Consumer Reports Tests 3D TVs, Favors Plasmas

Posted November 1, 2010 07:34 AM by Juan Calonge


For its annual December electronics issue, Consumer Reports evaluated 14 3D TV models, in its first-ever ranking of 3D performance. Using exclusive 3D test patterns developed in-house, as well as 3D Blu-ray movies and recorded 3D sports broadcasts, the magazine's engineers found that plasma TVs are better at displaying 3D images than LCD sets, primarily because they exhibit less ghosting (technically termed "crosstalk"), or double images that appear even when wearing 3D glasses. Consumer Reports found that attributes that affect regular picture quality also affect 3D, including black level, brightness, image detail, and viewing angle. Ghosting also plays a big part in 3D quality. Three plasma models from Panasonic showed the best 3D picture quality and the least ghosting of all the sets tested, followed by LG and Samsung plasmas. Sony's LCD TVs came closest to the plasmas: ghosting was minimal, but only when the viewer's head was kept level; ghosting became severe when the viewer's head was titled even slightly. On the LG and Samsung LCD TVs, images had satisfying three-dimensional depth, but ghosting, which was significant in a wide variety of content, was distracting when apparent. All the tested 3D TVs, with one exception, performed very well with regular 2D programs. "It remains to be seen whether 3D TV is just a novelty or a new product category in the consumer electronics space," said Paul Reynolds, electronics editor for Consumer Reports. "But, our tests show that there are some fine 3D TV sets out there for those consumers eager for a new experience." The magazine also lists four "things to consider before buying a 3D TV": the need for glasses; the fact that 3D may be unsuitable for some people; the scarcity of content; and whether it is better to buy now or wait. The report appears in the December Annual Electronics issue and online at consumerreports.org (subscribers only).
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News comments (24 comments)

aiman04

Nov 01, 2010

Yup, I can instantly see the improvements. Plasma is much better and my eyes were more relaxed, that was just a few minutes test. However, I'm not into 3D at all, just testing them at my local shop here.

thespindoc

Nov 01, 2010

"It remains to be seen ..." should be underlined in this article. Sheesh...Give everyone a chance to get Blu-ray first before pushing 3D on them.

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repete66211

Nov 01, 2010

This seems to be a fair and objective assessment of the whole 3D thing.

seigneur_rayden

Nov 01, 2010

Plasma for the winners!!!

4K2K

Nov 01, 2010

Aren't there any OLED 3D TVs available for them to review - even the 31" one? I think OLED would be better for 3D.

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dobyblue

Nov 01, 2010

LG's 31" OLED is still a prototype, you can't buy it anywhere can you?

jdub178

Nov 01, 2010

there aren't any production OLED models in 31". . . all the ones you hear about are prototypes. . . Plasma is simply the best display technology on the market, especially for 3D. . . I believe that OLED will become a great technology when it finally gets to the consumer market. . . but that will be a while. . . they are so thin that we don't even have a cable thin enough to connect them with. . .

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DragosC

Nov 01, 2010

I knew it. I love my Sammy plasma.

Yagbols

Nov 01, 2010

I have both a Panny plasma 65" 3D and a Samsung 40" LED 3D.....the plasma blows the LED out of the water!

no comparison at all

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ckenisell

Nov 01, 2010

@thespindoc,

Yeah, get everybody purchasing new technology first so you can make them RE-BUY it again when they're ready for 3D.

If they waited to bring out 3D, more people would be bi+ching that they "just bought Blu-Ray. Why do I have to buy it again?"

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fettastic

Nov 01, 2010

To me the LEDs I saw for 3D looked "herky-jerky". Sort of made it have a stop-motion effect that I found annoying. At first I thought it was the overhead lights as some had suggested. But then I saw one in a darkened corner and it still looked that way. I ended up getting the 58" Samsung C7000 and I'm very happy with it. Although plasmas look dull in comparison to LCD and particularly LED in the store, they look just as bright and crisp as those models once you get them home.

