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By virtue of their proximity on the U.S. calendar, fathers and graduates are often grouped together as gift recipients, but in the case of television-related gifts, dad and grad are two separate animals. Pops prefers the latest and greatest, spare no expense (translation: big HDTVs) while the graduate wants something a big more portable, that he or she can tote across the country and yet still use to play video games. Our picks span the gamut.
Editors' top pick
The bottom line: The Pioneer PDP-5080HD produces the deepest shade of black--and thus one of the best pictures--we've ever tested.
The bottom line: While it costs more than just about any rear-projection big-screen, the 58-inch Panasonic TH-58PZ700U plasma offers superb image quality.
The bottom line: If you don't mind its red frame, the Samsung LN52A650 LCD TV will reward you with a massive feature set and excellent picture quality.
The bottom line: The SXRD-based Sony KDS-55A3000 exhibited excellent color accuracy and stellar performance in general, making it the year's best performer in the rear-projection HDTV category.
The bottom line: Accurate color helps set apart the excellent picture quality of the Samsung PN50A550 50-inch plasma TV.
The bottom line: A couple of issues keep its picture out of the top tier, but excellent black-level performance still makes the Panasonic TH-46PZ85U plasma TV stand out from the pack.
The bottom line: The Olevia 252T FHD deserves consideration among budget 1080p flat-panel LCDs, but still had a hard time making hay against the better plasmas.
The bottom line: Despite our usual picture quality quibbles, the well-equipped Vizio VO47LF 47-inch flat-panel LCD stays true to the company's good-value reputation.
The bottom line: Panasonic's TH-42PX80U 42-inch plasma sets the picture quality-to-value standard for entry-level plasma TVs.
The bottom line: Solid picture quality propels the Samsung LN32A450 LCD TV to the front of small-screen class.
The bottom line: The bargain Insignia NS-LCD32-09 32-inch LCD performs better than its basement price would indicate.
Thanks,
The CNET TV Team
