sony bravia lcd screen problems pricelist

TV repair costs between $60 and $350 with most spending $207 on average for LCD, LED, plasma, and 4K TVs; costs are higher if repairing older DLP, projection, and HD TVs. TV problems like display issues, powering-on problems, or sound issues can be fixed. Pickup and delivery fees may apply.

The cost to repair a TV screen can be significantly more than the cost of purchasing a new TV. For this reason, replacing or repairing a broken TV screen is not considered feasible.

Broken TV screen repair is not a service offered by most TV or electronics repair companies. For example, BestBuy"s 90-day warranty, does not list broken TV screen repair as one of the problems they service.

Unless you are trying to fix a TV from the ’80s or earlier, cracked TV screen repair is not feasible; the entire display panel must be replaced instead. The cost of a replacement TV display panel is more than the cost of buying a new TV, and that’s before labor and other service costs.

The cost of TV screen replacement is generally the same as or more than the cost of buying a new TV. Therefore, replacing a broken or malfunctioning TV screen is not considered a viable option. If the TV is under the manufacturer’s warranty, the manufacturer may replace the entire unit.

TV manufacturers do keep replacement TV screen panels on hand to support products under warranty in case the screen malfunctions, due to manufacturer defect.

If you still want to replace a damaged or malfunctioning TV screen, your best option is to find a used replacement panel or a broken TV of the same model on which the screen is still functional. You might find one on eBay, and you can hire a technician to change out the panel.

Whether your TV is LCD, LED, plasma screen, or 4K (Ultra HD), the cost to fix common problems ranges from $60 to $350, depending on the repair type and the brand of TV being repaired.

These repair problems could have more than one possible source, so a technician should take time to narrow down the exact problem. TVs are repaired by replacing faulty components.

The function of an inverter board in a TV is to power the backlight of the screen. The inverter board requires a few hundred volts of power. If the inverter board goes bad, this would cause the TV to power on and have sound but no picture.

A flat-screen TV bulb replacement costs between $60 to $115, with most homeowners spending $84 for parts and labor. The price for replacement bulbs ranges from $18.50 to $80.

If an older model LCD TV or projection TV powers on and has sound but no picture, this may be due to lamp burnout, which is both common and expected. In this case, replacing the bulb will fix the problem. An experienced technician should be able to replace the bulb quickly and easily.

Flat screen replacement glass is not available. The only option for flat-screen TV glass repair is to try optical glass glue, which costs $1.70 for a 5-ml. tube. This may be an option for TV glass repair if the crack is only a few inches or less. TV panels are built as one unit at the factory, with the glass adhered to the display panel.

LCD flat-panel repair is not considered cost-effective. If the glass is cracked or the display is physically damaged, it is cheaper to replace the entire TV than to repair or replace the display panel.

Estimating TV repairs costs by brand is not something TV repair shops offer, however, there are general prices by type. When looking for specific repair costs for your TV, you’ll find them in the common repairs price list above. Pricing applies to brands such as Samsung, LG, Sanyo, TCL, Insignia, HiSense, Sony, Toshiba, Pioneer, and Vizio.

The cost of flat-screen TV repair ranges from $42 to $359. You cannot fix a broken screen, but the price of a new flat-panel TV starts from around $249 for a 1080-mp (non-4K) LED TV from LG to as much as $14,999 for an 85-inch 8K LED TV from Samsung. A TV referred to as a “flat TV” or “flat-screen” TV might be any of the following:

LCD TV repair typically costs $60 to $85 for diagnostics testing, and $200 to $300 to perform repairs. LCD TVs use backlighting, which may fail. Newer LCD TVs use LED strips for backlighting. Older ones might use CCFL. If CCFL backlighting fails, a technician can replace it with LED backlighting.

An LED TV is just an LCD TV that uses LED backlighting, which all newer models do (older models use CCFL backlighting). The cost to replace one LED backlighting strip ranges from $100 to $122, including parts and labor.

The cost to replace the motherboard, inverter, or LED"s in a 4K TV ranges from $100 to $275 or more depending on the brand and model. The cost for screen repair for a 4K TV is irrelevant because it cannot be fixed or replaced at a cost that is lower than the cost of a new 4K TV.

Digital light processing (DLP) TVs are also known as projection TVs. DLP big screens have not been made since 2012, and DLP TV repair is usually not worth the cost except for a lamp burnout, in which the bulb can be replaced. The cost to replace bulbs ranges from $60 to $115.

Lamp burnout -In a projection TV or older LCD TV, no picture may be caused by lamp burnout. In this case, a technician can replace the bulb quickly and easily.

If the picture is displaying but there are problems such as vertical lines, a double picture, or a white display, this could indicate a faulty motherboard or mainboard.

Not included in these prices from Best Buy are 1080P screens, which range from $249 to $279 for 43-inch TVs from brands like Samsung, Sony, and LG. On the upper end, Sony and Samsung both have 95-inch 8K LED TVs for $69,999.

In most cases, a flat-screen TV can be fixed. The exception is a physically damaged display panel or screen. Most other issues including failing speakers, backlights, or power supply. Burned out fuses and damaged input ports can also be repaired.

If the screen is not physically damaged but is not showing a picture or is displaying “snow’” or vertical or horizontal lines, a technician can repair the TV by replacing failed components. If the screen is physically damaged, it cannot be repaired.

You cannot replace a broken flat-screen display. New TVs costs anywhere from $249 for a 1080P (non 4K) LED TV from LG to as much as $14,999 for an 85” 8K LED TV from Samsung.

