Caption: When it comes to buying electronics, a great rule to remember is that "you get what you pay for." But in our roundup of 46- and 47-inch HDTVs, we found that the priciest sets did not offer the best picture quality. A trio of affordable models (the Samsung LN46A550, the Syntax-Brillian Olevia 747i and the Vizio VO47LF) earned the top three performance scores in the group, despite each costing nearly $1,000 less than the more expensive units.

 

Caption: 1) Samsung LN 46A550 HDTV
This 46-inch model is an all-around excellent television, easy to use and a delight to the eyes. In our image-quality tests of nine competing 46- and 47-inch HDTVs, the Samsung came out on top. It excelled with Blu-ray Disc titles. The set swivels on its stand for odd-angle viewing and for easy access to the back. The result is a well-rounded high-def television that does close to everything you'd want it to. And at its price ($1,500), it stands out as a clear winner.

 

Caption: 2) Westinghouse TX-47F430S HDTV
Though neither the best performer nor the best designed or configured, at $1,300 the Westinghouse was the least expensive HDTV we tested. An adequate but unspectacular 47-inch set at a very good price, the Westinghouse is a nice bargain. The sound quality was stupendous, thanks to a built-in subwoofer. Dollar for dollar, this model is a competitive choice.

 

Caption: 3) Syntax-Brillian Olevia 747i
This 47-inch HDTV has a poorly designed menu, but it compensates with quite good picture quality. The sound quality was decent as well. Quiet sounds came across clean and clear on this $1,600 TV, and loud music had the desired oomph. Syntax-Brillian designed the speakers so that users can remove them and mount them elsewhere--or connect two external speakers directly to the TV.

Caption: 4) Vizio V047LF
Terrific image quality and a great price make this 47-inch HDTV set impossible to overlook. When it comes to goodies, the VO47LF delivers picture-in-picture, a free HDMI cable -- and that's about it. But purely in respect to picture quality, the Vizio is about as good as it gets.

 

Caption: 5) Mitsubishi LT-46244
An OK HDTV encumbered with an exorbitant price is not a winning package. The 46-inch LT-46244 swivels on its stand, which comes in handy for watching it at odd angles and for accessing its rear inputs. On-screen menus are clear and pleasant. But the built-in speakers sounded lousy. For about $1,600, the Mitsubishi would be a reasonably good TV -- but for its actual $2,500 list price, this set is out of the question.