Even 3-D capability can be had for less than $600 -- if you're willing to sacrifice screen size.

By Kara Reinhardt, Cheapism.com

Much of the buzz coming out of the recent Consumer Electronics Show surrounded 4K, or ultra-high-definition television. It seems fitting that the term echoes the Y2K shorthand for the new millennium: Manufacturers are betting that it represents a new era in HDTV. Granted, the Super Bowl would probably look pretty sweet on an 84-inch screen with four times the resolution of an ordinary HDTV. Too bad it would cost about $20,000.

For sports fans with more modest budgets, here are Cheapism’s top LCD TVs under $600.

• The 32-inch LG 32LM6200 (starting at $550) amazes reviewers with its myriad features, which include 3-D capability and a motion-sensing remote. This is a so-called Smart TV that can wirelessly connect to an array of apps and other online content from Netflix and the like. It also outdoes the other models on this list with four HDMI inputs for plugging in game consoles and other devices. (Where to buy)
• The 32-inch Vizio E320i-A0 (starting at $258) is an excellent value, experts say, with Smart TV features and admirable picture quality. It's not often you find a TV this cheap with LED backlighting, as opposed to fluorescent backlights. LED TVs generally deliver deeper black levels and greater energy efficiency, and this one is no exception. (Where to buy)
• The 40-inch Toshiba 40L5200U (starting at $490) makes up for a lack of fancy features with a larger screen. In online reviews, experts and users report that this TV displays vibrant, accurate colors and crisp images. They appreciate that it includes enough HDMI inputs to connect three devices at a time. (Where to buy)
• The 40-inch Samsung UN40EH6000 (starting at $563) likewise appeals to consumers who are happy to trade frills such as Internet connectivity for a bigger screen. Experts commend the sharp detail and color accuracy. (Where to buy)

While a 32- or 40-inch TV may not be man-cave-worthy, it’s just the ticket for a small living room, den, or bedroom. There’s no point in springing for a giant HD screen if you don’t have room to sit far enough away; the picture will appear grainy. The Consumer Electronics Association provides one method for calculating the ideal screen size for your space.

The resolution on most of the TVs on this list is 1080p, or 1920x1080 pixels (compared with 3840x2160 on a 4K TV). The super-cheap Vizio comes in at 720p, or 1366x768. That still qualifies as high-definition, and on a 32-inch TV, most viewers likely won’t notice a difference.

One knock against LCD technology is that fast-moving images -- say, a running back sprinting into the end zone -- have a tendency to blur. Manufacturers combat this “motion blur” with higher refresh rates. The LG, Toshiba, and Samsung models listed above boast refresh rates of 120Hz, compared with 60Hz on the Vizio.

Before you buy, take inventory of all the devices you want to connect to a new TV -- Blu-ray player, DVR, etc. Lower-end TVs typically have fewer inputs than pricey models, and you want to make sure you have all you need.

More from Cheapism:

• Cheap LCD TVs
• 3D TV reviews
• Vacuum cleaner reviews
• Exercise bike reviews

Leading-edge technology nearly always carries a hefty price tag, and 3D TVs are no exception. A set with this capability can easily run well over $1,000 -- and most of the time that doesn’t even include the glasses. That said, these top picks from Cheapism.com can satisfy early adopters as economically as possible.

• The Samsung PND8000 (starting at $1,250 for a 51-inch) also comes in more expensive 59- and 64-inch models with the same technology and feature set. This plasma series earns praise in online reviews for its crisp, clear 3D display and minimal “crosstalk,” where an image intended for one eye appears in front of the other. (Where to buy)
• The Sony Bravia KDL NX720 (starting at $1,080 for a 46-inch) is available in pricier 55- and 60-inch models as well. Experts and users aren’t effusive about this LED TV’s 3D performance but positively rave about the 2D picture -- something to consider, given that most of what you watch won’t be in 3D. (Where to buy)
• The LG Infinia LW5600 (starting at $1,000 for a 47-inch) also comes in a 55-inch model and includes four pairs of 3D glasses. Experts admire the LED screen’s ability to render bright, accurate colors in both 2D and 3D. (Where to buy)
• The Panasonic Viera TC-PST30 (starting at $1,200 for a 42-inch) is available in myriad other screen sizes: 46, 50, 55, 60, and 65 inches. The plasma display delivers solid performance. (Where to buy)

Plasma screens are a favorite of expert reviewers and generally offer excellent picture quality in both 2D and 3D, with very deep black levels. Low-cost LED TVs use light-emitting diodes around the edges of an LCD screen to improve black levels and color accuracy. Like other TVs with liquid crystal displays, these 3D TVs are best viewed straight on, rather than at an angle. To figure out how big a screen to buy, CNET suggests measuring the distance from your seating area to the designated spot for your TV and dividing by 1.5. For instance, if you sit 7 feet (84 inches) from your TV, look for at least a 56-inch screen.

Most of our picks use “active” 3D technology, which requires battery-powered 3D glasses that are typically sold separately for as much as $150 a pair. (Note that active 3D glasses work with only the corresponding brand of 3D TV.) The LG Infinia is a “passive” 3D TV that comes with four pairs of the not-so-heavy-duty glasses distributed at movie theaters. Viewers find that passive 3D generally delivers a more comfortable but less immersive experience.

All the 3D TVs on our list come with multiple HDMI ports for connecting Blu-ray players, video game consoles, and other devices. Component and composite inputs accommodate older DVD players and VCRs. PC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and USB connectivity are also available.

A 3D Blu-ray player is perhaps your most reliable source of 3D content, which is still scarce on television. The good news is that 3D TVs boast some of the best 2D image quality you can buy.

More from Cheapism:
Cheap 3D TVs
March deals
Cheap workouts
Cheap cordless drills

The 42-inch Vizio E3D420VX offers 3D capability.

By Kara Reinhardt, Cheapism.com

The college football national championship may be behind us, but the biggest game of the year is coming up on Feb. 5. Frugal football fans can watch the Super Bowl on a brand-new LCD TV for less than $600. LCD stands for liquid crystal display, technology that has allowed sleek, space-saving flat-screens to replace conventional cathode-ray-tube TVs. Brands including LG, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, and Toshiba offer budget models up to 42 inches.  

Man cavers will no doubt want the biggest screen they can afford, but the picture will appear grainy and distorted unless there’s room to sit far enough away. Do a quick calculation to determine the maximum screen size for your space: Measure the distance between the seating area and the spot where the TV will go, then divide by 1.5. For instance, if your favorite recliner is only 48 inches from the wall where you want to mount a new TV, you should look for a 32-inch screen.

One of the most commonly cited specs on an LCD TV is the resolution. The best available is 1080p, which provides the sharpest, clearest high-definition picture. You can easily find a 1080p TV for less than $600. However, keep in mind that the images you see won’t be in high-def unless you have HD channels and/or a Blu-ray player as well.

A screen with 1080p resolution displays 1,080 rows of pixels from top to bottom. The “p” refers to progressive scan, which keeps the screen from flickering when the image refreshes. The refresh rate is measured in hertz, and even low-cost TVs have rates of at least 60 Hz. A higher refresh rate of 120 Hz, available on some budget models, reduces blurring when you’re watching a fast-paced sporting event or playing a video game.

While the best low-priced LCD TVs offer excellent viewing, they simply can’t match the deep black levels that make colors pop on more expensive screens. Pricier models have higher contrast ratios, which represent the difference between the darkest and lightest colors on the screen. Watch out for manufacturers who tout dynamic contrast ratios of 10,000:1 or 100,000:1. The number to look for is the static contrast ratio, which is much lower but more accurate.

Manufacturers often max out settings such as contrast and brightness so a TV will stand out on a retail floor. Factory settings aren’t optimal for a living room, however, so it's best to adjust them.

Below are Cheapism’s top picks for affordable LCD TVs.

• The 42-inch Vizio E3D420VX (starting at $560) boasts 3D capability, which is tough to come by in this price range but perhaps no surprise from a brand known for affordable, feature-rich TVs. This 1080p model has a 120 Hz refresh rate, and reviewers praise the color quality. (Where to buy)
• The 27-inch ViewSonic VT2730 (starting at $300) may not be a big-screen, but it’s inexpensive and ideal for a smaller space. Experts say the picture on this no-frills 1080p TV is sharp and accurate from almost any angle. (Where to buy)
• The 32-inch Sony NSX-32GT1 (starting at $498) incorporates Google TV, so you can browse the web and search for video. Reviewers recommend this 1080p model for the features rather than the image quality. (Where to buy)
• The 42-inch LG 42LK450 (starting at $579) dispenses with extra features but delivers solid performance. Experts appreciate the ability to finely tune each aspect of the picture quality on this 1080p TV. (Where to buy)

More from Cheapism:
Cheap LCD TVs
Snow Blower Reviews
Best All-Season Tires
Best Time to Buy Guide