LED, LCD and plasma TV: Compare features & prices

Side-by-side comparison

Type of TV
LCD and LED TVs differ only in the way the screen is illuminated. A handful of backlight lamps light-up a traditional LCD display, on 'LED TVs' the lamps have been replaced by hundreds of smaller LEDs (light emitting diodes). LEDs are also more energy efficient than traditional bulbs. Plasma TVs do not have backlights but illuminated by the brightness of individual gas cells.

Digital tuner
The type of built-in digital tuner. Dual HD tuners have both Freeview HD and Freesat HD - but the tuners operate seperately, not in conjunction. So for instance, you can't watch one channel on Freesat and record another on Freeview.

3D TV
The TV is capable of displaying 3D broadcasts from Sky or Virgin and 3D Blu-ray movies. 3D glasses are sometimes sold separately

Screen size (inches)
This is the size of the screen in inches, measured diagonally across.

HD ready 1080p
All the full-size TVs we review are 'HD-ready' and suitable for watching 1080i HDTV broadcasts via Sky, Virgin or Freesat. The 'HD-ready 1080p' logo means the TV has a 1,080 line screen resolution, and can process a 1080p/24 signal used on Blu-ray DVD movies - although this is not a guarantee of the best HD picture. Older 'HD-ready' sets will switch to a 1080i picture when used with high-definition DVD, but are more likely to suffer from a slight picture judder on panning shots.

Native resolution (pixels)
The number of pixels the TV can display (horizontal x vertical)

Smart TV
Allows you to access a selection of internet 'apps' - micro sites of web content such as video catch-up and movie download services. Some internet TVs allow full web browsing.

PVR
Allows you to plug a HDD drive into the USB port to pause, rewind and record live TV. Some models feature a built-in PVR.

Scarts
Scart sockets are the standard way to connect recording devices, DVD players, and set-top boxes. RGB is the highest quality video signal that can be carried on a Scart and is your best bet for a good picture.

HDMI
Socket for connecting to high-definition equipment, such as Blu-ray player or Sky HD box. Carries HD video and multi-channel audio.

HDMI widescreen switching
We check to see whether widescreen switching works in standard definition modes with a DVD player or Sky box. A 4:3 picture should automatically be detected and displayed with black bands on either side, not stretched to fill the screen.

HDMI CEC
Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) allows you to control other bits of CEC enabled equipment, connected together by HDMI, via just one remote control. We test to see if it works with at least one other brand of Blu-ray player. Maunufacturers sometimes imply that their TVs will only work with similarly branded equipment. This is occassionally true for advanced functions but more often than not basic and advanced functions basic work between brands.

PC input
Some TVs can be connected to your PC and double as computer monitors. This can be via either a traditional analogue VGA input or a digital connection - usually an HDMI input configured to support PC screen resolutions.

Independent picture settings
Allows you to set and save different picture settings for different inputs (for instance Scart and HDMI) on your TV. Useful if you've fine tuned your picture to different settings, for watching DVDs or a Sky HD box, for example.

USB port
Means you can plug in your digital camera and view photos on the big screen (they tend to look great on high resolution displays). Many USB ports support digital music and camcorder playback.

SD card slot
Means you can view photos from various digital camera memory cards on the big screen. High resolution digital photos viewed this way usually look very good.

Ethernet port
This allows connection to a local home server (a computer network in your house) or the internet

Stereo output
Red and white phono sockets can carry stereo sound to a Hi-Fi. If there are no dedicated phono sockets a Scart socket with a phono adaptor is an alternative. Connecting via the headphone socket is an option too, but won't be Hi-Fi quality.

Surround output
These outputs let you hook up your TV to an external surround sound system. There are two types - Coaxial (wire) and Optical (fibre optic) so make sure your home cinema's digital connection matches your TV. Both can carry stereo signals too.

Audio sources routed through digital outputs
Digital optical and coaxial outputs are only really useful if they route digital audio surround-sound from all sources (DVD player, Sky box etc). Surround-sound is virtually non-existant on standard Freeview, so models that only route audio from a non-HD digital tuner are of limited use (except for listening to stereo).

ARC
ARC (Audio Return Channel) support is needed to connect to a surround decoder via HDMI. It's easy to spot - the HDMI input will be labelled.

Freeview HD surround sound
For surround sound on Freeview HD to work the TV must be able to decode HE-AAC (a surround sound format). Some early Freeview HD TVs would only output stereo from the internal tuner.

Headphone output
Socket for plugging in headphones.

Headphone volume control
The most versatile headphone outputs allow you to control headphone volume independently from the main speakers. Useful if you're hard of hearing.

Audio description
This means the TV can decode an audio description signal. AD is an additional narration for visually-impaired people that describes significant visual information, such as body language and scenery.

Auto volume limiter
Can help to limit the volume to a constant level inbetween programmes. Sound levels can rise during adverts.

Voice zoom
Boosts dialogue over background noise and music

App store
Access to online app store letting you download more apps - micro sites showcasing some of the best bits of the web.

