LCD and plasma TV reviews: How we test LCD and plasma TVs
More LCD and plasma TVs tested by Which?
Which? now tests LCD and plasma TVs every month, reviewing 120 a year and covering nearly all the bestselling models – four times as many as in 2005.
Each LCD and plasma TV is put through an extraordinary six-week test – a mixture of expert panel assessments and technical laboratory testing – scrutinising everything from picture and sound quality to energy efficiency and ease of use.
New test results and reviews of all the latest LCD and plasma TVs are added to Which.co.uk every month.
We test the picture quality of each TV
LCD and plasma TV picture quality
As well as subjecting LCD and plasma TVs to the Which? technical tests, we use an independent expert viewing panel to assess picture quality under the same conditions in a dimmed, tungsten-lit room.
Brightness and contrast levels are set as equally as possible, and the LCD and plasma TVs all receive the same-quality picture signal. The same experts take part each time, and we conceal the brand names.
We show six different video clips – each helps the experts assess a different aspect of picture quality, eg a moving train helps highlight problems with panning and movement.
We also watch digital Freeview to see how the TV copes with a lower-quality broadcast signal. High definition is assessed via 1080i satellite and 1080p Blu-ray DVD.
Each image is awarded an individual score, and each LCD and plasma TV an overall picture score. The best TVs offer a good compromise between different viewing demands. Picture quality accounts for 40% of the overall test score.
Sound quality test – LCD and plasma TVs
The Which? tests use a similar mix of technical measurements and expert opinion to assess each LCD and plasma TV's sound quality.
Our experts listen to, and score, male and female voices, classical music, pop music, jazz and a TV drama under controlled conditions. Benchmark samples from previous Which? TV tests are used to ensure continuity.
Technical assessments include measuring the characteristic background noise (eg a low-level buzzing) and the maximum sound levels from the internal speakers. Sound quality accounts for 20% of the overall score for each LCD and plasma TV.
Our experts testing the flat screen TVs
LCD and plasma TV ease of use test
Is the instruction manual as clear as the picture? Our ease-of-use experts assess each LCD and plasma TV according to a variety of realistic everyday scenarios. Ease of use accounts for 20% of the overall score.
Setting up LCD and plasma TVs
This involves setting-up the television for the first time, connecting up all the cables and tuning it in. All the LCD and plasma TVs in this review tune themselves, so you don’t have to fiddle around looking for the best reception.
Everyday use
You shouldn’t have to get out the instruction manual to switch the telly on and off, change channel or use the EPG. We make sure everything is as straightforward as it should be.
Advanced use
Assessments include adjustment of picture settings, making recordings via the EPG and setting the child-lock. The design of the on-screen menu systems are crucial.
LCD and plasma TV controls
You’ve checked behind the sofa but still no luck. There’s nothing for it, you’re going to have to use your LCD or plasma TV without the remote control.
This nightmare scenario is this basis for our experts’ assessment of the front-panel controls. Common problems we encounter include:
- Poorly written and confusing instruction manuals.
- Cluttered and poorly laid-out remote controls with hard and unresponsive buttons.
- Sockets to the rear and underneath the LCD or plasma TV. Tricky to access – unless the TV is wall-mounted.
- Advanced options often hidden deep inside poorly structured on-screen menus.
- Confusing and slow-to-scroll EPGs.
All our TVs are rated for energy efficiency
LCD and plasma TV power consumption
Modern LCD and plasma TVs can be a drain on the environment and on your wallet. Which? tests the power consumption of each LCD and plasma TV in a variety of viewing modes and estimates the annual running costs. Televisions that guzzle power are marked down overall.
Which? experts helped establish the latest international standards for measuring LCD and plasma TV energy consumption, and we use these as the basis for our tests. Using standardised video footage, power consumption readings are taken in 16:9 (widescreen) mode with the TV settings as delivered.
However, we actually exceed the minimum standard and take further readings for each LCD and plasma TV while using a moving test pattern.
We also check everything in 4:3 (old box shape) mode and then do the whole test again, using the optimum picture settings as selected by our expert viewing panel. We then take measurements five minutes and two hours after switching into standby.
To assess the efficiency of any power-saving light sensor, we take measurements in three typical living-room environments; bright daylight, dimly lit and, for horror movie fans, in the dark.
Our experts have found that adjusting the TV's settings (see 'ideal settings' within the reviews of each LCD and plasma TV we've tested) can reduce power usage considerably. Power use accounts for 10% of the total test score.
Feature check for LCD and plasma TVs
Which? does a full feature check on each LCD and plasma TV – but goes well beyond just ticking a box for every socket found on the television. Our tests often reveal some hidden functionality and nasty surprises.
For instance, many LCD and plasma TVs come with a digital audio out socket, however digital surround-sound on Freeview is virtually non-existent.
So to make use of the socket, surround-sound signals from other pieces of equipment (such as DVD players or Sky boxes) have to be channelled through the TV via HDMI. But this handy trick only works on some LCD and plasma TV models.
Scart sockets on widescreen LCD and plasma TVs usually support auto-format switching – eg showing standard (4:3) broadcasts with black bands on either side, so the images aren't stretched out of proportion. We check for this and find some models don’t automatically switch correctly.
When adjusting your LCD or plasma TV for the perfect picture, you may want to tweak the settings differently for Freeview or DVD. Which? tests whether different picture and sound settings can be ‘remembered’ by the tuner, Scart and HDMI sockets.
Features account for 10% of the total test score.
LCD and plasma TV evaluations
Once we have all our test results in, we evaluate the data to determine the total test score for each LCD and plasma TV. Currently 40% of the total test score is awarded to picture quality, 20% to sound, 20% to ease of use, 10% features and 10% power use.