Sep 21, The Complete LCD TV Guide: System Guidelines and LCD HDTV Reviews

  Up to not long ago, you had no choice for a direct-view display - all TV sets were of the same kind, using that old but reliable cathode-ray tube technology, simply referred to as CRT. That is no longer true. LCD display technology that has become so popular with laptop screens, is being used to a great effect in small to medium screen size televisions.

In particular, at sub-40-inch screen sizes, LCD is at present the only mass-market flat-panel display technology. And at sub-26-inch sizes, LCD TV sales have by far superseded that of CRT TVs. 

Larger screen sizes up to 65-inch are also readily available; case in point are the 60" UN60C6300 and the 65" UN65C6500 Samsung LED TVs.

But at this screen category, plasma HDTVs still carry a price advantage. Price difference however is highly dependent on model and brand, while within the same brand, the price difference between sets of similar specs is just marginal.

Speaking of big screen flat-panel TVs, this is the year when massive 60-inch LCDs are selling at truly affordable prices - with a price that is very much in line with that of plasma TVs. We have already referred to the latest Samsung LED HDTVs; the 60-inch is selling for under $2,500. But even the 60-inch KDL-60EX700 Sony LED TV is selling online for practically the same price as the Samsung. Even more affordable is the Samsung 60-inch LN60C630 LCD HDTV reviewed here. The C630 delivers practical the same feature set of the LED version and solid picture performance at a cheaper prices that the LED TV equivalent.

You see, despite being referred to by many as the 'old school' technology, CCFL-LCD technology still delivers plenty of value with respect to edge-lit LED TVs. Mind you, edge-lit LED TV backlight technology offers superior energy efficiency and thinness in design that no CCFL-based LCD TV can ever attain.

However, with the latest affordable prices for medium to large flat panel TVs, it is the 46-inch to 55-inch TV set that is turning out to be the real favorite big-screen TV size in home entertainment. It is a screen size that does provide a more immersive movie experience over smaller 40-inch sets - thanks to the added screen estate. And the difference in invested capital over a smaller 40 inch set with a similar feature set is often minimal. In contrast, prices would shoot upwards as one cross the 60-inch screen boundary. The 65-inch Samsung referred to earlier on in this LCD TV discussion is selling at around $4,000, representing almost 50% increase in price over the 60-inch version for just 17% increase in screen estate.

During these last few years, LCD TVs have been coming out bigger and cheaper. Yet there is a lot more to the latest developments in LCD display technology than just a more affordable big screen TV. In particular, we have seen a leap in overall picture performance of LCD HDTVs, with sets capable of improved screen uniformity, better off-angle viewing, deeper blacks, more accurate colors, higher refresh rates, improved LCD response times, and high contrast ratios.

This is apart from cleaner video processing, enhanced features - in particular the latest 'hot' spec of the day - Internet driven TV content with Yahoo widgets found on most premium HDTVs, a one-inch thin profile on LED TVs, and equally important, significantly lower power consumption.

One surely cannot leave out here the latest LED LCD TVs using cutting-edge LED backlight technology. Rather, we have to say that most of the investment by LCD TV makers during this last year has been channeled towards improved LED backlight technology - partly explaining why we did not see any major picture quality improvements over previous years when it comes to CCFL LCD TVs.

Admittedly, LED TVs does not necessarily imply improved overall picture performance with respect to conventional CCFL LCDs, especially when it comes to off-angle viewing and screen brightness uniformity; edge-lit LED LCDs tend to suffer a bit more than standard CCFL-based LCD TVs in these areas of picture quality. At the same time, one cannot but remark that some of the latest LED TVs can do a remarkable job in overall picture quality. A case in point is the UNC8000 series by Samsung - which uses an improved version of edge-LED lighting.

But equally impressive is the performance of the Samsung 55-inch UN55B8500 released in late 2009 - considered by many as the kind of LCDs, and the latest LG 55LE8500 LED TV - one of the top LED LCD TVs for 2010. Both HDTVs use the more expensive LED backlight with full array local dimming technology; local dimming LED technology can do much better job as further explained in our LCD display technology guide here. Mind you, full array local dimming sets suffer from mild blooming issues though blooming with the sets referred to here is very much controlled and hardly noticeable with most content material. In fact professional reviews for these HDTVs show that the very mild blooming present is definitely not a picture quality issue. In other words, while these are not the perfect TVs, they are pretty dam close to delivering what should be the perfect TV picture.