Most TVs sold today are known as “flat screen TVs,” which is just a way of describing their appearance as a thin rectangle less than 10 inches thick. Modern flat screen TVs differ from older models, called CRTs or cathode ray tube TVs. Those televisions had curved screens and were often quite thick.

Today, flat screen TVs range from LED and LCD televisions that have been around for a few decades to upgraded models known as OLED and 4K TVs, which boast better picture quality. Plasma screen TVs were once a popular type of flat screen TV. However, they have fallen out of popularity. Most TVs sold today are also smart TVs, which means they can connect to the internet. Older flat screen models that need repair are sometimes not smart. The table below describes these common television types and how much each usually costs to repair.

Repairs for LCD TVs cost between $60 and $475. LCD televisions are one of the most popular options on the market, available in a wide range of sizes and styles. They use an LCD (liquid crystal display) with backlights to produce images. The backlights, screen, and other components may get damaged over time and need repairing. The most common problems for LCD TVs are bad power supplies and dead capacitors that may need repair or replacement.

LED TV repairs range from $60 to $475, depending on the scale of the problem. LED televisions are a specific type of LCD TV that use LED backlights to illuminate the liquid crystal display. These TVs usually produce more colorful and vibrant images and are more energy-efficient, but the LED backlights may need to be repaired or replaced over time. Another common problem is a broken inverter that requires repair or replacement.

4K TV repairs range from $100 to $350. A 4K television provides some of the clearest and most detailed images because of the very high resolution of its screen, providing more engaging viewing experiences. There are different types of 4K TVs, including some that use LED and others that use OLED. Basically, a television is considered 4K if it has ultra high definition. These models can be expensive to purchase and repair, but in many cases, repairs may not be possible on these units. So, their overall repair costs may be lower simply because some repairs may not be offered. Issues that are repairable include inverter, backlight, and power supply problems.

Plasma TV repairs average $100 to $485. These televisions are made up of pixels filled with gas that light up when an electrical current is applied. They are less popular today, and most companies have stopped making them. But they can still be found in many homes and are subject to problems like screen burn and distorted colors. While some repairs on these TVs are possible, such as when the power supply fails, many issues cannot be repaired due to the rarity of replacement parts. Screen burns and problems that require screen replacement render the television not-fixable.

OLED TV repairs cost between $100 and $1,000 on average. They are the next step up from a standard LED TV, with OLED standing for organic light-emitting diodes. OLED televisions can achieve deeper blacks and higher contrast compared to standard LED screens. However, they can be very expensive to purchase and repair. Unfortunately, some OLED TVs are quite susceptible to “burn-in,” which is officially known as permanent image retention. When this occurs, an image remains on the TV even though it is shut off. The problem may require screen replacement.

You might not know exactly which part of your TV is broken or damaged at first. The symptoms of a broken television vary from vertical colored lines across the screen to audio issues, power problems, and even situations where the television starts normally but then turns itself off. For this reason, most repairs start with a diagnostic so that the problem can be found and a plan made for repair. For some repairs to be made, the part will need to be replaced, while in other cases, repair or replacement of that part may not be possible. The table below shows common problems and average repair costs for each.

Repairing vertical lines on the screen averages $150 to $400. This is usually an issue associated with your TV’s control board or motherboard, which may be damaged and need to be either repaired or replaced. Resetting the television to its factory defaults may fix the issue. Or, a loose cable may be causing the problem. If resetting the television and reseating the cables does not work, a repair person will need to open the TV to diagnose and repair the issue.

Repairing a cracked TV screen costs from $400 to $1,000 or even more. Cracked screens cannot be repaired, they can only be replaced, and they are very expensive, sometimes exceeding the cost of a new TV. For this reason, if you have a cracked screen, it will probably have to be replaced entirely, or the manufacturer will need to handle the repair at one of their facilities or via a mobile repair service.

TVs are made up of various parts and components, all working together to produce lights, colors, pictures, and sounds for your entertainment. Over time, accidents may happen that damage these parts, or they might just wear down over the years through repeated use. For example, an HDMI port may become bent after a plug is reinserted several times. Alternatively, one of the lights inside the TV responsible for illumination may fail, causing the entire screen to go dark. The circuit boards that act as the brain and power source for the TV may also fail or short-circuit because of repetitive use, energy spikes, or other power problems. Many parts of the TV are fully repairable. Paying to repair the TV may be more cost-effective than buying a new one. The table below shows common TV repairs and the costs for each.

Backlight repairs average $100 to $200. The backlight is what illuminates the display of your television, providing the brightness and color. It may be in the form of LED light strips or fluorescent lights, depending on which television type you have. When the lights are in a series, one bad light may cause the entire screen to fail. If these lights develop a problem, a repairman must open it up and make adjustments to get them functioning again.

TV inverter repairs cost between $100 and $210 each. The inverter powers up the backlights for your television, and they can stop working if their capacitors break down. Symptoms of a failing or failed inverter include no picture, a faint picture, or a flashing screen. The power button may still illuminate, and the sound may work fine even though the inverter is broken. Repairs are made by fitting new capacitors in place.

TV screen repairs cost between $300 and $1,000, but in many cases, repairing the screen is not possible. Since the screen is usually the most expensive part of the television and one of the most sensitive to impacts and other damage, an expert may advise you to simply buy a new television instead of having it repaired. It is worth getting a diagnosis if the screen issue is not too severe because issues like flashing pixels or distorted colors may be fixable. While cracks might not be repairable, sometimes scratches and smudges are fixable.

