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Original URL: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/06/10/grouptest_freeview_hd_tvs_best_buys/

Freeview HD TVs: Best Buys

Our top tellies

By Nigel Whitfield

Posted in Hardware, 10th June 2010 07:02 GMT

Agentless Backup is Not a Myth

Group Test With Freeview HD appearing on more and more sets, this group test is necessarily a snapshot, with a fairly wide range of screen sizes and so forth:

It’s good to see the technology appearing even on the cheaper sets, like the CFL-backlit Toshiba Regza 40RV753 [7], and I’d expect it to be in just about every new set this time next year.

However, if you’re investing in HD, then you probably will prefer a set with the more responsive LED backlighting that’s found on the other models.

Freeview HD TVs

Editor's Choice: Samsung LE40C650

And while all have improved the additional functions they offer, to a greater or lesser degree, the one that really stands out in terms of what extra you can get from a TV – and without breaking the bank either – is Samsung's LE40C650 [8], whose media playback and online services combine to great effect, with the LG 42LE5900 [9] running a close second.

So it's an Editor's Choice award for the Samsung, and a Recommended for the LG.

Freeview HD TVs

Recommended: LG 42LE5900

But – and it’s a big but – there’s still that fly in the ointment when it comes to surround sound on Freeview HD, and anyone who wants to make sure that they really do get the best from a set will need to check very carefully before buying.

This first crop of Freeview HD sets does show, though, that the technology works; the picture quality is excellent, and terrestrial HD is long overdue. ®

Freeview HD TVs Group Test