The only real problem with full array local diming is their expensive price. For 2010, Samsung has managed to come with a sort of alternative LED backlight technology - precision dimming with edge-LED lighting - as used on the UNC8000 series referred to above. This is not superior to full-array local dimming performance when it comes to black levels, yet it is possibly the best compromise between the added expense of full-array and improved picture performance over standard edge-lit LED backlights.  

However, even standard edge-lit LED TVs have their own advantageous - like improved contrast ratios, ultra-slim inch thin profile even at massive 60-inch screen sizes, and improved power consumption that is some 40% less than that of conventional LCD TVs. For example, sets such as the 52-inch EX700 edge-lit Sony LED TV are capable of exceptional power efficiency that no other CCFL LCD or plasma TV can ever achieve.

But as we have stated, nothing is perfect.  Their major picture quality issue is lack of brightness uniformity across the full screen area. This lack of screen uniformity is common with most LED TVs. Things have improved significantly with the latest 2010 LED TVs, but at the more expensive price one has to pay for a LED LCD TV, we expect better...

And we add, this is their real problem - LED TV sets are still relatively expensive though the latest price drop we have seen for edge-lit LED TVs makes LED TVs more within reach of the average household budget.

However, at the bigger home theater screen size HDTVs, expect to spend anything between $300 and almost $1,000 more than corresponding conventional LCD television. The Samsung 55-inch LN55C630 is selling online at under $1,700 against the $2,000 of the UN55C6300 LED TV equivalent; not much of a difference for a 55-inch HDTV but still significantly more expensive.

It is only natural when discussion LCD TVs (LED TVs are still LCD TVs), to compare these with their Plasma counterpart.

While one cannot say that both display technologies are equal, yet there is no doubt that when it comes to picture performance, the best LCD TVs are just a hairline away from the best plasma counterparts; in particular, this is so with the latest LED LCD TVs using a full array backlight with local dimming technology. This means that high refresh rates, high contrast levels, and accurate colors are no longer the dominion of plasma televisions. And when it comes to black level performance, today's LED LCD TVs with local dimming, support the same deep blacks as the best plasmas when you view the picture dead center; the problem is that with off-angle viewing, black levels and color saturation of LED LCD TVs - tend to deteriorate at a faster rate than conventional LCDs and even more so, than corresponding plasma TVs.

But then both plasma and LCD display technologies have their share of advantageous and disadvantageous; there is no winner here. And while up to three to four years ago, the price factor was a major issue, this is no longer the case; the price difference between these two different display technologies have practically vanished even at the larger screen sizes. Rather, HDTV pricing is becoming more feature dependent than display technology dependent.

What's more, there are many similarities between plasma TVs and LCD televisions. Like plasma televisions, LCD HDTVs are just a few inches thick - with the latest plasma and LCD HDTV species being just over an inch thin. Large LCDs can literally be hung on the wall, while smaller sets, up to around 32-inch, can easily fold under a wall cabinet. Their unobtrusive nature integrates well with the rest any room decor.

Choosing one technology over the other is therefore more a matter of personal preference and matching the respective display technology characteristics with your specific needs.

For a detailed discussion on the pros and cons of plasmas and LCDs, please check our Plasma vs. LCD Guide.

Though LCD Television sets have become more affordable than ever - and though the price difference between LCD and plasma HDTVs have practically disappeared - yet like their plasma counterpart, LCD HDTVs still represent an expensive investment. In addition, the vast choice of LCD televisions available for the consumer is such that selecting an LCD television can turn out to be challenging and even frustrating.

We therefore hope that you will find the information presented in the LCD HDTV guides covered under this section of some assistance; these guides should lead you to a more informed buy. We also hope that products featured under our LCD HDTV Reviews section will help make your choice a bit easier.

LCD Response Time and Image Lag:

Is faster always better? Is it possible to compare LCD TV response times between different manufactures when the different ways of reporting seems simply designed by some to disguise the hard facts?

