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Although we're just a few days away from posting new TV ratings—which include both smart TVs and more bare-bones models from LG, Panasonic, Samsung and Vizio, among others—our engineers are already hard at work testing the next group of new TVs. So if you check our TV Ratings later this week and don't see a model or series you're considering, look through the list below for models that are currently being tested, as they'll be added to the TV Ratings in a few weeks.
Among these latest models is a 50-inch Ultra HD TV from Seiki, which is selling for about $1,400, making it by far the least expensive Ultra HD TVs we've so far seen. We recently took a brief look at this set during a press event in NYC. Also in the mix are two much-anticipated plasma TVs: a 55-inch Panasonic ST60-series set (the Panasonic Smart Viera TC-P55ST60) and a 64-inch Samsung F8500-series model (the PN64F8500AFXZA). Both are expected to do well in our TV Ratings.
In addition to other smart TVs from these--and other--brands, there are more budget-focused LCD sets from Dynex, Hisense, Insignia, and Magnovox. We also have new LCD TVs from Sharp, Toshiba, and Vizio, plus various models from the major brands.
Here's the complete list of the TVs now being tested in our TV Test Lab, along with a brief description and estimated price:
Dynex DX-32L200NA14, $220. A basic 32-inch 720p LCD TV from Dynex, Best Buy's entry-level house brand.
Hisense 40K366W, $360. A 40-inch 1080p LCD TV with an LED backlight, built-in Wi-Fi, and access to online content, including streaming movies and TV shows from Netflix and Vudu
Insignia NS-28E200NA14, $190. A basic 28-inch 720p LCD TV from Insiginia, Best Buy's step-up house brand.
LG 50PN6500, $650. A fairly basic 50-inch 1080p plasma TV. Like many other LG sets, this model has Picture Wizard II, LG's self-calibration system that uses on-screen reference points to help you set key picture quality elements.
LG 32LN530B, $265. A fairly basic 32-inch 720p LCD TV with an LED backlight and Picture Wizard II.
LG 42LN5400, $525. A 42-inch 120Hz 1080p LCD with an LED backlight and Picture Wizard II, but not a lot of other features.
LG 50LN5700, $1,300. A 50-inch 120Hz 1080p LCD TV with LG's smart TV platform, with built-in Wi-Fi, access to online content (including Huku Plus, Netflix, and Vudu), plus LG's gesture-based Magic Remote control.
Panasonic Viera TC-L39EM60, $600. A 39-inch 120Hz 1080p LCD TV with an LED backlight.
Panasonic Smart Viera TC-P55ST60, $1,500. A 55-inch 1080p plasma TV with a lot of features, including built-in Wi-Fi, the company's smart TV platform with a browser, an apps market, and access to online content, including streaming TV shows and movies from Amazon, Hulu Plus, Netflix, and Vudu. It also has Swipe and Share 2.0 (for sending content to and from the TV and a mobile device. With this model, you can use voice commands to control some basic functions.
Samsung UN55F7100AFXZA, $1,800. A full-featured 240Hz 1080p LCD TV with an LED backlight, 3D capability, a dual-core processor, built-in Wi-Fi, and the company's smart TV platform with access to streaming movies and TV shows from Amazon, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Redbox Instant, and Vudu. It also responds to voice commands for basic functions, and it will accept Samsung's optional Evolution Kit, a module that can update the TV's hardware and software to newer-model capability.
Samsung UN55F6400AFXZA, $1,500. A full-featured 120Hz 1080p LCD TV with an LED backlight, 3D capability, a dual-core processor, built-in Wi-Fi, and the company's smart TV platform with access to streaming movies and TV shows from Amazon, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Redbox Instant, and Vudu. It also responds to voice commands for control of basic functions.
Samsung PN64F8500AFXZA, $3,700. This 64-inch 1080p set is Samsung's top-of-the-line flagship plasma TV. It's loaded with features, including 3D capability, a quad-core processor, built-in Wi-Fi, and the company's smart TV platform with access to streaming movies and TV shows from Amazon, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Redbox Instant, and Vudu. It also responds to voice commands and hand gestures for control of basic functions, and it will accept Samsung's optional Evolution Kit, a module that can update the TV's hardware and software to future newer-model capability.
Seiki SE50UY04, $1,400. This 50-inch LCD TV from Seiki is the lowest-priced Ultra HD TV (3840x2160 screen resolution) we've seen. The TV is a 120Hz model with an LED backlight, but it doesn't have a lot of other features.
Sharp LC60LE857U, $2,000. A 60-inch 240Hz 1080p LCD TV with an LED backlight, 3D capability, a dual-core processor, built-in Wi-Fi, and the company's smart TV platform, with access to online content including streaming movies and TV shows Hulu Plus, Netflix, and Vudu.
Sharp LC50LE650U, $1,000. A 50-inch 120Hz 1080p LCD TV with an LED backlight, a dual-core processor, built-in Wi-Fi, and the company's smart TV platform, with access to online content including streaming movies and TV shows from Hulu Plus, Netflix, and Vudu.
Toshiba 29L1350, $280. A basic 29-inch 720p LCD TV with an LED backlight.
Toshiba 39L4300, $530. A 39-inch 120Hz 1080p LCD TV with an LED backlight, built-in Wi-Fi, and access to online content, including streaming movies and TV shows from CinemaNow, Hulu Plus, Netflix, and Vudu.
Vizio E291i, $260. A 29-inch 720p LCD TV with an LED backlight, built-in Wi-Fi, an apps market, and access to online content, including streaming movies and TV shows from Amazon, Hulu Plus, Netflix, and Vudu.
All these models are being currently tested, and we'll add them to the TV Ratings once we've finished our evaluations. If you're looking for a particular model or series, let us know and we'll see if we can get it in for testing.
