Best TV Under $500: Vizio E420i-A0 ($480)
A 42-inch HDTV with smart TV features for less than $500 is a definite bargain. This Vizio model has built-in Wi-Fi, which lets you access Netflix, YouTube, Hulu Plus and more. The E420i uses LED lighting for improved color and has a 120-Hz refresh rate to produce a respectable picture. The TV also includes three HDMI ports and one USB port for playing video or displaying pictures from an external storage device. Topping it off, the E420i's svelte frame makes it an attractive addition to any room.
Best TV Under $1,000: LG 50LN5700($850)
It is possible to get a large, full-featured LED LCD display for well south of $1,000. The 50-inch LG 50LN5700 combines a very respectable LED LCD picture with smart TV frills often associated with more expensive sets. Its picture boasts solid hues and good color fidelity. And the 50LN5700 includes some handy conveniences, such as three HDMI inputs rather than the standard two in this price range, as well as built-in Wi-Fi and smart TV services such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Pandora and a Web browser for surfing the Internet. This model also includes video processing that helps reduce blur and picture artifacts that are often noticeable in fast motion scenes, especially on less expensive sets. One additional option to consider is LG's Magic Remote, an excellent controller that responds to gestures and voice commands. It costs an extra $80.
est HDTV for Movies: Panasonic Viera TC-P55VT60 ($1,600)
For the best HD picture available at a reasonable price, plasma is still the winner. This 55-inch model from Panasonic is the best example of why there are still plasma fanatics. The VT60 produces deep blacks, faithful colors, and smooth images of consistent color and brightness across the entire screen. Sports like tennis and football are rendered with fewer motion artifacts than appear on LCD sets. The fast screen-refresh rate of plasma also gives the VT60 an edge in displaying the fast-moving action in games.
There's a bevy of smart TV apps, courtesy of Panasonic's Viera Connect, as well as a Web browser. The TV even has a built-in video camera for Skyping with friends. Panasonic is going to discontinue making plasma TVs at the end of 2013, but stocks of this model should be plentiful into spring 2014. Snap up this great set while you still can.
Best Big Screen for the Money: Sharp Series 6 LC-70LE650U($2,000)
If getting the biggest screen possible for your money is your top consideration when purchasing a TV, go for this 70-incher from Sharp. The Series 6 delivers an impressive picture for movie or sports fans. It does not have high-end features, such as Sharp's four-color Quattron technology for enhanced colors or local dimming for enhanced contrast. But in exchange for these subtle quality enhancements, you get plenty of screen for immersive Super Bowl parties or mini movie-theaterlike screenings.
In addition, the TV has built-in Wi-Fi and smart-TV connections for popular services like Netflix and Hulu. To keep the screen from being an oppressive dark panel when it's turned off, Sharp includes a wallpaper feature that can cycle though preloaded fine art photos or images of your own, stored on a USB drive.
Best High-End LCD TV: Samsung UN55F8000 ($2,500)
Not only has Samsung crammed every feature and technology its engineers could think of into its 8000 series sets, but it also has managed to create one of the best pictures available in an LED LCD TV.
The 55-inch UN55F8000 represents a sweet spot in terms of price, size and performance. A faster internal processor juggles a ton of smart features, including a video camera, voice and motion gesture controls, a device to control your cable box, and an improved interface with a touchpad remote for flipping among all the broadcast and online options on screen. (And Samsung offers more smart-TV features than any other TV maker).
More important, the set boasts image quality to match its raft of features. Advanced local dimming produces one of the best LCD pictures for revealing details in dark scenes. Colors also appear natural rather than garishly oversaturated, as often happens with lower-quality TVs.
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