Pre-loaded apps
Smart TVs come with a number of pr-loaded apps. Manufacturers can add to these at any time - this is the number at the time of testing

Web surfing
Allows you to surf the world wide web via your TV

Flash support
This is important if you want to view video on web pages

Wi-fi
Some Smart TVs come with built-in Wi-Fi, but most connect wirelessly with the addition of a wifi USB dongle (sold seperately).

DLNA
Allows streaming of music and video files from a connected PC.

Web content
Web content available at time of testing. Most tvs don't let you browse the internet but instead provide access to applications and specific bits of content, such as YouTube and Facebook

Switched-on (Watts)
Based on using our viewing panel's ideal picture settings. Settings are aimed at getting the best picture, but typically mean it uses less energy too. An energy efficient 40-inch LED should use around 60-70 watts. Larger 42-inch plasma TVs will use more than twice that amount of energy.

Eco mode (Watts)
Energy consumed with energy saving picture setting activated (typically involves dimming the backlight).

Light sensor (Watts)
Energy used by sensor with the lights dimmed (1 lux). If selected the light-sensor automatically adjust the brightness of the picture according to how light or dark the room is. Viewing in darker rooms with the light sensor switched on can dramatically reduce energy consumption.

Screen blanking (Watts)
Energy used when screen blanking activated. This handy energy saving feature blanks the screen when listening to digital radio via your TV.

Standby (Watts)
During standby after 2 hours and/or using ECO mode. Ideally this should be below 2 watts to meet the Energy Saving Trust recommendation

Off button
Mechanical 'hard off' buttons turn the TV off completely. Electronic 'soft off' buttons need some power to switch the set back on.

Annual running cost (nearest £).
Based on TV switched on for 5 hours a day and left in standby for the rest of the day. Electricity priced at 14.5p per k/w.

Brightness
Ideal brightness setting as used by our expert viewing panel in a dimly-lit room. Settings may vary slightly from sample to sample.

Contrast
Ideal contrast setting as used by our expert viewing panel in a dimly-lit room. Settings may vary slightly from sample to sample.

Colour
Ideal colour setting as used by our expert viewing panel in a dimly-lit room. Settings may vary slightly from sample to sample.

Picture profile
Ideal picture profile setting as used by our expert viewing panel in a dimly-lit room. Settings may vary slightly from sample to sample.

Sharpness
Ideal sharpness setting as used by our expert viewing panel in a dimly-lit room. Settings may vary slightly from sample to sample.

Backlight
Backlightsetting as used by our expert viewing panel in a dimly-lit room. Settings may vary slightly from sample to sample.

Other settings
Other settings as used by our expert viewing panel in a dimly-lit room. Settings may vary slightly from sample to sample.

Scart RGB picture
As rated by our independent expert viewing panel when watching standard definition material (test and movie clips on DVD) connected via the Scart RGB socket. We watch the same clips in each test.

Freeview picture
As rated by our independent expert viewing panel when watching Freeview broadcasts. We capture a stream of programming and watch the same clips in each test.

HD upscaling
As rated by our independent expert viewing panel when watching a recorded standard definition programme recorded on a HD PVR 'up-scaled' by the TV into pseudo HD. The Box output is set to 576 and connected to the TV via HDMI. We capture a stream of programming and watch the same clips in each test.

Overall SD picture
Overall combined score of DVD (Scart RGB) and Freeview

Freeview HD picture
As rated by our independent expert viewing panel when watching Freeview HD (1080i) broadcasts. We capture a stream of programming and watch the same clips in each test.

Blu-ray picture
As rated by our independent expert viewing panel when Blu-ray DVD clips. Blu-ray is 1080p HD - currently the best video standard widely available.

Overall HD picture
Combined score of Blu-ray, Freeview HD and Sky HD tests

3D picture
Rated by independent expert panel watching a series of 3D Blu-ray and Sky 3D clips. We watch the same clips in each test.

Sound quality
This includes the results of our technical tests and our independent listening panel's verdict.

Overall ease of use
Overall rating for ease of setting up the TV, everyday ease of use, using the instruction manual and EPG, operation without the remote control and accessing the more complex functions.

EPG
Assessment of Electronic Programme Guide

Smart TV
Using the Smart TV functions - setting-up, downloading and organising apps and browsing the web

PVR
Using the built-in PVR or USB recording device

Overall energy use
Based on the power usage when being viewed and in standby and the presence and effectiveness of power-saving features such as a light sensor or radio screen blanking. Power usage can vary massively depending on the type of TV. 42-inch plasma TVs use about twice as much power as similar sized LED TVs.

Switched on energy use
We take into account screen size ratio when making efficiency ratings. Measured during normal operation in 16:9 mode using optimum picture settings. Power consumption can range from around 50 Watts for a 32-inch LCD to over 300 Watts for a 50-inch plasma.

Light sensor
The best ambient light sensors can cut power use in half.

Overall versatility
Overall rating for number, functionality and versatility of features.

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