In some cases, your TV components may not be able to be repaired, or it might be more cost-effective to replace them with new ones. The repair price includes the cost of new parts, plus the labor required to fit them into place and remove the broken components. While some components can be replaced, they may be extremely expensive or cost-prohibitive to do so. This is mainly in the case of panels and screens because they often contain too many parts to replace on their own. The table below shows average costs for a variety of common replacements:

Replacing a TV capacitor is inexpensive, starting at $60 to $300. If more than one capacitor needs replacing, it is usually less expensive to replace the entire board. Capacitors cannot be repaired, so replacement is the only option. Replacing the capacitor may fix problems with slow start-up times, screen flickering, disappearing pictures, and sound problems.

TV bulb replacement costs average $100 to $200. Bulbs are usually found only in older models of LCD TVs or projection TVs. They are used to illuminate the display so that the picture can be seen. Bulbs are relatively easy to replace, but the material costs are a little higher with bulbs when compared to other components, leading to varied replacement prices from model to model. Replacing a bulb can fix a flickering television or a dark screen problem.

TV backlight replacements cost between $100 and $200 on average, depending on the television size and scale and the type and number of lights required. If you have LED lights, parts may be more expensive, leading to higher total costs. Usually when backlight problems occur, the bulbs or diodes are dead and need to be replaced. Replacing the TV backlight helps fix the problem where the TV is half or fully dark when turned on, and the image is only partially visible.

TV motherboard replacements average $200 to $450. Often when a problem occurs with a motherboard, it needs to be completely replaced rather than repaired. The motherboard controls the TV’s functions and features, and a broken motherboard makes your television completely unusable. Replacing a motherboard may fix all sorts of problems, including missing sound, random shut-downs, failure to connect to the internet, and HDMI ports that are not recognized by the TV.

TV screen replacement costs at least $400 to $4,200 and may even cost more. The screen is the most expensive part of a TV. So usually, the cost of replacing it is higher than just buying a new unit because of the labor involved. In some cases, this is because the screen cannot be replaced without also replacing most of the other components, particularly for TVs like LED, LCD, or plasma. Most professional repair companies do not offer screen or panel replacement as a service. The only way to get a new screen is to have it fixed under warranty by the manufacturer.

TV panel replacement costs a minimum of $400 to $5,000 and often a lot more on some of the high-end 4K and Smart screen displays. Because the cost of a replacement panel is so high, it is usually more cost-effective to simply purchase a new television. Like the screen, this is due to the number of components involved. Therefore, most repair places will not offer panel replacement as a service.

Fixing a Sony TV will cost you about $60 to $400. This popular brand has a reputation for simply becoming disabled with no power or sound. Unfortunately, the customer service at Sony isn’t always the best. Customers are often frustrated when it comes to warranty work. Sony TV problems that may require repair from a professional include motherboard issues that cause image flickering and HDMI port issues.

To fix your TCL TV blank screen, you should expect to pay about $60 to $400. One characteristic repair of the TCL brand is a black screen with no picture. This can be a fuse that has blown, or it may require a major change, such as a new main board. Some TCL owners also report having problems with the sound, which may require repairing the speakers. Sound problems may also indicate an issue with a cable.

Damaged cables can cause a TV to flicker or grow dim. Repair prices for damaged cables are $75 to $200. Samsung TV owners cite this flickering or dimming of the screen as a common issue with this brand. Sometimes the settings for the eco sensor or the energy-saving feature create this problem. Turning either of those off may fix the issue. In some cases, Samsung TVs may experience overheating and a resulting hardware failure or motherboard problem that requires repair or replacement of the motherboard.

Some of the most common issues with this brand are banding at a repair cost of $100 to $200 or sound with a cost of $150 to $400. Color problems may be related to adjustment and can be fixed for a low cost of $75 to $100, HDMI connections are often fixed at the cost of $200 to $300, and streaming problems may be corrected with a software update. Software updates can be done by the owner, but a repairman will most likely charge a minimum fee of $75 to $100. Banding presents as sections of bands where it should be smooth. Sound and color can go out over time in the LG brand. HDMI and streaming can become difficult as technology emerges and changes.

Hisense TVs have a history of display difficulties and could cost you about $100 to $200. Typically, it means you need a new inverter, or it could signal the beginning of the end for your Hisense television. A black screen may also indicate a problem with the motherboard, which usually requires complete replacement. A technician can test the TV to determine whether the motherboard is bad.

Panasonic TV owners often experience the power clicking on and off and may need a new main board at the cost of $200 to $400. The reset button may help. The repairman will need to replace the motherboard of the TV if that fails. Before calling a repairperson, Panasonic TV owners may want to try a factory reset or a firmware update. Occasionally, Panasonic TV problems are a simple programming issue.

The Vizio TV is known for its screen of death (a blank or black screen) and usually costs about $200 to $400. The problem is most often a blown motherboard, and replacement is the only option. A factory reset may be a solution. If that doesn"t work, the motherboard is the best possible answer. Vizio TVs also commonly have problems with lines on the screen. This issue is occasionally fixable with a hard reset or factory reset. However, it often requires a motherboard replacement, too.

