HDTV Best Price Blog

Best Buy will pick up the bulk of Circuit City’s estimated $9 billion in CE sales once the bankrupt chain shuts its doors, a report by The NPD Group suggests.

In a survey of Circuit City customers conducted by the market research firm in November, fully 55 percent said they would do their CE shopping at Best Buy after the chain closes.

Wal-Mart was the second leading alternative, cited by 11 percent of those polled.

NPD industry analysis VP Stephen Baker said the likely consolidation of two-thirds of Circuit City’s volume into two national chains will force manufacturers “to become savvier about how they go to market in the future.” Strategies, he suggested, could include opening their own retail stores, as Microsoft recently said it plans to do.

But while the retailing strengths of Best Buy and Wal-Mart make them an undeniable draw for consumers, vendors should also consider other retailers and channels that can compete with those chains on price, selection and location, he said.

According to the survey, price, product selection and store-location convenience were cited as the top three criteria in choosing an alternative to Circuit City, at 40 percent, 29 percent and 22 percent, respectively, NPD said.

Vizio Inc. in the fourth quarter of 2008 surpassed Sony Corp. to become the United States’ second-largest flat-panel television brand, as increasingly value-conscious consumers embraced the company’s combination of competitive price/performance, increased marketing efforts, popular retail channels and rising brand recognition, according to iSuppli Corp.

U.S.-based value brand Vizio accounted for 14.3 percent of flat panel TV - i.e. LCD and plasma–unit shipments in the United States in the fourth quarter, up an impressive 3.11 percentage points from 11.2 percent in the third quarter. In contrast, premium brands Sony and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. suffered declines of 0.42 percent and 0.62 percent respectively during the same period.

Sony’s share declined to 13.5 percent in the fourth quarter, down from 13.9 percent in the third, allowing Vizio to take the No. 2 rank, behind only Samsung with its 20.2 percent share.

Vizio in the fourth quarter posted the second-best performance among the Top-5 flat-panel television suppliers in the United States on a percentage basis. Only No. 4 brand Panasonic exceeded Vizio’s results, with its shipments rising by 3.12 percent.

The attached table presents iSuppli’s ranking of flat-panel television brands by unit shipments in the fourth quarter of 2008.

“Vizio’s success in the fourth quarter was partly due to increasing brand recognition, courtesy of the company’s strong marketing efforts and retail strategy,” said Riddhi Patel, principal analyst, television systems, for iSuppli.

“A cornerstone of Vizio’s selling strategy is Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, which features the company’s LCD-TV products. U.S. consumers in November and December 2008 bought more televisions at Wal-Mart than at Best Buy, the first time this has occurred in the two years iSuppli has been conducting research in this area.”

In September and October 2008, flat panel-television unit sales at Best Buy exceeded those of Wal-Mart by 2.9 and 3.3 percentage points respectively,” according to a survey of U.S. consumers conducted by iSuppli’s U.S. Television Consumer Preference Analysis service. However, in November, flat panel-television sales at Wal-Mart exceeded those at Best Buy by 2.3 percentage points, making Wal-Mart the biggest flat panel seller in the United States. In December, the sales gap grew to 2.9 points.

“This is an indication that in the present tough economic climate, consumers are becoming less brand conscious and prefer televisions that they perceive to have good picture quality and that are less expensive compared to the competition, rather than seeking models with a lot of extra features,” Patel added.

The attached figure presents the results of iSuppli’s survey of U.S. consumer television retailer preferences.

Bumpy times for flat-panel televisions
The U.S. television market has been impacted by the recession and the past two quarters have been a struggle for brands and retailers. Consumer spending has decelerated and sales of big-ticket items like LCD-TVs have not grown as quickly as in the past.

This decelerating growth and stiffening competition has led to a shakeout among television brands.

“Brands are finding it hard to survive in the current economic climate amid tough price competition,” Patel said. “Olevia LCD-TVs are no longer available since the company filed for bankruptcy in 2008. Pioneer has announced its exit from the television market. During 2009, a few value brands will disappear from the market. The brands that survive will be the ones that either own or have very close ties with the LCD and plasma panel makers, allowing them to keep their costs down.”

