HDTVs for the holidays

The Insignia NS-L42X-10A 42-inch HDTV has lots of features and a temptingly low price, but also poor image and audio quality.

If you’re on a tight budget but want a larger-than-50-inch TV, consider the Insignia NS-LCD52HD-09.

At this bargain price, the LT-46J300 will look very attractive. But there are other HDTVs that produce better image quality at a similar price.

The LG 42LH50 42-inch HDTV provides great connected features, above-average image quality, and good looks for a moderate price.

The LG 42LH50 42-inch HDTV provides great connected features, above-average image quality, and good looks for a moderate price.

A 720p plasma HDTV, the low-cost 42-inch Panasonic TC-P42X1 provides problematic images and underpowered sound.

The Panasonic TC-P46S1 would be a bargain 46-inch plasma HDTV if its image quality weren't so disappointing.

The Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ850U has fantastic extras, but only average picture quality for a 50-inch plasma HDTV.

Thanks to its very good picture quality, Internet and home-network entertainment features, and general user-friendliness, the Samsung LN40B650 ranks as one of the best HDTV we've tested this year.

Samsung’s 46-inch LN46B750 packages very good picture quality, excellent sound, YouTube viewing, Yahoo Widgets, and the ability to play media files from USB storage, all in one HDTV.

Sony's Bravia KDL-40W5100 is a very good 40-inch HDTV and an excellent Internet viewing device.

Toshiba’s 47ZV650U is a pleasant-looking 47-inch HDTV that delivers a more than acceptable viewing experience, but its rough edges need smoothing, and it’s short on extras.

The Vizio SV420M 42-inch HDTV offers lots of customization options and average video quality, at a midrange price.

Vizio’s SV421XVT HDTV has a 42-inch screen, a 240Hz refresh rate, and multimedia playback from USB drives. But poorly rendered detail and color, plus problems with digital artifacts, mar the viewing experience.

This 47-inch HDTV with multimedia capabilities has an estimated street price of $1200, which sounds good. But there are major compromises to be made with image quality.

The no-frills Vizio VO420E 42-inch HDTV is attractively priced, but you'll have to settle for subpar image quality and mediocre audio.