We expect to post the latest results of these tests in our TV Ratings (available to subscribers) in about two weeks, so check here for an update announcing when they’re available.
[by James Wilcox, Consumer Reports]
Our TV engineers are once again hard at work testing 16 new LCD and plasma TVs, including a new passive-3D LCD TV from LG, and the first active-3D LCD TV from Sharp that we’ve reviewed. We also have a new active-3D LCD set from Samsung, plus two new 3D plasmas from LG.
Also in the labs are several new Smart TVs from LG and Samsung; these can connect to online services including streaming movies. There are also a few models that let you use your iPhone or Android phone as a remote control via a downloadable app.
Here’s the complete list of the TVs now being tested in our TV Test Lab:
LCD TVs
JVC LT-46E910, $1,400. A 46-inch 1080p LCD TV with an edge LED backlight and 120Hz technology.
LG 47LW5600, $1,700. A 47-inch 1080p passive-3D LCD TV with an edge LED backlight with local dimming, and 120Hz technology. It comes with a Wi-Fi adapter and includes the company’s Smart TV Internet platform, the Magic Motion gesture-based remote, and four pairs of passive 3D glasses.
Panasonic TC-L42U30, $800. A 42-inch 1080p LCD TV (Panasonic’s largest LCD screen size) with 120Hz technology and a built-in SD card slot.
Samsung UN55D8000, $3,600. A flagship 55-inch 1080p active 3D LCD TV with 240Hz technology, built-in Wi-Fi, the company’s Smart TV Internet platform, and an edge LED backlight with local dimming. The TV comes with two sets of active-shutter 3D glasses and is Skype-ready for use with an optional camera.
Sharp Aquos LC-46LE835U, $2,000. A 46-inch 1080p active 3D LCD TV with the company’s four-color Quattron technology, built-in Wi-Fi, and 240Hz technology. It has an edge LED backlight, plus Internet services including streaming movies.
Sony Bravia KDL-46EX523, $1,100. A 46-inch 1080p LCD TV with an edge LED backlight and access to Internet services, including streaming movies. It’s Skype-ready for use with an optional camera, and you can use an iPhone or Android phone as a remote control.
Sony Bravia KDL-40EX520, $900. A 40-inch 1080p LCD that has an edge LED backlight, and access to Internet services, including streaming movies. It’s Wi-Fi-ready for use with an optional adapter and is Skype-ready for use with an optional camera. You can use an iPhone or Android phone as a remote control.
Toshiba 32C110, $450. A fairly basic 32-inch 720p LCD TV without a lot of features.
Viewsonic VT4210LED, $700. A 42-inch 1080p LCD TV that has an edge LED backlight and 120Hz technology, but not a lot of other features.
Westinghouse LD-3260, $370. A fairly basic, low-priced 32-inch 720p LCD TV that has an edge LED backlight.
Plasma TVs
LG 50PZ550, $1,300. A 50-inch 1080p active 3D plasma TV that will accept an optional Wi-Fi adapter. It’s an Internet model that has access to online content, including streaming movies.
LG 42PW350, $800. A lower-priced 42-inch 720p active-3D plasma that doesn’t have a lot of extra features.
LG 50PT350, $800. A fairly basic 50-inch 720p plasma TV.
Panasonic TC-P50S30, $1,100. A 50-inch 1080p plasma TV with Internet access to online content, including streaming movies. It also has a built-in SD memory card slot.
Panasonic TC-P42X3, $600. A lower-priced 42-inch 720p plasma TV with Internet access to online content, including streaming movies. It also has a built-in SD memory card slot.
Samsung PN43D450, $600. A lower-priced 43-inch 720p plasma TV that doesn’t have a lot of extra features.
We expect to post the latest results of these tests in our TV Ratings (available to subscribers) in about two weeks, so check here for an update announcing when they’re available.