As the year draws to an unexpectedly chilly close, we’ve been looking back at the best TVs we’ve reviewed over the last 12 months. Sony has clearly been doing something right, and manages to fill three of the top five spots.
Score: 8.4
Sony’s 52-inch LCD earns this year’s highest score for combining a fairly high ANSI contrast ratio (380:1) with rich multimedia functionality and accurate reproduction of 24p signals. Although the picture quality isn’t the best we’ve ever seen, the overall package impresses no end. Currently selling for about 1,100 GBP.
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Score: 8.1
With a massive ANSI contrast ratio of 463:1, this plasma will easily outstrip the Sony’s home-cinema performance. One highlight of the 42 G 10, however, is its universal tuner that’ll even receive freesat, meaning buyers can kiss goodbye to set-top boxes. Currently selling for about 750 GBP.
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Score: 8.1
This is the second of three Sonys to make the top five. Although it scores almost as highly as the KDL-52 V 5500 above, the 40 W 5500 is much, much cheaper – at just 700 GBP. Excellent picture quality and a high contrast ratio make this a superb choice for the home cinema and living room.
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Score: 7.9
This TV’s size means it only really suits large home cinemas, and the 8,000-GBP price tag is similarly restrictive. Nevertheless, the 65 VX 100 provides a high-contrast picture with accurate colours and top video processing.
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Score: 7.8
Gorgeous design and wireless connectivity allow users to integrate this TV seamlessly into the living room. The slightly unstable wireless transmission isn’t enough to outweigh the benefits of the convincing colours and contrast-rich picture. Currently selling for about 1,300 GBP.
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And the ones that didn’t make it…
Samsung’s UE 40 B 7000 came in sixth, with 7.7 points, followed by the LG 42 LH 7000, which scored 7.6 points. The Samsung uses LED backlight technology, which is surrounded by so much hype that it’s almost surprising the TV didn’t score more highly. But recent research predicts that LED backlights will appear in more and more TVs, and we assume we’ll also see more network streaming capabilities and, eventually, support for 3D material. It’s an exciting time, and with the CES 2010 just around the corner in January, we can’t wait to see what the new year has in store.