TV makers are throwing a lot of new technology at us this year, from 3D to connected to
LED.
But of all of those features, LED is the one you�ll use every time you turn on the
television.
So let�s rank the Top 5 LED LCD TV�s according to CNET�s review scores.
#5 is the Samsung UNC8000 series.
This guy has better black levels that many other edge-lit
LED�s, which are the really thin kind.
We also love its streaming and Samsung Apps
platform for various widgets.
It also converts 2D to 3D which works better than we
expected, but don�t buy it for that reason � it doesn�t even include a pair of 3D glasses which
tells you that�s not the point here.
It is pricey at a best street price of $2,169 the day we shot
this and you give up some off angle viewing which you�ll miss when a lot of people come
over to watch.
#4 is the Sony XBR-HX909 series.
Great black levels, which is the holy grail for LCD TV�s of
any kind and handles films on DVD really well which not every TV does.
It�s also 3D
compatible and has a cool monolithic look we love.
It is pricey at $2,159 street today and as
a local dimming LED its not as thin as an edge lit set.
#3 is the LG LE8500 series.
Superb black levels, accurate color, really good off angle
viewing.
But this local diming LED TV does have some uneven backlighting issues though
they don�t clobber the overall picture quality.
No 3D on this guy, which is almost refreshing,
but there are streaming services.
Its ready for wired Ethernet or of the box but Wi-Fi
requires an optional dongle for $70.
#2 is also an LG, the step up big brother to the last one: it�s the LX9500.
So take that
excellent set and add a thinner profile of just 1.3�, a super skinny bezel, 3D and 2D-3D
conversion -- but no 3D glasses are included and they would have to be the pricey active
shutter type.
And it�s not worth it anyway since the 3D quality isn�t fully baked yet.
Before we get to #1 a couple of FAQ�s about LED TV�s.
First, all LED TV�s are LCD TV�s; LED
is technologically inapplicable to Plasma.
LCD TVs traditionally have a series of fluorescent tubes behind the picture.
LED LCD
replace those with LED�s around the edge � those are �edge lit� sets � or with a full array of
LED�s behind the picture, those are local dimming sets.
Local dimming tend to be more
accurate, edge lit tend to be thinner, but both are fairly new and improving fast.
OK, let�s get to the #1 LED LCD according to CNET Reviews from Q1 2011: It�s the only one
that earned a CNET Editor�s Choice, the Vizio XVT3SV series.
It�s a local dimmer that great
black levels and just about everything else, excellent streaming services and interactivity
widgets, has built in Wi-Fi and a Bluetooth remote with a built in keyboard.
And it�s the
cheapest TV in our list by at least hundreds.
It does suffer from some blooming issues,
which a lot of local dimmers do, and doesn�t do 3D which can be a plus or a minus
depending how you feel about 3D.
Simply put, you can�t spend your money any more wisely
on an LED LCD TV right now which is particularly impressive since Vizio used to be a value
brand, now it�s just an industry ass kicker.
For more T5�s like this, etc.
