Consumer Reports: New TVs are bigger, better, smarter - and cheaper

Americans who are in the market for a new TV will find models that are bigger, better, smarter and cheaper, according to the latest Consumer Reports TV tests.

?If you?re thinking about upgrading your TV, or if you?re one of the holdouts planning to buy your first flat-panel TV, you?ll find plenty of great models in our latest Ratings ? many at prices that will put a smile on your face,? said Jim Willcox, senior editor for electronics.

Consumers should be heartened to know that TV prices are usually lowest in February and March, when manufacturers start shipping new models and retailers cut prices to sell off the old ones. Compelling new features on mainstream 2013 models aren?t expected, so consumers shouldn?t pass up great deals on top-rated 2012 sets.

However, some TV bargains can be risky. Super-low priced sets, especially from lesser-known brands, aren?t always the best deals. Some of the lowest-scoring sets in CR?s Ratings ? with below-average marks for picture, sound or both ? include TVs from Coby, Element, Haier, TCL and Westinghouse.

LCD TVs from LG, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony have consistently been among the best performers in the Consumer Reports Ratings. Plasma sets from Panasonic have been at the top, followed closely by Samsung and LG.

INTERNET-CAPABLE
TVS PROLIFERATE

The Consumer Reports Ratings include more Smart TVs, or TVs that can connect to the Internet to stream video from various online services, putting on-demand movies and TV shows at viewers? fingertips. All tested TVs with this capability offer Netflix, but the availability of other services like Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video and Vudu varies by brand. A growing number have full browsers for surfing the Web, built-in Wi-Fi and access to an apps market. In addition to streaming video services, most Internet-capable TVs let you connect to a music service such as Pandora, social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and even eBay.

More tips on getting the right TV can be found at ConsumerReports.org.

Source: http://onlineathens.com/business/2013-02-09/consumer-reports-new-tvs-are-bigger-better-smarter-and-cheaper

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