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Everybody likes a list so we at HDTV Reviews came up with one. A few years ago if I told you HDTV’s would be under £500 you would have laughed in my face and asked me what I was smoking (ahem) but these days you can get some pretty nifty deals without blowing a hole in your pocket. If you’re looking for a second television or a HDTV dedicated to your games console, spending more than £500 is a bit excessive unless you really have money to spare.

We’ve put together a list of the top 5 HDTV’s for around the £400 - £500 that are definitely worth checking out.

1. Sony KDL32S3000

No surprises as to our number 1 the Sony KDL32S3000. This is a decent sized 32 incher and the SONY quality runs through this like a river. You get 3 HDMI ports plus the Bravia engine technology, what more could you want?

2. Samsung LE32R87BD

This could have easily been a SONY dominated list but we couldn’t over look the Samsung LE32R87BD. The winning feature of this set is the ‘game mode’ which makes all us Ps3 and Xbox 360 addicts extremely grateful

3. Toshiba 32C3035

This was the amongst the first Toshiba we reviewed and so far it has proved to be the best. Easy setup straight out the box, great picture and it also has a slick design that makes it stand out from the normal HDTV crowd.

4. Sony KDL32D3000

This is the bigger brother of the S series. More ounce to the bounce but slightly more expensive. If you’re not happy with the S series for any reason (and you got to be one tough customer not to be) the Sony KDL32D3000 would be a step up in the right direction.

5. Philips 26PFL5522D

We haven’t yet reviewed a Phillips at HDTV Reviews but this is definitely on our list. At 26 inches it is smaller than the other televisions on this list but it’s great value for money and looks fantastic both picture wise and aesthetically. It could do with a few more settings and options in terms of getting the picture just right so it won’t be making it any further up this list.

When HDTV Review got to review the Panasonic TX-26LXD70 HDTV we were somewhat excited as this is our first Panasonic review (I know, I know, it’s the small things that makes us happy). We’ve done a few SONY’s and even a review of the Samsung LN46A650 so a Panasonic was a novelty. On first impression everything is sweet and we were all set to give the set a thumbs up … the funny thing is, when the Panasonic TX-26LXD70 is switched on everything is rosy but as soon as you switch it on, your going to hear a sound that should be reserved for dogs.

An annoying whistling sound occurs whenever the set is switched off, so much so that you are going to think its a fault and curse the fact that the only way you can fully switch of the Panasonic TX-26LXD70 is to pull the plug out.

But enough about how shoddy this HDTV is when it’s switched off lol, switched on it’s pretty tasty. The LXD version outputs at 100HZ (as opposed to the LMD version) and this gives a fantastic picture. True, you will still get blurring when it comes to fast moving images and sport but that’s standard for nearly all LCD televisions (CRT sets still have some things in their favour). However with the ‘Motion Picture Pro’ feature this is greatly reduced to be almost unnoticeable in most cases.

Out the box the Panasonic TX-26LXD70 contrast settings are all out of wack leaving images looking weird to say the least but with some tweaking you’ll be enjoying the benefits of the 100HZ technology in no time which includes making SD inputs to great levels, not quite HD but not too far off either.

Another neat feature is the auto update of freeview channels whenever they become available. A message will appear on screen informing you that a new channel has become available and prompting you to update. What’s not so neat about the Panasonic TX-26LXD70 is the stingy 1 HDMI slots it comes with, what’s that about? If a HDTV doesn’t have at least 3 HDMI slots it loses points in my book. You at least want some future proofing.

The Panasonic TX-26LXD70 is simple to use and easy to set-up. The picture is great for a LCD outputting at 100HZ and this boosts SD inputs significantly. The minor gripes are with the whistling sound that can be heard for a few minutes when the set is on standby and the fact that being a LCD you never fully eliminate picture blurring, however slight, in fast moving scenes.

We don’t usually review televisions under 32 inches but we thought, hey, why discriminate on size? Besides i’ve got a 26 incher myself and it ain’t half bad…. The Toshiba 26C3030DB is …. ugly. Yeah I said it, the thingis ugly. Looks like a throwback to the late nineties (can you beleive that we’re almost a decade into the 2000’s?).

Now all HDTV’s start at a 7/10 at least for picture quality but, taking that into consideration, the picture quality of the Toshiba 26C3030DB is average in the HDTV scale of things as is the sound. It only comes with one HDMI port which would really annoy me as you would have to keep unplugging your console, HD / Blu-Ray DVD player, Sky box or any other HD Source.

The built-in Freeview receiver is a plus as is the card slot that enables you to activate top-up channels, however, the reciever is not as strong as it could be and side-by-side with a standalone freeview set-top box in a poor reception area the Toshiba 26C3030DB will come off worse in terms of picture quality.

For a main TV, i.e. for your living room or lounge, the Toshiba 26C3030DB would not be my television of choice. For an additional TV or a dedicated console television then the 26C303DB becomes more viable. It’s currently under £350 online so it’s a bargain in that respect for a high definition television. So if you’re a bit short of cash and desperate to get your hands on a HDT, not too fussed about picture purffect quality and are only going have one HD source this would fit your bill….I guess.

Tags: LCD, Digital, HD TV, High Definition Television, 1080p