HDTV News

If the facade of every store and commercial website are to be trusted, the Holiday Season is once again upon us and has been since the week of Halloween. It's the time of year is when all the best sales happen, and you can finally afford everything that was too expensive during the holiday off-season. That means it's a great time to pick up that new HDTV.

"But TelevisionInfo.com," you cry, preparing a lengthy nautical metaphor, "I feel as though I am adrift in a sea of technological jargon! I cannot navigate by acronyms and tech specs, and there are several HDTVs looming on the horizon—how can I avoid the jagged reefs of poor picture quality and find safe moorage at the HDTV best suited for my needs?" Fret not, weary consumer, for TelevisionInfo.com is your astrolabe. All year we've been using our objective, scientific testing, and now we have the ocean of data necessary to steer you to your perfect HDTV.

That's right, it's time for the 2010 TelevisionInfo.com Select Awards. This is the list of the best HDTVs to come through our labs this year. Below you'll find the best TVs in a number of different categories; hopefully we have something for everyone. Good luck and happy shopping!

Television of the Year

Samsung UN46C7100 – $1599.99, Review, Specs

Our pick for TV of the Year has to excel in a lot of different ways. It has to have a great picture, an interesting feature set, and not be grossly overpriced for what it offers. Although the UN46C7100 was a bit pricey when it was released ($2699), it's now a great value for a 3D HDTV. On top of its 3D performance, the UN46C7100 also features a great selection of online content and some great picture quality.

Runner up – Panasonic TC-P42GT25 – $1429.99, Review, Specs

The Panasonic TC-P42GT25 was another great all-around 3D HDTV. While it's 3D performance was much better than what we saw on the UN46C7100, it's overall picture quality wasn't quite as good and Panasonic's online content is slightly lacking compared to Samsung's. Like the Samsung, the Panasonic TC-P42GT25 provides a lot of performance for a reasonable price.

Best Big Screen TV*

Sony Bravia XBR-52HX909 – $3,599.99, Review, Specs

The Sony Bravia XBR-52HX909 is just a really well-rounded HDTV. It got some impressive results on our performance tests, such as a high contrast ratio and accurate color performance. The TV can also do 3D, but it wasn't particularly great in that regard. The feature that really shines is its online functionality. Last year Sony offered the best array of online content, and this year they still hold that title. If you want a big screen that does everything, and does almost everything exceptionally well.

Runner up – Vizio XVT553SV – $1749.99 Review, Specs

The Vizio XVT553SV is a great TV. It's picture quality doesn't disappoint, and you can use the TV's ethernet port to connect to Vizio's growing library of streaming content features. The TV really didn't have any downsides, but the XBR-52HX909 had better online features and 3D capability. If you don't mind missing out on those features, though, the XVT553SV is a much more affordable purchase.

Best Small Screen TV**

Sony  KDL-32EX700  – $699.88, Review, Specs

The Sony KDL-32EX700 has an incredible feature set and performance for such a small TV. Typically smaller screen sizes don't get the same quality features as larger HDTVs, but the KDL-32EX700 is one of a growing body of HDTVs that bucks that trend. This TV gives you a very deep black level, a high overall contrast ratio, great color accuracy, and allows you to connect to the best selection of online content currently being offered.

Runner up – Samsung LN40C630 – $697.99, Review, Specs

The Samsung LN40C630 has everything you'd want: great picture quality, an extensive line-up of online content, and a relatively low price given its size and feature set. The TV's only real downside: its dynamic backlight can't be completely shut off. Dark scenes make the screen dim noticably, and it brightens back up again during a normal scene. Even still, this TV's strong suits far outweigh its flaws.

Best Budget TV

Vizio E320VL – $357.99, Review, Specs

The Vizio E320VL is the best value out of any HDTVs we've reviewed this year. Sure, it didn't have the best picture quality, and it wasn't even the least expensive. It did, however, offer the best picture quality for its price. The E320VL costs under $400, and will make a great buy for people who don't necessarily want 3D capabilities or online connectivity.

Runner up – LG 32LD350 – $407.99, Review, Specs

The 32LD350 has all the same benefits as the E320VL, only it costs just a bit more for a small jump in quality. Like the E320VL, it's just a TV: it doesn't have online content or additional media features. It's everything you need to watch TV and movies and nothing you don't.

Trailblazer of the Year

Sony NSX-46GT1 – $1399.99, Review, Specs

Sony won an award last year for its huge stable of online content, and this year it's winning again for improving the online experience. While online connectivity isn't a new feature for an HDTV, it wasn't until the Sony NSX-46GT1 Google TV that we got real, actual internet browsing an a TV. Typically online features include widgets or links to sponsored content—they were walled gardens. The Sony NSX-46GT1 lets you browse to all your favorite sites with relative ease. Of course, this product wasn't perfect. It was very clearly a first-generation product, and its menu system was somewhat inconsistent at times. We definitely look forward to how Sony pushes online functionality next year.

Best 3D Performance

Panasonic TC-P50VT20 – $2499.99, Review, Specs

Most 3D HDTVs are terrible. They produce a jittery picture that easily causes eyestrain, and the effect constantly breaks down. There are a few TVs, however, that actually do the technology justice and provide an enjoyable viewing experience. The Panasonic TC-P50VT20 was one of the first 3D HDTVs to hit the market, and it stands as one of the better implementations of 3D display. Panasonic is really ahead of the curve in terms of its 3D, as the TC-P50VT20 and TC-P42GT25 are the top two 3D HDTVs currently available. We definitely are looking to Panasonic to refine 3D and make it the must-have feature it can be.