Often, you must decide whether it is worth repairing your TV. In some situations, the cost of repairs is higher than the price of a new TV. For example, when screens are cracked or damaged, the cost of replacing a panel is usually much higher than simply buying a new TV. For major repairs, it is often cheaper to buy a new TV. However, for minor repairs, it is less expensive to call a repair person and get the TV fixed.

It is recommended to replace electronics whenever the cost of repairs equals or exceeds half the cost of a new purchase. It is also recommended that you replace your television if the new version is less than $200, or if your screen is smaller than 32”. For example, it costs around $150 for a new motherboard in an LG Model 24LF452B 24” TV, which takes around one hour to repair. As a result, you would pay between $190 and $210 to repair your old set, while it is possible to purchase a new one for less.

Keep your TV clean. Over time, dust, pet hair, and bits of dirt can build up on the screen and get inside the television via vents and ports. This dust accumulation can affect a TV’s operation and make it more likely to break down.

Yes, flat-screen TVs can frequently be fixed, including issues with the screen, sound, lighting, cables, and interior components. However, there are some situations where flat-screen TVs cannot be fixed, such as when the screen is severely cracked.How do you fix a broken TV screen?

Not all TV screens can be fixed or replaced. Certain types have components behind the screen that can be damaged by its removal. However, if you choose to proceed, remove all external cables, unplug your set, and lay it face down on a flat, soft surface. Remove any screws holding the frame in place and then gently remove the frame and set it aside. Put your new screen in place and reconnect the internal cables in the same manner you disconnected them. It is usually best to get a professional to handle TV repairs, and the cost of replacement screens is often very high. So, it may be more cost-effective to get a new TV.How many years will a flat-screen TV last?

This is not recommended. If you leave a TV on for too long, it may overheat, which could damage interior components like the motherboard. It may also do damage to the screen and risk ‘burning’ an image into the display, as well as damaging the backlights.Do Smart TVs use more electricity?

Fixing a malfunctioning television instead of throwing it away and buying a new one can save you hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars. TV repair professionals work on plasma, LCD, LED, OLED, HD, HDR and a range of other screen types. These pros have the tools, training, and experience to resolve most TV-related problems. As TV screens have gotten bigger and technology more advanced, TV repair requires a lot more technical knowledge than it used to.

Whether it’s power problems, digital problems, or a broken screen, the TV repairs will vary in price, depending on the cost of parts, the extent of labor required, and any necessary taxes.

What was the problem: The LCD was experiencing intermittent problems powering up and suddenly powering off. Commercial Service Co. first checked the power supply for bad parts and found it to be working properly. The service tech next checked the main circuit board and discovered that was the problem board.

It can cost you up to of $100 to repair a cracked LCD TV screen. Check to see if your TV is still under warranty — you might be able to get the screen repaired for a reduced cost if the damage is under warranty.

Nationally, the average price range for TV repair is $60-$90. LCD TV repairs are one of the most common TV repair requests. A liquid crystal display (LCD) TV uses the same technology as your smartphone and most computer screens. Images are created on an LCD screen by electric currents that pass or block light through liquid crystals that are encased between two polarized, glass-like sheets. LCD TVs can be very thin and are relatively affordable, making them one of the most prevalent types of TV on the market. If you have a broken LCD TV, it can probably be repaired. Common problems that can be repaired include a blank screen, sound issues, power problems and digital connection problems. Here is one example of LCD TV repair cost:

Yes, you can usually fix a flat screen TV. Whether you have a plasma, LED, OLED, HDR, HD or even LCD, TV repair pros can repair your TV. Flat screen TVs are expensive, and when they stop working it can make your heart stop. But TV repair technicians have advanced along with TV technology and are equipped with the proper tools and training for major and minor repairs. If your flat screen is too massive to transport, most repair companies have pickup and drop-off service. For the most common problems, TV repair pricing might range between $175 and $200 on average. Here are examples of the most common problems:

If your TV isn’t working, don’t despair. TV repair professionals can handle almost any situation, no matter how new or outdated your TV’s technology. The national average TV repair cost is $50-$90, although prices can be higher based on the type of TV and the work required. Because most TVs today are much too large to transport in an ordinary car, many companies provide transportation services for an added fee. Here are some examples of average TV repair costs for specific problems and TV models:

The LCD was intermittently powering up and powering off. Replacing the main circuit board solved the problem.How do you fix a TV with no picture but has sound?

You can troubleshoot your TV by double-checking the cable connections and devices that are connected to your TV. If you can’t find anything wrong, you may need to contact a technician to fix your TV.What do you do when your TV turns on, but the screen is black?

If your screen is displaying bars, lines, dead pixels and other abnormalities, your flat-screen TV might be going bad. It might also be dying if it won’t turn on, the sound quality is bad or the screen keeps flickering or fading.Is it better to repair a TV or buy a new one?

You may be able to remove scratches from your flat-screen TV by using an LCD scratch repair kit. If that doesn’t work, consider hiring a technician to fix it or buy a new TV.

Twenty years ago, if you spent a $1000 on a TV, you would expect it to last twenty years. To the TV manufacturer’s credit, many of them lasted even longer. Eventually, a component (capacitors most likely) would fail and the unit would head to the landfill. TV broadcasts in the USA went fully digitalon June 12, 2009. In the two years since, LCD TV sales have exploded (3 million in 2009, 26 million in 2010), their sizes increased, and their prices dropped. In 2009, 40″ panels cost a little over $1000; 46″ and 55″ LCD panels were running between $2000-$3000 dollars. Prices have since dropped to almost half that. Many households, when they upgraded their analog sets to digital, spent a little extra and got the larger panels.

