You've got a lot of great choices when it comes to HDTV's these days. The technology keeps advancing and the prices keeep going lower. After tons of research, we've selected these three models as
Our Top 40" LCD 1080p TV Picks
Samsung LN40A550
The LN40A550 was named a 'best buy' by an influential consumer product testing organization. It features SRS TruSurround XT audio, which allows for virtual surround sound reproduction, Consumer Electronics Control, which means it won't have any trouble getting along with your other electronic devices, a blazingly fast 4 ms response rate, and a 30,000:1 contast ratio. It also has 120 hz motion blur reduction technology which dramatically improves viewing of fast paced action, and a 178 degree viewing angle. Regarding connection options - with 3 HMDI, 2 Component, 2 Composite, S-Video, PC input, USB 2.0 and more (many side mounted for easy access), you'll never be left without a hookup, regardless of how many devices are in your home theater setup. Owners of this 1080p set seem to love it, as evidenced by the reviews shown below.
Buy or read more about the Samsung LN40A550 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
Reviews
"We stood in front of many TV's and searched on-line for months before purchasing, and we are absolutely thrilled with the quality and the cost."..."If you're looking for a 40" LCD this TV is a great choice"...."Love the TV! Great picture. Great sound. All around, the best TV for the money. All the reviews I read and all the people I talked to were right. I highly recommend."..."You literally pull this set out of the box (stand pre-assembled) and plug it in. It does a search of over-the-air of which I get about 7 in HD and cable. I threw in a couple of blu-ray movies and was very very impressed to say the least (I have a Samsung dual-player with hdmi - no issues)",,,,"the picture is totally 100% crystal clear. I have windows behind me and somehow there is virtually no glare" ...."I did a lot of research before selecting this LCD HD TV and it's lived up to my expectations. Great picture and viewing angles; lots of inputs and outputs; and a well designed remote that allows chnging source, picture view aspect, and captioning without going through menus."....."If you are in the market for a TV, I highly suggest this one. It is truly a wonderful TV".
Sony Bravia KDL-40S4100
The Sony name has always been associated with quality when it comes to TVs. Unfortunately, it's also usually always been associated with "expensive". But that's changing, and in a big way. The Bravia KDL-40S4100 is a full featured yet still affordable 40 inch 1080p LCD HDTV that includes 24 frames-per-second HD movie playback. It comes with 3 HDMI, 2 component, and one PC input in addition to the typical S-Video, Audio in, Digital Audio Out, and more. But is this really a Sony Bravia? Or did they just slap their label on some low quality unit to grab a share of the lower-priced market? Well, just read some of the owner reviews below and see what you think.
Buy or read more on the Sony Bravia S-Series KDL-40S4100 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
Reviews
"This is a remarkable TV for the money, with a great picure and resolution up to 1080p (P for progressive scan -- 1080 lines of resolution with no interlace), and also support for 24 frames-per-second movie playback with Blu-ray high definition DVDs".... "I am very happy with my purchase -- the TV has a stellar set of features at a great price versus more expensive versions with more bells and whistles... which I don't need. It is not the cheapest LCD TV in the 40" size, but the picture quality and number of source inputs sets it apart"...."We are very pleased with the Sony Bravia TV. The picture quality is great! I would recommend this TV to everyone. Just keep the remote away from German Shepherd's, ours ate the remote!"....."Well I am super satisified with this TV for the following reasons. 1. Easy to set up. I don't have cable and it just scanned for all the HD and analog stations and that was pretty much about it. 2. Great sound. I don't have a stereo system to hook up to and so it was important that the TV's speakers could, well, speak for themselves. They are very good. 3. Picture is super and seems to adjust itself to suit whatever type of input (HD, Analog, DVD, Video) is coming in. People Don't look short and squat. Everything looks great, and full size and I don't have to do any adjusting when I change a channel"...."The picture is beautiful and I am very happy with it. I highly recommend it"...."3 HDMI ports, great PICTURE QUALITY, hooked it up to my computer and it worked brilliantly. Great size, couldn't have asked for more"....
LG 42LG50
Wait a minute, you say. That model number has a '42' in it. This web page is about the best 40" LCD 1080p HDTV models. Well....ok....you got us. But after taking a look at all the models out there, we just had to include this LG because of its features, price, and the reviews it's gotten from owners and the media. We figured you wouldn't mind getting an extra two inches of screen real estate. The 1080p 42LG50 has LG's Intelligent Sensor that uses over 4000 criteria to evaluate the surroundings and process picture quality elements, resulting in a picture that's both optimized for its surroundings and viewers and also saves as much as 50 percent on power consumption. A fantastic feature that I think all HDTVs should have is this set's ability to recognize human voices and to amplify them when background noise is high. I can't tell you how many times I've been watching a movie when one of the characters says something and everyone in the room says "what'd he say?". Features 3 HDMI, 1 USB 2.0 and PC hookups in addition to all the typical connectors. Response time of 5 ms. Has a slim profile with contoured edges and a silver chrome accent. Includes swivel stand.
Buy or learn more about the LG
42LG50 42-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
Reviews
"HD Picture Quality - 5***** Superb, Fantastic....TV Set look and Feel - 5***** Excellent, Beautiful....This set looks very good and performs very well. I would very much recommend it"....."Bought this TV and have had it just under 1 month. Set up was incredibly easy. TV was light weight and manageable as compared to other flat pannel tvs I have owned. The picture and sound quality are prefect - and both have many options. HDTV has never looked better - especially for sporting events"...."By far this is the best purchase that I ever made, crystal clear picture, lifelike and the most amazing"....."The HD looks amazing with its 1080p, high contrast and resolution. You cannot beat the price or the LG name"...."A very well designed set: very simple and intuitive user interface, and a stunning picture"....."Bought this TV for my new apartment about a month ago! I absolutely LOVE it! It has a wonderful picture and the sound is great! My parents have the same one but an older model and I would always LOVE going over to their house so I could watch it. Even going as far as saying I don't feel too great so I'd have to go lay down (it is in their bedroom). ;-) It's very attractive. My friends ooh and ah over it every time they come over. Great price for a great TV!"