The Best HDTVs for 2012

Ranked #1 in Computers & Electronics, #3 overall

The Only HDTV Guide You'll Need - for 2012!

The ultimate one-page guide to LCD HDTVs in 2012: all of the "need to know" information about HDTV & 3D TV technology you'll need before making that final decision!

See the current best HDTVs, too: a current list is added every single month!

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Shopping for an HDTV? Know Your Stuff!

Pick a winning HDTV in 2012

Find the best HDTV

Updated February 5, 2012


LCD televisions provide an amazing picture with a wonderfully thin screen. Use this guide as a pre-purchase manual to educate yourself about LCD, review the "must haves" for an HDTV, and check out a list of this month's highest rated HDTVs.

"Skip all of this informational stuff, and just show me the list of the best HDTVs instead!"

1: Learning About HDTV Technology

What Is Scan Rate?

Interlaced vs. Progressive

The scan rate of an HDTV can be either interlaced (720i or 1080i) or progressive (720p or 1080p). Today, all HDTVs are progressive -- the superior scan rate on the eyes, and for picture quality. Interlaced sets are usually still seen in other products like computer monitors.

Have you ever seen video footage of a computer screen? If so, you may have noticed how the screen seems have a constant stream of "sweeping" or blinking lines, almost like a slide show. The process is unseen by the naked eye; however, interlaced screens are known to cause the "eye distress" that adults warned you about when you sat too close to the TV set as a kid.

Progressive sets, on the other hand, refresh every line every single time, much like one long "sweep" down the screen after another. Progressive pictures are easier on the eyes and display a smooth viewing image with less "jaggies."

Summary: Interlaced HDTVs - 1080i - have basically gone extinct. All of the HDTVs you come across these days will be 1080p or "progressive."

What is DLP HDTV?

Learn about this projection technology

DLP or "Digital Light Processing" is a rear projection technology for television. DLP HDTVs are immune from screen burn-in & color decay, and able to represent high speed images without ghosting or blurring effects that other television technologies suffer from. They are known to have excellent color and grayscale representation.

Older DLP HDTVs were known to suffer from a condition known as the "rainbow effect," in which bright white tones projected over black backgrounds appear in a multi-color effect. However, this is no longer an issue with current day models. If you're going for a projection HDTV, a DLP one should be considered a worthy investment for its long life, great color quality and slim size. Mitsubishi continues to dominate this market.

Summary: If you're looking to buy a Projection TV, make sure it's a DLP.

What is Plasma HDTV?

Color via illuminated gas

Plasma HDTV cellsPlasma is one of the older technologies that gained popularity during the early inception of HDTVs to the consumer market. This display technology uses ionized gas to form plasma (plasma is a type of gas with ionized particles) which emits photons (a basic unit of light). Thousands and thousands of cells, coated with phosphors, give off colored light when struck with these photons. This, in turn, creates the picture you see on the screen. Did you think you'd get away without a little science lesson here?

Compared to LCD, plasma screens generally have a better color spectrum and viewing angle, as well darker black/brighter white rendition and a vastly superior response time. For years, plasma screens were notorious for suffering from "burnout," which is when a static image or some text will permanently "burn" itself on the screen if it remains for too long (i.e., a logo that sits on the screen for hours until the image changes).

Plasma traditionally suffered from "ghosting," or trails that follow objects as they move around on the screen. Advances in plasma technology have worked to lessen many of these issues, as today's plasma sets have eliminated many of these old issues.

Summary: Don't let this old technology fool you - plasma is still a great choice. Their picture will have a more fluid, natural appearance than an LCD or LED. However, they use far more power and are not very energy efficient compared to other HDTV types.

About LED and LCD: What's the Difference?

A Newer HDTV Backlighting Technology

Sometimes, HDTVs will be advertised as an "LED HDTV." It's a little confusing as to why they are advertised that way...here's why: LED, or "Light-Emitting Diode" is a newer technology in the realm of HDTVs. In this sense, however, it is not an LCD alternative but simply a technology that has been used to replace the HDTV's fluorescent backlighting with LED backlighting. LED claims to give HDTVs a better color fidelity than its fluorescent counterpart.

However, LED TVs are not exactly 100% "powered by LED" as you'd seem to think from their marketing descriptions. They are simply LCD HDTVs with LED diodes.