However, all is not rosy in the high-def world of flat panel TVs. While companies like Sony, Samsung, and Visio are battling it out on the specs front with ever brighter LED-backlighting, ever higher screen refresh rates, and ever increasing screen sizes, reports are starting to come in from customers about  cracking screens, premature LCD panel failure, and power supply issues. Internet sites devoted to customer complaints are filling up with angry owners of $2000 TVs that are unwatchable after just a few years.

Our Sony Bravia (Model: KDL-46V3000) developed an issue which has gotten progressively worst. When the display works, the picture is stunningly gorgeous. However, more often than not, it now looks like this. Apparently, this issue is well known for the Sony Bravia line. YouTube has plenty of examples of the problem across the entire line.

Sony’s help line, SonyListens, while sympathetic, has not been very helpful. They were happy to open a case file and take down all of our information, transfer us around a bit, but as far as providing a resolution for the problem…not so much. All we have gotten to date after spending an hour on the phone with Sony Support is a number for their local authorized service center…like we could not have found that on our own. The big problem people will have is bringing the TV in to the service center for a diagnosis. A 46″ panel is not the easiest things to transport. It is clearly not a practical request for those with even larger screens. We remember when Sony Trinitrons were the best tv you could buy. Most people who purchased Sony Trinitrons never had to deal with Sony Support because they never needed it. Doesn’t look like that’s the case any more.

We are well aware that expensive does not equal not breakable (ex: Porsche replaced our Boxster engine for free after 33K, Apple fixed our iMac for free even though the warranty had expired). We understand that manufacturing problems for new products take time to sort out. We are not concerned about the reliability of large LCD screens in the future. We are certain that television manufacturers will improve the reliability of their LCD panels over time. The issue is how companies like Sony and others respond to the problems their customers are having now. It is how they take care of their current customers that will determine who those customers will look to when it is time for their next upgrade. Lower cost TVs such as Vizio are a lot more attractive to us now if there are no quality difference between them and the perceived high-end company like Sony. Why pay more if you don’t get more?

The black screen of death (BSOD) is a relatively common issue with flat screen TVs with LCD panel screens. In a lot of cases, they are easily diagnosed and fixed quite affordably. Replacement parts are usually easily sourced unless there is suddenly an unusually high demand for them, in which case prices may increase.

Unfortunately, even the higher end spectrum of the TV brands like Sony get struck down by this annoying electronic malady. And many owners, at some point, do find themselves standing in front of a Sony TV screen that has suddenly gone dark/black, with no more pictures/images appearing.

If your Sony flat screen TV stops producing images on the screen and goes black, first step is to determine if it also stopped producing sounds. You can do this by shuffling to input channels which you are certain should produce sound (i.e., streaming a video content, or running a DVD player, etc.).

If the LED backlights are working, you there is likelihood that you have a T-Con board issue on your hands. Replacing the T-Con board, a relatively inexpensive replacement, will usually fix this problem if the unit is producing sound. If the unit is not producing sound through the speakers AND pictures on the screen, there could be a problem with the T-Con board and/or the main board.

If the LED backlights are not working, or if you are unable to confirm if they are working, the next step is to do the flashlight test on the screen. By turning on the TV and shining a flashlight on the screen, you can check if the LCD panel is creating images or not. If the LCD panel is producing images but the LED backlights are not working, you should be able to make out images on the LCD panel when you shine a flashlight beam on the screen. An LCD/LED TV requires an LCD panel to produce the images and suitable (LED) backlighting to work as intended.

For more information on the actual work needed to repair the black screen of death on a Sony TV, please do watch the video by the Fix Netflix Youtube channel which was one of my main resource for this post..Video credit: Fix Netflix

The Hisense U8H matches the excellent brightness and color performance of much pricier LCD TVs, and its Google TV smart platform is a welcome addition. But it’s available in only three screen sizes.

The Hisense U8H is the best LCD/LED TV for most people because it delivers the performance of a much pricier TV yet starts at under $1,000, for the smallest (55-inch) screen size. This TV utilizes quantum dots, a full-array backlight with mini-LEDs, and a 120 Hz refresh rate to deliver a great-looking 4K HDR image. It’s compatible with every major HDR format. And it’s equipped with two full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 inputs to support 4K 120 Hz gaming from the newest Xbox and PlayStation consoles. Add in the intuitive, fully featured Google TV smart-TV platform, and the U8H’s price-to-performance ratio is of inarguable value.

That’s not to say the U8H has pixel-precise light control—it’s not an OLED TV, after all—but it does a terrific job most of the time. In fact, in our tests, the U8H bested last year’s upgrade pick, the Samsung QN90A, in certain scenarios: The intro to Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities on Netflix features the filmmaker against a pitch-black backdrop. Though last year’s QN90A failed to maintain perfect control over dimming elements during this scene (the black backdrop brightened distractingly once a sufficient amount of brighter content appeared on screen), the U8H did not. (For the record, the newer QN90B also passed this test.) The U8H’s mini-LEDs also help the screen look uniformly bright: Although the U8H is still not as good as an OLED TV in this respect, it shows very little indication of being a backlight-driven display, even during tricky scenes with large swaths of dim lighting.

