Best 50 and 55 inch TVS

Bargain bigscreen best for Sky, Virgin or DVR owners

Rs.99384.00: With Freeview HD, BBC iPlayer and social media access via a smart TV platform, Wi-Fi connectivity and even passive 3D, this Edge LED TV from the online-only Finlux brand gives you detail in still images as high as on any high-end TV.

However, there is a modicum of judder, a grey look to blacks and lacklustre 3D antics, but any TV that puts so many features on a 55-inch screen for under £1,000 has to be seriously considered.

Arriving with a stunning eight pairs of passive 3D glasses, the Finlux 55S9100-T manages a depth of just 36mm (1.42 inches) and a mirrored chrome bezel that’s a mere 5mm (0.2 inches) wide.

5mm bezel and smart TV apps going for a song

Rs.85470.24: This affordable 2D-only 50-inch Edge LED TV includes Freeview HD, Wi-Fi and notable smart TV skills. And the Panasonic TX-L50E6B also has Panasonic’s brand new 2013 suite of apps that adorn the fabulous, customisable My Home Screen.

The ‘super narrow’ bezel is just 5mm (0.2 inches) wide, the glass is non-reflective and along the bottom edge is a translucent, slightly curved plastic strip - it’s a great look that’s not expected at this price.

You could spend more for a TV with a faster processors, more HDMI ports , special filters and local dimming, but as smart TV app-laden LED TVs go, this is the most affordable quality set around.

Light on contrast, heavy on everything else

Rs.149076.00: LG’s 55LA740V gives you a Cinema 3D passive 3D panel, Freeview HD tuner, the deliciously lucid, logical and app-packed user interface and loads of picture calibration which makes it the superior choice for those after a media-savvy TV, since SmartShare and the linked Plex metadata-hunting software make streaming digital media around a home network a thing of beauty.

LG has worked hard on making its sophisticated smart TV platform intuitive, and the 55LA740V’s bold colours, high brightness and sharpness make a big impact, too.

55-inch TV with passive 3D and pretty pictures

Rs.129199.20: This 55-inch screen adds 600Hz processing and a Clear Panel Pro filter, though most shoppers will be after Panasonic’s superlative My Home Screen interface features, which do a brilliant job of streamlining your access to the TV’s myriad content sources. It also supports Panasonic’s Viera Connect online platform and the bevy of apps that reside within.

That potent motion processing and backlight scanning system ensures awesomely detailed pictures, while 3D images excel. Dark scenes reveal a rather average black level performance, but there are precious few prettier or better value 55-inch TVs available than this Panasonic.