HDTVs Growing to Epic Size This Season

Sat Nov 24, 2007 11:28PM EST

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If you went shopping this weekend, you might have noticed that deep discounts were comparably lacking on new flat-panel TVs, at least compared to 2006. Instead, they've simply gotten bigger, part of manufacturers' strategies to avoid getting sucked into the huge discounts that siphoned away virtually all profits for the sets during last year's cost-obsessed holiday season.

Jumbo sets are flooding the market this year. Sony has 20 models measuring 40 inches or larger in LCD alone, now making up 68 percent of the company's TV lineup, according to the Wall Street Journal. And Sony, like everyone else, is hoping you'll go big: At $1,273, the average 40-inch TV offers substantially better profit margin than a $763 32-inch set (in part because there is less competition in bigger sets from budget brands like Olevia and Westinghouse). The goal is obviously that you'll get sucked into jumping up a size or two when you see the difference in the stores.

Still, prices are dropping, just not as much: 12 percent on average this year for LCD sets. As well, technology continues to improve, with focus on deeper blacks, faster response times, and even lighter and thinner screens. Interestingly, Sharp says it can now fit a 42-inch screen into its old 40-inch frame because there's less wasted space around the edges.

So... are you TV shopping this season? If so, what's the magic number (in inches, I mean) that's tickling your fancy?

LINK: TV screens grow, prices drop 

Comments on HDTVs Growing to Epic Size This Season

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  • 46 Posted by g_hasek on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    Looks liek all the marketing people for these LCD HDTV companies are commenting on this post and bragging about their products.

  • 47 Posted by uzaleja on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    The guy at the store told me that most of the HD broadcasts are only in 720 right now anyway. I just got a 42" Panasonic Plasma 720p for $900 at Best Buy on Black Friday. Haven't put it up yet. I would have loved to get 50" but I didn't really NEED another TV anyway. I just couldn't resist the deal and to get HD.

  • 48 Posted by tombelton on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    I like my energystar approved toshiba HD projector and 14 foot diagonal screen, total investment $1200

  • 50 Posted by skb7974 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    My magic numbers are 1080p (good resolution), 32" (or 26" like my old Sony cathode ray TV) for appropriate size, and less than $500. Good sound should be accomplished through hooking the unit up to a dedicated sound system (since the small internal speakers never will sound as good). If I wanted a bigger image, I'd project it instead of having a monster of a physical unit tying up space. I'd also love to hear someone intelligently discuss the energy requirements and heat outputs of those mega-panels compared to something around 32". And sorry, but I have to agree with the original post that "bigger" isn't always "better".

  • 51 Posted by acord999 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    Real quick, Posts #1 and #5, get a life. Ok, back to the actual story. I bought myself a 42" Westinghouse (that's right, a bargain brand) 1080p for $980 at Best Buy one week before black friday. I am incredibly impressed. I've had all types of HD televisions and this is by far the best. 5 months ago, I bought myself a "42 Sharp Aquos, but the tv would freeze when transferring between 720p and 1080i/p. The quality was extremely subpar and one might even mistake it for a "bargain" brand. I found that not always buying the bigger, more expensive name brand tv's are better. As a matter of fact, the money I was saving for a Sony Bravia, I bought myself two 42"; one for the bedroom, and one for the living room.

  • 52 Posted by jayday9 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    First of all...unless you are a HDTV officianado...you will barely be able to tell the difference in quality between a 720p and 1080p - the typical person is probalbly worried abou the cost...secondly there are only a select few companies that actually make HDTVs...ever open up a Sony set...bet you would be suprised to find mostly LG parts..finally each set has its pros and cons...be carefull for burn in on plasmas... but LCDs over 40 inches are a little slow..meaning that if an object on the screen moves..it will remain in its previous position on the screen for a fraction of a second...hard to notice but still a flaw... the best thing you can do is research the TV you want to buy...look at the test model in the store...and choose the one that you like best.

  • 53 Posted by cccjay2002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    Don't see how much longer we'll be able to continue with this capitalistic society. At some point, the middle class will disappear and no one except the rich wil be able to buy such lavi----- ems. It will just be a community of Jones' trying to keep up with each other.

  • 54 Posted by mcfb67 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:13PM EDT Report Abuse

    There are alot of the new HDTVs available on this site and more https://Jnapearlinternational.mychoices.biz Also there are tvs that have 1080p if your looking for the future of home theater viewing this pixel rate will blow your mind. Not expensive and Free Home Delivery/ shipping. get a 56" 1080p for less then 2,000 When you see the 30 inch going for 3,000.... there is no reason not to buy them DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER!

  • 55 Posted by lorischutz on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    I agree with the first person. Where do people get $1500-3000 for a TV??

  • 56 Posted by uzaleja on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    I got a Mitsubishi 65" DLP 1080 and it was worth every penny. CNet rated it highest in very large TVs. Of course it is "over the top" and takes up a huge chunk of wall space--but that is just less area for me to decorate!

  • 57 Posted by tombelton on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    Regarding geraldsalata'a note and follow up by rorbincalendar. John Birch society's magazine says pretty much the same thing as gerald. Those darn liberals.

  • 58 Posted by uzaleja on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    Liked my sharp 40 lcd ,nice picture felt is was worth the price.On another point .What do you think, Geraldsalata wares an aluminum hat and is going to wote for that loser,lier,twofaced clinton

  • 59 Posted by anamnawshad on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    I bought a 32" 720P TV from Staples for $500.00. Everyone who sees the picture goes bananas, and they really turn colors when I tell them how much I paid. I also use the unit as my computer monitor (web development and spreadsheet work). The deals are out there, you simply have to keep your eyes peeled.

  • 60 Posted by pjrizzo67 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    Let me know when they have a 120" at a reasonable price for the general consumer. I love my 65" but it is just too small for a real home theatre.

  • 61 Posted by derfrah717 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:41PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've heard the prices are supposed to drop around April during tax season, so I'm waiting awhile longer. I want a 42-inch. I don't know why.

  • 62 Posted by frankl987654 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    get the sony 40" XBR LOVE LOVE IT blacks are too deep look for your self got mine at best buy last year no complaints

  • 63 Posted by vladagoca on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    I bought my 32" Sharp on Craigslist for $60, used obviously but what do I care. We had two 42" plasmas at our place in Miami, sold them before we moved out West. Go ahead and buy a huge wall mounted beast for $1500. They are just starting to reach the quality of old picture tubes...for 20 times the cost! Plenty of high quality TVs floating around out there, being disposed of by these status concerned consumers. I can even get an HD converter for very little money...so its a no-brainer. Why would I EVER run to the store to buy a new TV when what I have works so much better? Especially for less money!

  • 65 Posted by sterlg on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    Actually I think geraldsalata is being conservative here, and it's the liberal money slingers he is warning against. Altho the examples from WW2 are not exactly resonating with people who weren't even around then, sorry gerald. Oh, and free speech for everyone, rbyarsr, even commies which geraldsalata is nowhere near... which rorbincalendar would know if s/he read a book or two. IT's a business, gang. Buy it or not, gerald. It's business, it's a consumer-oriented society, and the really smart folks know and will take advantage of anything, even a supposedly "religious holiday" to meet the shareholders' expectations. If the consumers weren't buying the bigger sets, they would come up with another trick.

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