Home: ForBestAdvice - Shopping - Consumer Reports - 2009 - Best Top Rated 50" Plasma Digital HDTV sets
Best 50" Plasma HDTVs
Best 50-Inch  High Definition Plasma TVs
How to buy the best, new HDTV set for your needs

  Best 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTVs
March 2009 Consumer Reports Cover


Start with "Consumer Reports" magazine:  Page 30 of the March 2009 issue of  "Consumer Reports" magazine  ranks 15 LCD HDTV sets for many things that include, price, picture quality, sound quality, ease of use, number of HDMI inputs (for connecting other HDMI equipped devices like a Blu-Ray DVD or an Xbox game player)  The table also lists if the sets are 120 Hz (compared to the older, 60 Hz technology). 

Next check the most popular models:  Often there is  "wisdom in the masses" so you should check a list of the Best Selling HDTV Sets to see what others decided to buy. You may not always agree with all conclusions from "the masses" or "Consumer Reports", but at least we know neither is influenced by the need to sell advertising.

Final Step to selecting your new TV:  Do your own research in the store as your tastes will probably be somewhat different from "the masses" or "Consumer Reports."
Top 50" Plasma HDTV Sets we liked
List of Latest, top selling
50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTVs

Samsung PN50B550 
CR gave the PN50A550 a Best Buy.
We like the B version
Panasonic TH-C50FD18 CR Recommended
Vizio VP504FHDTV10A CR Recommended
 More 58" Plasma HDTVs




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LCD vs Plasma: LCD HDTVs use much less power for a given screen size compared to Plasma TVs. They could be cheaper to own over the long term. LCD HDTVs are usually easier to view in a bright room compared to plasma HDTVs.

 I chose LED over plasma to save on power.  I own a Samsung LNT5265F 52-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV which is the same version of top rated set (Samsung LN52A650) but with 60Hz.  My side-by-side comparison in the store between 60 Hz and 120 Hz did not justify the higher price for 120 Hz.  I decided to apply my budget dollars towards a larger 52" 60 Hz HDTV compared to a smaller set with 120 Hz.


LCD Definition:  Liquid Crystal Display
If you have picture troubles, make sure you have a good HDTV Antenna before returning your set.

DB2 Multi Directional HDTV Antenna DB2 Multi Directional HDTV Antenna 
  • Named "The Highest Performing Indoor Antennas" from HDTV Primer.
  • Receive uncompressed, over-the-airHDTV signals from local affiliates.
  • Better HDTV picture than cable or satellite.
  • Range: 1-30 Miles
  • Great for indoor, outdoor and attic use.
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