• On MovieTome: TRANSFORMERS 2 SPOILERS!
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(Oct 07, 2008)

David Katzmaier David Katzmaier
Senior Editor
Your wife or significant other doesn't want to fill the living room with a boxy rear-projector, yet you still want a big picture. Welcome to the perfect compromise: an inches-thick flat plasma display. These panels can handle all your video needs, including HDTV, DVD, standard-def TV and often computers too. Plasma TVs are still more-expensive than rear-projection sets, but they're getting more affordable all the time and usually cost less than flat-panel LCDs at similar screen sizes. And can you really put a price on domestic bliss?

Pioneer Elite Kuro PRO-111FD

The Pioneer Elite PRO-111FD represents the pinnacle of flat-panel HDTV picture quality.

Price: $3,815.00 - $4,999.00 (check prices)

Review date: Sep 30, 2008

  • 4h stars

      Overall score: 9.1 (4.5 stars)

Outstanding

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Panasonic TH-50PZ800U

With the accuracy of its THX mode and great black-level performance, the Panasonic TH-50PZ800U is one of the best-performing HDTVs available.

Price: $1,810.00 - $2,499.99 (check prices)

Review date: May 23, 2008

  • 4 stars

      Overall score: 8.7 (4.0 stars)

Excellent

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Pioneer PDP-5020FD

Best-in-class black levels and excellent all-around performance places the Pioneer PDP-5020FD near the top of the picture quality heap, but it will cost you.

Price: $2,409.00 - $4,000.00 (check prices)

Review date: Jul 18, 2008

  • 4 stars

      Overall score: 8.4 (4.0 stars)

Excellent

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Panasonic TH-50PX850U

The Panasonic TH-50PZ850U's color accuracy issues prevent it from topping the high-end plasma TV heap, but excellent picture quality and unique interactive features maintain its appeal.

Price: $2,079.00 - $2,999.98 (check prices)

Review date: Jul 1, 2008

  • 4 stars

      Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)

Excellent

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Samsung PN50A650

Although its black levels aren't the deepest, accurate color and a red frame still distinguish the Samsung PN50A650 from the pack.

Price: $1,495.95 - $2,498.99 (check prices)

Review date: Aug 27, 2008

  • 4 stars

      Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)

Excellent

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Samsung PN50A550

Accurate color helps set apart the excellent picture quality of the Samsung PN50A550 50-inch plasma TV.

Price: $1,369.95 - $2,198.99 (check prices)

Review date: Apr 14, 2008

  • 4 stars

      Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)

Excellent

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Panasonic TH-46PZ85U

A couple of issues keep its picture out of the top tier, but excellent black-level performance still makes the Panasonic TH-46PZ85U plasma TV stand out from the pack.

Price: $1,324.00 - $1,899.99 (check prices)

Review date: Apr 17, 2008

  • 3h stars

      Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)

Very good

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LG 60PG60

Although its THX mode isn't as accurate as we'd like to see, the massive LG 60PG60 60-inch plasma TV still delivers a good picture.

Price: $2,809.00 - $3,999.95 (check prices)

Review date: Sep 23, 2008

  • 3h stars

      Overall score: 7.6 (3.5 stars)

Very good

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LG 50PG60

Although its THX mode isn't as accurate as we'd like to see, the LG 50PG60 50-inch plasma TV still delivers a good picture.

Price: $1,899.98 - $2,999.95 (check prices)

Review date: Jun 12, 2008

  • 3h stars

      Overall score: 7.6 (3.5 stars)

Very good

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Panasonic TH-42PX80U

Panasonic's TH-42PX80U 42-inch plasma sets the picture quality-to-value standard for entry-level plasma TVs.

Price: $789.95 - $999.99 (check prices)

Review date: Apr 30, 2008

  • 3h stars

      Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)

Very good

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