10 Terrific TVs

Introduction to 10 Terrific TVs

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It's never been a better time to buy a new TV. But deciding on a set can be a real challenge. To help you get started, we've rounded up our top 10 TVs, including some rear-projection, plasma, LCD and traditional tube sets. They're listed in descending order of size. Click on the pictures to compare prices.

Rear-projection and Plasma TVs

	Sony KDS-R60XBR1 When you think "big screen TV," what image comes into your mind? It's likely to resemble this 60-inch rear-projection HDTV from Sony. Using SXRD, a Sony-developed display technology similar to Liquid Crystal on Silicon, this titan delivers a full 1920 by 1080 lines of resolution and a stunning 13,330:1 contrast ratio, so you really get the most out of your high-definition signal. It's also packed with plenty of A/V inputs and image-enhancing features. Basically, it's the Lexus of rear-projection TVs.
	Samsung HLR5667W This 56-inch DLP rear-projection TV uses Samsung's DNIe™ image enhancer to give you crystal-clear, natural-looking pictures. The technology works to reduce blurring in fast-moving objects, improve image separation and make colors and skin tones more accurate. The HLR5667W has a built-in HD tuner and a 1280 by 720p Digital Format Converter for all inputs. And with a cabinet less than 16 inches deep, it looks more like a flat-panel than a rear-projection.
	Toshiba 46HM95 For a stunning picture on a big screen with a slim profile, consider a Toshiba DLP rear-projection television like the 46HM95. Toshiba DLP projection TVs feature proprietary light engine technology called Toshiba Advanced Light Engine, or TALEN. TALEN uses advanced optics to avoid stray light, and increases both brightness and contrast for a bright, deep, clear, true-to-life image. This 46-inch widescreen HDTV also has a host of cool features, including picture-in-picture and a memory card slot for viewing digital photos.
	Samsung HPR4272 Until recently, the biggest drawback of plasma TVs was their reproduction of true black and color levels. But thanks to improved technology, today's plasmas boast a clear, lifelike picture with much better contrast than before. This 42-inch plug-and-play plasma is no exception, with 549 billion colors and Samsung's DNIe™ image enhancer. There's a built-in HDTV tuner, and the outputs are located on the side of the TV, so you can easily connect devices without having to reach around the back.
	Pioneer PDP-4360HD Pioneer was originally a radio-and-speaker company, so sound quality is an integral consideration in their TVs. The PDP-4360HD has a pair of detachable matching speakers and a port for adding a subwoofer, so you can enjoy three-dimensional sound. This 43-inch plasma TV also has a bright, clear picture with darker blacks and truer colors than previous plasmas. The included HDTV tuner connects to the flat panel with a single cable. You can then hook your other audio and video components up to the receiver and stash them all in a cabinet, minimizing clutter.

It's easy to dream about having the largest TV on the block, until you start thinking about where you're going to put it. Not ready to buy a new house just to accommodate your big-screen? Read on for some more-compact models.

LCD and CRT TVs

We know that biggest isn't always best, so here are our top five LCD and tube TVs measuring 40 inches or less.

	Sony Bravia KDL-V40XBR1E Imagine seeing your favorite PC video games brought to life on a 40-inch widescreen display, or giving a slideshow presentation in your living room. If that sounds good to you, consider the Sony Bravia, which has a PC input so it can double as a monitor for your home computer. This LCD television also integrates an HD tuner and the latest sound and picture technology, allowing you to customize what you see and hear according to your viewing conditions and preferences.
	Sony FD Trinitron KD-34XBR970 Cool-looking flat-panels may be all the rage, but direct-view CRT TVs still set the standard for superb picture quality. This 34-inch direct-view set from Sony is big and heavy, but you won't believe how bright and sharp the images are, with no visible lines or pixels. It's a widescreen TV with a built-in over-the-air HD tuner and a plethora of A/V inputs. And if you have digital photos or videos saved to a Memory Stick, you can display them on the TV.
	Sharp LC-32D4U Want a TV that blends nicely with your décor, adding to the look of the room even when it's turned off? This 32-inch HD-ready LCD television is housed in a sleek black cabinet with a piano-like finish, and it's small and light enough to mount on the wall. It looks great when you're watching it, too, thanks to Sharp's proprietary Advanced Super View/Black TFT Panel, which improves brightness and contrast even at wide viewing angles.
	Philips 32PF7320A This 32-inch LCD television from Philips has a native resolution of 1366 by 768, so it can display every detail of high-definition material. It comes equipped with a USB port for playing multimedia files and component video and DVI inputs for connecting your HDTV set-top box. Its pearl-white silver cabinet measures less than 5 inches deep and looks elegant on its included tabletop stand.
	Toshiba 27AF45 Good things come in small packages, and this 27-inch TV set from Toshiba has the audio and video performance to serve equally well in your living room, bedroom or den. Its flat picture tube reduces glare, while its standard-format screen has letterbox and compression modes for viewing widescreen content. Doors below the screen conceal front-panel composite video inputs, a headphone jack, and control buttons for maximum convenience.