THE FINAL VERDICT

Given the generally high-powered nature of this group test, there's no getting around the fact that JVC's LT-42DR9 just isn't as persuasive as its four rivals.

It suffers to some extent from not one, not two, but three old-school LCD failings: average contrast, motion blur and slightly grubby standard definition pictures.

From here on in picking a running order is much more difficult. But in the end, even though we feel like we're being rather harsh, we've gone for Toshiba's 42RV635D in fourth place.

This is by no means a bad TV; in fact, it's pretty good, especially where standard definition is concerned. But in such a competitive environment it only takes one Achilles' Heel to cost you dear. And in the 42RV635D's case, that weakness is its extremely limited viewing angle – a single problem that could potentially make the TV a non-starter if your living room conditions mean you have to sit at an oblique angle to it.

Perhaps controversially, we've given the third place to the Panasonic P42S10. In former years, of course, the firm's plasma screens could generally be depended on to cruise to victory in most group test
environments.

But by today's standards, the P42S10's occasionally odd colour tones, soft standard definition pictures and slight lack of brightness versus LCD rivals, ultimately bring it up fairly short of pole position.

Second place we've given to LG's 42LH5000. A winning combination of sackloads of features, some decent connections, gorgeous looks, often spectacular pictures and an aggressive price for what's on offer make this set really hard to resist.

With this in mind, it needed something pretty special to stop the 42LH5000 from winning our group test. But unfortunately for LG, something special has indeed showed up, in the form of Sony's KDL-40W5500.

This TV's standard and high-defi nition picture quality is, for the most part, sensational for such an affordable model, and they are joined by a comprehensive feature count and solid audio performance to make it an all-rounder to die for.