2006 - 2007 Retail Street Pricing
by Model, Manufacturer, Format, and Diagonal Screen Size
The following chart shows street
prices for HDTV television sets by format, diagonal screen size,
manufacturer, model, and suggested street price*** from Sunday circulars
in Western North Carolina from Best
Buy (bb), Circuit
City (cc), Sears (sr),
and Wal-Mart
(wm) in December 2006.
HDTV / HD Ready / EDTV sets
were reduced in price for 2006-2007, prices ranging from $347 for
a 27-inch diagonal HDTV Direct View (CRT) set to $1,900 for a 42-inch
diagonal Plasma set (Philips.)
*** Note: Retail
Street Price is shown in actual street dollars, no cents.
But first some important comments about the HDTV evolving technology.
1. Unless noted,
all FLOOR rear-projection televisions have built-in stereo amplifier
w/speakers and HDTV tuners. Please note there are two types
of rear-projection sets, one floor and one table mountable without speakers.
2. Flat-screen HDTV
format television descriptions in circulars do not mention if
they have built-in stereo amplifier or speakers. HDTV sets with
tuners will say HD-Built in, meaning an HD tuner is built into the set,
which will not require a converter box for receiving broadcasts from local television stations transmitting HDTV signals.
Please check with a salesperson if you are looking at any of the
flat-screen models mentioned on a sales floor. These sets also usually do not include a television stand or mounting bracket for
the flat-screen HDTV set.
3. While almost all
sets shown in the chart are HDTV, some smaller screen sizes are
noted to be only EDTV-Ready. The EDTV means that these
sets, when noted EDTV, can display the higher resolution of the
playback of an enhanced 480p DVD picture, assuming the DVD playback
unit is EDTV capable with component output jacks. An EDTV set
cannot display 720i or 1080i High-Def signals.
4. Basic 5.1 Dolby
very low-wattage, separate, home stereo systems can start around $300
if you need to add audio to your wall-hanging HDTV set. Basic
HDTV stands can run $400 or more. Normally these don't have enough
space to hold all the components, probably requiring you to purchase
an additional vertical component stand to be placed near your
flat-screen HDTV set. If you need to mount the speakers on the
wall, you may have to also purchase a mounting bracket for each
speaker. Please check our chapter on accessories and wiring for more information
5. Wow, there are many new features for the more expensive 2006-2007 HD televisions, which explains why the price for these sets is dramatically higher than other models with the same screen size. For example, what I call the "Jack-Packs" on the rear of the more expensive sets is expanding to not only include the smaller high-definition input known as HDMI, but now manufacturers can offer up to three HDMI jacks. Why? Because you want the best picture possible, and with more accessory products having an HDMI output, you'll need more on the set. For instance, your HD satellite and cable decoder will now have an HDMI output, as well as your Blue-Ray or HD-DVD (format wars again, dude.) See comparison chart of the two formats in our Chapter 6 titled, Beta vs. VHS, with the longer recording unit running about $900.
You will also find new for this year LCD sets that are 1080i/p compatible. In the past LCD technology had to be stepped down to 780i/p because it could not display the higher number of pixels needed for 1080i/p. While a few manufacturers have caught up with the newer LCD's, they are very pricey, reminding one of expensive prices a few years ago found on HD sets.
Some other new step-up features on HD sets include PC-capable displays, memory card slot for displaying digital still pictures, and a picture-in-picture feature for watching one program while monitoring the picture of another, such as in two sporting events.
Keep in mind when looking at HD televisions, if you come across "monitor" it means that's all the television set is. There will be no audio amplifier, speakers, or an analog, digital, or HD tuner. Zero!
And for wall-mounted plasma, DLP, and LCD sets with small footprints, be aware while some may have a stereo output and a built-in amplifier with speakers, the sound quality will be limited to the smaller speaker size with minimum base, since there is no woofer or at least one of any consequence for that small cabinet space. Be careful, as these sets may expect even the audio output to be taken from an external tuner and not the set itself. Which means if you don't have an audio system at home, you will have to buy one. They call these units Theatre Systems. Also be aware that the new Dolby 5.1 and 7.1 audio systems have come down in price. But watch out. Sometimes the amplifier and speakers are sold separately and can be very expensive.
