[by James K. Willcox, Consumer Reports]

If you’ve checked through our most recent TV Ratings (available to subscribers) and don’t see a model or series you’re considering, listed below are the HDTVs currently being tested in our labs. These sets, from manufacturers including LG, Panasonic, RCA, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Sylvania, and Toshiba, should be added to the full TV Ratings sometime in the next two weeks.

Among these latest models, we have several new second-generation active LCD and plasma 3D sets, as well as a new flagship passive LCD TV from LG. Also in the mix are new Smart TVs, from LG and Samsung, that offer full Web browsers and downloadable apps.

Many of the new sets have access to online content, including streaming movies, and more now come equipped with built-in Wi-Fi, which can make it a lot easier to connect to a home network.

Several of the sets are DLNA-certified, so they can easily access content stored on other devices such as a computer or tablet that are connected to a home network. There are also a few models that let you use your iPhone or Android phone as a remote control via a downloadable app.

Here’s the complete list of the TVs now being tested in our TV Test Lab:

LCD TVs

JVC LT-42E910, $1,200. A fairly basic 42-inch, 120Hz 1080p LCD TV with an edge LED backlight, but not a lot of other features.

LG 55LW6500, $2,700. A 55-inch, 1080p flagship passive-3D model that’s loaded with features. The TV comes with four pairs of polarized glasses and includes LG’s Smart TV platform with a full Web browser and access to online content, including streaming movies. It’s a 240Hz set with an edge LED backlight with local dimming, plus built-in Wi-Fi via an included adapter and DLNA certification. It comes with LG’s gesture-based Magic Motion remote control.

LG 42LV3700, $999. A 42-inch 1080p set with an edge LED backlight and access to online content, including streaming movies. It has built-in Wi-Fi via an included USB adapter, and it’s DLNA certified. 

RCA 32LA30RQD, $370. A low-priced, basic 32-inch 720p (1024×768) model that doesn’t have a lot of features.

Samsung UN40D5500, $900. A 40-inch 1080p set with an edge LED backlight and DLNA certification.

Sharp Aquos LC-52LE835U, $2,100. A 52-inch, 1080p 3D-capable set that uses the company’s Quattron four-color technology. The TV has 240Hz technology and an edge LED backlight, plus built-in Wi-Fi and access to online content, including streaming movies.

Sharp Aquos LC-42D69U, $550. A lower-priced 42-inch, 1080p TV without a lot of features.

Sony XBR-55HX929, $3,800. This 55-inch 3D-capable flagship 1080p model, which includes an edge LED backlight with local dimming and “960Hz” technology (which combines a 240Hz frame rate with a scanning (flashing) backlight) is loaded with features. It has built-in Wi-Fi, access to a lot of online content, including streaming movies, and it’s DLNA-certified. The set can make Skype video calls when used with an optional webcam.

Sony Bravia KDL-40BX420, $580. A more basic, lower-priced 40-inch 1080p model that doesn’t have a lot of extra features.

Sylvania LC320SS2, $300. A lower-priced basic 32-inch 720p (1366×768) model that doesn’t have many features. It’s available mainly at Sears, Kmart and Target.

Toshiba 42SL417U, $950. A 42-inch, 1080p model with an edge LED backlight, 120Hz technology, and a good number of features, including built-in Wi-Fi and access to online content, including streaming movies.

PLASMA TVs

LG 50PV450, $900. A fairly basic 50-inch 1080p model that doesn’t have a lot of extra features.

Panasonic TC-P55GT30, $2,000. A step-up 55-inch 3D-capable 1080p set with a good number of features, including THX 3D and DLNA certification, and access to online content, including streaming movies. The TV is Wi-Fi-ready for use with an optional adapter, and it can make Skype video calls when used with an optional web cam.

Panasonic TC-P55VT30, $2,800. A 55-inch 3D-capable 1080p model in the company’s flagship series. The TV, which comes with one set of 3D glasses, has THX 3D and DLNA certification, built-in Wi-Fi (via an included USB adapter), and access to online content, including streaming movies. The TV can make Skype video calls when used with an optional webcam.

Samsung PN59D8000, $2,700. A flagship 59-inch, 3D-capable 1080p plasma with a lot of features, including an ultra-thin bezel and built-in Wi-Fi. The set includes Samsung’s Smart TV platform with a full Web browser and access to online content, including streaming movies. It’s also DLNA certified.

Samsung PN51D450, $680. A fairly basic 51-inch 720p (1366×768) model that doesn’t have many additional features.

Keep checking back; we’ll post a notice on this blog when the Ratings for these models are available.