The onboard Google TV smart platform is another feather in this TV’s cap. As usual, however, it will be much more satisfying to use if you have a Google account and already take advantage of Google’s connected services, like Photos. The experience of navigating the TV’s smart features—scanning QR codes to sign into apps, using the onscreen keyboard, and browsing your Google Photos to set a photo as a screensaver—was very satisfying in terms of responsiveness and speed. Powering on the TV and booting into an app took just seconds. The included Bluetooth remote is also equipped with a handy “Hey Google” button, allowing you to pull up Google’s assistant and use voice commands to search for content or set a reminder. If you have multiple users with their own Google accounts, you can designate separate profiles (attached to a Gmail account) so that each user can customize the experience to their liking, as well as access their own Google Drive or Photos. While some reviewers have reported instances of momentary freezing while using the U8H’s platform, I didn’t personally experience any instances of slowdown that were egregiously worse than with any other smart-TV platform.

The Hisense U8H has some difficulties with banding, or areas of uneven gradation, where transitions that should appear smooth instead look like “bands” of color (sometimes also called posterization). Like many current 4K HDR TVs, the U8H uses an 8-bit panel rather than a 10-bit panel, which affects the color decoding and color presentation process. This is usually relevant only with HDR video and games. When playing games on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, I saw a few instances where the content wasn’t rendered correctly and displayed ugly splotches of color on the screen. However, this almost always occurred during static screens (such as a pause menu or loading screen); I rarely spotted it during actual gameplay. Hisense has stated that it would address the problem in a future firmware update, but at the time of writing it was still present. This is a flaw that may give dedicated gamers pause, but we don’t consider it to be a dealbreaker for most people.

Finally, like most TVs that use vertical alignment (VA) LCD panels, the U8H has a limited horizontal viewing angle, which may be a bit annoying if you’re hoping to entertain a large crowd. Our upgrade pick uses a special wide-angle technology to address this.

That’s what we found in our analysis of more than three years of Consumer Reports’ TV ratings. Our crack team of statisticians looked at prices and CR’s test results from March 1, 2019, through March 1, 2022, for a number of leading TV brands sold in the U.S. The results are shown in the charts below, broken out by screen size, which is the first factor people usually consider when shopping for a television.

As you can see, TVs from LG, Samsung, and Sony earned top scores in our testing across just about every size range. And generally, sets from these companies cost more than their competitors’ TVs.

Prices and average brand scores tend to drop off in step with each other, according to our analysis. One major change this year is that some secondary brands, including Element, Philips, and Westinghouse, no longer appearin our list. Sharp is no longer in our listing; it stopped selling TVs in the U.S. for several years but began selling them again in 2022. RCA is represented in just two screen sizes, where it has the lowest Overall Score, and in one instance the lowest price by a large margin.

Although we’ve tested a few TVs from Onn, Walmart’s house brand, we didn’t test enough sets in any one screen size for it to appear. We hope to include it in next year’s evaluation.

The average price figures we show are a bit higher than the average for all big TVs on the market. That’s both because the largest sets carry a premium and because CR tends to purchase a lot of expensive, high-end sets. That allows us to test the latest features, such as Mini LED backlights in LCD/LED TVs, which can help boost contrast and reduce halos, and high dynamic range (HDR), which can produce brighter, more vibrant images.

We test these flagship models from all the brands, but with major brands there is a much greater difference in pricing between the least and most expensive sets they offer. For example, for TCL there’s a $600 difference between the cheapest ($700) and priciest ($1,300) 75-inch TVs in our current ratings. With Samsung, that difference is dramatic: $1,900. (See the best big-screen TV bargains for sets 70 inches and larger.)

You’ll see that Sony, Samsung, and LG top the list in terms of average Overall Score and average price. Given their high average scores, sets from any of these TV brands might be worth considering. Sony TVs tend to be expensive in part because the company, like LG, now offers OLED TVs, which tend to cost more, but also because it exited the budget TV market. The takeaway for shoppers is that a premium set from Sony might not be more expensive than a premium set from a competitor—the company just doesn’t compete in lower performance tiers.

TCL, Vizio, and Hisense are additional brands to consider, especially if you’re on a budget. With TCL and Hisense, higher-end sets (the 6- and 8-series TVs from TCL, and 8-series sets from Hisense) have done very well in our tests, offering a lot of bang for the buck in terms of both picture quality and high dynamic range (HDR) experience. TCL’s higher average price is due to its top-tier sets having newer technologies (Mini LED, 8K resolution), plus a push into very large screen sizes. The company also offers many low-priced sets that haven’t done as well, lowering the brand’s Overall Score. Vizio sets have done well for overall picture quality across the board, though they generally fall behind a bit when it comes to HDR.

This has become a popular screen size for people looking for a large TV. And you’ll see that LG, Samsung, and Sony top the list in average Overall Score and average price here, as well. One reason for the fine showing by both LG and Sony is they offer OLED TVs that have consistently been at the top of our ratings. Samsung’s top QLED (and Neo QLED) TVs have also done very well in our ratings, and the best of those sets now rival OLED TVs in performance. All these sets tend to be pricy.

In this size category, we again see much greater differences in pricing between the least and most expensive sets from major brands than from smaller players. For example, there’s a $600 difference between the cheapest ($400) and priciest ($1,000) 65-inch Hisense TVs in our current ratings. With Samsung and Sony, that difference is a whopping $2,400. One reason for Samsung’s large spread is the debut of itsfirst QD OLED TV ($3,000), which is now in our ratings (though it arrived too late this year for our statistical analysis). Sony TVs tend to be expensive in part because the company offers several OLED TVs, which tend to cost more, and because it stopped making lower-end LED/LCD sets. (See the best 65-inch TVs under $1,000.)