Look into the system where the amplifier includes in the box five or seven matching speakers and a sub-woofer sold as a set. Onkyo has an excellent system. While their new system is around $1,000, there are 2004 models floating around for $260 at 650 watts with options you will not believe. And be aware that you probably will not find wall mounts, so be prepared to add another $100 for basic flex mounts and another $100 for wiring. If the unit comes with its own wiring, be aware there will not be much there, maybe 20 feet for each channel.
Finally, unless you're going to pay around $1,000 or more just for a Dolby amplifier, don't expect excellent internal component or HDMI switching. Some of these high-end amps allow you to switch HDMI and component video signals with the audio, eliminating one remote. But be aware the world is changing, as you might not find an AM or FM tuner with these models or a . . . gasp . . . audio turntable input! If you have an audio turntable for your vinyl record collection, you might have to also invest in a magnetic cartridge amplifier for around 40 more bucks. If you have a turntable, get a magnetic amplifier because one day in the not to distant future you're not going to find them.
One final note on turntables. I've seen a new model that does not have audio outputs, but instead uses an USB connector with computer software that allows you to take your older record tracks and clean up the pops and scratches in the resulting audio pickup. This allows you to then convert the cleaned-up tracks to a computer audio file like MP3 and organize them into a custom play list. However, sadly the audio turntable I saw would only play 33 and 45 rpm records, my hoping one comes out for 78's too that really could use that virtual clean-up feature along with a virtual frequency equalizer to enhance the older flat audio sounds.
(Note: When you speak to someone about turntables today, the word now has a double meaning, used now to describe computer laptops whose screens turn horizontally to allow others to see the screen without having to shift the position of the unit.)
6. This seemed to not be the year for the DLP technology. While it is the only technology that will never leave a burn on the panel over time because it uses mirrors and not phosphorus, only four models were found advertised by these four major chain retailers during the hot Christmas season of 2006 with consumers ready to enter the new year of 2007, those being Wal-Mart, Sears, Circuit City, and Best Buy.
We have noticed that DLP's developer is pushing the technology, using a memorable ad of a little girl standing in open water with an elephant (early 2007 ads.) However, since Samsung seems to be the only manufacturer advertised selling the technology in the these four retail stores, and the ad doesn't mention that brand name, we feel they missed the mark and wasted their money.
And most importantly the ad also never told the customer why it was important to buy the DLP technology and how extremely reliable the mirrors were . . . and that you never had to replace expensive triple high-intensity lamps nor worry about having to toss you HDTV out because the plasma screen was burned-in by a video game or television logo. And having worked in the electronics industry for 20 years, we know the world of selling is governed by profit margin, retails giving incentives to sales personnel to move specific models that bring in the highest profit unless the customer demands otherwise. Somehow the DLP developers missed that little point, which is called survival.
7. And finally In a little over two years, the reliable work horse and decades old and NTSC television format will hit the road and be retired to the farm. At that time, if you don't own a HDTV ready set or one with a built-in HDTV tuner, you will no longer receive your normal television signal from the towers and will be required to purchase a HDTV converter that will take the new 24/7 HDTV signal and break it down into the old 4:5 aspect ratio and resolution so you can still watch local broadcast channels on your old television set, channels that will be required to transmit the new broadband signal in 2009. We don't know what cable or satellite providers will do with their multi-channel selection, but they will be required to carry the local broadcast channels in HDTV.
So if you're not in the market for an HDTV set yet watch some television every day, you might want to consider buying one at the beginning of 2009 when the switch over occurs. Just something you need to think about and keep on the back burner.
