Group test: 42in flat screen TVs pt2

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Overview Price: £1,300 More info: Sharp Technology: LCD Size (off stand): 133(d) x 709(h) x 1029(w)mm Weight: 37kg Resolution: 1920x1080 Claimed max contrast ratio: 6000:1 Claimed max brightness: 450cd/m2 Connections: Two HDMI inputs; PC VGA input (with adaptor for component video input); two Scarts (one RGB); composite video input; stereo audio inputs; analogue/digital tuner input; PC audio input; RS-232; headphone jack Sharp Aquos LC42XD1E This Sharp TV is the first in this group test with a full HD pixel count of 1920x1080. So clearly it takes its high definition duties seriously - a fact backed up by the fact that it can map 1920x1080 HD sources directly to its own pixel count, with no messy overscanning processing. The 42XD1E's two HDMI sockets can take 1080p feeds too - though not the 1080/24fps format used by most HD DVD and Blu-ray movie transfers. Your HD player will have to convert the disc's images to 1080i, 720p or 1080p/50Hz for the Sharp to play them. The only socket of real interest aside from the HDMIs is a D-Sub PC port. This is more significant than usual because Sharp hasn't included a component video input on the 42XD1E, meaning you have to double up on the PC port via a supplied adaptor to get component sources like an Xbox 360 into the TV. Other 42XD1E specifications of note are a claimed 6000:1 contrast ratio (achieved via a dynamic backlight system) and Sharp's truD processing for reducing image judder and boosting contrast and sharpness. We've been very impressed in recent times by larger XD1E models. But although good, the 42in model doesn't quite scale the same heights. As we'd hope/expect of a full HD TV, though, its sharpness with high definition sources is outstanding, reproducing even the most minute of little HD details. The screen's high resolution also helps colours appear with unusually subtle blends and tonal shifts. Colours are gratifyingly vivid, too. The screen's black level response and motion handling are pretty solid, too. But neither seems quite as accomplished as with this TV's 46in and 52in siblings, strangely, leaving dark scenes looking rather hollow and moving objects suffering noticeable smearing at times. With standard definition sources though, it looks cleaner than is often the case with a full HD TV and the set's sound is perfectly solid if unremarkable. Despite not being quite as desirable as expected, the 42XD1E is still a very fine TV.

Verdict Plus points > Full HD resolution, excellent HD picture detail, rich and bright colours Minus points Some motion smearing, hollow blacks, VGA has to be shared for PC and component duties

Overview Price: £1,150 More info: LG Electronics Technology: LCD Size (off stand): 88.5(d) x 687 (h) x 1033.1(w)mm Weight: 23kg Resolution: 1920x1080 Claimed max contrast ratio: 5000:1 Claimed max brightness: 500cd/m2 Connections: Two HDMI inputs (PC and video); Two Scarts (1 RGB); component video input; composite video input; S-Video input; D-Sub PC input; Stereo audio output; headphone jack; stereo audio inputs; CAM slot; RF input; digital audio output; service port Additional features: 1:1 pixel mapping, TruV panel design for wide angle viewing, Intelligent Eye System, MPEG NR, standard noise reduction, black level booster, cinema mode, XD Colour processing, MAX surround sound mode, digital audio output, on/off timer, auto sleep mode, Simplink HDMI functionality LG 42LF66 It's taken longer than expected, but LG's first full HD LCD TV is finally here in the shape of the 42LF66. And a very comely shape it is too, with its unusually slender chassis and high-gloss black finish working wonders on any living room. Connectivity is perfectly decent, with the typical roster of twin HDMIs, component video input and PC port, as well as a digital audio output for passing through to an AV receiver any digital audio tracks carried in via the HDMIs. As with the Sharp 42XD1E, the 42LF66 capitalises on its full HD pixel count with a mode that shows HD sources mapped pixel for pixel to its screen, with no overscanning processing applied. It can also take 1080p HD formats, with the exception of 1080p/24fps. Among the 42LF66's other key features are XD Engine processing for improving colours, fine detailing, black levels and motion handling, plus options in the menus for MPEG and 'normal' noise reduction. The 42LF66's pictures sure know how to make an entrance, thanks to arguably the most strikingly vivid colour response we've ever seen. Even better, the extreme colour vibrancy hasn't been achieved at the expense of natural colour tones. Adding to the instant impact the colours generate is some outstanding sharpness to the 42LF66's presentation of HD, which appears packed with texture and finished with real 'snap'. There's not too much motion smearing to soften things up, either. With more protracted viewing, though, one or two flaws glare through. For instance, black levels aren't especially good, with dark scenes tending to become rather greyed over. Also, standard definition images can look rather noisy, and contrasty edges sometimes stand out from the rest of the picture too much. These various problems stop the 42LF66 from entering the Champion's League of LCD performers. But with LG TVs often getting discounted heavily not too long after their initial launches, it might be one to look out for cheap in a month or two's time.

Verdict Plus points Dazzling colours, full HD resolution, extreme HD sharpness, fair price Minus points Black level issues, noisy standard definition pictures

Final verdict Let's get the bad news out of the way first - there's no TV in this group that we feel quite deserves an unreserved recommendation. Yet at the same time, all our LCD TVs at least would make perfectly respectable home cinema centrepieces, especially if you're into the full HD specification offered by our Sharp and LG contenders. It's a bad day, too, for plasma technology, with our only plasma entrant getting a thorough pasting at the hands of its LCD rivals. We'd urge you, though, not to take this as proof that plasma has past its sell-by date. The Philips model is a self-consciously budget affair using a plasma technology - ALIS - which we've long had our suspicions of. So in our opinion it can't count as representative of the plasma market as a whole. In terms of a specific pecking order for our four 42in models, as you've probably guessed, bringing up the rear by a disappointing and surprising margin is Philips' 42PF5521D. While we appreciate Philips trying to offer a large plasma TV at such a cheap price as £800, we certainly don't appreciate all the quality that's had to be stripped out of its picture to make such a price feasible. Picking between third and second is a tough call, but in the end we've gone for Toshiba's 42C3030 in third and LG's 42PF66 in second, chiefly on account of the latter's full HD properties. Which means that Sharp's 42XD1E takes the gold medal today. We have to say again that this does not automatically make it a real classic LCD TV, though. It's good, certainly, but it's ultimately just the best of what have turned out to be a decent rather inspiring LCD bunch.

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