We think a matte-screen finish offers the best picture quality in rooms where you can't control ambient light.
Most TVs are fine in normal lighting situations, and some glossy screens are better than others. But if you watch TV a lot in a very bright room, or have to place the set where its screen can ' t avoid reflecting a window or other bright light source, you should strongly consider going to the matte.
Unfortunately, most quality TVs have glossy screens. With LG going glossy on its higher - end LED models this year, the pickings are slimmer than in ۲۰۱۱. Sharp is a standout, Toshiba a pleasant surprise and Samsung uses matte in its lower - end EH lineup.
New in this update is the LG PM۹۷۰۰, the only plasma TV with a matte screen. I also included a sixth *bonus* TV since it ' s too good to pass up: Vizio ' s excellent M۳D۰KD, with its " semi - gloss " screen finish that ' s more reflective than the others, yet not as mirrorlike as truly glossy sets.
Here they are, arranged in descending order of overall CNET rating.
Sharp LC - LE۶۴۰U series
With good picture quality and great pricing, the Sharp LC - LE۶۴۰U series makes a strong case for mainstream TV shoppers who want to go bigger.
Samsung EH۴۰۰۰ series
The Samsung EH۴۰۰۰ is one of the best TVs available at the size and price, with above - average picture quality and a svelte design.
The LG PM۹۷۰۰ series
The LG PM۹۷۰۰ series improves on the company ' s ۲۰۱۱ plasmas, but it ' s unable to compete with similarly priced plasma TVs.
Sharp LC - LE۷۴۵U series
Although priced well for a large ۳D TV, the Sharp LC - LE۷۴۵U series can ' t muster the ۲D picture quality to earn our recommendation as a good value.
Toshiba L۵۲۰۰ series
The bare - bones Toshiba L۵۲۰۰ series offers respectable value for the money with fine picture quality for an edge - lit LED TV.
Bonus " semi - gloss " TV: Vizio M۳D۰KD series
Very good picture quality and an extremely aggressive price make the Vizio M3D0KD one of the best LED TV values on the market.
