Consumer Reports - Lcd-Tvs

Once available only with small screens, LCD TVs now come with screens as large as 50 inches (and climbing), which makes them suitable for a household’s primary TV set. Regardless of screen size, these TVs are only a few inches thick, giving them a small footprint. They’re also relatively lightweight, often as little as 30 pounds or less, so they can be wall-mounted.

Prices are heading downward, but inch for inch, LCD TVs are comparatively expensive. In larger sizes, they cost more than comparably sized plasma sets, for instance. The picture quality on the best LCD TVs can be very good and viewing angles have gotten better, but there’s still some room for improvement at displaying deep black levels and fast motion

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

Strong brands include Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, and Sony, along with many computer-display manufacturers. The entry of computer makers Dell and Gateway into the LCD TV market has accelerated price competition.

LCD TVs are available in standard-definition (analog), enhanced-definition (ED), and high-definition (HD) models. ED and HD sets are digital TVs.Analog TVscan display only standard-definition signals, like those used for most TV broadcasts. ED sets can also accept the higher-quality 480p signals like those from a progressive-scan DVD player. HD images are the sharpest and most detailed. These models can accept all signals from DVD players and HD signals from digital-video players/recorders. Within the HD category, there are three types of TV sets.

HD-ready sets. Also called HDTV monitors, these sets can display standard-definition programs (which still account for most non-prime-time TV broadcasts) on their own. To display digital programs, they require a digital tuner to decode those broadcasts. If you’re getting your HD programming from cable or satellite, your digital cable box or satellite receiver has the appropriate digital decoder built in. All you have to do is connect your HD-ready TV to the box and you’re all set. Cable companies charge a small rental fee for digital or HD-capable boxes. To receive HD via satellite, you need an HD receiver and special dish antenna(e). Together, these cost about $300, but you may be able to get them from the satellite company at little or no charge as part of a promotion.

You can also get digital broadcasts, including HD, over the air, via an antenna. To do so, you’ll have to buy a digital tuner called an ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) tuner--the external box costs a few hundred dollars. However, there’s no charge for service as there is with cable or satellite. Some satellite receivers also offer a built-in ATSC digital tuner. To receive digital programming via antenna, you must be fairly close to a transmitter, with an unobstructed view. With digital signals, you’ll either have a clear, strong signal or none at all.

Integrated HDTV sets. These have the ATSC digital tuner built in, which enables them to decode any digital signals including HD with no additional equipment when used with a roof antenna. You may be able to receive the major networks’ HD offerings transmitted over the air in your area, but not the premium channels available on satellite and cable. To get HD via cable or satellite, integrated sets require an HD-capable cable box, Cable Card, or satellite receiver--the built-in digital tuner only works for off-air digital broadcasts.

Starting in July of 2005, all new TVs with 36-inch or larger screens--a category covering the largest LCD TVs--were required to have a built-in digital tuner to comply with a government ruling. Smaller sets must have such tuners within a year or two.

Digital-Cable-Ready (DCR). Some new integrated models, called digital-cable-ready (DCR) or plug-and-play sets, can receive digital-cable programming without using a set-top box. For HD and premium cable programming--and possibly for any digital programming--you must insert a CableCard into a slot on the set. You usually have to pay a few dollars a month to rent the card from the cable company. Current DCR TVs are not interactive, so even with a CableCard in the slot they can’t provide features such as an interactive program guide, video on demand, or pay-per-view ordering via remote. Second-generation DCR TVs and CableCards should be here soon, and they’re expected to have two-way capability, allowing for interactive features. Integrated sets typically cost more than HD-ready sets, with digital-cable-ready models costing the most.

Major-brand LCD sets with 13-inch screens of ED-ready resolution (equivalent to progressive-scan DVD, as explained below) average about $400 to $500. Prices for 15- to 18-inch HD models start at less than $800, while 20-inchers cost $1,200 or more--several times what you’d pay for a conventional TV with the same screen size. HD-ready LCD TVs with 23- to 30-inch screens typically cost between $1,600 and $3,000. There is a growing number of LCD TVs with even larger screens--up to 50 inches or more--and prices go up along with size.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

LCD TVs typically have all the usual features you expect on a TV. If you watch many movies, look for a film mode feature on HD sets. This feature is also called 3:2 pulldown compensation or brand-specific names such as CineMotion. This can make moving images that were converted from film to video look less jerky, with less jaggedness around the edges. On 16:9 sets, stretch and zoom modes will expand or compress an image to better fill the screen shape. This helps to reduce the dark bands that can appear around images if you watch content that isn’t formatted for a widescreen TV. (The picture may be distorted or cut off a bit in the process of stretching or zooming).

Most TVs have several types of inputs that handle varying levels of quality. A cable/antenna, or radio frequency (RF), input is the most basic connection, and it can be used with almost any video source. A composite-video input will give you slightly better picture quality and is often used with a VCR or regular cable box. An S-video input lets you take advantage of the still-better picture quality from a digital-cable box, a satellite-dish system, a DVD player, or a digital camcorder. A component-video input offers superior quality, making this a good choice for progressive-scan DVD players, high-definition satellite receivers, and HD digital-cable boxes that have the corresponding output. HDTVs have DVI or HDMI inputs, which provide a high-quality digital connection to devices such as DVD players, digital-cable boxes, and satellite receivers. DVI signals carry only video; HDMI signals carry audio and video on one cable. The digital-to-digital connection may ensure optimal picture quality. These connections allow the content providers to control your ability to record certain programming. Many sets have more than one of a given type of input. Having two or three S-video or component-video inputs is a plus. For a camcorder or video game, front-panel A/V inputs are helpful.

Audio outputs let you direct a stereo TV’s audio signal to a receiver or self-powered speakers. An automatic volume leveler compensates for the jarring volume jumps that often accompany commercials or changes in channel. A headphone jack, if available, lets you watch (and listen) without disturbing others.

HOW TO CHOOSE

Think twice before buying an ED set. An EDTV may cost a bit less than an HD model, but the tradeoffs aren’t worth it with LCD sets. The picture quality probably won’t be as good. The best HDTVs can display a very good picture from a high-quality source such as a satellite receiver or digital-cable box. Still, our tests have found that the image quality of LCD TVs doesn’t quite match that of the best CRTs, which render a deeper black, improving image contrast. We’d recommend an ED or standard-definition LCD TV only for uses such as casual viewing in the kitchen, where you wouldn’t want the cable or satellite box you generally need to receive HD signals.

Check the viewing angle. Viewing angles have improved, so many new models display a better image from off-center than older sets did--a must if a 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 separate control units that connect to the LCD panel via cables. Devices such as a cable box or DVD player are connected to the control unit, so there are fewer cables running to the panel--a big plus for wall-mounting--and the inputs may be easier to access.

Consider a set that doubles as a computer display. If you need a computer display as well as a TV, check out the connectivity options. We recommend an HD set since it’s most suitable for computer use. A standard VGA connection will work with all computers; a Digital Visual Interface (DVI) input would be compatible with newer mid-range computers.

Weigh the merits of an extended warranty. While extended warranties aren’t worthwhile for most products, they may be for high-priced devices using new technologies. Because LCD TVs are costly items that haven’t yet established a track record for reliability, check into the cost of a service plan. Find out whether in-home service is covered and whether a replacement is provided if a set can’t be repaired.

Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

For the latest information on this and many other products and services, visit www.ConsumerReports.org. 

Find More LCD TVs with Easy Deal at ShopNdeal.com .