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What's behind our TV Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 162 models in TVs to see which ones perform best.

We look for:

Overall score
Based on HD picture quality, sound quality, 3D performance (when feature is present), viewing angle, motion blur performance, ease of use, versatility, and power consumption. The displayed score is out of a total of 100 points.
Display type (Backlight)
Type of display technology used; Plasma or LCD, and backlight type (LED--Light Emitting Diode, or CCFL--Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp, for LCD TVs only).
Screen size
The size of the television's screen, measured diagonally in inches.
HD picture quality
Based on objective tests and subjective evaluations by expert testers after TV is adjusted using standard picture controls to achieve the highest-fidelity image possible. Tested image attributes include detail, color accuracy, and contrast, using signals from a Blu-ray player, cable box, and professional broadcast equipment and meters. All signals are routed through an HDMI input.
3D performance
Evaluation of the TV's ability to reproduce realistic 3D images. For effective 3D, images must show freedom from ghosting (double images visible even when wearing 3D glasses), image dimming, loss of resolution, and viewing angle problems that are specific to the 3D mode.
Viewing angle
Evaluation of picture quality for clarity and color accuracy at various horizontal and vertical viewing angles, typically a challenge for LCD TVs.
Sound quality
Measured from the set's built-in speakers using computer-driven test equipment, with additional subjective testing by a listening panel. In our judgments we listen for overall clarity of sound, depth of bass, effective volume level, and audible distortion, for dialogue, music, and movie soundtrack content.
Remote ease of use
Assessment of the usability of the TV's remote control, considering button layout, backlighting, labeling, and access to practical features. We consider both features you're likely to use one time and those you may use more often.
On-screen menu ease of use
Assessment of the usability of the TV's on-screen menu, considering its interaction with the remote, menu layout, and access practical features. We consider both menu items you're likely to use one time and those you may use more often.
Versatility
Indicates features that increase a TV's utility or capabilities. These include 3D capability, access to Internet and Web browsing, number of HD and USB inputs, support for various media, and other useful features.
Energy cost/yr.
Estimated cost per year in dollars, calculated for 5 hours a day turned on and 19 hours in the off (standby) mode, based on the current year's national average electricity rate. Your usage and local rates will affect your costs. Note that the energy scores are for a TV optimized for the best picture quality, not using any energy-saving technology included in the set.

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Recommended TVs

Recommended TVs are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.

Recommended TVs

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As new technologies take over, they present consumers with a number of evolving television choices. From plasma to LCD TVs, and rear projection to front-projector TVs, there are now many more choices than just the picture-tube sets of your childhood. If you're looking for information about TVs, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Consumer Reports’ TV reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our TV buying guide to discover which features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased Ratings and TV reviews to help you choose the best television for your needs.

Ratings & recommended TVs

LCD & Plasma TVs (154)

We've changed the way we present our TV Ratings to aid readers in choosing the best TV for their needs and their budget. Rather than presenting LCD and plasma TVs separately, we've combined them to make it easier for you to see how their performance and features compare. They're broken out by screen size, one of the main criteria for selection. We've also included TVs with 3D capability in our one-stop Ratings. There's a good reason for this: These are standard HDTVs that can display 3D. Many are top performers worth considering just for 2D use if you find them at a good price. And you'll have the option of watching 3D in the future, if you want to do so.

We have also modified our tests. For example, we no longer include scores for standard-definition content, since the vast majority of programming is now in HD. Besides telling you which models have streaming video content from services such as Netflix and Vudu, we're indicating those that have browsers and Flash, which is used by many Web videos. We also note which TVs allow you to connect wirelessly to a home network, a convenience if you don't have a nearby Ethernet jack. Because our survey data showed us that few consumers attach external sound systems, we're putting more emphasis on the TV's sound. Finally, the TV's energy efficiency and motion blur performance are now considered in the overall score.

As a result of these updates, you might notice slight changes in the overall score of TVs that appeared in previous Ratings. Below are high-scoring TVs that stand out for the reasons noted.

Front projection TVs (8)

Our latest tests of front projectors turned up a number of impressive performers offering a lot of bang for the buck. For less than $1,500 you can now buy a projector that produces a 100-inch-plus high-definition picture that rivals the quality you'd get with a flat-panel TV half that size. And for as little as $1,000, maybe even less, you can enjoy a very good picture with full HD 1080p resolution on a giant screen.

That's a notable shift from the past, when most lower-priced projectors were 720p models. In our current Ratings, all the projectors except one--a 720p model from Optoma that costs just $650--have 1080p resolution. The movement to 1080p is especially important given the size of projected images, which make the most of the sharp detail.

The top-rated Mitsubishi's HC4000, a DLP projector, offers excellent high-def and standard-def picture quality for just $1,300. The two other recommended projectors--both LCD-based models--are the $2,200 Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 9700 UB, with excellent picture quality, and the $2,000 Panasonic PT-AE4000U, which was very good.

These recommended projectors offer a winning combination of performance, features, and price. (See Ratings and Recommendations for more details on each of those models.) But almost any of the projectors we tested could be a decent choice, particularly if you find them at a very good price. Most produced satisfying, reasonably bright, detailed high-definition images, though they varied in their ability to produce deep black levels, high contrast, and accurate colors. (We used a 110-inch Da-Lite matte-finished screen for our tests.)

All of the projectors in the current Ratings are either LCD or DLP models; projectors using LCoS technology, typically from JVC and Sony, have traditionally done very well in our Ratings. The DLP models all use a single-chip design with a spinning color wheel, so they are subject to the so-called rainbow effect. Some viewers might perceive momentary flashes of color when viewing certain image content, which can be annoying, but others might not discern them so readily. Neither LCD nor LCoS projectors are susceptible to rainbows.

For our "SD Picture quality" tests we recently modified our test procedure to use 480i signals, a more common standard definition format than 480p. Models that mention SD quality were tested with 480i. Previously tested models that mention DVD picture quality were tested with 480p signals. Our HD picture quality tests use 1080i signals.

Recently reviewed TVs

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Insignia NS-46E480A13

(Tested)

A 46-inch LCD HDTV with LED backlighting from Insignia with 1080p resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, 3 HDMI inputs, and 1 component-video input.

Insignia NS-46E480A13

Samsung PN51E490

TCL L32HDP60

Magnavox 32ME402V

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TV buying guide

Buying a TV involves many choices, some of which may be brand new to you. This TV buying guide organizes the process into clear, logical steps that will help you make a smart decision.