02.Results
The following models scored the best results in our test.
| What to buy |
|
|
|
|
|
| Brand |
Price |
| Sony KDL-40V4000 |
$2399 |
| Samsung PS42A410C1D |
$1649 | |
Results table
Full results for all models are shown in the table below.
| |
Features |
Specifications |
| Brand/model (in rank order) |
Panel type |
Front/rear HDMI inputs |
USB port |
Energy consumption when in use (W) |
Claimed resolution (pixels) |
Dimensions (cm, HxWxD)* |
Sony KDL-40V4000
www.sony.com.au |
LCD |
1 / 2 |
• |
177.76 |
1920 x 1080 |
68.5 x 98 x 28 |
Samsung PS42A410C1D
www.samsung.com.au |
Plasma |
0 / 2 |
• (A) |
259.77 |
1024 x 768 |
76.5 x 105.5 x 32 |
Philips 42PFL5603D #
www.philips.com.au |
LCD |
1 / 3 |
• |
182.47 |
1920 x 1080 |
72 x 105 x 26.5 |
LG 42LG70YD
www.lge.com.au |
LCD |
1 / 2 |
• |
155.75 |
1920 x 1080 |
73.5 x 102.5 x 29.5 |
Samsung LA40A550P1F
www.samsung.com.au |
LCD |
1 / 2 |
• |
161.44 |
1920 x 1080 |
67.5 x 105.5 x 24 |
Panasonic TH-42PX8A
www.panasonic.com.au |
Plasma |
0 / 2 |
|
181.1 |
1024 x 768 |
73 x 101.5 x 32.5 |
Panasonic TH-42PZ800A
www.panasonic.com.au |
Plasma |
1 / 2 |
|
244.23 |
1920 x 1080 |
72 x 106 x 32.5 |
TCL L42E9ADF
www.tclelectronics.com.au |
LCD |
0 / 3 |
• |
148.65 |
1920 x 1080 |
72 x 101.5 x 29 |
Sanyo LCD-42XR8DA
www.sanyo.com.au |
LCD |
0 / 3 |
|
183.23 |
1920 x 1080 |
84.5 x 107 x 34.5 |
Sharp LC-42D83X #
www.sharp.net.au |
LCD |
1 / 2 |
• (A) |
213.07 |
1920 x 1080 |
71.5 x 100.5 x 30.5 |
| |
Table notes
* Rounded up to the next half centimetre, with the base attached and all protruding parts included. Power cord and connecting cables excluded.
# Discontinued, but may still be available in some stores.
(A) Service use only.
Scores The overall score is made up of:
Picture quality: 35%
Sound quality: 20%
Ease of use: 20%
Energy score: 15%
Digital tuner score: 10%
Price Recommended retail, as of October 2008.
How we tested
Picture quality Our testers set up all 10 models close together and adjust their controls to get the best picture quality possible. They keep the lighting in the room low and the sound muted, and three experts watch a variety of footage (from Blu-ray and DVD movies as well as a computer game) simultaneously on all the screens. They evaluate the picture quality and rate it out of 10 using the following criteria.
- They check how well each TV produces accurate colour.
- They display a number of test patterns from a high-quality DVD player to measure if any of the picture is cut off at the edges and check for distortions, such as circles that aren't round or wavy lines that should be straight.
- They play movies and other footage to check the screen's ability to produce images without colour-banding, jerkiness, blurring, vibration and colours bleeding in high contrast or very intensely saturated parts of the image. They also check that there are no trails behind fast-moving objects on the screen.
Sound quality They listen to movies and music to check for rattles, hums, hisses or distortion, as well as judging how well the high and low sounds are produced.
Ease of use Our testers use the remote control, front panel controls and onscreen display to perform a number of common tasks. They look for logical menus and clear labelling, buttons and controls that are easily identified and can be used without interfering with other controls. Whether the TV has an inbuilt digital tuner is also included in the ease of use score - they all do in this test.
HD digital tuner They check each model's tuner for reception performance in areas with a good quality signal, as well as areas where reception was less than ideal and where reception might be affected by things such as a dryer or vacuum cleaner operating in the house.
Energy use Our testers use a power meter to measure the power consumed by the TV when in use and on standby. The latter is not scored.