_____________________________________
Trivia: About 20.8 million flat-panel TVs
were estimated to be sold in 2005 world wide, almost double the
10.9 million units sold in 2004. Sales in 2005 were expected to
be 47 percent, iSuppli said. -
8/15/05 - AP - LifeScience
KEY (Columns
1 - 6.)
|
1.)
|
Television
sets included are HDTV (HD) /
ED (ED - extened resolution for playing DVDs) and / SD (SD - for standard digital clearer picture.) |
|
2.)
|
Screen
Size ( in inches measured diagonally) |
|
3.)
|
Format by color:
Direct View (CRT) (DRV),
Rear Projector (RPJ),
LCD (LCD),
SXRD (SXR^),
DLP (DLP),
Plasma (PLM) |
|
4.)
|
Street
Price (This is not manufacturers suggested retail, called MSR) |
|
5.)
|
Manufacturer
(Corporate or third-party brand name) |
|
6.)
|
Model
Number (Actual as shown in ad or on Web) |
| *
Wal-Mart Model Number.) |
**
LG - Formerly Goldstar |
(Prices for Best Buy (bb), Circuit City (cc), and Sears (sr) sets are for week of 12/05/06 from newspaper circulats. . Walmart (wm) prices were taken in same time period from their Web site. These prices should hold into the fall of 2007, when new models hit the streets,. These are usually introduced at the international CES show but usually not available for purchase until the fall.
^
SXRD has been developed from LCD (liquid crystal
display) technology, and features pixels that are much smaller
and more densely packed than in a conventional panel. In a Sony projection
TV, the image is displayed on a small panel and projected onto
a larger glass screen using a system of lenses, which means that
HDTV resolution requires a large number of pixels in a small panel.
(Source: PC
World)
2006 - 2007 Sampling of HDTV Prices
(Chart is organized by screen size / price / manufacturer - alpha. Specific formats can be accessed in their respective chapters.)
| HD/SD/ED |
Screen |
Format |
Price / Store |
Manufacturer |
Model
# |
| ED |
20" |
LCD |
$ -,-430 cc |
Sharp |
LC20SH6U |
| HDR |
20" |
LCD |
$ -,-500 bb |
Magnavox |
20MF251W |
| HDR |
20" |
LCD |
$ -,-525 cc |
Magnavox |
20MF251W |
| HDR |
23" |
LCD |
$ -,-850 cc |
Samsung |
LNS235W |
| HD |
26" |
LCD |
$ -,-550 cc |
Sylvania |
6626LCT |
| HD |
26" |
LCD |
$ -,-696 wm |
RCA |
L26WD12 |
| HD |
26" |
LCD |
$ -,-850 cc |
Sharp |
LC26DV20U |
| HD |
26" |
LCD |
$ -,-950 sr |
Sharp |
LC26DV20U |
| HD |
26" |
LCD |
$ 1,000 cc |
Panasonic |
TC26LX60 |
| HD |
26" |
LCD |
$ 1,000 sr |
Panasonic |
TC26LX60 |
| HD |
26" |
LCD |
$ 1,200 cc |
Samsung |
LNS2651D |
| HD |
26" |
LCD |
$ 1,200 cc |
Sony |
KDL26S2010 |
| SD |
27" |
DRV |
$ -,-199 bb |
Insignia |
NS-27RTV |
| HD |
27" |
DRV |
$ -,-348 wm |
