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Christmas Gift Guide: Great ideas for the couch potato
We select our top TVs to make this summer one to remember, while you kick back to relax this Christmas Day
So you’re a crack shot with a remote control? Is your brother the only one in the house with the precious know-how to get your set-top box to record correctly? Has your boyfriend memorised the times and channels of all the footy, soccer and racing in the TV guide, then perhaps you should consider splurging on a television for Christmas. Here's a list of our favourite TVs to help you bring some big screen action to your living room this year.
Television manufacturers and vendors both agree on one thing: if you're in the market for an LCD or plasma TV then now is the right time to buy, thanks to the combination market factors.
If you're planning to buy a new LCD TV or plasma screen TV at the pre-Christmas sales, but you're confused by all the deals, we've rounded up the best bargains around in our end of year TV sales guide!
Panasonic TH-P58V10A
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Panasonic TH-P58V10A plasma television
This large-screen plasma television has a body that's only 2in thick, a THX mode that optimises picture quality for movie watching, and a range of cinema-quality picture enhancements. If we were in the market for a big screen television, the Panasonic TH-P58V10A would probably top our list.
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Toshiba Regza 42RV600A LCD television
The Toshiba Regza 42RV600A is a good television for buyers on a budget. For under $1800 you get a 42in screen with good upscaling and a few nifty features that make it easy to use.
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Panasonic TH-P50G15A plasma television
The Panasonic TH-P50G15A plasma TV offers up the seemingly enticing prospect of integrated Web access through a wired Ethernet port. If you have one of many digital video devices that already do this, you might be better off saving some cash with Panasonic's cheaper G10A plasma TV.
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Changhong CHL1555B LCD television
The Changhong LT1599DV LCD television is a good choice for a child's bedroom or a cramped study. Its small size and light weight mean it is not hard to carry around, while the integrated DVD player, HDMI port and high resolution screen makes it versatile enough for a range of uses.
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Toshiba 19DV615Y LCD television
If you're looking for a small television to put in a bedroom, Toshiba's newest 19in model is a good choice. It has a decent quality picture and a speedy integrated DVD player, and if you aren't going to wall-mount it there are few downsides apart from a questionable price tag.
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Toshiba 19DV615Y LCD television
If you're looking for a small television to put in a bedroom, Toshiba's newest 19in model is a good choice. It has a decent quality picture and a speedy integrated DVD player, and if you aren't going to wall-mount it there are few downsides apart from a questionable price tag.
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Sharp LC40LB700X LED television
Sharp’s LC40LB700X LED television is the first in Australia with an integrated Blu-ray disc player. This plus its great picture quality make the LC40LB700X a great purchase.
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LG 50PS80ED plasma television
The LG PS80 plasma is a great all-in-one solution for watching broadcast television as well as high-definition content. It only suffers from a few small flaws.
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Sony Bravia KDL32W5500 LCD television
If you're looking for a mid-size LCD television, Sony's Bravia KDL32W5500 is king of the bunch. It comes with a higher price tag than we would have liked, but if you want the pedigree you'll have to pay for it.
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Panasonic TH-P42S10A plasma television
Panasonic’s mid-level plasma television offers good picture quality, a reasonable albeit conservative design and decent picture quality at a reasonable price. It’s a good package, but its value for money is challenged by the close pricing of the superior Panasonic G10 TV series.
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Panasonic TH-P50G10A plasma television
The 50in Panasonic TH-P50G10A is a great choice if you're after a plasma television. It costs less than Pioneer’s plasmas but offers very similar picture quality and a modern design, as well as a few extras that may sway digital media enthusiasts.
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Sony Bravia KDL22S5700 LCD television
If you’re looking for a TV for the bedroom or kitchen, check out the Sony Bravia KDL22S5700. It's got USB and Ethernet connectivity, a stylish design and good picture quality.
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Panasonic TH-50VX100W plasma television
If you’re looking for a plasma television that’s even more amazing than Pioneer’s KURO series, Panasonic’s Premiere Series TVs should be your port of call.
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Toshiba 40CV550A LCD television
As a simple, entry-level 1080p LCD television, Toshiba’s 40CV550A is a good product. Its lack of 100Hz motion compensation may deter enthusiasts and the need to tweak display modes to achieve the best picture quality might be confusing for novice users.
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Sony Bravia KDL40ZX1 LCD television
As a technological tour de force, we’re extremely impressed with the Sony Bravia KDL40ZX1. It’s ultra-thin, delivers good picture quality and the wireless video streaming is an innovation we’re hoping will become commonplace.
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Kogan 1080P-47
At this price you would struggle to find a 42in LCD TV from competing brands, making the Kogan 1080P-47 an absolute bargain. Picture quality is impressive for the price as well.
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Toshiba REGZA 46XV560A
As an evolution from the impressive XV500A series, Toshiba’s latest televisions stack up well against the best 100Hz LCD televisions on the market.
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LG 50PG30FD plasma television
Though inexpensive for its screen size, the LG 50PG30 plasma HDTV lacks features and image punch.