As in the 70-inch size category, Hisense, TCL, and Vizio appear to be good options for those on tighter budgets. Their better-performing sets tend to be pricier but still less expensive than comparable TVs from LG, Samsung, and Sony. Hisense has the best balance of price and performance of the group. But given the wide differences in performance and price between the best- and worst-performing models within these brands, you should look at specific models to determine the best value.

Average prices go from a low of $342 (for Toshiba, which makes Fire TV Edition sets sold at Amazon and Best Buy) to a high of $1,034 (Sony’s average). As we note above, Sony focuses on higher-priced sets, and both Sony and LG’s average prices are pulled up by their OLED sets—these TVs can look great, but they tend to cost more than all but the very best LED/LCD models.

Two years ago, Vizio began offering OLED TVs, but that hasn’t yet had a big impact on its average price, because the majority of its sales are still less expensive LED/LCD TVs.

For those shopping for a TV in this size range, CR’s analysis shows that Samsung, Sony, and LG again tend to have the highest-performing TVs—along with the most expensive ones.

There’s also a pretty big spread in both price and performance in this screen size, with prices ranging from $226 (Hisense) to more than $568 (Sony). One reason is that in this size category, you’ll find a mix of both 4K and more basic HD sets.

There aren’t a lot of surprises—Sony, Samsung, and LG offer the best performance. The least expensive of these brands is LG, but Insignia also emerges as an especially attractive option, given its average price and an Overall Score just a point away from LG’s. In Insignia’s case, the average price is actually below several brands’ that have lower Overall Scores.

As you can see in the chart, with Samsung absent, along with Sony, LG becomes the clear top brand based on performance, and its average price isn’t all that much higher than prices on other brands.

With both price and performance averages so closely packed among the brands, smart shoppers are likely to look to other criteria in our TV ratings, such as screen resolution, sound quality, or reliability, or features such as built-in access to streaming content, to help make a buying decision.

Reliability problems appear to be less of an issue, based on our surveys, because TVs are among the more reliable products Consumer Reports analyzes. But not all brands do as well as others, which is why you should check a brand’s reliability in our TV ratings.

Sony is known for making premium-grade TVs. While they may seem like a hefty investment, these TVs are great for upgrading or future-proofing your home theater. Until 2022, Sony and LG were the only two brands selling OLED TVs, and their new OLED models continue to prove why they"re some of the best.

Sony prioritizes sound quality and offers televisions with Acoustic Surface Audio or Acoustic Multi Audio features. These features either turn the entire screen into a speaker for near-perfect sound and video syncing or create object-tracking sound that follows on-screen action.

Plus, Sony televisions are optimized for console gaming on the new PlayStation 5, providing native 120Hz refresh rates, variable refresh rate support, and response times as low as 8.5ms.

We"ve rounded up five of the best Sony TVs you can buy right now. ZDNET analyzed their features, screen sizes, and price points to help you find the best fit for your space and budget. You can keep reading below to find the Sony TV of your dreams. For more budget options, check out our page on the best cheap TVs.

Tech specs: Screen size: 65, 75, 85 inches | Panel type: Full array LED | HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10 | Audio: Dolby Atmos, DTS Digital Surround | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Resolution: 4K | VRR support: In dedicated gaming mode

The new Bravia X95J from Sony is one of the best the brand has to offer. It comes in 65, 75, and 85-inch screen sizes and uses a full array LED panels. Plus, it supports Dolby Vision and HDR10 to give you crystal clear images, excellent contrast, and bold colors. The updated processor uses AI to analyze shows and movies scene-by-scene for the best native and upscaled 4K resolution possible, while the extra wide viewing angles ensure you can see everything no matter where you"re seated.

With the Google TV platform, you"ll get hands-free voice controls with Hey Google, but you can also set up a connection with Alexa if you prefer. The X95J uses Sony"s Acoustic Multi Audio feature, which works with multiple speakers and subwoofers placed around the screen to follow the action and create immersive sound. It supports AirPlay and Chromecast, too, so you can share videos, photos, and music from your iOS and Android devices.

Tech specs: Screen size: 55, 65, 77 inches | Panel type: OLED | HDR: Dolby Vision | Audio: Dolby Atmos | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Resolution: 4K | VRR support: In dedicated gaming mode

An OLED TV delivers excellent picture quality with rich colors, incredible contrast, and enhanced detailing. The A80K from Sony is the best OLED model from the brand, and it uses Sony"s Triluminos Pro and Contrast Pro technologies to produce a better range of colors and sharper contrast than previous models. The updated processor uses AI to analyze shows and movies scene by scene for the best picture possible in both native and upscaled 4K resolution.

It also uses the Google TV platform to give you access to a suite of preloaded apps, including Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+, as well as voice controls with Hey Google and Alexa. It supports AirPlay so you can share music, photos, and videos from your iOS devices. You"ll also get near-perfect audio and video syncing with the Acoustic Surface Audio+ feature. Plus, the TV has tiny actuators behind the display panel that can turn the entire screen into a speaker. And with Dolby Atmos, you"ll get room-filling, virtual surround sound.