In general, LEDs use less power, have a longer lifetime, and have a faster response time than fluorescent lighting. You're probably familiar with products like LED pointers - it's the same technology in the little bulbs within them. Note that there is no real improvement in color, contrast nor lighting with an LED HDTV. In many cases, LED HDTVs have a more difficult time uniformly displaying brightness across an image than an LCD HDTV does.

Summary: There is little benefit in paying more for an LED HDTV rather than simply getting an LCD HDTV. The whole LED market is more hype than anything else. However, they are more energy efficient than LCDs, and can be extremely thin.

HDTV Salesman Tricks

Ever wonder why some HDTVs look so much better than others at the store? A common sales tactic that retailers use to upsell certain HDTV models is to modify their video signal. HDTVs with a dedicated video signal are working at their full capacity, whereas HDTVs that are all using a split signal will have significantly less strength, and therefore, not look as good. Be sure to look behind the HDTV to see if the cable behind it is leading to other HDTVs around it (split), or, if it has a cable leading directly into it (dedicated).

But wait, there's more! Some sets are purposely displayed with incorrect brightness and contrast balances. This is why some HDTVs look crisper and clearer than others: it's because the department store is trying to make certain HDTVs look more favorable -- typically, the ones whose inventory they are looking to reduce.. Don't fall for it!

LCD HDTV Aspect Ratio

Understanding an HDTV's viewing size

You may have already seen terms here, such as "16:9 aspect ratio," and had no clue what it meant. Aspect ratio simply means "units high x units wide." So, a 16:9 HDTV is 16 units wide x 9 units high ("units" meaning the measurement of an original video production, a broadcasting term).

Wide sets allow you to see widescreen movies in their "natural mode," without the letterbox crop bars. They also allow you to watch the older, non-narrow shows as well, albeit with the black crop bars on the left and right. Overall, the newer, wider 16:9 is the winner over the older 4:3 analog television screens for their breadth of view, and ability to watch older formats, as well!

Summary: HDTVs have an aspect ratio of 16:9, which most know as "widescreen." This is why your old family videos from the 1980s will have large black framed portions on both sides when viewed on an HDTV.

What Does "720" or "1080" HDTV Mean?

It's all about the pixels

HDTVs are always defined by the resolution, or the number of vertical pixels that they have. For instance, a 720 HDTV has 720 pixels per line going up and down (rather, vertically) the screen itself, and across 1,280 lines going horizontally to the other end of the screen.

In contrast, a 1080 HDTV has 1080 pixels per line going vertically, with 1,920 lines going across, horizontally. In these cases, the 1080 HDTV set is the better of the two - since more pixels means more detail.

Note that the resolution and the actual size of the screen in inches are not directly related: therefore, a 22" 1080p HDTV and a 22" 720p HDTV can both exist (don't assume that smaller screens are always 720p!)

Summary: If you're looking to get an HDTV that is 50" or over, make sure it is a 1080p. For screens smaller than this, the difference between 720 and 1080 won't really be noticeable to the naked eye at a distance. It's always best to stick with a 1080, but not a crisis if you don't, in this case.

Warning: VHS Tapes and HDTVs

HDTV and VHS tapes

When I bought my HDTV, I read through the warnings in the manual...one of which said that HDTVs emit a magnetic field that can destroy magnetic storage media (VHS tapes, BETA tapes, etc). I asked a professional in the field and found out that it's true: you'll want to keep your VHS tapes away from your HDTV. Perhaps, not anywhere within the cabinet that your HDTV is resting on, to be safe.

2: Narrow It Down - the Features You Must Have!

A Summary of What To Look For in Your New HDTV

A Review & Checklist of Everything We've Gone Over

HDTV 2012 ReviewUse the information reviewed above to narrow down your final decision! Here's a concluding list of what to look for in your next purchase:

  • LCD vs. LED: There's really no such thing as an "LED HDTV," just an LCD that uses either edge or back-lit LEDs. LED is widely a gimmick intended to make an LED HDTV sound more technologically advanced (therefore, higher priced) than an LCD HDTV; however, comparisons between the two have proven that the LED HDTV simply isn't worth paying more money for. If there's a huge jump in price between an LED and LCD you're looking at, then stick with the LCD. Note that LEDs are more energy efficient, though.

