Super Bowl HDTVs: Get the right TV for the "Big Game"
The next best thing to being at this year's Super Bowl in Tampa is watching it on a big-screen HDTV—especially since the game will be shot and broadcast in high definition. For the most impact, look for a TV with at least a 50-inch screen; go larger if you’ll be cheering on the team with a crowd gathered ‘round your set.
Our latest HDTV Ratings (available to subscribers) include 58- and 60-inch plasma TVs, and 52- and 55-inch LCD TVs. Want to go even bigger? A 60- to 73-inch rear-projection DLP TV from Mitsubishi or Samsung, the only brands remaining, offer the most bang for the buck. (Rear-projection DLP sets have been about three times more repair-prone than LCD and plasmas, though). For the greatest impact, consider a front projector and a screen 100 inches or more, mated to a multichannel surround-sound system. While front projectors aren't ideal for everyday TV use, they're perfect for an event like this, as long as you can handle the setup and installation of a separate screen, projector, and speakers.
For most of us, the choice will be either an LCD or plasma flat-panel TV. Plasma sets are great for sports, thanks to their almost unlimited viewing angle, accurate colors, and ability to display fast motion without visible blurring. Some have an issue with glare and reflections, though, so window shades or blinds are a must for daytime games. And unlike sets of the past, most new plasmas have a minimal risk of permanent burn-in from graphics left onscreen too long.
Many LCD TVs have brighter, less reflective screens than plasmas and look better in daylight. But many have a narrow viewing angle, so the picture degrades if you move off to the side or up and down. Some models (notably sets from Panasonic) in our Ratings of LCD TVs (available to subscribers) have a wider viewing angle than most. With LCDs, 120Hz technology, which doubles the TV's frame rate, can help reduce motion blur when the play is fast and furious.
With a big screen, 1080p resolution can bring out the finest picture details, such as the weave in a uniform's fabric or the texture of the grass. Picture-in-picture (or picture-on-picture) capability lets you view two games simultaneously, one in a smaller window. Fantasy-league fans may want an HDTV with online access to web-based news and sports data. And if you can't be at home when the game starts, or you'd like to savor all the pivotal plays again at a later date, a high-definition digital video recorder (DVR) can capture all the action. Many newer models can be programmed remotely via the Internet or a cell phone, a handy feature if you forget to set the timer before you leave home.
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