ConsumerReport's rating of HD direct-view TVs.

[Smokey]

From March '03 issue. The ratings are based on picture quality from Excellent (5 Stars), to poor (1 Star). Looks like Samsung TVs have disappointing performance in HD department.

HD-READY SETS WITH 4:3 SCREENS (27- to 36-inch sets):

#1. Sony FD Trinitron Wega KV-36HS510 (36-in,$1800)
HD picture quality:5 Stars
Non-HD Picture quality (S-video): 5 Stars

#2. Panasonic Tau Pureflat Series CT-32HL43 (32-in,$1100)
HD picture quality:4 Stars
Non-HD Picture quality (S-video):4 Stars

#3. Panasonic Tau Pureflat Series CT-36HL43 (36-in,$1500)
HD picture quality:4 Stars
Non-HD Picture quality (S-video): 4 Stars

#4. Sanyo DS32830H (32-in,$700)
HD picture quality:3 Stars
Non-HD Picture quality (S-video):4 Stars

#5. Philips Epic Series 32PT842H37A (32-in,$1200)
HD picture quality:2 Stars
Non-HD Picture quality (S-video):4 Stars

#6. JVC l'Art Pro AV-36DF74 (36-in,$1600)
HD picture quality:2 Stars
Non-HD Picture quality (S-video):3 stars

#7. Philips 36PT842H (36-in,$1650)
HD picture quality:2 Stars
Non-HD Picture quality (S-video):3 Stars

#8. Samsung Dynaflat HDTV Monitor TXN2771HF (27-in,$700)
HD picture quality:1 Stars
Non-HD Picture quality (S-video):4 stars
----------------------------------------------------------

HD-READY WIDE-SCREEN (16:9) SETS (30- and 34-inch sets)

#1. Sony FD Trinitron Wega KV-34XBR910 (34-in,$2500)
HD picture quality:5 Stars
Non-HD Picture quality (S-video):5 stars

#2. Sony FD Trinitron Wega KV-34HS510 (34-in,$2000)
HD picture quality:5 Stars
Non-HD Picture quality (S-video):4 Stars

#3. Philips HD Series 30PW850H (30-in,$1000)
HD picture quality:3 Stars
Non-HD Picture quality (S-video):5 Stars

#4. Panasonic Tau Pureflat CT-34WX53 (34-in,$2000)
HD picture quality:4 Stars
Non-HD Picture quality (S-video):4 Stars

#5. Toshiba TheaterWide HD 30HF83 (30-in,$1300)
HD picture quality:3 Stars
Non-HD Picture quality (S-video):4 Stars

#6. Toshiba TheaterWide HD 34HF83 (34-in,$1800)
HD picture quality:3 Stars
Non-HD Picture quality (S-video):4 Stars

#7. Philips Epic Series 30PW862H (30-in,$1300)
HD picture quality:3 Stars
Non-HD Picture quality (S-video):4 Stars

#8. Samsung Dynaflat HDTV Monitor TXN3075WHF (30-in,$1000)
HD picture quality:3 Stars
Non-HD Picture quality (S-video):3 Stars

#9. Philips Matchline Series 34PW9819 (34-in,$2500)
HD picture quality:2 Star
Non-HD Picture quality (S-video):5 Stars

[Smokey]

From March '03 issue.

Sorry, that should read from March '04 issue :)

[kelsci]

Sorry, that should read from March '04 issue :)

Smokey; The Sony 34XBR910(hi-deg widescreen model) has a review on audiorevolution.com. The reviewer gave this model about the highest praise one could give a direct view tube set. His review explains why. Kelsci

[Smokey]

Thanks Kelsci for the link.

You are right. Audiorevolution did gave it an outstanding rating. May be Sony is doing something right. Their XBR model always have been a top dog in TV, albeit slightly expensive.

But looking at CR rating, it is very disappointing to see that Sony was the only TV that received 5 star in term of HD picture quality. Even Panasonic did not recieve that rating.

And lets not even talk about Samsung's rating :)