  • LCD/LED vs. Plasma: Plasmas have refresh & response rates that simply blow all other technologies out of the water. That means a more fluid picture that looks great, even when something high-speed is being watched...and even at an angle. They also display darker black tones than LCD or LED, but use vastly more energy than both. As you can see, this is a choice of your personal preference amongst these sole attributes.

  • 3D or no 3D?: 3DTVs have both a 2D and 3D mode, and their 2D mode is as good as any other run-of-the-mill HDTV on the market. It's up to you. Note that this is still a market in its infancy, that is constantly being improved and updated. Anyone purchasing a 3DTV today is doing so in a very rapidly changing market. If you want to watch movies in 3D, you'll also need a BluRay 3D player, and will also need to buy all of your movies over again in BluRay 3D format. There are various TV broadcasts in 3D, however, not many.

  • LCD/LED/Plasma vs Projection HDTV People who buy rear-projection HDTVs do so because they want a mammoth sized screen at the sacrifice of picture quality. If you're looking for a projection HDTV, look for a DLP one.

  • HDTV Size: While there are complicated diagrams showing the optimal sized HDTV for an exact room size, nobody truly follows those charts. 46" is what you'll find to be the most common HDTV size, and it fits nicely in most rooms. Why not measure out 32", 46" and 55" with your tape measure to see what makes the most sense, if you're concerned about getting something too big or too small?

  • DTV Ready: Today's HDTVs are DTV ready and can receive digital TV signals without the need of an external device. You won't have to research this anymore.

  • Resolution: If the HDTV is over 50", get a 1080p. If it's 50" or less, there will be no visible difference between 720p and 1080p, so either is fine.

  • Refresh Rate: HDTVs with higher refresh rates (i.e., 120 Hz) will show fast scenes more smoothly than those with low refresh rates (i.e., 60 Hz). The higher the Refresh Rate, the better...both for picture quality, and on eye strain. Know that 120 Hz is pretty much your standard refresh rate.

Which Manufacturer Makes the Best HDTV?

The purpose of this poll is to see what the general public perceives to be the best HDTV brand or manufacturer. Vote in our HDTV community poll if you have your own strong opinion on this topic!

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3: Deciding on the Right HDTV For Your Purpose

Important!

2012's Best HDTV Picks

Best LCD HDTVs

All-Around Awesome LCD HDTV

Samsung LN46C650 46" LCD HDTV

If you're looking for the LCD HDTV that's got it all at a decent price, let the LN46C650 be at the top of your list. This 1080p 46-incher has a fast 120 Hz refresh rate. Its "game mode" feature will optimize the black levels for the most crisp picture possible for you PS3/Xbox/Wii owners. It even accepts Flash drives and digital cameras. Connect to social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Flickr and others. Use a wireless connection to stream PC content to this HDTV, too. To top if off, this HDTV touts itself as being 40% more energy compliant than Energy Star itself! The customer testimonials speak for themselves on this great choice.

Samsung LN46C650 46-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV (Black)

Amazon Price: $719.99 (as of 02/13/2012)Buy Now

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

An HDTV for Economy AND Quality

Panasonic Viera TC-L37X2 37" HDTV

This is a 720p unit: but don't worry. Remember - HDTVs of this size have no visible benefit when it comes to 720p vs. 1080p, so you're safe with this great unit. It has exceptional viewing from 178-degrees across, and was actually designed to coincide with an iPod (an external iPod Dock is included). Game Mode allows the picture during gaming to be in sharp focus with high dark/light contrast, and this HDTV also has an interlinking feature for Blu-Ray disc players and AV devices. Insert your camera's memory card to view slideshows of pictures.

Best LED HDTVs

The Best Damn LED HDTV Around

Toshiba 55UX600U 55" LED HDTV

Following the newest trend, internet TV: This LED HDTV set allows you to enjoy Toshiba Net TV on-demand: movies in true 1080p high definition with 5.1 surround sound. Connect to Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and all of your other top social networking sites. What really matters: this is a top notch LED-powered unit designed to eliminate motion blur entirely. Thanks to this technology, you can really fine-tune color temperature. Its AutoView sensor adjusts picture quality and darkness depending on how light or dark it is in your room. The Game Mode also adjusts pictures for optimal gaming display. You're spending a little more (MSRP: $1,650) for this set, but are getting a big 55" screen.