Image Sticking in LCD Televisions: 

Image sticking is surely one of the least known phenomena associated with the use of TFT LCD panels, yet image retention is not just an issue with plasma televisions. Discover what causes image retention in LCD TVs. What can you do to avoid it?

Buying a new HDTV - Buy now or wait till later?

Following the CES, many end up engulfed in the dilemma of whether they should opt for a premium line LCD TV from the previous year at a heavily discounted price, or simply wait for the new models to start filling stores shelves and get the latest... at a significantly higher price tag.

We discuss this hotly debated issue to help you make a better choice.

A Guide to LCD Television Installation:

Thanks to the use of LCD mounts, installing an LCD TV should be a fairly straightforward task, but... Help is on the way. This installation guide looks at various installation issues from placement to running cables and safety considerations.

LCD Television Mounts:

The different types of LCD TV mounts give rise to mounting options undreamed off with CRT and RPTVs. In this second part of our LCD television installation guide, we discuss the various LCD mounts - identifying their pros, cons and use.

Choosing Your LCD Television Set - A Product Guide

As always, it is not easy to choose especially when considering that more manufactures are competing to come up with feature-packed LCD HDTV sets that are larger, better and cheaper than ever.

To assist you in this selection process, we are presenting a number of product reviews featuring some of the best-selling LCD televisions on the market; products covered so far include:

Samsung LCD TV Reviews for 2010:

Part 1: Samsung Entry-level 720p and 1080p Series

Part 2: Series 6 Samsung LCD HDTVs

LG LED TV Lineup for 2010 - Product Evaluation:

Part 1: Introduction to the new LG LED TV lineup

Part 2: Key Features for 2010 LG LED TVs

Part 3: LG LE5300, LE5400, LE5500, and LX6500 LED TVs

Part 4: LG Infinia line: LE7300, LE8500, and LX9500 series

Samsung LED HDTV Lineup for 2010 - Product Evaluation:

Intro:   Introducing the new range of Samsung LED TVs

Part 1: Key features for 2010 Samsung LED LCD HDTVs

Part 2: Samsung Series 4, Series 5, and Series 6 LED TVs

Part 3: Samsung Series 7 and Series 8 High-end LED HDTVs

Part 4: Samsung C9000 Flagship series in detail

Sony LED HDTV Lineup for 2010 - Full Product Guide:

Part 1:    An introduction to Sony latest LED TVs

Part 2:    Sony 3D LED TV Series

Part 3/1: Sony 2D Premium LED TVs: NX800 and NX700

Part 3/2: Sony 2D mid-range/entry-level LED TVs: EX700 and EX600

Sony Bravia KDL-XBR9 high-end 240Hz 1080p HDTVs

Sony Bravia KDL-V5100 entry-level 120Hz 1080p HDTVs

LG LCD TVs: Covering LH50, LH55, and LG LED TV Series LH90

Samsung LCD TVs:

Samsung Series-7 LCD HDTVs

Samsung Series 6 LCDs

Samsung B8500 LED LCD TV Review

Part 1: Samsung B8500 - Main Features

Part 2: Samsung B8500 - Performance Analysis

2009 Samsung LED LCD TV Line - Product Evaluation

Part 1: Samsung B6000, B7000, and B8000 - Main Features

Part 2: Performance Issues and discussion

LED TVs vs. LCD TVs:

Samsung Series 7 LCDs vs. Samsung edge-lit LED TVs

LED LCD TV Review: Samsung A950 vs. Sony XBR8

Part 1: Samsung A950 LED LCD HDTV Series

Part 2: Sony XBR8 LED Triluminos LCD HDTVs

Part 3: Which is Better - Samsung or Sony?

Samsung 2008 LCD HDTV Product Guide: Series 9, 8, 7, and 6

Samsung 2008 LCD HDTV Product Guide: Series 5, 4, and 3

Sony Bravia KDL-S4100 Series of LCD 1080p entry-level HDTVs

Sony KDL-46XBR4 46-inch 1080p LCD HDTV

Samsung LN-T4665F 1080p LCD Television

Samsung LN-T53/54H 720p LCD HDTV Series

More LCD TV reviews will follow soon.

If you are in the market for an LCD HDTV, we advise to visit the amazon storefront; the vast choice of products and the various buying options available from the different retailers are among the best online. 

