- In this report
- Overview
- $1,000 or less
- $1,000 to $1,500
- $1,500 to $2,000
- $2,000 to $2,500
- $2,500 and up
ELECTRONICS FORUMS  Get real-world advice from others about choosing a new TV, digital camera, computer or cell phone. |
December 2007
$1,500 to $2,000
This price range may have the richest selection of TVs. In the LCD group, there's a mix of 720p and 1080p models and screen
sizes from 40 to 47 inches.
Major brands offer 46- and 47- inch models with 720p resolution, typically in their low-end series. A Sony LCD Quick Pick (available to subscribers) that displayed excellent HD quality in our best HDTV review is a prime example. If you're intent on a 1080p LCD TV, you can opt for a 40- to 42-inch screen from a major brand, like our Samsung LCD Quick Pick (available to subscribers), or a 46- or 47-incher from a secondary brand. Stick with the smaller set if higher quality trumps screen size in the best HDTV for your needs.
Plasma TVs offer even more value in this price range than last year. For the first time, you can buy a 1080p 42-inch model for about the same price as a comparable 40-inch LCD. You can also get a highly rated major-brand 50-inch set with 720p resolution. A 42-inch 1080p Panasonic set ($1,900) and 50-inch 720p TV ($1,700), both plasma TV Quick Picks (available to subscribers), offer excellent quality.
As you weigh choices for the best HDTV for you, also consider a 56-inch rear-projection set with 1080p resolution, such as the Panasonic PT-56LCZ70.
Holiday forecast. Look for more 46- and 47-inch 1080p TVs from major brands and 52-inchers from secondary brands for less than $2,000. Prices of 1080p 50-inch plasmas from big brands, arguably our top choice for best HDTV, could be below $2,000.
Major brands offer 46- and 47- inch models with 720p resolution, typically in their low-end series. A Sony LCD Quick Pick (available to subscribers) that displayed excellent HD quality in our best HDTV review is a prime example. If you're intent on a 1080p LCD TV, you can opt for a 40- to 42-inch screen from a major brand, like our Samsung LCD Quick Pick (available to subscribers), or a 46- or 47-incher from a secondary brand. Stick with the smaller set if higher quality trumps screen size in the best HDTV for your needs.
Plasma TVs offer even more value in this price range than last year. For the first time, you can buy a 1080p 42-inch model for about the same price as a comparable 40-inch LCD. You can also get a highly rated major-brand 50-inch set with 720p resolution. A 42-inch 1080p Panasonic set ($1,900) and 50-inch 720p TV ($1,700), both plasma TV Quick Picks (available to subscribers), offer excellent quality.
As you weigh choices for the best HDTV for you, also consider a 56-inch rear-projection set with 1080p resolution, such as the Panasonic PT-56LCZ70.
Holiday forecast. Look for more 46- and 47-inch 1080p TVs from major brands and 52-inchers from secondary brands for less than $2,000. Prices of 1080p 50-inch plasmas from big brands, arguably our top choice for best HDTV, could be below $2,000.
