Consumer Report Has The Following In There Rating Chart
Overall score
Overall score is based primarily on picture quality; sound quality and ease of use are also figured in. The displayed score is out of a total of 100 points.
HD picture quality
A trained viewing panel's evaluation of the TV's picture clarity and color accuracy, using known references, when displaying a 1080i HD signal. The picture's quality rating is determined by how well it displays all the attributes of an HD signal including the fine details you would expect from HD. All signals were sent through the component-video input, which can be used to connect a HD DVD player, digital-cable box, satellite receiver, or off-air digital receiver/tuner to the TV.
DVD picture quality
A trained viewing panel's evaluation of the TV's picture clarity and color accuracy, using known references, when displaying a 480p signal, such as the output from a progressive-scan DVD player. The picture's quality rating is determined by how well it displays all the attributes of a 480p signal including the higher-quality image you would expect from a 480p signal compared to a SD 480i signal. All signals were sent through the component-video input, which can be used to connect a DVD player/recorder, digital-cable box, satellite receiver, or off-air digital receiver/tuner to the TV.
SD picture quality
Indicates how a TV displays "regular," non-HD TV programming. This picture quality score is based on a standard-definition (SD) TV signal, known as 480i, sent through the TV's component-video inputs, except where indicated. The SD images are evaluated by trained panelists, using known references. Common sources of this standard-definition signal are digital cable boxes, satellite boxes and non-progressive-scan DVD players.
Sound quality
This is measured from the set's built-in speakers using computer-driven test equipment. You can get better stereo sound if you bypass the built-in speakers and route the TV's sound to a receiver and external speakers. With a multichannel sound system, you can get the enveloping experience of surround sound from digital broadcasts and also DVD movies.
Remote ease of use
Assessment of the usability of the TV's remote control, considering button layout, labeling, and practical features.
On-screen menu ease of use
Assessment of the usability of the TV's on-screen menu, considering its interaction with the remote, menu layout, and practical features.
Viewing angle
Indicates our evaluation of picture quality for clarity and color accuracy at various horizontal and vertical viewing angles. It is not factored into picture quality or overall scores.
Screen size (in.)
The size of the television's screen, measured diagonally in inches. In general, the larger the screen size, the farther away you need to sit for optimal picture quality. With HD sets, sit at least 4 feet from a 37-inch or smaller set, 5 to 9 feet from larger screens. With standard-definition models, you need a little more distance because the detail isn't as fine.
Native resolution
Applies to "fixed-pixel" display types such as LCD, DLP, plasma, and LCoS. It's expressed in horizontal by vertical pixels (for the picture elements making up a displayed image). Incoming signals of higher or lower resolution must be down- or up-converted as necessary to match the set's native resolution. Generally, the more pixels a display has, the more visible finer details become -- but many other things affect the results.
ATSC digital tuner
An ATSC tuner can receive over-the-air broadcast digital signals, which may include high-definition widescreen images and multichannel sound. A TV with a built-in ATSC tuner, called an integrated HDTV, requires no additional equipment other than a roof antenna to receive the broadcast networks' HD offerings. (You must be close enough to a station transmitting digitally, with no trees or other obstructions blocking the signal.) However, you won't get premium stations offered only on cable or satellite. For that, cable subscribers still need a box or CableCard provided by the cable company; satellite subscribers need an HD receiver/dish setup. ATSC stands for Advanced Television Systems Committee, a nonprofit organization developing voluntary standards for digital television. They defined the signal formats that are used, which include 480p, 720p and 1080i.
QAM digital tuner
This tuner can receive some digital cable broadcasts, which may include high-definition widescreen images and multichannel sound. A QAM channel can be either unencrypted (in the clear) or encrypted (scrambled). Encryption allows the service provider to define and control the subscription levels (conditional access). With unencrypted channels, you need no other equipment to view the broadcast. With encrypted channels (typically premium channels such as HBO), you need either an external cable box or, with a CableCard-ready TV, a CableCard from your service provider. QAM refers to Quadrature Amplitude Modulation, a way of encoding a digital signal that differs from that used for digital off-air (ATSC) broadcasts.
CableCard-ready
Also known as "DCR" (digital-cable-ready). When used with a CableCard, these TVs can receive the encrypted cable channels (to the level permitted by your subscription package). You would get a CableCard from the provider. Note that the first-generation CableCard-ready TVs are one-way. They can receive signals but can't communicate back to the provider, so they can't be used for interactive services like subscribe-on-demand. Second-generation CableCard TVs are expected in 2007.
Component-video inputs
Component-video inputs use three separate jacks that separate the video signal into three parts: two for color and one for luminance. This provides slightly better quality than an S-video connection, most evident in color fidelity. They can be used only with a DVD player, digital-cable box, or other equipment that has component-video output.
HDMI inputs
A relatively new form of digital audio/video input in some high-definition TVs, it matches a corresponding output in some DVD players and digital TV tuners. Like DVI, it potentially allows content providers to control your ability to record the content. Unlike DVI, HDMI carries audio and video signals on the same cable.
DVI inputs
Digital Visual Interface, a relatively new form of digital video input in some high-definition TVs; it matches a corresponding output in some DVD players and digital TV tuners. Like HDMI (See "HDMI"), it potentially allows content providers to control your ability to record the content. Unlike HDMI, DVI requires a separate audio cable to carry the audio signals.
Overall height (in.)
The height of a TV, in inches. For flat-panel LCD and plasma sets, this includes the base and detachable speakers, important if you plan to place the TV on a stand or in an entertainment center. See "Panel size without base" if you plan to wall-mount only the display. For rear-projection TVs, the height includes the stand only when it is part of the set.
Overall width (in.)
The width of a TV, in inches. For flat-panel LCD and plasma sets, this includes the detachable speakers, important if you plan to place the TV on a stand or in an entertainment center. See "Panel size without base" if you plan to wall-mount only the display. For rear-projection TVs, the width includes the stand only when it is part of the set.
Overall depth (in.)
The depth of a TV, in inches. For flat-panel LCD and plasma sets, this includes the base and detachable speakers, important if you plan to place the TV on a stand or in an entertainment center. See "Panel size without base" if you plan to wall-mount only the display. For rear-projection TVs, the depth includes the stand only when it is part of the set. Also allow extra room for cables to connect to the back of the TV.