Best TV for Movies and Home Theater; 2010/2011 Top 5 Recommended
A home theater or darker room is the best setting to show off an excellent picture quality in a TV. It allows for the best calibration setting without having to turn up the contrast or back light in order to combat ambient surrounding lights or windows.
We've reviewed TVs this way for 11 years now, but we also turn the lights up and let in window light to test for the average user though it's not our preference. The quality characteristics that are most important for a movie dark room type of setting are: 1) Accurate color calibrated to D6500K color temp. 2) Good video processing internal chip sets expressed in the TVs picture as low or no motion artifacts and dithering objects (this must be tested with both standard definition and High Def movies). 3) Clean clear image edges even with the Sharpness feature tuned down to get rid of glowing edge enhancement. 4) Very deep black levels and an excellent contrast ratio (in a dark room blacks that are not black really look washed out. 5) No judder during side to side panning (a frequent occurrence that the 120, 240, 480 Hz rate feature tries to correct on LCD/LED TVs. 6) Good side viewing angles without contrast being degraded. 7) Enhanced and easily audible voice dialog from film. There is nothing more annoying than not being able to hear voice dialog when background noise overwhelms. Obviously, this one is not applicable to those with surround sound.
Below are TVs that we think do either a great or very good job with these challenges:
Samsung LN55C650 LCD TV
This value oriented TV really impressed us in all the above areas but especially contrast. The 120Hz rate Trumotion feature almost totally eliminates judder, however it does produce an unrealistic effect. Black levels measured the best of the TVs tested so far this year and the ultra clear screen produces good depth and side angle viewing.
Sharp LC-60E88UN LCD TV
Though also an LCD this should be a great value TV for the movie lover. Sharp's 240Hz feature does not produce many ill effects as some other manufacturers and the calibrations are usually spot on.
Samsung PN58C6500 Plasma TV 3D Ready
Samsung plasma TVs have been the best in the last couple of years in contrast and black levels. The clear screens also produce a lot of depth and great viewing angles.
Panasonic TC-P54VT25 Plasma TV 3D TV Ready
This TV is geared towards movies with THX certification picture setting options. It has an advanced black drive system as well and will come in handy for those 3D movies. Viewing angles are perfect 90 degrees.
Sony XBR-52HX900 3D LED TV
This LED TV contains local dimming back lighting and is specifically manufactured for picture quality sticklers (like us). This models focus is on black levels and viewing angles without adding lots of the new bells and whistles.
