV online, but you should be aware of some differences. An increasing number of TV makers are cracking down on “unauthorized” retailers of their sets, especially online, and some will not honor warranties on products purchased from such dealers. See the Web site of your set’s manufacturer before you purchase a TV online for its policy on unauthorized retailers. Not coincidentally, unauthorized merchants often have the best prices. If you decide to buy your TV online, make sure you choose a vendor with a solid return policy.

Shippping and warranties – Check the cost of shipping and extended warranties before buying. Some online retailers like Amazon offer free shipping for selected models.