ConsumerReport's rating of HD direct-view TVs.

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
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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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Smokey

From March '03 issue.

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Smokey

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

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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

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 :)