I paid $3,000 for my Sharp 1080p 52" LCD, which I had to bargain to get at that price 3 years ago. My Sammy came with 2 pairs of glasses, a 3D BD player and Monsters vs. Aliens 3DBD for $2,800.00. Hard to feel ripped off.

HaloIsOverrated

Nov 01, 2010

Ummm, is this a surprise?

Plasmas are superior in nearly every way, shape, and form. These manufacturers are dooping consumers man

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lDlisturb3d

Nov 01, 2010

Plasma's are the best hands down!

yellowcakeuf6

Nov 01, 2010

Ha Ha, Plasmas are still tops even in 3D. I still haven't seen anything better than my 3 year old Kuro for 2D.

wk1947

Nov 01, 2010

Had my Sony 55NX810 for 10 days now and love it. The 2D picture is fantastic and watched the Florida Georgia game in simulated 3D. It did a great job. The 3D picture with a 3D Blu Ray is great. I see very little in the crosstalk or ghosting. I have always prefered LCD over plasma and the is the third one I've owned going back to the first Sony 40XBR1. My wife has never liked the plasma look and likes the brighter LCD. Read the reviews and then buy the one that looks the best to you.

Mr. Joshua

Nov 01, 2010

Why do you need 3D if Dark Knight Rises is gonna be shot in IMAX? What's the point?

mikek58

Nov 01, 2010

Everyone has their own preference and everyones eyes see differently.
I've installed quite a few TV's for friends and family and many opt for the LCD/LED due to salesmen/ad's/and burn -in fear factors
I've also sold them in a big box store.

Why Oh why, When the people I've tried to explain why Plasma is an overall better picture
they come over and see my Samsung 1080I,yes I said 1080I set whether it be cable or Blu-ray and they are amazed at the better picture quality/clarity/vividness and the " WOW" factor is always audible on their lips

I hate to them them " I told you so " but I do.

3D will be my next purchase,but I'm waiting for the pricing to come down a bit and more content to view.
I will undoubtedly buy a Plasma set

Stocky

Nov 01, 2010

I'm waiting for 3D projectors to become readily available and affordable. Then I will get into 3D, and upgrade my blu-ray player. Until then, I will be happy with 2D.

markjdye

Nov 02, 2010

What about DLP? Isn't that what the digital theatres use?

dirkblack

Nov 02, 2010

Although i agree that Plasma have the best 3D, i think the report really doesn't go far enough.

I have just purchased a 3D Samsung LCD TV, and the reason i chose that particular model was A. the price, and B the performance of the TV all round, i mean yes Plasma's are better for 3D, but i believe Lcd/Led are better for 2D(I stress that is just my opinion).

Now i would rather have a tv that is exceptional in 2D and Satisfactory in 3D, rather than the other way around, simply because i for one will use it a lot more for normal viewing rather than 3D viewing.

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obiwopkenobi62

Nov 02, 2010

It's amazing to me that everyone keeps leaving out Mitsubishi. They've been making them lonegr than anyone else. Also I have seen/tested them all and I still like Mitsubishi's 3D. I actuall walked around the room and the 3D was perfect. I sure didn't see any ghosting while I was moving. Most of the 3D used in theaters is DLP, same as Mitsubishi. The other thing is you can get a bigger 3D HDTV for less money than any other brand.
I'll stick with Mitsubishi.

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fettastic

Nov 02, 2010

Stick with your Mitsubishi 3DTV if you want, but be aware that you are not getting 1080p to each eye. Therefore it does not measure up to current 3DTVs.

mseeley

Nov 02, 2010

interesting study. I was thinking of saving my money for a 3DTV, so it's probably going to be a wait before I buy thing lol. Can't wait for more 3D!

tmiller001

Nov 04, 2010

I recently purchased a Samsung 55" LED 3D 8000 series TV. It is amazing! No ghosting or shadowed effects from where ever you sit in the room. The 3D effects are incredible. I have a friend that has a Sony plasma 3D and it is not even close to the picture quality.