Today’s streamlined televisions offer the sharpest and most vivid picture quality compared to the large, clunky televisions of the past, but they still have their flaws. It can be frustrating to watch your favorite football team and actually notice the motion blur caused not by the fast-paced action of the game, but by the motion lag of your television.
Purchasing a large, flat panel screen television is a major purchase that should be considered carefully. It’s important to find a television that not only fits your budget, but also the size of the room that you plan to use it in and the types of uses you’re hoping to use it for.
If you plan to watch football or other sports, you’ll need a television built with a high response rate for fast action, a benefit for watching sports and gaming. Many LCD TVs on the market today have special speed processing enhancements that can help counter some of the problems of motion blur or judder, the choppy picture quality that can occur when the camera is panning from side to side.
When you’re buying a television for the football season, select a television that offers:
- No motion blur and smooth side to side motion across the screen
- Optimal viewing angles without any contrast loss or black colors that start to look faded at angled viewing
- Deep, rich black levels and high contrast picture quality
Here are the top five televisions for watching football and other fast-action sports, based on processing speed and picture quality:
Panasonic TC-P60VT60. This 60-inch flat screen offers one of the best picture performances of 2013-2014. Its deep black levels make colors on the screen appear rich and saturated and its ultra filter can enhance your viewing experience by increasing depth perception and its anti-glare properties. New features allow for connections for smart phones and tablets. Cost is around $2,299.
Sony KDL-65S990A. Sony’s first LED-based LCD TV features a curved screen, similar technology you would find in a movie theater, that would make you feel as though you’re down on the field, experiencing the action of the game. This model isn’t available until October 2013. Cost is $4,000.
Samsung LN46E550F6F. Slightly smaller, this 46-inch screen is the largest screen available for this Samsung model, but is stylish and delivers an incredible picture quality, with sharp contrast and fast processing speeds. Cost is around $990.
LG 47CS570. This 60-inch LCD HDTV features a high processing rate and one of the best values for sports fans seeking a quality sports and gaming station. It earns high marks for families since it provides a comprehensive offering of parental controls. Cost is around $600.
Vizio E701I-A3. This model offers smart TV features and its 1080p 120Hz LED backlit picture quality is ideal for sports fans and movie buffs alike. The backlighting system provides superior picture quality and a fast refresh rate. The television has an ambient light sensor that allows it to automatically adjust the television’s brightness based on light in the room.