RCA |
HD27F754T |
| SD |
32" |
DRV |
$ -,-400 bb |
Sharp |
32SF560 |
| HD |
32" |
LCD |
$ -,-598 wm |
Visco |
0005538411* |
| HD |
32" |
LCD |
$ -,-658 wm |
Sylvania |
6632LG |
| HD |
32" |
LCD |
$ -,-700 bb |
Westinghouse |
LTV-32W6 |
| HD |
32" |
LCD |
$ -,-747 wm |
Polaroid |
FLM-323B |
| HD |
32" |
LCD |
$ -,-747 wm |
Polaroid |
FLM-3234ADBWN1 |
| HD |
32" |
LCD |
$ -,-768 wm |
Sanyo |
000527430* |
| HD |
32" |
LCD |
$ -,-788 wm |
Akai |
LCT-3201AD |
| HD |
32" |
LCD |
$ -,-848 wm |
Sharp |
LC325H10U |
| HD |
32" |
LCD |
$ -,-898 wm |
Polaroid |
FXM-3211C |
| HD |
32" |
LCD |
$ -,-998 wm |
Panasonic |
000533437* |
| HD |
32" |
LCD |
$ -,-998 wm |
Philips |
37PF7321D |
| HD |
32" |
LCD |
$ 1,000 wm |
JVC |
LT32X667 |
| HD |
32" |
LCD |
$ 1,048 wm |
Panasonic |
TC-32LX60 |
| HD |
32" |
LCD |
$ 1,094 wm |
Samsung |
LN-S3238D |
| HD |
32" |
LCD |
$ 1,298 wm |
Sony |
14DL32S2010 |
| HD |
32" |
LCD |
$ 1,500 cc |
Samsung |
LN-S32510 |
| HD |
32" |
LCD |
$ 1,500 sr |
Samsung |
LN-S32510 |
| HD |
32" |
LCD |
$ 1,500 bb |
Sony |
KDL32S2010 |
| HD |
32" |
LCD |
$ 1,500 cc |
Sony |
KDL32S2010 |
| HD |
37" |
LCD |
$ -,-798 wm |
Emerson |
EWL3706 |
| HD |
37" |
LCD |
$ -,-800 wm |
Visco |
000554959* |
| HD |
37" |
LCD |
$ -,-900 cc |
Sylvania |
6637LCT |
| HD |
37" |
LCD |
$ -,-997 wm |
Polaroid |
FLM-373B |
| HD |
37" |
LCD |
$ 1,098 wm |
Akai |
LCT37Z6TA |
| HD |
37" |
LCD |
$ 1,100 bb |
HP |
LC3760N |
| HD |
37" |
LCD |
$ 1,494 wm |
Philips |
37PF7321D |
| HD |
37" |
LCD |
$ 1,550 bb |
Philips |
37PF9631D |
| HD |
37" |
LCD |
$ 1,600 cc |
LG** |
37LC2D |
| HD |
37" |
Plasma |
$ 1,600 bb |
Panasonic |
TH-37PY60U |
| HD |
37" |
LCD |
$ 1,650 sr |
Philips |
37PF9631D |
| HD |
40" |
LCD |
$ 1,600 bb |
JVC |
LT40X667 |
| HD |
40" |
LCD |
$ 2,000 sr |
Sony |
KDL40S2010 |
| HD |
40" |
LCD |
$ 2,000 cc |
Samsung |
LNS40S1D |
| HD |
40" |
LCD |
$ 2,500 cc |
Sony |
KDL40V2500 |
| HD |
40" |
LCD |
$ 3,100 cc |
Sony |
40XBR2 |
| HD |
42" |
Plasma |
$ 1,198 wm |
Hitachi |
42HDMU12A |
| HD |
42" |
Plasma |
$ 1,248 wm |
Sanyo |
000527441* |
| HD |
42" |
Plasma |
$ 1,294 wm |
Panasonic |
TH-42PV64 |
| HD |
42" |
Plasma |
$ 1,300 cc |
HP |
PL4260N |
| HD |
42" |
LCD |
$ 1,398 wm |
Magnavox |
42MF521D |
| HD |
42" |
Plasma |
$ 1,398 wm |
Panasonic |
TH-42PX |
| HD |
42" |
DLP |
$ 1,400 cc |
Samsung |
HLS4266W |
| HD |
42" |
Plasma |
$ 1,500 sr |
Hitachi |
42HDS69 |
| HD |
42" |
Plasma |
$ 1,597 wm |
Hitachi |
000540463* |
| HD |
42" |
Plasma |
$ 1,700 bb |
Philips |
42PF9631D |
| HD |
42" |
Plasma |
$ 1,800 bb |
Hitachi |
42HDS69 |
| HD |
42" |
Plasma |
$ 1,800 bb |
LG** |
42PC3D |
| HD |
42" |
Plasma |
