Dick De Jong
November 26, 2008
HDTV Solutions

Black Friday is almost upon us and I know that many of you have your consumer radar sweeping websites looking for the best deals. And from what I have seen, bargains are lighting up the Internet like the bulbs on the Christmas tree at 30 Rock.

Being savvy shoppers, a lot of you are questioning me about the products on sale. For example, Mike C. inquired, "I'm seeing the Sharp Aquos 46" 1080p LCD HDTVs, originally selling for $1,599 just 7 months ago, being deeply discounted in a number of places...My question is: Why? Did Sharp make too many? Are they crappy TVs no one wants? Is this simply a great deal?"

Of course, Sharp isn't the only TV manufacturer competing in this bargain basement bazaar. You can find deals on every brand name, JVC, LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, Toshiba, VIZIO and Westinghouse.

Let me try to answer Mike's concerns. To begin, let me say specifically that Sharp does make good TVs as do all of the companies in the list above. I don't feel comfortable about commenting on specific models that I have not reviewed, but my feeling is that these amazing prices are not an indication of the quality of the TV.

I think we are seeing a couple of factors. One is simply the economy. If anything is in the crapper, it's the global economy. I don't need to go into detail on this ugly situation. And let me be clear, I know a lot of people are hurting. If there is a bright side, these dark conditions definitely make this a buyer's market.

Second, manufacturers seem to be on a six month product cycle. Some of the models that are being discounted are approaching the end of that cycle. And if they were available this summer (think Olympics), there might be a surplus that the manufacturer wants to clear.

O.K. With the assumption that the stores are offering great deals on quality HDTVs, the next question is, What should I buy? Actually, the first question should be, Should I buy? I'm not a big proponent of rampant consumerism. I balance that with my belief that if you watch a lot of TV that these new HDTVs do offer value in terms of a quantum leap in picture quality over the old standard definition sets.

So if you feel that you are ready to buy, then the responsible question is, What can I afford? If you set a limit before you go shopping, you can more comfortably focus in on your options. And don't feel deprived if that limit is under $500. I'm seeing 32" and even 37" HDTVs under that mark. I grew up believing a 23" TV was gigantic.

Now, in our HDTV Buying Guide, I have covered topics like resolution (720p or 1080p) and display technologies (LCD vs. Plasma vs. Microdisplay) in great detail. I suggest that you read that article before you venture out to a store, whether online or brick and mortar.

Let me just highlight a few points as they apply to specific decisions that you will be facing this holiday season. I think in terms of tradeoffs. What am I giving up for a lower price or what am I gaining for a higher price?

Perhaps the most apparent decision is resolution, 720p or 1080p. For example, I'm finding a Black Friday doorbuster that's a 50" plasma for $900, but it is a 720p HDTV. A 1080p plasma that size can retail for hundreds of dollars more.

You can read the specifics about being able to see the difference between the two resolutions in Pull Up a Chair. To cut to the chase, if you don't plan on sitting really close to your TV, you won't notice the difference. Most of you can save a little money and blissfully enjoy a 720p TV.

I'm not going to rehash the LCD, plasma, microdisplay pros and cons that I talked about in the Buying Guide. Personally, I'm a plasma guy, but I have reviewed all three types of displays and I would be happy to have any of them in my home. If you can look past the display type, you often will expand your choices.

Returning to this notion that some of these models on sale are at the end of their product cycle, what does that mean? Generally, newer models evolve with improved technologies and added features.

For example, 120Hz playback (as opposed to 60Hz) is a technology that has become more prevalent in 2008. 120Hz is being hyped as a high end feature that adds to a TV's value - and price tag. Please be aware this 120Hz upgrade only applies to LCDs, though now some plasma manufacturers are labeling their TVs as 480Hz, which reflects their native playback rate.

Once again, I am not a diehard 120Hz fan. If you are looking at LCDs, you should be able to save some money with the traditional 60Hz models. If frame rate is critical to you, then think about a plasma.

Two features have become more common this year and I like them so much that I have added them to my shopping wish list. The first is a USB port that allows you to upload still images so you can view your photos in high resolution on your new TV. (Some TVs offer an SD card reader instead.) The other is an Ethernet port to connect your HDTV to the Internet or your home network.

I know for many who just want to watch Oprah and football, the lack of these components are not deal breakers, which is good because many of the TVs on sale may not include them or you may pay a premium for them.

Now, there are other less technical trends that have occurred in 2008, which may be even more important in your buying decisions. The look and shape of HDTVs is changing and some of the older models may simply be last year's fashion.

Generally, TVs are becoming thinner and lighter. Over this year, I have seen them reduce from five or six inches deep to under four, with the skinniest under two inches (that's without the stand). In tandem, the weight has dropped to where the formula for most newer LCDs is a pound per inch, a 42" TV weighs about 42 pounds.

Also the bezels surrounding the screens are shrinking. Some designers are even introducing colors into what once was an exclusively black or dark gray domain.

If these cosmetic features are important to you, you may have to dig through the specifications to unearth figures like weight and dimensions. Our HDTV Solutions database will help you find those numbers.

Speaking of databases, manufacturers have been creating similar TVs with different model numbers for specific retailers like Walmart or Costco. They do this is in part to protect others in their distribution channels from having to price match.

Of course, this practice can confuse you and me about whether there are significant differences in the models. It also is an unrealistic burden on our database staff to catalog all the various model numbers. Even manufacturer websites don't often list all the models.

I find that if you stick to the basics of what the TV has to offer, then you don't need to go crazy about exact models and specifications.

Before I finish this holiday shopping guide, let me comment on a topic that I consider an integral part of your HDTV experience, high definition content. If you don't already have an HD provider, please save room in your budget to pay for one, whether it is buying a high quality antenna (for capturing over the air HD signals) or subscribing to a cable or satellite service.

And if you love movies, the prices for Blu-ray players are just beginning to drop below $200. You need to judge affordability for your situation, but I can attest that the picture quality of Blu-ray movies is visibly better than standard definition films, even when they are upconverted to 1080p.

Here's a mini-mini-guide to Blu-ray players. As the format has evolved over the last two years, players have added features, which are categorized as profiles. Profile 1.0 was the first and it offered basic playback of the discs but no advanced features like picture-in-picture (PIP). Profile 1.0 players are no longer being made.

Profile 1.1 has added PIP (called BonusView) and is the basic standard for players now. (1.1 is actually labeled Final Standard Profile.) The hardware requirements for Profile 2.0 players include an Ethernet port that can connect to the Internet and download additional content.

I'm a fuddy-duddy curmudgeon that just wants to watch the movie in peace without pop-up extras or downloadable ringtones. Therefore the 2.0 advantages don't appeal to me.

But we have been receiving new Blu-ray releases from Disney like Sleeping Beauty and I can tell you that Disney is pushing the Internet interactive community capabilities afforded by 2.0. If you have little Tinkerbells at home or budding Hannah Montanas, you should consider a 2.0 player.

When you are shopping for Blu-ray players, the problem is that the manufacturers haven't done a great job of indicating the Profile number. 2.0 is also called BDLive. You might notice some players are labeled BDLive ready. Occasionally that means that you will need to connect the player to the Internet and download updated firmware to make the unit BDLive capable. Welcome to the world of new technology.

Before I wish you happy hunting, let me say that these bargains come and go. And I assume with this economy, they will return again. If you don't feel comfortable spending the money, Christmas 2008 won't be the last chance to snag a new HDTV or Blu-ray player at a great price.

Enjoy the holidays and shop responsibly.

Stay tuned.