Panasonic fab IMHO. We have a 24" flat widescreen which is just about big enough for our room (13' square).
For widescreen Which recommend:
28-inch TVs
A 28-inch widescreen TV is large enough for most living rooms and often much cheaper than a comparable 32-inch set.
If you?re after an integrated digital TV (IDTV), the choice is simple. The Sony KD28DX200 is the only IDTV we recommend ? not just for its excellent picture and sound, but also because it displays the full seven-day electronic programme guide (EPG) from Freeview ? making recording easy. Its extra functions mean it?s a bit trickier to use overall than a non-digital TV. It?s £900 from Miller Brothers. Sony IDTVs are average when it comes to reliability.
For a TV without a built-in digital receiver, the Sony KV28CS70 is our top buy, thanks to its excellent picture. We also liked its easy-to-use, uncluttered remote control, clear screen menus and speedy Teletext. It?s no longer widely available on the high street but you can pick it up for around £469 online.
The Panasonic TX-28PM11 gives the Sony a close run for picture quality, has better overall sound, and is excellent for displaying still pictures. It has only two Scart sockets though, like most TVs, it has an additional input for connecting a digital camera, camcorder or games console. Availability is limited ? but you can still pick this model up for around £470 online.
The Panasonic TX-28PM1 is the 50Hz version of the PM11. If flicker doesn?t normally bother you, this set has great picture and sound and is easy to use. Panasonic TVs tend to be very reliable. It costs £500 from Dixons (the price includes a DVDS27EBS dvd player)
and for LCD:
Portable LCD TVs
Large LCD TVs still cost thousands of pounds, so these smaller, cheaper versions (with 17-inch screens) are proving most popular. The picture and sound quality of these two compares well to a 24-inch conventional widescreen TV.
The stylish Sony KLV-17HR3 has the best picture and sound ? on a par with a conventional widescreen TV. The rear sockets are tricky to reach and the remote control isn?t great for Teletext, but the on-screen menus are user-friendly. Teletext is slower than other TVs but still acceptable. It costs £649 from John Lewis or 99 pence more at Miller Brothers ? but you can find it cheaper online.
The Philips 17PF9946 is a close second with good pictures and sound. It?s good for Teletext, and has helpful on-screen menus. But its stylish, wafer-thin remote control is uncomfortable with poorly labelled buttons. It?s a little more versatile than the Sony, with two Scart sockets and a PC input. It costs £599 from John Lewis and, again, is cheaper online. It doesn?t qualify as a Best Buy as our data shows that Philips TVs are below average for reliability.
26-inch LCD TVs
A 26-inch LCD TV produces a picture of about the same size as a 28-inch conventional TV because the image goes right to the edges of the screen. There are a couple of exceptions but we find our Best Buy 28-inch TVs have better picture quality.
The LG RZ30LZ13 has both good picture quality and excellent sound. Stills are poor but that doesn't dim the overall quality. The best LCD we've looked at, it?s not widely available on the high street but you can buy it online for around £1000.
The Loewe Xelos A 26 produces good images for an LCD TV. Sound is superb and it?s good for viewing stills and Teletext, but has a baffling on-screen menu. It costs around £1,350 online. It doesn?t qualify as a Best Buy as our data shows that Loewe TVs are below average for reliability.
But for price/quality they say stick with conventional for now.