Ultra-Cheap Flat-Panel TVs... But Are They Any Good?

2006 is the year of the great deal on flat-panel TVs, with big-box retailers like Wal-Mart and Best Buy offering deep, deep discounts on flat-panel televisions, all part of a major price war that could be the final nail in the coffin of the CRT. In fact, as I write this, walmart.com has a 42-inch plasma on sale for $988 (sorry, they're all gone now), and even better deals can be found if you're willing to hunt for them.

But are these TVs any good? With names like Visco, Viore, and ilo, most of these budget sets are brands that seem to have emerged in the last couple of weeks. The only one of these I could even find by searching the web was Viore, which describes itself as "a leading developer and manufacturer of technologically advanced audio, video and home entertainment products." If you say so...

The problem is that these sets are so new that no professional reviews of the sets have been written, and in fact, they're unlikely to ever be written. (If you can't even find the company, negotiating a review unit can be tricky.) Fortunately, those who have taken the leap of faith in purchasing some of these units have written user reviews on various web sites. Epinions has some coverage: Viore has been soundly trashed, and the consensus on ilo is hardly positive. And when you do see positive reviews for these products, it's hard to know whether they're legitimate or simply shills for the company.

So this takes us to the real question: Should you buy a TV from a no-name company if it means you can save 50 percent on the price? That's a question only you, and your eyes and ears, can answer. But here's my advice: Don't do it, at least not sight unseen. If you can compare, side by side, a no-name LCD with a quality one (like a Sharp or Samsung), and the difference isn't too glaring, then you might consider buying the cheap one. Make sure you listen to the audio, check out the connections, and get a sense of the sturdiness of the unit with your own hand. I'd never buy a no-name set online unless I'd already become familiar with it in person.

This isn't to say that all off-brands are of poor quality. I've reviewed Vizio plasmas (no relation to Visco, mind you), and they rank among some of the best I've seen. Sure, there are ultra-luxe brands that trump Vizio, but for the prices Vizio's sets command, it's worth a hard look.

Did you jump on an ultra-cheap flat-panel TV? Let's hear what you bought and what you think of it in the comments section.

Previously on Yahoo! Tech:
Wal-Mart's Woes May Mean Good HDTV Deals
Picking Out - and Pricing - Home Theater Equipment
Determining the Right HDTV Fit for Your Needs