Toshiba 55UX600U 55-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LED HDTV with Net TV (Black Gloss)

Amazon Price: $1,100.00 (as of 02/13/2012)Buy Now

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Best Plasmas

A Plasma HDTV to Be Proud Of

Samsung PN50C550 50" Plasma HDTV

While plasma is an older technology, it has been improved greatly through the years. This 50" plasma HDTV from Samsung is no exception: designed to eliminate blur and glare from other objects (or the sun coming through your windows), this low-energy unit has a blazing .001ms response time and 600 Hz refresh rate, which is simply unmatched when compared to LCD or LED HDTVs. Flash drives and cameras can easily connect to the HDTV for picture slideshows or videos. Samsung was able to drastically improve the viewing angle (self-proclaimed as a 43% improvement) versus the previous model.

Samsung PN50C550 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV (Black)

Amazon Price: $699.99 (as of 02/13/2012)Buy Now

Release Date: 12/31/1969

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Best 3D TVs

Crowned the Best 3D TV

Samsung UN55D8000 55" LED HDTV

Given a "perfect 10" by CNET, the Samsung UN55D8000 is a 1080p LED 3D TV with a speedy 240 Mhz refresh rate. Super thin and designed to have "more screen" and "less frame," this 3D TV displays deep black tones, vivid colors and arguably some of the best 3D rendering of any HDTV on the market. Featuring "Samsung Smart TV," this set is also an internet TV, complete with more apps than its competitors - giving a full "PC" experience. Facebook, Twitter, you know the rest. It includes a full keyboard and two-sided remote to access the 'net with. If you can swallow the price of a 3D TV that costs in the upper $1k range, this is the one to narrow your decision down to: great 3D, oodles of features, and it's Samsung.

Samsung UN55D8000 55-Inch 1080p 240Hz 3D LED HDTV (Silver)

Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 02/13/2012)Buy Now

A 3DTV That Uses Those [Free] Theater Glasses

Vizio E3D420VX 42" 3DTV

Remember that pair of plastic 3D glasses you, err, took home from the theater after seeing Avatar? Finally, a 3D TV is out that allows you to use those cheap specs instead of battery-powered, $150 3D glasses - and that TV is Vizio's E3D420VX. In case you failed to take those theater glasses with you, Vizio includes two pairs of them with this set. Beyond the fact that it's the first HDTV to offer this functionality, it's a great unit with lots of features, including internet connectivity, auto backlight adjustment, SRS TruVolume true surround sound, 3 HDMI ports and two USB ports that are thumb-drive ready. Best yet, it's under $700 - an insane price for a 42" 3DTV. Vizio's goal was to re-create the 3D theater experience, and they really nailed it with this one - just check the reviews!

Best Projection HDTVs

A Superior (and Massive!) 3D-Ready DLP

Mitsubishi WD-73638 73" DLP HDTV

So, you want overkill - I think a 73" should do it. This projection HDTV from DLP master, Mitsubishi, is not only the best bang-for-the-buck large screen TV around, but its DLP technology is incredible. Capable of viewing in both 2D and 3D modes, you'll be ready for 3D Blu-Ray, gaming and 3D broadcasting. Its response rate is approximately 1,000x faster than LCD, according to the manufacturer. This DLP HDTV receives digital cable and DTV broadcasts, and uses a 6-color processing system to display super crisp, accurate colors from broadcast and otherwise. If you intend to get this set for 3D purposes, remember that you'll need to purchase the glasses separately!

Mitsubishi WD-73638 73-Inch 3D-Ready DLP HDTV

Amazon Price: $1,079.88 (as of 02/13/2012)Buy Now

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Need Something Little?

A Small HDTV for A Small Place

Replace that tiny, outdated TV with a small HDTV!

Insignia 19With the whole DTV converter box fiasco, you'll have to get rid of the current kitchen TV, or find a place to stuff the converter box (that is, if you have any room). Why not just upgrade to a HDTV that can fit on the kitchen counter top? Or, right next to your PC screen?

There's no doubt that it is not easy to find a smaller HDTV (one that's under 20"), although they do exist. If you're looking for the most durable small HDTV at a manageable price, check out the following list I put together that showcases some tiny HDTV sets that will fit almost anywhere. Best of all, they don't need a digital converter box :)
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Important!