Technorati Tags: LCD TV, Vizio LCD TV

When it comes to liquidation sales, like the one at Circuit City, consumers need to be wary about buying potentially damaged merchandise.

A Massachusetts couple learned the hard way after purchasing a Samsung LCD TV for $1,100. When they opened the box at home, they realized the display was shattered. Not a crack, nick or ding. Shattered.

Because “all sales are final,” Circuit City’s liquidators will not refund the couple’s money.

“They said, ‘Sorry, your problem, not ours,” the frustrated woman told WCVB-TV in Boston.

You’re probably wondering why the couple didn’t check the TV before buying it? Some stores aren’t allowing consumers to open any boxes.

WCVB claims to have found signs that read “Check your purchase” and “Don’t open the merchandise” at the same store.

This isn’t an isolated incident. According to the Consumerist, a family in Minnesota paid $1,500 for a shattered TV.

The Massachusetts couple is hoping their credit card company will help them fight the purchase. Good luck.

Making up for its absence from this years CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, the Dutch electronics giant Philips has unveiled a huge range of LCD TV’s.

Heading up an impressive line-up of new panels, the top of the range 9700 series comes in 40in, 46in and 52in sizes. These panels are part of the Philips super slim range and boast eye catching aluminium bezels. Elsewhere there is Ambilight Spectra 3 and the latest picture processing technology, Perfect Pixel HD engine.

Beauty runs more than skin deep however, with the 9700 screens featuring Wi-Fi connectivity and Philips’ novel Net TV feature. With an improved local dimming feature the 9700 packs an extra two rows of LED segments along with the latest Perfect Pixel HD engine.

Next in line, the 9600 panels which include the 9664 series, 42in and 47in sizes with 200Hz panels and the 9604 series offering 100Hz and 37in and 32in options. Both lines offer claimed 80,000:1 contrast ratios, Ambilight Spectra 2 and five HDMI inputs.

Next up is the is 8000 series which feature 32in up to 47in sizes, with Philips’ Pixel Precise HD engine. Wi-Fi and Net TV are also present along with four HDMI inputs.

The 7000 series, with panel sizes from 32 to 52in, offer Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolutions, claimed 80,000:1 contrast ratios, Pixel Precise HD processing, and four HDMI inputs.

Finally, the budget 5000 series offers Pixel Plus HD processing, sizes of 32in to 52in with Full HD resolutions (apart from the 32in version).

Technorati Tags: LCD TV

Sony has announced a new line-up of Bravia LCD TVs, a slimmer, minimalist range the company describes as having “best-ever full HD quality”.

Featuring the new Bravia Engine 3 and Motionflow 100Hz with Image Blur Reduction, the TVs will apparently offer enhanced picture detail, vivid colour reproduction and smooth moving images.

It’s also the Sony’s greenest-ever range of LCD TVs, with most Bravia 2009 models carrying the “EU Flower” – an eco-label introduced by the European Commission to certify greener, more environmentally friendly products.

In fact, the 2009 Bravia range aims to save 20-30% more energy than last year’s range.

For multimedia usage, DLNA allows you to stream and control any music, digital photos or video content stored on a VAIO networked PC or home media server through your TV, or alternatively you can hook up your media device directly using the USB Media Player.

You’ll also be able to get online with your Bravia TV and access a number of online services including RSS feeds.

The range is made up of six models in total. The WE5 heads up the eco-friendly line-up, packed with energy-saving features that means it consumes 50% less power than its predecessor.

Available in 40 and 46-inch screen sizes, Sony is boasting that the WE5 is “one of the most energy-efficient HD televisions available”, thanks to its micro-tubular HCFL backlighting, and Energy Saving Switch that turns the TV off as if turning it off at the plug.

It also features an intelligent Presence Sensor that can tell when people leave the room and puts the TV into “picture off” mode until they re-enter.

