HDTV 2009 – Four To Shine
Posted by hdtv buying guide on April 29, 2009 under HDTV Reviews | 
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Product roll outs for electronics companies tend to happen randomly. One company might do it in the spring, another in the summer, and still another in the fall — to better take advantage of holiday sales. Or it could come in waves.
Either way, the end result is a mix of last year’s technology and this year’s hot new features. Even worse, they all look the same in stores.
Rest assured, though, there are a few standouts in the HDTV class of 2009. Below are four choices, selected because of features, performance and/or value. All of the choices reflect models currently available. While they’re certainly not the end-all to HDTVs for the year, they’re worth checking out.
Panasonic TCP50G10
A 50-inch, 1080p plasma model, the Panasonic VIERA TCP50G10 earned raves recently from HDGuru.com reviewer Michael Fremer. This television aced HDGuru’s color and image-rendering benchmark tests. The Panasonic TCP50G10 is priced at $1,599.99 on Amazon.com.
Also, because of a smaller bezel (frame) around the screen, the TCP50G10 may fit into smaller spaces where other 50-inch televisions cannot. Additionally, the TCP50G10 uses far less electricity than other plasmas, making it a prime choice for energy-conscious buyers.
The TCP50G10 is also THX certified, meaning it can produce pictures to the quality of George Lucas’ cinema-standards assurance company.
Sony KDL40S5100
Sony’s S-Series televisions offer solid performance and the picture quality for which the company’s LCDs are known.
The 40S1500 is the 40-inch model and retails for $999.99. It offers 1080p resolution and six high-definition inputs (three HDMI, two component and one PC). Like other Sony LCDs, it offers loads of compatibility with other devices.
The Sony Bravia Link system is compatible with the S-Series, making it possible to view online video content through your television. Additionally, with 1080p “full” high-definition resolution, the S-Series can squeeze every bit of detail from Blu-ray players and PlayStation 3 gaming consoles. But with a price tag of under $1,000, it won’t break the bank.
Samsung HL67A750
If you have the space — along with a hankering for a giant TV and a smaller budget — Samsung’s DLP (digital light processing) televisions are the way to go.
At 67 inches, the HL67A750 falls into Samsung’s Series 7 line. Like the others on the list, it has 1080p resolution and plenty of inputs for peripheral devices. But because DLP technology is cheaper, it checks in at just $1,899.99.
As a bonus, the light source for Series 7 DLPs is LED-based, meaning no bulb replacement fees to worry about. But because it is DLP-based — meaning it projects the image from behind — it will take up more space. The HL67A750 is a little under 16 inches deep.
Toshiba 52XV545U
If you’re craving a high-quality LCD screen but aren’t in favor of the higher-priced Sony models, Toshiba has a number of solid options.
Its Cinema Series flat-panels offer great features with a reasonable price tag. The 52-inch 52XV545U is $2,199 — hundreds less than the top-of-the-line Sony.
One of the more interesting features is something Toshiba calls Super Resolution Technology. Rather than displaying non-HD signals in their native resolution (like 480p standard-definition television), SRT upconverts the signal and sharpens the picture.
While it’s not possible to make a standard-definition signal truly high-definition, anything to make it look better is a bonus.
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