Mitsubishi TVs

At the middle to high-end of the price scale, Mitsubishi TVs are sometimes stunning in picture quality and always attractive as part of a room. Mitsubishi offers plasma TVs, rear projection TVs and LCD sets in a variety of sizes.

Their largest TVs are worthy of being the centerpiece of a home theater system, and users have praised Mitsubishi's well-thought-out remote control and useful product manuals. This brand is worth adding to a price-picture comparison list at your local store.

Panasonic TVs

While many TV makers are flocking to LCD and emphasizing that end of their product lineups, Panasonic TVs are sticking with plasma.

Current features include Real Black Drive technology and upgraded V-Real image processing. High-end models also include two-way communication with the company's digital recording products.

Sylvania TVs

Sylvania has carved out a niche as a maker of low-cost, no-frills TVs that maintain pleasant picture quality and fit well into many different lifestyles. A 15-inch Sylvania flat-screen TV can be had for less than $200 on occasion.

Some buyers of Sylvania's budget LCD TVs have complained of problems with startup or picture quality in motion scenes. Some of these may be fixable by calibrating the image controls on the set.

LG TVs

LG TVs represent a step forward especially for those who want to pull in HDTV signals from an over-the-air antenna. LG's tuners have won widespread praise for their strong signals.

Some users have reported problems connecting their LG TVs to a DirecTV HDMI port. This is DirecTV's issue, but if you're a DirecTV user you may want to check with them before you buy an LG.

LG has long been an electronics power in Korea, but has expanded aggressively into the U.S. market with good quality flat-panel TVs in both LCD and plasma. They're not yet a household name, but they're moving forward with innovations including a TV with built-in high-def DVR and a 13-inch LCD that sits in a refrigerator door.

Pioneer TVs

Pioneer has a high reputation for quality, and its Elite line is among the most praised on the market.

What's great about Pioneer TVs? The Elites excel not only at displaying high-definition content, but at taking lower-quality pictures and making them look better, thus bringing viewers a little closer to the dream of seeing all their pictures in the best possible resolution.

There is, of course, a cost for all that loveliness, which means the Pioneer high-end models cost a pretty penny. You may find what you want in Pioneer's mid-range models, which offer comparable picture quality for a good deal less money.

Zenith TVs

Once, Zenith was a well-known name among American TVs. Today, it contracts with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in Asia to produce a line of budget TVs for the U.S. market.

That means that the Zenith TV you see in the store may actually have been made by competitor LG. That doesn't mean you're getting a high-quality LG for less, though. The budget prices on these TVs are an accurate reflection of the picture quality. Unless you're getting a great bargain, these may not belong on your shopping list.

Hitachi TVs

Hitachi TVs have gained a reputation as a lower-cost alternative to the big-name brands. Reviewers have praised features like a motorized TV stand and "night" and "day" modes for different viewing situations.

Unfortunately, you get what you pay for in this case, which means the Hitachi TVs tend to suffer a bit in picture quality. Today's TV pictures are so good that most people might not even notice, but someone who values true blacks and accurate color may want to look elsewhere.