In its annual survey of HD flat screen products, the non-profit Consumers Union is once again listing its laboratory findings. The survey results are featured in the March 2006 edition of Consumer Reports magazine. Among its general findings: The highest priced HD units rank first, overall, in only about half the categories; and computer maker Dell's 42-inch plasma set ranks third. Here are the top three listings (it lists more than two dozen models in some categories) of its HD quality test ratings:
LCD (37 inch)
• LG Electronics (37LPID)
• Toshiba (HD37HL95)
• Philips (37PF73320A)
LCD (30-32 inch)
• Sharp (LC-32DA5U)
• Sony Bravia (KLV-S32A10)
• Panasonic Viera (TC-32LX50)
PLASMA (50 inch)
• Panasonic (TH-50PX50U)
• Pioneer (PDP-5050HD
• Mitsubishi (PD-5065)
PLASMA (42 inch)
• Panasonic (TH-42PX50U)
• Panasonic (TH-42PX500U)
• Dell (W4200HD)
REAR PROJECTION, NON-CRT (55-61 inch)
• Sharp (56DR650)
• JVC (HD-56G786)
• Sony Grand Wega (KDF-E55A20)
REAR PROJECTION, NON-CRT (50-52 inch)
• Sony Grand Wega (KDF-E50A10)
• Toshiba (HD 52HM95)
• JVC (HD-52G886)
Consumer Reports does make some observations that appear naïve or somewhat confusing. For example: "Stores may say a new audio system is a must for your HDTV, but it's not true. Many TV sets have decent speakers that are fine for TV programming." If they're referring to typical built-in speakers, so much for taking advantage of 5.1 surround sound -- which can enhance the HD experience tremendously. (The publication does get around to mentioning surround sound, but only after suggesting that "you'll get the most improvement by connecting a receiver and two front speakers to your TV.")
In another section, the magazine said "there isn't any 1080p content yet," which is accurate, but goes on to observe, "But Blu-ray HD DVDs, due soon, will support 1080p," apparently not realizing it had just named two distinctly different formats (although, to be fair, "HD DVD" is a maddening generic moniker). The magazine advises members to put off purchasing a Blu-ray or HD DVD player until one of the incompatible formats wins the war.
It also said several analysts forecast that larger sets will see price drops of several hundred dollars by this summer and the publication suggests that consumers ready to purchase a large-screen HD set today, perhaps, should wait just a bit longer.
