A plasma TV used to be the only game in town if you wanted a big-screen high-definition TV slim enough to hang on your wall. Then LCDs moved into the big leagues, with screens 40 inches and larger competing with 42-inch plasma sets. Now LCD makers are introducing more 46- to 52-inch LCD TVs, vying with the growing ranks of 50-inch and larger plasmas. We checked out five new sets, three LCDs and two plasmas, to see how they stack up.

You'll find the performance results for many other models in our latest plasma TV Ratings and LCD TV Ratings, both available to  only. And for free HDTV buying advice, check out How to choose as well as our step-by-step HDTV Decision Guide.


LG 47LB5D, Samsung LN-T5265F, and Sharp Aquos LC-52D82U

The three new LCD sets we tested are all 1080p (1920x1080) models, sometimes called "full HD" in ads. These sets have the potential to display more and finer detail than TVs with a lower resolution, improvements that are most noticeable on screens in the 50-inch range. This trio made the most of their increased resolution, all displaying sharp, detailed images.

The 47-inch LG 47LB5D, $2,800, has an impressively wide viewing angle for an LCD TV--one of the best we've seen so far--and an especially bright picture. But its black levels were also overly bright, and contrast is reduced a bit. On the plus side, it has side-panel A/V inputs, and a USB port that enables you to view photos and listen to MP3 files stored on a compatible device. (Watch our free online video preview: LG47LB5D LCD TV for more information.)

The other two LCD sets were among the largest we've tested so far, with 52-inch screens. The Samsung LN-T5265F, $3,500, had deep black levels for an LCD set, excellent contrast and rich colors, but its screen was more reflective than that of most LCD TVs--attributes that make it more like a plasma set than an LCD at first glance. The reflections could be problematic in a brightly lighted room. Like the LG, it has a USB port.

The 52-inch Sharp Aquos LC-52D82U, $3,500, boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, a feature we expect to see in more higher-end models this year. That's designed to address a typical LCD weakness, motion blur on fast-moving images, but we didn't see a noticeable difference between this set and others with a slower refresh rate. Also, black levels weren't as deep as on the Samsung. When scrutinizing test patterns, we noticed subtle but visible horizontal streaks, or non-uniform hot spots, but that was barely visible with typical video content. We believe many viewers probably wouldn't notice it unless they were specifically looking for it.

Any of those sets is worth checking out. If you want a lower-priced set of this type, consider a 46-inch TV that did well in our previous tests, the Vizio Gallevia GV46LHDTV, $1,600.


Panasonic TH-50PX75U and Hitachi P50H401

The two plasma sets were the Panasonic TH-50PX75U and the Hitachi P50H401, 50-inch plasma HDTVs priced at $2,500 each. Both displayed a colorful picture with sharp, crisp detail. The Panasonic did especially well with deep black levels, a hallmark of the best plasma sets, though the picture appeared a bit dim in a brightly lighted room. It also had very good sound quality using the built-in speakers. It includes EZ Sync, which sends control signals as well as audio and video via a single HDMI cable, so you can control other, similarly enabled home theater components using a single remote. It lacks front or side inputs, though. An older Panasonic model, the TH-50PX600U, was top-rated in our previous tests. It's being phased out, but you might find it (mostly online) for less than $2,000, making it a great buy. Its sibling, the TH-50PX60U, did almost as well in those tests and might also be available at clearance pricing.

The Hitachi has an unusual native resolution--1280x1080 or "1080i"--less than the 1920x1080 of 1080p sets, but more than the 1366x768 resolution of most plasmas (including the Panasonic above). It did well, but blacks weren't quite as deep as on the Panasonic, and contrast was a bit lacking as a result. There was also slight banding (false contouring) in areas. One edge it has over the Panasonic: a front-panel HDMI input, allowing for easy connection of gear such as a high-def DVD player. The Hitachi was decent but not a top performer.

If you want a lower-priced plasma of this size, consider a TV that did well in our previous tests, the Vizio P50HDTV, $1,500.


THE BOTTOM LINE

If you want the most screen for the money and watch a lot of movies or sports, a plasma set would probably suit you better than an LCD. If you generally watch TV in bright lighting and are concerned about reflections from the screen, go for an LCD (but not the Samsung). For a 1080p set, you'll find a wider selection in the LCD group, with less of a price premium--at least for now. Some lower-priced 1080p plasmas are expected to debut on the market soon.