However, prior to any decision, we recommend to do some research of your own. Look at what other customers had to say about their LCD following their purchase. This will give you extensive insight about the product of interest; a good starting point is the customer feedback posted on the amazon site. 

You can search the amazon storefront for LCD HDTVs without leaving our site by using the amazon search box below; your search results will appear here under.

Featured LCD Television Reviews for 2010

The latest LED and LCD TV reviews featured on PHTG

Samsung LCD HDTVs: Entry-level 720p and 1080p Series
In the first part of this review article, we introduce you to the latest line of Samsung LCD TVs. We then look at Samsung entry-level 720p and 1080p LCD TVs on offer for 2010.

In the second part, we review Samsung Series 6. This covers 12 LCD TV models and offers more than just an appealing mix of features and style at a most tempting price. But how do they perform?

LG LED TV Lineup for 2010 - Full Product Evaluation
LG is presenting seven different LED TV series. Relatively affordable, LG LED TVs offer a lot for the price. But what about picture quality - is it worthy of a leader in the field? In this LG TV review, we analyze each of these series to discover more.

Samsung 2010 LED HDTV Lineup - Product Evaluation
With more than 30 LED TVs spread over six series - from entry-level Series 4 to C9000 flagship HDTVs, Samsung new LED TV lineup seems all set to be an even bigger hit.

This Samsung LED TV review evaluates each of these series for features and performance, to see what's on offer for 2010.

Sony LED HDTV Lineup for 2010 - Full Product Guide:
Sony is proposing an extensive line of 2D and 3D LED TVs, with a total of 22 different models. But what is exactly on offer and how do these perform with respect to LED TVs from other brands?

LED / LCD TV reviews & product guides featured under this section for 2009 HDTVs 

Samsung B8500 LED TV Series Detailed Product Evaluation

Samsung Series 6 LCD HDTVs:  Full product guide covering B610, B630, B640, and B650 LCD HDTVs

Sony Bravia KDL-V5100 120Hz 1080p HDTVs - full product review 

Sony Bravia KDL-XBR9 240Hz 1080p HDTVs with internet-enabled content and DLNA support - full product review 

LG LCD HDTV Reviews covering LG LH50, LH55, and LG LED TV series LH90 

Samsung LED HDTVs vs. LCD Televisions: Which is Better?
We discuss this LED vs. LCD TV issue.

Samsung 2009 LCD HDTVs:  The B750 Series:
Series 7 Samsung LCDs have all it takes to become the best selling HDTVs for 2009. More in this LCD TV review.

2009 Samsung LED TVs - the Complete Lineup: Product Evaluation

LED LCD TVs - Sony vs. Samsung:

Part 1: Samsung A950 Series

Part 2: Sony XBR8 series

Part 3: Which is better?

Best HDTVs Roundup: Picking up the best plasma and LCD TVs for 2009

Recommended Technical Guides 

3D TV in the Home
We experienced 3D in the movie theater; now 3D is coming to your home thanks to the latest 3D HDTVs. Discover all you need to know about the 3D technology in home entertainment.

The HDMI Cable Guide
To many, HDMI is still an unfamiliar term. This easy-to follow home theater guide explains all you need to know about HDMI.

TV Viewing Distance
Are you in the market for a big screen TV? Care should be taken as you may easily fall into the trap of buying a too large TV.

Understanding HDTV formats
Discover the strengths and weaknesses of the different HD formats - 720p, 1080i, and 1080p - in this HDTV Guide.

Recommended Home Theater Reading

Sound & Vision

Provides good reviews on the latest home theater gear.

Practical
Home Theater
Well-written home theater guide - a useful reference to anyone interested in home theater.

Check out the latest special offers on LCD HDTV sets at amazon

Latest LCD TVs

Samsung 2010 1080p 3D LED TV - Detailed product evaluation available here

Samsung Series 6 LCD TV review available here

Detailed 2010 Sony LED LCD TV review is available here.

Detailed product guide available here.

Suggested TV Wall Mounts & AV Cabinets

Wall Mounts and Media Cabinets for your LCD HDTV

For more information on LCD TV mounts, please refer to our guide LCD Television Mounts; there, we discuss, the various flat-panel TV mounts - identifying their pros, cons and use.

View the original article here