GOTY 2009: HDTVs

This year, as usual, took the top heavy HDTV market a little higher in terms of size and definitely broader in terms of reach. All the big far eastern brands, and also some “nearer to home” players released their models, some of which chiefly impressed us while others were better left in standby. These are Tech2.com’s top 3 HDTVs of the year, with one winner, one runner up and a winner in the Budget category. Time to pose on the podium...

Winner:  Philips  32PFL5609
MOP - Rs. 38,000

Philips is another one of those brands that contribute to the development of a technology on the whole, and their Ambilight range had gained immense popularity years back when it launched. This model is from their 5000 series, and is Full HD. The design is curvaceous, with rounded corners and glossy black finish. The brightness is 500 cd/m2, response time is 5 ms, and finally DCR is 50,000:1. A very extensive UI greets you once the TV is turned on. The Grayscale performance is very good , with good detail in low blacks and no clipping of higher whites, also the backlight is clearly a notch brighter than the rest. Colors also are very vibrant and full bodied.

Good: Full HD panel, very good contrast, Nicely saturated colors, especially warmer hues, reasonable price
Bad: UI can be gimmicky
Rating: 4/5

Runner up: Samsung UA40B7000
MRP: Rs. 1,40,000

Samsung went all out with their LED marketing strategy this year, with their series 6, 7 and 8 being the prime model ranges to sport this technology. This 7 series model deserves to be the runner up, as it comes edge lit by LEDs, thus sporting a super slim body. That obviously is not the only reason, the TV is one of the highest end (barring 8000 series by Samsung) models out in the market with the most number of features like internet TV, Wi-Fi, inbuilt HDD to store content etc. Performance-wise the TV has above average brightness and a very good rendition of image detail and minute clarity in moving images.

Good: Impressive feature list, probably the most any TV has come out with, Very good detail and clarity, Super sexy aesthetics
Bad: Expensive, contrast could have been better.
Rating: 3.5/5

Value: Sharp LC32A37M
Rs. 31,990

There were a lot of budget models released this year, but finding a TV in this category that actually performs visually is quite arduous. Sharp as a brand have seldom disappointed, and they actually come with some very nice no frills attached models. This model too doesn’t come loaded with features and glitter coated bezels, but has some crisp contrast and very good brightness. It’s a 1366 x 768 HD ready panel with brightness @ 450 cd/m2, native contrast is 1500:1. Dynamic rating is given as 10,000:1. The TV has very good rendering of detail and will work superb for regular cable TV viewing.

Good: Good levels of brightness and contrast, very good detail rendering, simple but respectable looking frame
Bad: Could have used some extra features to draw in the masses
Rating: 4/5