Product Survey: 50'' and larger TVs

We have now divided our TV tests into several categories based on diagonal size. Here we look at 50 inch (127 cm) and bigger models or the current largest sizes. These televisions provide you with total immersion in the home cinema experience.

Vincent Lheur
Updated: 2008-10-12

The tests

We use a new testing method very close to the one we apply to video projectors? It’s the same video analysis software which produces the HCFR colormeter. This gives us a good evaluation of brightness, depth of black, the color space, RGB levels, color temperature, saturation, and the gamma curve of TVs. In addition, we add practical tests (HD movie rendering, game console and TV use, etc.) which enable us to compliment the purely technical measurements and get a better idea of rescaling of standard definition sources (SD) and viewing angles.

This new test suite has been progressively adapted to our ''Product Face-offs''.

Here we enter into the real home cinema experience and beyond 127 cm, you have the impression of really viewing the image in a dark room. This diagonal size, which was formerly reserved to the luxury class, is starting to become more common as the new high end features 60 (152 cm) and 70 (178 cm) inch models.

Of course, this isn’t without certain constraints concerning bulk and weight. Moreover, this area has become a real focus for manufacturers as they are now trying to reduce the thickness of their TVs to transform them into veritable decorative “picture” frames.

It goes without saying that we only find the best from each manufacturer in this category and we haven’t yet tested a model of truly poor quality. All fare from good to excellent although as these diagonal sizes become more common there will certainly be some with lower performances (that we will try and warn you about!). Otherwise, of course all have Full HD definition (1920 x 1080 pixels).

You can also consult our other TV surveys classed by diagonal size:

> On-going survey of 29 inch and smaller TVs

> On-going survey of 30 to 39 inch TVs

> On-going survey of 40 to 40 inch TVs