Other TVs in the range include the piano black W5500 and V5500 in five screen sizes between 32- and 52-inches, and the S5500, touted as the “great-value” entry-level option with four screen sizes between 22- and 40-inches.

Finally the E5500 and E5300, available in 32- and 40-inch, and 22-inch models respectively, feature Picture Frame styling that allows you to ‘tilt’ theTV screen upwards for comfortable viewing when the set is placed on a low table or sideboard.

The E5500 is available in a choice of black, aluminium and walnut-effect finishes, while the E5300 is available in a simple choice of black or white.

Pricing and availability is yet to be confirmed on all models. We’ll get the information to you as soon as we get it.

Vizio will abandon its plasma TV efforts so it can focus solely on its LCD TV line that helped give U.S. consumers another low-cost brand to choose from when shopping for a new TV.
Although the Vizio web site still shows several plasma models, the company didn’t announce any new plasma units during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) last month in Las Vegas.  If Vizio and Pioneer both exit the plasma TV market, then U.S. consumers will be left choosing from Samsung, Panasonic or LG Electronics.

Vizio’s current plasma TV inventory is dwindling fast, so consumers interested in purchasing a Vizio-made plasma TV should likely hurry.

The news comes days after rumors surfaced indicating Pioneer will also abandon its plasma TV efforts so it can focus on LCDs.

Manufacturers are able to charge more for LCD TVs and can sell them much faster and easier than plasma TVs.  Furthermore, manufacturers are able to generate higher revenue from LCD TV sales, and shoppers interested in environmental friendly technology avoided plasma TVs in the past.

Moving forward, Vizio will focus on adding new features to its LCD line of TV models.  For example, Vizio is putting the finishing touches on its first LED-backlit LCD TV, which will be available in July — it’s a 55-inch model using 240Hz technology, and will cost $1,999.

Although it has carved out a niche market for itself as a low-priced TV manufacturer since its creation five years ago, Vizo understands that it must branch out and offer a wider variety of products.  Aside from TVs, Vizio plans to launch its first standalone Blu-ray player in May for $199, which will be significantly less than most other Blu-ray players available on the market today.

Technorati Tags: cheap LCD TV, cheap LCD TVs, Cheap Plasma TV, cheap plasma TVs

When you think of the brands you want to consider before buying an electronic equipment, one of the names that comes to your mind will be Panasonic. Panasonic is one of the most recognized and respected brands in the electronics industry mainly due to the technologically advanced quality products they offer. So if you are considering your options while buying a television set, Panasonic is one name you certainly want to keep in mind.

As a renowned company, Panasonic gives utmost importance to meeting the high expectations of millions of their customers across the globe who uses their product everyday.

The Various Options Available for Panasonic LCD TV

Of the various Panasonic LCD TV models available in the market, the one model that you certainly want to consider is the Panasonic TH-50PX77U. This being a new model can be considered to be a great pick.

There are quite a few features in this model which will ensure a unique viewing experience. With very high contrast ratio of 10,000:1 which offers rich blacks and stunning whites and the anti-glare screen which works this is considered as one of the most detailed plasma TVs available today in the market. That’s quite a reputation.

This Panasonic LCD TV model is very economical when it is compared with the high quality features in it . TH-50PX77U also contains 2 HDMI connections which helps to transfer high definition video and audio through a single cable. This feature makes the model more convenient and attractive.

The Panasonic TH-50PZ700U is another great model which may be considered. With 1080p resolution this Plasma television has a great feature- the impressively improved EZ-Sync remote. This device links Panasonic consumer home entertainment and video products, allowing a virtual control of the whole system all with the use of a single remote.

The SD memory card slot with photo viewer is another attractive feature of this model Panasonic LCD TV. This feature transforms the TV into a digital photo gallery. With high pixel count which ensures impressively high picture quality this Panasonic LCD TV is one of the best models available in the market today.

Be Patient and Make a Wise Decision

TV is still a major investment and you sure don’t want to rush to any decision. It is advisable to take your time while deciding on the model and brand to be purchased. Though there are great deals on TV purchase available these days, it is still worthwhile to be patient and while deciding on the television which best suits you.

