Buying Guide: 10 best 42-inch HDTVs in the world today

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/What%20Video/WHV%20359/WHV359.phil42.main-200-200.jpg"/><p><em>Our constantly updated list of the top 10 best 40-inch and 42-inch LCD TVs in the world today </em></p><p>Once known simply as 'plasma screens' in the collective consciousness, the 42-inch size is where the flatscreen dream started in the late 1990s - and where it's still at its most innovative and best.</p><p>Now a lot more varied, with plasmas rubbing shoulders with (and quickly being outnumbered by) LCD TVs and their ultra-modern LED TV makeover, 40-42 inches is still the sweetspot for anyone not overly concerned with ruining the interior design of their living room.</p><p>As well as being the fastest growing sector of the TV market, this size is also great value. Serious home cinema addicts have moved on to 50-inch and bigger screens, leaving this category a swarm of slashed prices.</p><p>That's truer than ever right now; the market is divided between brand new sets with built-in Freeview HD tuners, and those with standard digital tuners.</p><p>Whether you need a Freeview HD tuner is a choice you'll have to make (and depends on where you live), though we expect them to become a default feature very soon.</p><p>Nevertheless, if you're considering buying a TV without a Freeview HD tuner, demand a discount!</p><p>Arguably the minimum size where Full HD makes most sense and where a Blu-ray player is a must, the 42-inch size hasn't lost its allure despite becoming affordable. </p><p><img src="http://mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/Home%20Cinema%20Choice/HCC%20171/HCC171.sony55.02-80-100.jpg" width="80"></img> <img src="http://mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/What%20Video/WHV%20351/WHV351.pan42.main-80-100.jpg" width="80"></img> <img src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/What%20Video/WHV%20351/WHV351.lg42main.3-80-100.jpg" width="80"></img> <img alt="lg-37lh7000" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/What%20Video/WHV%20353/WHV353.lg42.main-80-100.jpg" width="80"></img> <img alt="lg-" src="http://mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/philips-80-100.jpg" width="80"></img></p><p><img src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/Home%20Cinema%20Choice/HCC%20171/HCC171.samled.01-80-100.jpg" width="80"></img> <img src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/What%20Video/WHV%20354/WHV354.phi42.2-80-100.jpg" width="80"></img> <img src="http://mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/Home%20Cinema%20Choice/HCC%20169/SONY_KLV-40ZXiM_lg-80-100.jpg" width="80"></img> <img src="http://mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/Home%20Cinema%20Choice/HCC%20165/HCC165.aurea.01-80-100.jpg" width="80"></img> <img alt="loewe-connect-media-32" src="http://mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/What%20Video/WHV%20347/WHV347.loecon.main-80-100.jpg" width="80"></img></p><p><img alt="line" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/greyline-420-100.jpg" width="420"></img></p><p><img alt="Sony bravia kdl-40ex503" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/What%20Video/WHV%20358/WHV358.sonyfreehd.lab-420-90.jpg" width="420"></img></p><h4>Sony KDL-40EX503</h4><p><strong>Pics, price, Freeview HD and online video streaming make this LCD a force<br /></strong></p><p>Sony's very first TV to come packing a built-in Freeview HD tuner adds decent picture quality, sets a new bar for online content, and is impressively easy to use for such a complex TV.</p><p>Particularly excellent is the 40EX503's black level response, which achieves levels of profundity much deeper than anything Sony has managed before.</p><p>It's good looking, too; a brushed aluminium panel running along the TV's bottom edge adds a touch of opulence to the otherwise straightforward glossy black rectangle.</p><p>Strapped with MotionFlow 100Hz and Sony's Bravia Engine 3 system, this TV's most interesting feature is streaming from YouTube, blip.tv, DailyMotion and LoveFilm, but the bottom line is that if you live in an area that already has or is soon to get Freeview HD, then the 40EX503 absolutely demands an audition.</p><p><strong>Read: </strong>full <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/televisions/plasma-and-lcd-tvs/sony-bravia-kdl-40ex503-673967/review">Sony KDL-40EX503 full review</a></p><p><img alt="stars" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Stars/TechRadar5stars-200-100.jpg" width="200"></img></p><p><img alt="toshiba-40lv713db" src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/What%20Video/WHV%20361/WHV361.tvgt.tosh1-420-100.jpg" width="420"></img></p><h4>Toshiba 40LV713DB</h4><p><strong>This budget LCD TV has had a few corners cut to meet the aggressive price</strong></p><p>Toshiba's 40LV713DB is one of the cheapest 40-inch LCD TVs around. So we guess we'd better brace ourselves for a few compromises.</p><p>The chunky, rather plasticky bodywork looks a little old fashioned and there's only three HDMIs, no Ethernet port and not even a Freeview HD tuner.</p><p>However, the Full HD resolution, Toshiba's Active Vision video processing and Adaptive Luma Control combine to offer improved black levels, rich colours and greater brightness - the picture is both dynamic and, with Blu-rays, quite cinematic.