HDTV Accessories

What is DTV? What does it mean for my HDTV?

Is a Digital TV Converter Needed Anymore?

Now with superior picture and sound "digital TV" (DTV) signals replacing analog TV signals, the consumer public had to ditch their old rabbit ears and replace them with digital converter boxes and compatible antennas. Thankfully, your new HDTV won't be subjected to that, it's already built-in! I wrote up a guide about the digital TV converter and DTV switch, if you'd like to learn more about them.

HDTV Antennas

Since You Can't Simply Plug-In and Watch an HDTV

(If you will be using an HDTV that does *not* have a cable connection, you'll want to read this!) So, you've gotten that new HDTV, plugged it in, and see a wonderful screen that says "NO SIGNAL!" Yes, that's right. You can't simply plug a TV in the wall and flip channels like the good old days - you actually need an HDTV antenna, like it or not.

If you're looking for a higher-end indoor/outdoor antenna to plug into your new HDTV, look toward the Winegard SS-2000 Squareshooter (MSRP: approx. $90). This UHF-only amplified antenna can be used indoors or outdoors, and will get signals from up to 40 miles away (that's not a typo!). The more affordable Winegard GS-2200 Sensar III (MSRP: approx. $50) can be mounted to a mast and has a 20-45 mile span, designed for getting signals in metropolitan areas. For a true budget indoor antenna, consider the RCA ANT111 rabbit ear model (MSRP: approx. $15). If your HDTV is sitting on a stand, you can easily hide this antenna behind the HDTV, even with rabbit ears fully extended.

When it comes to the cost of an HDTV antenna, it's basically irrelevant. I own an HDTV antenna that cost me under $20, and another that was $60. Both serve the same purpose, and both receive the same channels. This is an item where you don't have to feel bad to pay less, unless you're a technophile.

What's an HDMI Cable?

Learn how HDMI Makes Everything Better!

HDMI cableHDMI or "High Definition Multimedia Interface" cables act as a replacement of the old RCA cables (those were the ones with three male ends: red, yellow and white). It's a single-ended cable, and all you need to know is that it really transmits the full potential of your gaming console or Blu-Ray player to your television.

Today's HDTVs all include at least one HDMI cable input slot, simply look for it on the back of your HDTV. Connect it to your Blu-Ray player, or your PlayStation (or other console). It's as simple as that.

The difference between HDMI and RCA cables are very visible - you'll never go back to RCA again!

A Top Choice HDMI Cable

In This Case, More Expensive Doesn't = Better!

A big mistake many people make, especially after big purchases such as HDTVs, is that they'll think they need an expensive cable to get the most out of its performance. In actuality, a cable costing 4/5ths less will give the same results. Before you buy that grossly expensive $65+ Monster brand cable, empty your shopping cart and get one of these, instead!

Here's a personal recommendation for a great HDMI cable. It doesn't even cost $3, but works like a charm. I have three of these exact ones: one for my 46" Sony Bravia, one for my 19" Samsung LCD, and one for my PlayStation 3. Can't beat it for that price. Especially when a $60 cable is no better!

DVI Gear HDMI Cable 2M (6 Feet)

* HDMI connection(input) to HDMI connection (output)
* Male to Male connection
* 6 Feet Length
* High Resolution Gold Plated Connectors
* Digital Signal of Picture and Sound (Audio Video)
* 480p - 1080p resolutions | 7-channel sound
* Transfer of full digital video and sound

Get a Cooler Remote for Your HDTV!

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Best Bang For Your Buck! 

The Samsung LN46C630

Samsung LN46C630 46-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV (Black)

Amazon Price: $687.97 (as of 02/13/2012)Buy Now

The Samsung LCD C630 features 1080p picture quality that's so lifelike, you have to see it to believe it. A 120,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio enhances the brilliant picture with vibrant whites and deep blacks. And if action is your passion, you'll never miss a piece of it with Samsung Auto Motion Plus 120Hz. It virtually eliminates blur so nearly every scene is filled with clarity. Take all of that and add our unique Touch of Color design which adds a hint of beautiful color to the bezel, and you have one truly remarkable HDTV.

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