Technorati Tags: cheap LCD, cheap LCD TV, cheap LCD TVs, Panasonic Plasma Television

So you’re looking to buy a new LCD TV but want to be certain that you spend your hard earned cash on a set that really is exactly what you want and need? Well think of this as your simple step by step guide to ensuring a perfectly matched LCD TV for you. Whether you’re looking for a new TV for your lounge, a portable for your bedroom or even a set to connect to your favourite game console, this guide will help you make the right choice.

1) The screen size is crucial!

Determining the right screen size for your requirements is a crucial decision that needs to be made right at the beginning. Until now, LCD TVs have been more common in smaller sizes, normally no bigger than 27 inches, but with the huge leaps forward in viewing technology, this is no longer the case. A larger screen does not necessarily means a poorer quality image, but it is important to match the size of the screen to the size of the room you intend it for. For example, a huge 40 inch LCD screen in a small bedroom would not only look out of proportion and take up a lot of room, but it would mean the user sitting so close to the screen that the images would look unclear and difficult to watch. To get the best experience out of your investment, remember what your parents used to tell you about sitting too close to the TV. Your mother was probably thinking about your health, but in this case we’re thinking about your viewing pleasure. For the optimal viewing experience, you need to maintain the right distance between your viewing area and your television screen. So make a sensible choice when deciding the screen size you want and consider your room size.

2) But what about the Tuners?

Most current flat-panel displays include a tuner for the standard analog broadcast and cable-TV reception and also one for broadcast HDTV. However a few don’t come with any tuner at all. These are more uncommon now but it is always worth considering which tuners your potential purchase has. Many sets also have built-in tuners for digital cable TV. Although such tuners have a standard for handling scrambled premium channels (for example, HBO), many sets do not support it, so be sure you know exactly what you are getting. If you want that capability, make sure the set you buy has a CableCard slot.

3) Do I need HDMI? Yes you do!

You may find that there are some great deals floating around for sets that do not have a HDMI input. You may even get a pushy sales rep telling you that it’s not a requirement for you, but don’t listen. If at all possible, you should certainly get an LCD TV that has a HDMI input. This will ensure your new TV is compatibility with HDTV sources like HD digital cable boxes, HD satellite, and Blu-ray and HD DVD players. High Definition is the way forward and all the major manufacturers are including this feature in their new models.

4) The remote is your best friend!

It’s really useful and quite important to get to know the remote control before splashing out your cash. A good remote can be your best friend, but a bad remote can just as easily be your worst enemy. Just look at the main features such as the layout, the feel quality and the size. Make sure the buttons are large enough to find easily and comfortably. Make sure any text or signs printed on the remote are readable and make sure the size suits you. There’s no point having an extremely small remote if it makes it difficult to find the buttons you want!

5) Get The Demonstration.

Like most of us, you probably hate pushy sales people and opt to skip the demonstration in store. Don’t! Instead, ask them to demonstrate the features you will tend to use most, such as setting the timer or programme guide, switching to the DVD player or using the inbuilt tuner. You’ll not only get a first hand demo of how to work your LCD TV but you’ll also see how difficult or easy it is to use the features.

So there you have it, our 5 simple steps to buying the perfect LCD TV to suit your needs, your home and your pocket! Just remember each of the above points when your browsing the new ranges and you’re sure to find a model that’ll keep you happy for years to come.

Technorati Tags: best LCD TV, cheap LCD TV, cheap LCD TVs

You are confused whether to buy an LCD or a plasma TV. But you are sure that you definitely want to buy a flat screen TV. Perhaps after reading this, you will be enlightened as to which choice you should make.

Let us first look into how each of these technology work. Plasma runs on gases xenon and neon while LCD TV operates of liquid crystals. In plasma, images area produced when electricity passes through the colored gas-filled cells. LCD TVs, on the other hand, create pictures as electric current passes through the crystals.