Tech specs: Screen size: 43 inches | Panel type: LED | HDR: Dolby Vision | Audio: Dolby Atmos | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Resolution: 4K | VRR support: In dedicated gaming mode

Sony TVs tend to be expensive, but the 43-inch X85K is an affordable option with a price tag just below $600. However, even though it"s more budget-friendly, Sony didn"t skimp on premium-grade features. You"ll get incredible picture and sound quality with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support, as well as a 120Hz refresh rate for buttery smooth action.

The smaller screen size makes the X85K a great choice for dorm rooms and apartments or as a second TV in your bedroom or kids" playroom. This model has built-in sensors to monitor ambient light and sound, and it automatically adjust screen brightness and audio settings for the best visibility and listening experience in almost any environment. You can also set up a Bravia webcam with this TV for gesture-based controls or making video calls with family and friends.

Tech specs: Screen size: 85 inches | Panel type: LED | HDR: Dolby Vision | Audio: Dolby Atmos | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Resolution: 4K | VRR support: In dedicated gaming mode

If you"re shopping for a big screen TV to upgrade a larger living room or home theater, the X80K from Sony is a great choice. The 85-inch screen works with Sony"s Triluminos Pro technology as well as Dolby Vision and HDR10 for great color volume and enhanced detailing in both native and upscaled 4K content. The native 120Hz refresh rate gives you smoother motion in action scenes, so you never miss a second of your favorite movies, shows, or sports broadcasts. You can even calibrate the screen with a Calman app to fine-tune color, contrast, and detailing to suit your environment.

There is also a built-in ambient audio sensor that monitors sound levels in the room to automatically adjust volume and sound settings, giving you the best listening experience. Dolby Atmos support gives you room-filling, virtual surround sound for more immersive audio. The voice-enabled remote has Hey Google built in for hands-free controls, and you can connect an Amazon Echo smart speaker to your TV in order to use Alexa. You can even set up a Bravia Cam to use gesture controls or make video calls with your TV.

Tech specs: Screen size: 65, 75, 85 inches | Panel type: Mini LED | HDR: Dolby Vision | Audio: Dolby, Dolby Atmos, DTS Digital Surround | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Resolution: 4K | VRR support: In dedicated gaming mode

If you have the new PlayStation 5, OLED Switch, or Xbox Series X|S, you"ll want the X95K from Sony to get the most out of your gaming experience. It comes in 65, 75, and 85 inch screen sizes, so you can find the right size for any space. The mini LED panel is capable of producing over one billion different colors for vibrant, lifelike images. You can also calibrate the TV screen with an app by Calman to fine-tune color, contrast, and detailing.

The screen has an anti-reflection coating to reduce glare from overhead and ambient lighting, giving you better visibility, while a built-in light sensor monitors ambient lighting levels to automatically adjust brightness and color ranges. The X95K has six 10 watt speakers that work with Sony"s Acoustic Multi Audio technology to create sound that follows on-screen action for a more immersive experience.

You can choose between six audio presets to suit your favorite game genres, and you can set up wireless soundbars with Bluetooth connectivity for a custom gaming space. A dedicated gaming mode uses variable refresh rate technology to sync your TV"s refresh rate with your console"s for smoother playback. Plus, the native 120Hz refresh rate helps reduce motion blur and screen tearing without VRR. The game mode also automatically reduces input lag to give you response times as low as 8.5ms. And with four HDMI inputs, you can connect multiple consoles for the ultimate gaming space.

My pick for the best Sony TV is the Sony Bravia X95J. It has support for both HDR10 and Dolby Vision for crystal clear images in both native and upscaled 4K resolution as well as Dolby Atmos for virtual surround sound. AirPlay and Chromecast connectivity let you share content from your mobile devices, while the dedicated gaming mode gives you 8.5ms response times as well as a native 120Hz refresh rate for buttery smooth motion.Sony TVPricePanel typeScreen size

Once you"ve nailed down a budget for your new Sony TV, you should make a list of features you want to prioritize. If you want the best picture possible for watching movies and TV shows, you"ll want to get an OLED model for its excellent color volume, contrast, and detailing. If sound quality is your top priority, you"ll want a model with either Acoustic Multi Audio or Acoustic Surface Audio for object tracking sound or near-perfect video and audio syncing, respectively.Choose this Sony TV…If you want…

While Sony is known for their premium TV models, I tried to choose a variety of televisions at different price points to suit most budgets. I also chose Sony TVs that came in the most popular screen sizes so they would fit in most living rooms, apartments, and home theaters.

Bravia started out as a brand of Sony televisions, but it has since become a subsidiary wholly dedicated to producing high-quality televisions. It"s an acronym that stands for Best Resolution Audio Visual Integrated Architecture. All OLED, mini LED, and full-array LED Sony TVs are made under the Bravia moniker.

With the nature of smart TVs, there are some pretty hard limits on how long your new Sony TV will last. The good news? You can expect to get at least five years of use before you start thinking about an upgrade.

You can also expect your Sony TV to have run its course around the 10 year mark, since it"s highly unlikely to keep receiving firmware updates to run streaming apps or connect to the internet.

So if your couch is 120 inches (10 feet) from where your TV will be, the best screen size will be 60 inches. You can always go a bit smaller or larger depending on your budget and what is available from manufacturers, but a screen that is too large will overwhelm your space and can even cause motion sickness. Conversely, a screen that is too small will make your room feel like a cavern and force everyone to crowd around in order to see properly.

Sony has a wide selection of OLED, mini LED, and full-array LED televisions for brand loyalists as well as customers shopping for a reliable, quality television. Here"s a short list of alternative options that I think are worth considering: