Make sure you're informed before buying a wide-panel TV
 Best sets Understand the lingo Be a savvy shopper 

Wide-panel TVs might be coming down in price, but shopping for one is still a tough job.
   
    42-inch: Our engineers flipped for the great picture quality of the flat-panel Vizio P42HDTV ($1,599.99). Bonus: This superior set was the least expensive of the models tested.
    50-inch: The LG 50PC3D ($2,999.95) was tops in its size category. This flat-panel TV displayed true-to-life colors, and its excellent speakers made action scenes sound stellar.
    The RCA Scenium M50WH187 came in a close second - and at a much lower price ($1,999).
    55-inch: The Sony KDF-55E2000 ($2,299.99) had terrific overall picture quality and was especially good at capturing shades of black and white. Of the largest-size models tested, this unit was the easiest to set up.
   Don't know a DLP from an LCD? Here are explanations on the various types of televisions.
    Plasma: This type of screen is usually larger and brighter than a flat-panel with an LCD (liquid-crystal display) screen. Because it has a flat panel, this type of set is wall-mountable. Plasma sets look good from any angle.
    DLP: This stands for Digital Light Processing, which means that light is projected from the bottom of the screen up. Though the average person might not notice a difference, DLP models look best when viewed head-on (as opposed to from the side). DLP models aren't wall-mountable.
    LCD: An LCD set uses a light panel and liquid crystals to give a bright, clear picture. These units typically have smaller screens, but they're long-lasting and best when viewed straight on.
    HDTV: This stands for High-Definition Television, which means that the set will show high-definition television signals at a higher resolution than traditional formats. Standard-definition video looks worse on a TV made for high-definition feeds than it does on a regular set.
   Here are four tips for big-screen shoppers:
    Choose the right size. Keep a space of at least twice the diagonal size of the television between yourself and the screen. For example, if a screen is 50 inches, you need to sit 100 inches away (around 8 feet).
    Pony up for home delivery. Unless you have a flatbed truck, it's safest to pay for this service. Flat-panel TVs can be heavy and generally don't fit easily into car trunks, minivans or SUVs.
    Have a flat-panel unit professionally hung. If you're not going to put the set on a stand, it's best to have the pros mount it to the wall. They'll do a better job hiding the wires.
    Adjust your settings. Don't assume that your TV comes calibrated. Follow your manual's instructions to set the unit's brightness, contrast, sharpness, color and tint.