Consumers Reports?

[skypilot]

How much stock do people here put into a CR rating? i.e., the new HDTV ratings are out and the Sony 30" is rated as "Excellent HD," whereas the Panny 30" receives only "Good HD."

There isn't really anywhere to gauge why they said this, maybe beyond a lack of displaying a 720p signal on the Panny?

How much does CR affect your purchases? I have the Panny 30" and can exchange it for the Sony. I'm wondering what to do?

[Ratman]

Some use CR as a "bible".
IMO... it's a guideline.

Personal homework, forums, personal evaluation is the best way to determine what suits your personal requirement/budget.

[realmadrid]

my opinion is that between sony and panisonic it really depends on the type of tv. plasma's are rated about the same. lcd projection i'd go with sony .depends on what type of tv. CR also's takes into account "the whole tv" such as options and settings. a higher rating in CR dosen't mean the best picture

[mech]

I agree with many of the previous posts, but one thing SONY has always been known for is the best picture. If your happy with the Panny keep it, I am sure its a good tv. I would not let CR change that, now the reason why I think SONY has the best picture is experience not what a magazine tells me.

I think I could get a panel of guys from this forum (57U, Kevin, Lee, Ratman)that could give better advice any day. While I don't always agree with everyone of them, all of those guys I have mentioned will give you good non-bias information.

[Matt27]

I agree, like you said it depends on the display technology, and from what i have learned it appears SONY is king of the direct view market.

They have certain standards that other tv manufacturers try to follow.No matter where i go to look at direct view sets, it seems the SONY allways catches my eye as the best looking.

And i adjust all the sets at the store to their mid level settings and turn off all auto settings and it seems sony is the king.