Our constantly updated list of the best 50-inch TVs in the world

While most of the hype and bluster this year has been around LED-backlit TVs, plasma could be due for a resurgence – and 50-inches, the original flatscreen TV tech, is king.

The reasons are threefold; price, size and 3D. With the planet still mired in a slight depression, price has never been so important – and plasma TVs are considerably better value than LCD TVs at the 50-inch size (glance at the prices in our list for proof).

Secondly, the demand for ever-larger TVs is on the increase, making plasma even more attractive. And to cap it all off, the most impressive first generation of 3D TVs – some of which are featured here – have been based around plasma tech.

That's not to say that the LED-backlit LCD TV is a false dawn, because there have been some wonderful high-end examples at the 52-inch size (step forward Sony), but you'll pay if you look past plasma.