</p><p>Finally in the plus column, despite not carrying Resolution+, the 40LV713DB makes a decent fist of upscaling standard-def material.</p><p><strong>Read:</strong> full <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/televisions/plasma-and-lcd-tvs/toshiba-40lv713db-694138/review">Toshiba 40LV713DB review</a></p><p><img alt="4stars" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Stars/TechRadar4stars-200-100.jpg" width="200"></img></p><p><img alt="sony-bravia-kdl-40hx703" src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/What%20Video/WHV%20361/WHV361.tvgt.sony1-420-100.jpg" width="420"></img></p><h4>Sony Bravia KDL-40HX703</h4><p><strong>Sony's best TV to date matches Freeview HD to 200Hz scanning</strong></p><p>Sporting Sony's new Monolithic design and a Deep Black Panel, this TV features 200Hz processing, Bravia Engine 3 video processing, 24p True Cinema Blu-ray mode, Live Colour engine, Bravia Internet Video and Freeview HD.</p><p>The 40HX703 also scores a palpable hit with the sharpness of its HD sources, which contain oodles of fine detail and enjoy a really crisp finish, but suffer no video noise. </p><p>The crispness is further boosted by the impressive 200Hz processing, which keeps judder and motion blur to a minimum without generating hardly any unwanted processing side effects (provided, of course, you stick with the 'MotionFlow' system's Standard setting). </p><p>Colours are superb, too, and the Bravia Engine upscales standard-definition sources unusually effectively.</p><p><strong>Read:</strong> full <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/televisions/plasma-and-lcd-tvs/sony-kdl-40hx703-694120/review">Sony KDL-40HX703 review</a></p><p><img alt="stars" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Stars/TechRadar5stars-200-100.jpg" width="200"></img></p><p><img alt="panasonic-tx-p42gt20" src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/Panasonic%20TX-P42GT20/TX-P42GT20E_1-420-100.jpg" width="420"></img></p><h4>Panasonic TX-P42GT20B</h4><p><strong>Panasonic takes 3D plasma to a smaller level, and throws in 2D to 3D upscaling</strong></p><p>Just when it looked like LCD was about to bury its old rival once and for all, plasma proved it could show 3D pictures with much less ghosting noise, or crosstalk - but the only catch was size.</p><p>Those with smaller rooms (and bank accounts) can now invest in 3DTV thanks to this, Panasonic's first 42-inch 3D plasma. Endorsed by THX and the ISF, this is another superb plasma that underlines the technology's current 3D advantage.</p><p><strong>Read:</strong> full <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/televisions/plasma-and-lcd-tvs/panasonic-tx-p42gt20b-902084/review">Panasonic TX-P42GT20 review</a></p><p><img alt="5stars" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Stars/TechRadar5stars-200-100.jpg" width="200"></img></p><h4><img alt="samsung-40c7000-3d-tv" src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/samsung%203d%20tv/sam3dtv-420-100.jpg" width="420"></img></h4><h4> <strong>Samsung UE40C7000</strong></h4><p><strong>A TV so stunning that 3D is only one of its attractions <br /></strong></p><p>Does 3D technology translate well into the home? And is there anything to watch? One way the Samsung 40C7000 overcomes the problem of availability of 3D material is that it features a 2D-3D conversion function, which will add depth to any flat image.</p><p>Of course, it doesn't work as well as with genuine 3D-mastered material; the only way to get the full effect is from a 3D-enabled Blu-ray player. To make the most of 3D will cost you £100 per set of glasses, plus the cost of a 3D Blu-ray player (around £300), plus the costs of the 3D Blu-ray discs (which might be around £50 each).</p><p>State-of-the-art LED backlighting, Freeview HD, and PVR, internet and wireless functions make this more than a TV; it's the centre of a home entertainment hub, and well specified for the digital, multimedia future. </p><p><strong>Read:</strong> full <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/televisions/plasma-and-lcd-tvs/samsung-40c7000-673268/review">Samsung UE40C7000 review</a></p><p><img alt="5stars" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Stars/TechRadar5stars-200-100.jpg" width="200"></img></p><p><img alt="Philips 40pfl7605 4" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/Philips%2040PFL7605/Philips%2040PFL7605%20-%20Cutout-420-90.jpg" width="420"></img></p><h4><strong>Philips 40PFL7605</strong></h4><p><strong>Edge LED with added Ambilight & Net TV, but no Freeview HD <br /></strong></p><p>Remarkably thin (it's just 42mm deep), but well built, this Philips has the usual classy touches - Ambilight, wireless streaming and Net TV - but no Freeview HD tuner.</p><p>That's an oversight and bound to put some people off, which is a shame, because at its core this superlative set is all about picture performance. And as Edge LED-backlit TVs go, you won't find a much slimmer or more impressive TV. </p><p><strong>Read: </strong>full <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/televisions/plasma-and-lcd-tvs/philips-40pfl7605-718489/review">Philips 40PFL7605 review</a><strong><br /></strong></p><p><img alt="4stars" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Stars/TechRadar4stars-200-100.jpg" width="200"></img></p><p><img alt="lg-42le7900" src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/What%20Video/WHV%20361/WHV361.lg42.main-420-100.jpg" width="420"></img></p><h4>LG 42LE7900</h4><p><strong>This wafer-thin LED TV is a plum puchase</strong></p><p>LG's latest boundary-pushing screen, the 42LE7900, with its subtly plum-tinged frame and improbable profile, is jaw-droppingly lovely to look at and comes packed full of some the most exciting spec of any telly available today.