Best TV for Gaming: Top Recommended HDTVs for Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii Gaming
By: Phil Conner
Gaming can prevent a dilema for TV purchases. Gaming requires a television that can display fast action well and do it quickly in response to input from the controller. Casual gamers may not notice delays resulting from picture processing but serious gamers will be discouraged by a picture that is noticeably behind what they are doing with their hands. To compensate for what gamers call input lag, some HDTVs come equipped with a game mode. Not to be confused with a game mode picture setting, this function will bypass some or all of the TV's processing to get the action happening on screen as soon as you press the button or move the stick.
A good gaming TV will also be able to handle having parts of the image, such as the Heads Up Display, remain static for extended periods. With the burn in protection in modern plasmas this shouldn't be a problem as long as you stick with a name brand.
120/240Hz LCD and LED TV's tout their ability to cut down on motion lag but this form of picture processing doesn't work well with gaming in the TVs we tested, especially with first person shooters such as Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 and Killzone 2. It adds strange artifacts and a screen tearing effect and is much more distracting than the small bouts of motion lag associated with having it off. This is personal preference and won't be a problem with a plasma but we recommend not using this feature with video games.
Below are some TV we've found to work well with gaming in our testing. Click on the model below or the series link if looking for a different size.
Samsung LN55C650 LCD TV
This TV really impressed us in all the above areas but especially contrast. The 120Hz rate Trumotion feature almost totally eliminates judder for movies but we recommend turning it off for gaming. The C650 series also has a game mode for lessening input lag and is available in a wide range of sizes for whatever your gaming needs.
Panasonic TC-P50VT25 Plasma TV 3D TV Ready
This TV will cost a bit more but still the best price in the 3D category. It will give you solid black levels, very little motion lag and perfect viewing angles up to 90 degrees. Excellent burn in protection and no motion lag will make for an excellent gaming experience. The smallest this TV comes in is 50 inches so this will double as a home theater centerpiece.
Sharp LC-40LE820UN LED TV
High contrast, a fast response rate and Sharp's Vyper Drive gaming mode all add up to make an excellent gaming TV. We still recommend turning off the Aquo Motion 120/240Hz feature for games. Available from 40" up to 60", the LE810 and LE820 series can fill most gamer's needs.
Samsung PN58C7000 Plasma TV 3D Ready
Even better black levels than the Panasonic above with the other positive attributes and excellent burn protection, these plasmas are available in 50", 58" and 63"
Sony KDL32EX600 LED TV
This smaller LCD from Sony makes for an excellent addition to any gaming set up that requires less TV size. Again, we recommend turning off any 120Hz features for gaming applications.
