Best 52 Inch LCD TV: A Review of the Highest Rated LCD TVs
Choosing an LCD TV
There are loads of terrific LCD televisions on the market. It can be very difficult to determine which one is the best of the bunch. In this article we are going to take a look at the cream of the crop. The top five options are highlighted with details on why they are the best. So if you are shopping for an LCD TV and you want to get your hands on the top rated device possible then read on. We have focussed on 52 inch TVs and every model supports high definition and Blu-ray discs.
Samsung LN52A650
This is an extremely popular television and with good reason. The picture quality and performance are excellent. This is a 52 inch television with full support for 1080p high definition footage. It features a stylish design with a splash of red on the black frame but more importantly the technology within is top of the range. The TV has a 4 millisecond response time with 120Hz refresh rate which helps to eliminate motion blur and makes for a great experience when gaming or watching sports. This model contains more scanning lines than your average HDTV and with 50,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio the picture quality is always top notch.
This HDTV also has plenty of connectivity options with 4 HDMI ports, 2 component ports, 1 Ethernet port, 2 S-Video ports, 2 A/V inputs, 1 PC input (VGA), 2 RF antenna inputs, audio output and headphone jack. The HDMI-CEC port allows you to control a connected device with the TV remote control. The TV has built in NTSC, ATSC and QAM tuners for broadcast television. The built in 10 watt speakers support virtual surround sound. The USB port allows you to view JPEG photos or watch MPEG movies on the TV. Whether you like to play games, watch Blu-rays or watch sports this is a great option. It is a versatile device which offers terrific quality performance and has received universally positive reviews. The Samsung LN52A650 will set you back over $2,000.
Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR9
This is the latest Sony Bravia release and it offers a number of improvements over previous models in the series. It is a 52 inch LCD display with full 1080p high definition support perfect for playing games or watching Blu-rays. This TV has a stunning 240Hz refresh rate for fluid motion even during sports, games or action movies. The third generation of the Sony BRAVIA engine offers fantastic digital video processing reducing noise and optimizing every scene. This device also features the latest backlighting and color technology for vibrant, deep colors and it has 100,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. There is also a 24 frame per second true cinema mode for films. You can access an online library of premium and free-on-demand content via the Ethernet connection.
There is support for DLNA for easy connection to a range of devices. The television has 4 HDMI ports, 1 composite, 1 S-Video, 2 component, 1 PC input (VGA), optical digital audio output, 1 USB and 1 Ethernet connection. You can check out video, photos and music via the USB and there are built in ATSC, NTSC and QAM tuners for broadcast television. Sound is provided via the two built in 10 watt speakers and virtual surround sound is supported. The Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR9 is another fantastic HDTV and it offers a slight improvement over the Samsung but it costs a full $1,000 more, at just over $3,000.
Sharp Aquos LC52D64U
This 52 inch television supports full high definition footage at 1080p and offers another great solution for gaming, Blu-rays or sports. The 4 millisecond response time guarantees a smooth picture even for fast action. There is 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio with highly efficient four wave backlighting for vibrant colors. There are also built in NTSC, ATSC and QAM tuners for broadcast television. The set automatically adjusts to optimum settings according to the level of ambient light in the room. The TV also supports picture in picture display.
There is also support for DLNA for easy connection to other devices in the household. Options include 3 HDMI ports, 1 Ethernet port, 2 component, 2 S-Video, 2 A/V inputs, a PC input (VGA), 2 RF antenna inputs, a headphone jack and HDMI-CEC for remote control of other devices. The picture quality on this television is not as good as the other options above but it is environmentally friendly in construction and features an ultra-slim stylish design. It is also a lot cheaper than the other candidates. The Aquos is currently advertised at $1,299 on Amazon.
Philips 52PFL7403D/27
This 52 inch Philips LCD television offers an attractive range of features and quality performance. It fully supports high definition at 1080p so you can enjoy Blu-ray discs and HD gaming on the PlayStation 3. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures that fast action will not be marred by motion blur. There is also 33,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and superb brightness with rich colors. The video processing optimizes each frame eliminating artifacts and noise from all sources.
Connectivity is a bit more limited with this LCD TV and it has 3 HDMI ports, 2 component inputs, 1 S-Video and 1 USB for photos or music. The Philips 52PFL7403D/27 set offers a great picture and the internal technology does a good job of optimizing the footage. However, it is quite pricey at well over $2,000.
Toshiba REGZA Cinema Series 52XV545U
The last television on our list is this 52 inch Toshiba model. It features full support for 1080p high definition footage and the refresh rate is 120Hz for smooth uninterrupted action. The PixelPure 4G digital video processing optimizes each frame. There is also ColorBurst and DynaLight technology providing rich and vibrant colors and a good depth of black. There are specific modes for gaming and movies and it is capable of upscaling non-HD inputs. It has built in NTSC, ATSC and QAM tuners for broadcast television.
In terms of connectivity there are 4 HDMI ports, a PC input (VGA), 2 component ports, optical audio out, analog audio out and IR pass through. The HDMI-CEC and REGZA link allow remote control of other devices that are hooked up to the television. There are two built in stereo speakers. The Toshiba REGZA 52XV545U device offers great picture quality, some good features, and it will cost you around $2,000.
Overall
The Samsung LN52A650 is tough to compete with in terms of price and feature list. It offers fantastic quality with all of the connectivity and functionality you would expect. If you can stretch your budget further then the Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR9 is technically the best LCD television on the list. Thanks to the current promotion on Amazon the Sharp Aquos LC52D64U is your best bet if you have a limited budget, but won’t skimp on size. They are all good options, but considering the full package and taking value for money into account, the Samsung is my top rated 52 inch LCD television.