</p><p>This set has every gadget you could possibly need and then a few more sprinkled on top for good measure. Most excitingly, it has Freeview HD brains built in, which means you won't need a digibox ever again. It also sports LG's NetCast web-browsing 'widgets', wireless capability for use with various media files or cord-free headphones and four HDMI inputs. It's also lit with LEDs, 100Hz scanning two USB inputs.</p><p>Underwhelming black levels and occasionally substandard motion handling cost the set a fifth star and an unreserved recommendation; this is one for those who prefer style over technical finesse.</p><p><br /><strong>Read:</strong> full <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/televisions/plasma-and-lcd-tvs/lg-42le7900-693612/review">LG 42LE7900 review</a></p><p><img alt="4stars" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Stars/TechRadar4stars-200-100.jpg" width="200"></img></p><p><img alt="p42g20" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/What%20Plasma/WHP%2077/WHP77.gt2.pana42-420-90.jpg" width="420"></img></p><h4>Panasonic TX-P42G20B</h4><p><strong>'Girl next door' plasma that you ignore at your peril</strong></p><p>Get a P42G20 home, and you'll find yourself with a TV that loves TV - especially films - as much as you do. The advances in terms of contrast and colour introduced by Panasonic's new NeoPDP technology are profound, serving up a picture that caters perfectly for the AV cognoscenti. Many people will be seriously attracted to its almost unlimited viewing angle, too.</p><p>Its multimedia talents are solid as well, and we liked the option to record Freeview HD programmes to an external USB HDD. </p><p>With the P42G20, Panasonic has effectively introduced the quality of last year's high-end models to a mid-range price point - and you can't ask for more than that.</p><p><strong>Read:</strong> full <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/televisions/plasma-and-lcd-tvs/panasonic-tx-p42g20-687126/review">Panasonic TX-P42G20 review</a></p><p><img alt="stars" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Stars/TechRadar3stars-200-100.jpg" width="200"></img></p><p><img alt="philips-40pfl9704-lcd-tv" src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/What%20Video/WHV%20357/WHV357.phi40.lab-420-100.jpg" width="420"></img></p><h4>Philips 40PFL9704</h4><p><strong>Pricey 40-inch LED screen that pulverises plasma</strong></p><p>A brushed aluminium frame and three-sided Ambilight system lends this 40-inch LCD TV a unique look, but it's the sheer quality of its hi-def pictures - and, more unusually, its built-in speakers - that give the 40PFL9704 an enviable status as one of the best flatscreen TVs around.</p><p>With subwoofers strapped to its rear, the 40PFL9704 projects the most energetic sounds we've heard on a 40-inch TV this side of a Loewe screen.</p><p>Its onscreen success is largely down to what Philips calls LED Pro, a backlight system that features 224 LED lights arranged behind the entire screen, which can switch on and off individually.</p><p>Contrast is stunning, with a plasma-like richness to dark areas of the image; Philips' LED Pro tech at last delivers on the tech's potential and achieves a picture quality that arguably tops the best plasmas - though Freeview HD is absent, as it is from all Philips televisions. </p><p><strong>Read:</strong> full <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/televisions/plasma-and-lcd-tvs/philips-40pfl9704-667449/review">Philips 40PFL9704 review</a></p><p><img alt="5stars" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Stars/TechRadar5stars-200-100.jpg" width="200"></img></p><p><img alt="Panasonic tx-p42vt20" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/Panasonic%20TX-P42VT20E/TX-P42VT20E_3_hjpg1-420-90.jpg" width="420"></img></p><h4>Panasonic TX-P42VT20</h4><p><strong>Panasonic's most advanced 42-inch screen yet brings full HD 3D to the plasma party</strong></p><p>Panasonic's 'other' 42-inch 3D plasma is from the step-up VT20 Series.</p><p>For the extra cash you'll get an extra speaker, a wireless adaptor and perhaps the brand's best-kept secret - Infinite Black Pro.</p><p>It may look drab on the outside, but one of Panasonic's flagship screens uses plasma tech to display one of the best 2D and 3D performances around. </p><p><strong>Read:</strong> full <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/televisions/plasma-and-lcd-tvs/panasonic-tx-p42vt20-899970/review">Panasonic TX-P42VT20 review</a></p><p><img alt="4stars" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Stars/TechRadar4stars-200-100.jpg" width="200"></img></p><img border="0" height="1" src="http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/669/f/9809/s/f3c1a07/mf.gif" width="1"/><div class='mf-related'><p>

Buying Guide: 10 best 42-inch HDTVs in the world today

Our constantly updated list of the top 10 best 40-inch and 42-inch LCD TVs in the world today Once known simply as 'plasma screens'...

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