Group test: 50in plasma vs LCD TVs

While LCD seems to have the weight of public interest on its side, plasma technology has always had one key factor in its favour - size. For while LCD has pretty much taken over up to 37in screen sizes, it's not been able to compete at the really big end of the AV market. Until now. For today the 50in-plus territory so long exclusively the domain - at any sort of affordable price, anyway - of plasma is being assaulted on two fronts by new king-sized LCD contenders from Sharp and Samsung. So to find out how the battle's shaping up we've pitted the LCD wannabes against the latest 50in plasma models from Hitachi and Panasonic. Let's get ready to rumble! Overview Price comparison: Samsung LE-52M87BD More info: Samsung Size (on stand): 1257(w) x 860(h) x 326(d)mm Weight (inc stand): 40.5kg Native aspect ratio: 16:9 Claimed max contrast ratio: 15000:1 Claimed max brightness: 550cd/m2 Connections: Three HDMI inputs, S-Video input, Composite video input, Component video input, Three Scarts (two RGB), Headphone jack, PC input, RF jack, Digital audio output, CI slot In the LCD corner Samsung LE-52M87BD The first thing to say about the 52M87BD is that it's probably the prettiest big-screen TV we've ever seen. But the beauty isn't skin deep, as it's also seriously heavy on the features. Leading the charge is a truly exceptional selection of connections, including a cracking three HDMIs, a PC input, and an optical digital audio output for shunting on to an AV receiver any digital audio tracks received via the HDMIs. The HDMIs are unusual, too, for three reasons. First, they can take the 1080p HD signals which are starting to become available from high-end Blu-ray and HD DVD players. Second, they allow operation of other connected CEC gear via the TV's remote. And finally, unlike any previous TV we've seen, they're v1.3 HDMIs, making them compatible with such step-up features as Deep Colour (offering a much wider colour palette) and automatic lip-synchronisation correction. Provided you've got a source with an HDMI 1.3 output, of course. Other key specifications include a full HD native pixel count of 1920x1080, which perfectly matches the HD format used by Sky HD and Blu-ray/HD DVD discs, a ground-breakingly high 15,000:1 claimed contrast ratio, and a Movie Plus mode to tackle LCD's problems showing motion. In action, the 52M87BD's most outstanding picture trait is its black level response. In fact, we'd go so far as to say that its black level response is the best we've ever seen on an LCD TV, delivering dark parts of pictures with scarcely any of the greying over problem we see to some extent with almost every other LCD TV. The 52M87BD's colours are also very impressive, combining extreme vibrancy with a huge range, good toning and levels of gradation subtlety that are rare indeed in the LCD world. High definition pictures, meanwhile, can look stunningly sharp and detailed, revelling in the enormous 52in screen size and, arguably, the Samsung's full HD pixel count. The 52M87BD's pictures aren't perfect, though. The set certainly has troubles with motion, for instance. Without the provided Movie Plus mode activated, motion looks a little blurred. But with it switched on, motion looks a little unnatural and flickery. Also, the picture's aggression can occasionally slightly emphasise any noise a source may have - but we guess this is arguably as much the source's fault as this TV's. Sonically the 52M87BD is fine, providing enough volume and range to do movie soundtracks justice without being truly outstanding. Overall the 52M87BD is a serious LCD achievement from Samsung, proving that LCD really can 'go large' without compromising quality. Though at the risk of finishing on a downer, despite its features and talents, it does look a touch expensive versus its rivals on test. Verdict Plus points Ground-breaking black levels for LCD, rich colours, gorgeous design, sharp HD pictures, great connectivity Minus points Can exaggerate source noise, some motion handling issues, not cheap vs plasma

Overview Price comparison: Sharp Aquos LC52XD1E More info: Sharp Size (off stand): 1263(w) x 807(h) x 125(d)mm Weight (inc stand): 37kg Native aspect ratio: 16:9 Claimed max contrast ratio: 10000:1 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 LC52XD1E Sharp's XD1E range has been causing a stir with its combination of full-HD pixel count and surprisingly affordable prices. But can the largest member of the family, the 52in LC52XD1E, still retain its appeal in light of today's stiff competition? It's a neat looker at any rate, with a tidy gloss black bezel and some pleasing curves. It's adequately connected too, thanks to twin (1080p-capable) HDMIs and PC support. However, there's no dedicated component video input, meaning you have to double up on the PC jack via a provided adaptor for component sources like the Xbox 360. As well as its full HD 1920x1080 resolution, the 52XD1E also sports Sharp's TruD picture processing designed to reduce image judder while also boosting sharpness and contrast, and claims a sky-high 10,000:1 contrast ratio. The 52XD1E's high definition pictures look gloriously crisp and sharp, as the full HD resolution ekes out every drop of HD picture information to make the most of the huge 52in image size. Colours are explosively rich too, but not at the expense of subtler shades, ensuring that people's skin, for instance, looks believable for the vast majority of the time. Colour blends are unusually fine too, benefiting from the extra pixel density permitted by the full HD panel. Picture noise, meanwhile, is generally well suppressed, even while watching standard definition - unusual for a full HD LCD TV. With the 52XD1E's audio delivering decent frequency range and oomph, there are only a couple of areas where the 52XD1E disappoints slightly. First, while its black levels are actually quite good by LCD standards, dark parts of the picture look a touch empty and flat vs the best rivals in this group test. Second, moving objects lose notable resolution as they speed across the screen. No more so than with most LCD TVs, but it's a point we have to raise in the company of plasma screens which suffer far less with such motion issues. We guess we also have to say that while competitive vs the Samsung LCD, this Sharp still seems expensive compared to our plasma contenders.

Verdict Plus points Great colours, neat design, exceptionally sharp HD pictures Minus points Slight motion issues, no dedicated component jack, slightly empty black levels, not cheap vs plasma

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