Best HDTVs of 2009

The mid-year market looks great with HDTV sales up 15% month-over-month and prices as low as they've ever been. Notably the incredible Sony 52-inch 52XBR9 is now priced less than the top-of-the-line 52-inch sets from Samsung. We think it's a great deal. Also, supplies of the so-called worlds best HDTV, the incomparable Pioneer PDP-6020FD, are lasting longer than anyone predicted. This great set from Pioneer is still available. A bit pricey, it always has been, it's worth the money. It's still the best HDTV money can buy.

Big screen buyers should check out the excellent Panasonic P54G10 54-inch plasma HDTV. This top rated set is the best value big screen HDTV by far. Highly recommended!



The appropriately labelled World's Best HDTV, the Pioneer Kuro PDP-5020FD and PDP-6020FD, are still available, albeit at high prices.

With sales picking up we expect a pause in price drops. That means now is a great time to buy.

Samsung LN40B550 40-Inch LCD HDTV $849

Panasonic TC-P42G10 42-Inch HDTV $817

Samsung LN46B550 46-Inch LCD HDTV $1059
Samsung LN46B750 46-Inch 240Hz LCD HDTV $1699
Panasonic TC-P46G10 46-Inch HDTV $1107

Panasonic TC-P50G10 50-Inch HDTV $1044 Awesome Deal!
Pioneer PDP-5020FD 50-Inch Plasma HDTV $3499, limited supplies

Samsung LN52B750 52-Inch 240Hz LCD HDTV $2019
Sony KDL-52XBR9 52-Inch 240 Hz LCD HDTV $1889

Panasonic TC-P54G10 54-Inch HDTV $1568 Awesome Deal!

Pioneer PDP-6020FD 60-Inch Plasma HDTV $3999, limited supplies

Samsung LCD, Panasonic Plasma Tops in Sales

Quality Picture, Reasonable Price Drive Sales

The HDTV market is holding well in spite of intense economic pressure. Samsung LCD HDTVs continue their reign as the most popular and best selling HDTVs, although the excellent Panasonic G10 Series plasma HDTVs hold their own. Sony continues to stuggle to grab market share from rival Samsung, but the well received 52XBR9 is finding favor with some HDTV aficionados. We're partial to the Panasonic G10 plasmas, but don't knock anyone for their preference of the new generation Samsung LCDs. To be fair the gap between plasma and LCD is very narrow and we'd be thrilled to have any of these top-selling sets in our living room.

Here's our picks for the best-of-the-best in the current market:

Samsung LN40B550 40-Inch LCD HDTV $849
Samsung LN46B550 46-Inch LCD HDTV $1059
Samsung LN46B750 46-Inch 240Hz LCD HDTV $1669
Samsung LN52B750 52-Inch 240 Hz LCD HDTV $2019
Sony KDL-52XBR9 52-Inch 240 Hz LCD HDTV $2007

Panasonic TC-P42G10 42-Inch Plasma HDTV $817
Panasonic TC-P46G10 46-Inch Plasma HDTV $1149
Panasonic TC-P50G10 50-Inch Plasma HDTV $1395
Panasonic TC-P54G10 54-Inch Plasma HDTV $1568

Panasonic G10 Series Plasma HDTV

Best Value HDTV?

The 2009 G10 Series plasma HDTV is the midrange in Panasonic's lineup, but the image quality is top notch, and the prices are reasonable. Power consumption is reduced, these sets are Energy Star compliant, and black levels are much improved. The G10 models are also THX certified—great picture quality right out of the box is practically guaranteed. Blu-ray disc source material via HDMI is particularly impressive.

The G10 Series sets out-perform many higher priced sets, including last year's highly regarded 800U series, and are terrific bargains. The G10s are available in 42-inch, 46-inch, 50-inch, and 54-inch screen sizes, one of which is just perfect for your home theater!

Panasonic TC-P42G10 42-Inch HDTV $916 at Amazon
Panasonic TC-P46G10 46-Inch HDTV $1130 at Amazon
Panasonic TC-P50G10 50-Inch HDTV $1044 at Amazon Hot Deal!
Panasonic TC-P54G10 54-Inch HDTV $1568 at Amazon

Samsung LCD, Panasonic G10 Top Selling HDTV

Quality Picture, Reasonable Price Drive Sales

The HDTV market is holding well in spite of intense economic pressure. Samsung LCD HDTVs continue their reign as the most popular and best selling HDTVs, although the excellent Panasonic G10 Series plasma HDTVs hold their own. Sony continues to stuggle to grab market share from rival Samsung, but the well received—and pricey—52XBR9 is finding favor with some HDTV aficionados. We're partial to the Panasonic G10 plasmas, but don't knock anyone for their preference of the new generation Samsung LCDs. To be fair the gap between plasma and LCD is very narrow and we'd be thrilled to have any of these top-selling sets in our living room.

Here's our picks for the best-of-the-best in the current market:

Samsung LN40B550 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
Samsung LN46B550 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
Samsung LN46B750 46-Inch 1080p 240Hz LCD HDTV
Samsung LN52A750 52-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
Samsung LN52B750 52-Inch 1080p 240Hz LCD HDTV
Sony KDL-52XBR9 52-Inch 1080p 240 Hz LCD HDTV

Panasonic TC-P42G10 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
Panasonic TC-P46G10 46-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
Panasonic TC-P50G10 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV