Top ENERGY STAR TVs Plasma TVs 1080P

1. Hitachi UltraVision L47V651 47" Plasma TV

I can't imagine what 281 trillion colors could possibly look like, which is what the Hitachi Ultravision L47V651 claims to do. I bet it looks good.

Here is a quick snapshot of the specs:

• 47" is in the mid-range of screen sizes
• 1080P screen includes Hitachi's PictureMaster HD IV video processor that helps improve overall image quality
• 10 picture modes (4 HD and 6 SD)
• Built-in ATSC, NTSC and QAM tuners means a digital-to-analog or digital-to-digital converter box is not needed when using an antenna
• Three HDMI inputs - inputs 1 and 2 are HDCP compliant
• Anti-Reflective Screen

This TV has a lot of features. If it were a car I'd say it was fully loaded. Definitely worth considering.

2. LG Electronics 50PY3D 50" Plasma TV

This listing actually includes two LG models - the 50PY3D and the 60PY3D (same TVs just different screen sizes - 50 and 60"). The 60PY3D costs about twice as much as the 50PY3D.

Here is a quick snapshot of the specs:

• 50" screen size is mid-range. 60" is large.
• 1080P screen includes LG's XD Engine, which is a picture enhancer that has 6 processes to improve the image quality
• 60,000 hours panel life - 16 years at 10-hours a day
• 6 modes to adjust aspect ratio and 5 modes to adjust picture
• Three HDMI inputs with HDCP
• Built-in ATSC, NTSC and QAM tuners means a digital-to-analog or digital-to-digital converter box is not needed when using an antenna

This TV is loaded and nice that there are two screen sizes to choose from - 50" and 60".

3. Pioneer KURO PDP-5010FD 50" Plasma TV

The Pioneer KURO PDP-5010FD continues the Pioneer tradition as being one of the best plasma TVs on the market.

Here is a quick snapshot of the specs:

• Four HDMI 1.3 inputs that are HDCP compliant
• Built-in ATSC, dual NTSC and QAM tuner. Has CableCARD slot
• 1080P screen includes Pioneer picture enhancement technology that is one of the best I've seen to date
• Six screen adjustment modes, multiple PIP in adjustments and a seamless auto-converter between 4:3 and 16:9
• Bottom speaker is detachable
• Pretty heavy panel at near 100 lbs.

The KURO line of plasma display panels is one of the best on the market, if not the best. I reviewed the KURO PRO-950HD last year and it was a favorite. The 5010FD looks good to me also.

4. Panasonic Viera TH-42PZ85U 42" Plasma TV

Panasonic has eight televisions and three lines within their Viera brand. All are high quality and Energy Star certified.

PX80U Line of 720P HDTVs

• 42" - TH-42PX80U
• 50" - TH-50PX80U

PZ80U Line of 1080P HDTVs

• 42" - TH-42PZ80U
• 46" - TH-46PZ80U
• 50" - TH-50PZ80U

PZ85U Line of 1080P HDTVs

• 42" - TH-42PZ85U
• 46" - TH-46PZ85U
• 50" - TH-50PZ85U

The PZ85U is most expensive followed by the PZ80U and PX80U. Specs are virtually identical between all eight models. The PZ85U line is the top, PX80U is entry-level model and PZ80U is in the middle.