High Definition LCD & Plasma TV Best Buys

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Consumers will be getting more TV for their money for the 2007 Xmas holiday season.

In the December issue of Consumer Reports, which covers HDTVs in all price ranges and sizes, it indicates TV prices are expected to be about 30 percent lower on average than during the 2006 holiday season.

Prices for some TV types and screen sizes will drop further - CR says that plasma TV prices will shrink the most and 720p 42-inch models are expected to fall below $1,000 by the end of 2007. Also, some 50-inch models will be selling for less than $1,500 by then.

In Consumer Reports tests, the quality of flat-panel TVs has continued to improve.

What features matter the most according to CR?:
1. Picture quality is a critical attribute, incl. resolution.
2. Screen size.
3. Reliability.

How do you match size and features to your budget?

Pricepoint - $1,000 or Less:
Mostly 32-inch and 37-inch LCD TVs with 720p resolution. These sets are perfect for bedrooms, or offices, but are a bit small for the main TV in a typical living room.

Some of CR’s Quick Picks for excellent picture quality are:
- Panasonic TC-32LX700, $950
- Samsung LN-T3242H, $900
- Toshiba Regza 32HL67, $900.

Pricepoint - $1,000 to $1,500:
A major-brand 720p LCD set with a 40- or 42-inch screen is a fine choice for most homes.

CR’s Quick Pick LCD TVs for excellent picture quality at their price:
- 40-inch Sony Bravia KDL-40S3000, $1,500,
- 42-inch Toshiba Regza 42HL67, $1,150 (a CR Best Buy)

Top-quality plasma TVs;
- 42-inch Panasonic TH-42PX77U, $1,200 (great picture quality at a low price)

Pricepoint - $1,500 to $2,000:
Here you will find the best selection of TVs. LCDs come in 720p and 1080p models and screen sizes from 40- to 47-inches.

CR’s LCD TV Quick Picks:
- Sony Bravia KDL 40S3000, $1,500, is a great 720p set
- For a 1080p LCD, the Samsung LN-T4061F, $1,700 is a good choice.

CR’s Plasma TV Quick Picks:
- Panasonic 42-inch TH-42PZ700U, $1,900, a 1080p model
- Panasonic 50-inch TH-50PX75U, $1,700, a 720p model (Also a CR Best Buy).

Pricepoint - $2,000 to $2,500:
This is a hot zone for 46- and 47-inch 1080p LCD sets from major brands and 52-inch 1080p sets from secondary brands.

CR’s LCD TV Quick Pick:
- 46-inch Samsung LN-T4661F, $2,500 with excellent picture quality.

CR’s Plasma TV Quick Pick:
- Vizio’s 60-inch 720p plasma
- Maximvs VM60PHDTV10A, $2,500

Or Mitsubishi’s 65-inch rear-projection WD-65734, $2,400, which has a fine picture quality.

Pricepoint - $2,500 and Up:
You will find 52-inch 1080p LCD sets from major brands and 46- and 47-inch TVs in high-end series, such as the Sony XBR line and Toshiba’s Cinema Series in this price bracket.

CR’s Quick Picks:
With a budget of about $3,000 consider a top-rated 1080p LCD TV from a major brand.
- 46-inch Sony Bravia KDL-46W3000, $3,000 (excellent picture quality on all types of content).
- For about the same amount of money, buy a larger 1080p plasma TV, like the 50-inch 1080p Panasonic TH-50PZ700U, $2,900, also a top-rated model.

The December issue includes Consumer Reports’ first-ever report on TV reliability indicates that flat-panel LCD and plasma TVs have been highly reliable and require few repairs during the first three years of use.

Both LCD and plasma TVs are overall very reliable. Rear projection sets are more repair-prone, but are still often trouble-free for their first few years and needed repairs are often covered by the standard warranty

Ths means consumers should ’say no,’ to extended warranties that range from $200 to $400 because it is a poor investment for most people.

You can get the full report in the December 2007 issue of Consumer Reports, and portions of the story are available for free online at www.ConsumerReports.org and lcd tv reviews at http://lcdtvcenter.com

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High Definition LCD & Plasma TV Best Buys