TV stars: more new HDTVs shine in our tests.(SPECIAL SECTION)(Buyers guide)

 
INSIDE 
 
RATINGS of 101 LCD, plasma, and rear-projection TVs Plus,     p.22 
reliable brands 
 
TOP cable, satellite, and phone-company TV-service providers  p.28 
 
WHAT TO DO if your TV breaks                                  p.31 
 
Get ready for the END OF ANALOG TV                            p.32 

High-definition TVs are bigger and better than ever. Our Ratings of 101 models include more sets with top scores for picture quality than in years past. Ten plasma sets, 13 LCD TVs, and three rear-projection models had excellent picture quality for high-definition and standard-definition programming and DVDs.

The trend toward ever-bigger TV screens is also evident in our Ratings. We tested 45 high-def TVs with screen sizes 50 inches and larger. That includes four 60-inch plasmas and a 57-inch LCD set, along with a 65-inch rear-projection set.

QUALITY MOVES UP

One reason for the improvement in picture quality is the growing number of TVs with 1080p (1920x1080) native resolution. These "full HD" sets can potentially display more of the detail in current high-def signals than so-called 720p sets with 1024x768, 1280x720, or 1366x768 native screen resolution can. Until recently, most 1080p TVs were LCD or rear-projection sets; the few such plasmas available were very expensive. Now you'll find a growing number of 1080p plasmas at lower prices, giving you more choice.

More new TVs of all types have better contrast, which gives images greater depth and dimension. Manufacturers are also addressing the inherent weaknesses of the different display technologies. For instance, more new LCD sets are using 120Hz technology. That essentially doubles the number of video frames displayed on the screen and can help reduce motion blur in fast-moving images. Some plasma TVs, meanwhile, have screen coatings to reduce annoying reflections.

New backlight technologies are arriving, too. The Ratings include an LCD set that uses LED backlights instead of fluorescent lighting, the first such TV we've tested. LED backlights have the ability to display a wider range of colors and can evenly distribute light across the back of an LCD panel for more consistent brightness on all parts of the screen.