HDTV for Chistmas on a budget
By Kevin C. Tofel 
posted Dec 3rd 2005 10:38AM
posted Dec 3rd 2005 10:38AM
If you don't have an HDTV set yet, do you need to spend upwards of $3,000 to $5,000 to get one this holiday season? Not necessarily, although you will give up some features, functions and (dare I say it?) the name brand of a high-end set. I took a look through the coming Sunday advertisements this morning, as I do every Saturday morning, and noticed that there are options for everyone these days.My intent here isn't to point out specific sets or specific retailers for you to rush out to. No, the point here is to illustrate that you can spend under $1,000 or even under $500 for that first HDTV set this holiday season. It wasn't but a few years ago when you could spend $500 on an analog 27-inch television! Click the jump for some examples of how you can enter the world of HDTV and get your feet wet without breaking the bank!
Your major electronics retailers, such as Best Buy and Circuit City, typically draw your eyeballs to the large sets that cost thousands of dollars. These are often full-featured sets with plenty of advanced options. The quality is typically very good as well. Consider walking past the mega-displays for a minute and look in display aisles for the smaller sets. What can you find?
- Samsung's 30-inch widescreen CRT can be had for $899 at Circuit City, for example. This is actually part of their SlimFit line so it's roughly 16-inches deep; not bad for a CRT that is 1080i capable.
- What's that? You'd sacrifice some depth for a better price at Circuit City? How about a Panasonic widescreen CRT that's also 30-inches diagonal? It's deeper than the Samsung by about 8-inches, but still has 1080i resolution and costs only $599!
- Best Buy offers the same size for even less if you don't mind a Magnavox set. Their 30-inch widescreen flat tube is just $499 this coming week.
Keep in mind that you won't get a built-in HDTV tuner with any of these other than the Samsung (thanks for the catch, Dealhack!); these are HD-Ready sets, so you have to provide a digital signal from an outside source such as cable, satellite or over-the-air (note: an OTA tuner and antenna is required for this option, but it does provide you free local channels in DTV and HDTV). You also want to verify that these sets have the input jacks you need for the source; look for HDMI or DVI, although composite will work as well.
If the major electronic stores aren't for you, check other retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target, and even warehouse stores like Costco or Sam's Club. Target is running an on-line special this week for a Syntax Olevia 32-inch LCD set at only $888, for example! Normally, the set will cost your over $1,100.
Again, you need to do your due diligence before you spend your hard-earned money this holiday. Take your time and make sure the set has the features you want and looks good to you. For additional information, be sure to check out our previous related articles and buyers guides:
- Choosing the right size
- Buying extended warranties
- HDTVs for the Xbox 360
- Daily programming for your HDTV along with our pick every day
I purchased a 30" Philps in Sept and I am happy with my purchase.I'm on a limited income and I sit just 6' from the set and the size and pq are just fine. I know people don't like the Philips sets but after professional calibration the set is superb. After shopping for many different tv's I found problems for most i.e. geometry, color, sharpness,without breaking the bank I am completely satisfied.
The olevia at target shows the price as 1200. It was 899 a few weeks ago though.
I have that 30" HD set in the living room. The picture quality is as good as the Sony XS model, but without the additional expense associated with the Sony brand name. Granted it doesn't have a built-in HD tuner or CableCARD, but the cost savings is large. I also like the aesthetics of the exterior - it's very sharp looking.
Another choice for bargain hunters: Dell has 19", 23" and 26" LCD HD sets all under $1k.
And one last suggestion... Philips Outlet on the web often sells reconditioned 30" HDTVs for $350 - $450 with free shipping.
Being on a budget doesn't mean you need to get a 4:3 set though - go for 16:9!
Sorry for the double-comment... For clarity, I have that 30" PANASONIC set in the living room. :)
I have the 26 inch Toshiba CRT HDTV, which Costco now sells for $449. I added HD cable from Adelphia (Motorola set top box) and the results are excellent, even in NTSC mode. There appears to be a line doubler in the NTSC circuitry as the set shows no raster. Its HD output is selectable: 540p or 1080i.
Weighs a lot, though (80 pounds) but no lamp to worry about.
Optimal viewing distance is small: about 6 feet.
I recently got the 27" westinghouse from Best Buy. It was about $800. I like it since it had a native resolution of 1280x720 so no stretching for 50% of HD material. It was very much worth the money. I had to turn the backlight down totally and brightness a lot to get good blacklevels but still very useable. Too bad 1280x720 is dying to be replace by 1366x768, hopefully the transition to 1920x1080 will be completed soon.
Freestufftimes: click the Olevia link again and it's now $888. Rembmember, I get my Sunday ads a day early, which is how I knew it would be deeply discounted. I didn't change the link; Target updated their site to match their print ad! :)
Oh, cool. Nice to see it cheap again :)
Sorry about the double post, but there is a 10% off coupon too! apply this: TCADVJAB
I picked up a 32" Sanyo 4:3 set earlier this year at Walmart of all places. I can't say anything bad about it, great picture, built in tuner, and it was only $699.
I had a HD RPTV (Toshiba 42" TW) and I honestly prefer the crt's picture, espescially for games and 4:3 TV shows.
I didnt want to make another post, but the HVE model which has the idea technology is the same price, but no free shipping. http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html//602-3903410-7323833?asin=B000AJ6I0W
I think its worth it for that though, lots of good reviews on the HVE.
The $900 TX-R3081 Samsung mentioned above actually does include a built-in ATSC HD tuner so you can pull down and watch the HD with that TV alone.
Ok you want the ultimate HDTV experience for under $1000. I own an EPSON Home 10 projection TV and what an awesome picture. Wide screen and HD quality. I noticed online @ Epson.com they have a special going on... purchase an Epson Home 10 HD projection TV with screen for less than $1000 what a deal!
I just got a great Westinghouse 32" LCD that works great. It was on sale at Best Buys for $850.00. If you have patience and shop ariund there are good deals out there.