Plasma TVs have higher resolution than the old CRT TVs. It looks as if you are right there at the scene watching the actual thing taking place. LCD TVs are thinner and lighter than the plasma. They were originally used as computer monitors but they are now also being known to be used TV screens. Plasma screen sizes vary from 42 to 65 inches wide. They are three to four inches thick. For LCD TVs, they are 1/4 to four inches thick, and also can be as wide as 65 inches.

Image Quality

If you want a crisper and more detailed picture plasma TV is the one that you are looking for. The viewing angle is also great. You can stay anywhere in the room and the picture quality remains the same. LCD TVs are catching up with them though. Their difference is only a little bit. LCD TV manufacturers are improving their products.

Lifespan

The lifespan of a TV screen is the length of time or the number of hours used before the image quality starts to deteriorate. LCD TVs have longer life span. They have a screen life of more than 60,000 hours while plasma TVs only have between 30,000 to 60,000 hours. This is of course relative to the model and the way a consumer uses it.

Plasma TVs however are prone to burn in. This happened when you have been using the TV for quite a time and then the image seems to be imprinted on the screen. For LCD televisions, there is nothing to worry about burn ins.

High Definition TV

Both LCD and the plasma TV are capable of high definition. But among the two, LCD TVs have more screen pixels than the plasma television.

Playing Video Games

You can use either of them for gaming purposes. But if you will be playing most part of the day, you might want to settle for LCD TVs because they have no tendency for burn in.

Convenience

Since LCD televisions are lighter, it is less tasking to move them around. It is even convenient to mount LCD TVs on a wall.

Prices

If you want to have the best LCD TV for your hard earned money, know first what you want in a TV. If you want TVs as large as 42 inches, plasma will have the better price. As of now, they are much cheaper than LCD TVs of the same size. But if you want to buy a small or medium sized TV, LCD are recommended because they have reasonable prices.

Technorati Tags: best LCD TV, best LCD TVs

Originally, LCDs come in smaller sizes but the growing demand and the competition made LCD manufacturers improve and advance their technology. And so, LCD nowadays come in as big as 50 inches. But whether you have the biggest or the smallest LCDs, certain flaws still need you utmost attention. And if you will take the time to choose the best LCD, then certainly you will not experience any such flaws.

At the present moment, the top brands like Sony, Samsung, LCF, Panasonic, Sharp, and Philips have led the LCD TV market. Some computer manufacturers such as Gateway and Dell have also tried to enter the LCD TV market. But this is not basically about the brand; remember that a big brand name would not always ensure a great product. Although it is advantageous to purchase from the trusted brands and the pioneers in the market, one should still be careful about finally deciding which LCD TV to choose. The economic crises the world is experiencing may contribute to the quality of the products these brands produce. In short, better check the units from these brands while they are on the showroom.

One important aspect that you should consider is the aspect ration some big screened TVs boast of their 16 to 9 aspect ratio. But be careful to believe everything that you hear and read. There are some screens that stretch and enlarge the image to fit into the screen. In this kind of treatment, the images appear blurry and jagged. Keep in mind that the best LCD TVs are those that have bright, vivid, and clear images even in its biggest screen. Basically, all you need is your pair of eyes to identify which can and cannot fool your vision.

Consider also the viewing angle. In the previous years, LCDs failed to deliver remarkable viewing angles. Because the pixels twist and bend, the visuals tend to be almost indiscernible in obtuse angles. But latest technology has improved this area. Modern LCD TVs have as obtuse as 160 degrees viewing angles.

Consider also the three kinds of LCD TVs. We have the SD or Standard Definition, the ED or Enhanced Definition and the HD or High Definition. The last kind is the most popular and the most loved. However, they can be a little expensive as well. Most HDTVs are best used as replacement for computer monitors or as monitors for video or computer game playing. They can serve as a regular TV of course and can produce both analog and digital signals. These types of televisions have high freeze rates so they produce better moving visuals.

These are mostly the important things to consider when purchasing an LCD. You may want to consider purchasing something that has passed everything that is mentioned here. Remember that the best LCD TV suits your needs, fits your budget, and gives you more additional features for you to enjoy.

Technorati Tags: best LCD TV, best LCD TVs