$ 1,800 cc |
Panasonic |
TH-42PX60U |
| HD |
42" |
Plasma |
$ 1,800 cc |
Samsung |
HPS4253 |
| HD |
42" |
Plasma |
$ 1,900 sr |
Philips |
42PF9631D |
| HD |
42" |
LCD |
$ 2,300 cc |
Sharp |
LC42D62U |
| HD |
42" |
LCD |
$ 2,500 bb |
Samsung |
LNS4095DX |
| HD |
46" |
LCD |
$ 1,600 sr |
Sony |
KDF46E2000 |
| HD |
46" |
LCD |
$ 3,000 cc |
Sharp |
LC46D62U |
| HD |
46" |
LCD |
$ 3,300 bb |
Samsung |
LNS4695DX |
| HD |
46" |
LCD |
$ 3,800 cc |
Sony |
KDL46XBR2 |
| HDR |
47" |
LCD |
$ 1,898 wm |
Eye-Fi |
LX4700 |
| HD |
50" |
PRJ |
$ 1,198 wm |
Akai |
PT50DL24 |
| HD |
50" |
PRJ |
$ 1,294 wm |
RCA |
M50WH72S |
| HD |
50" |
PRJ |
$ 1,597 wm |
Hitachi |
50C20 |
| HD |
50" |
Plasma |
$ 1,694 wm |
Akai |
PDP5073TM |
| HD |
50" |
DLP |
$ 1,700 cc |
Samsung |
HLS5086W |
| HD |
50" |
DLP |
$ 1,700 sr |
Samsung |
HLS5086W |
| HD |
50" |
LCD |
$ 1,800 bb |
Sony |
KDF50E2000 |
| HD |
50" |
Plasma |
$ 1,800 cc |
Vizio |
P50HDTVKA |
| HD |
50" |
Plasma |
$ 1,896 cc |
Magnavox |
50MF231D/37 |
| HD |
50" |
Plasma |
$ 2,198 wm |
Philips |
50PF7321D |
| HD |
50" |
Plasma |
$ 2,300 bb |
HP |
PL5060N |
| HD |
50" |
Plasma |
$ 2,348 wm |
Panasonic |
TH-50PX60U |
| HD |
50" |
SXRD |
$ 2,400 cc |
Sony |
KDS50A2000 |
| HD |
50" |
Plasma |
$ 2,700 bb |
Philips |
50PF9631D |
| HD |
50" |
Plasma |
$ 2,700 cc |
Panasonic |
TH50PX609 |
| HD |
50" |
Plasma |
$ 2,700 cc |
Samsung |
HPS5053 |
| HD |
50" |
Plasma |
$ 2,700 sr |
Samsung |
HPS5053 |
| HD |
51" |
PRJ |
$ -,900 sr |
Magnavox |
51MP62000 |
| HD |
52" |
PRJ |
$ -,854 wm |
RCA |
R52WH74 |
| HD |
55" |
PRJ |
$ 2,000 cc |
Sony |
KDF55E2000 |
| HD |
55" |
SXRD |
$ 2,700 bb |
Sony |
KDS55A2000 |
| HD |
55" |
Plasma |
$ 3,000 sr |
Hitachi |
55HDS69 |
| HD |
56" |
PRJ |
$ 2,000 bb |
JVC |
HD567BP7 |
| HD |
56" |
PRJ |
$ 2,500 bb |
JVC |
HD56FN97 |
| HD |
56" |
PRJ |
$ 2,500 bb |
Samsung |
HL55687WX |
| HD |
56" |
PRJ |
$ 2,500 cc |
Samsung |
HL55687WX |
| HD |
58" |
Plasma |
$ 4,800 bb |
Panasonic |
TH-58PX60U |
| HD |
58" |
Plasma |
$ 4,800 cc |
Panasonic |
TH-58PX60U |
| HD |
60" |
PRJ |
$ 1,498 wm |
Philips |
60PP9200D |
| HD |
61" |
PRJ |
$ 1,698 wm |
Akai |
PT61DL34 |
| HD |
61" |
PRJ |
$ 2,297 wm |
Panasonic |
PT61LCX35-B |
| HD |
61" |
PRJ |
$ 2,900 bb |
JVC |
HD61FN97 |
| HD |
61" |
DLP |
$ 2,900 bb |
Samsung |
HL56187LWX |
| HD |
63" |
Plasma |
$ 4,998 wm |
Philips |
63PF9631D/37 |
| HD |
65" |
PRJ |
$ 3,200 sr |
Mitsubishi |
WD-67731 |
| HD |
65" |
PRJ |
$ 3,300 cc |
Mitsubishi |
WDY65 |
Copyright Freedomisknowledge.com 2006-2007
Compare
last year 2005-2006 prices by all screen sizes and formats
Compare
last year 2004-2005 prices by all screen sizes and formats
|