Gary decided the best way to illustrate this issue is to figure out what it takes to create image retention or burn-in.

In his trials, he was able to cause retention, "a faint ghost image of previously viewed content," by tuning to a SMPTE color bar test pattern for 15 minutes and then switching to an all white screen. The resulting effect dissipated after a few minutes and is definitely of no concern to plasma display owners.

Burn-in, a "faint outline of a previously viewed image caused by uneven phosphor wear," turned out to be far more difficult to cause. Gary couldn't do it by freezing a frame for ten hours, nor by seeking out showroom demo plasma HDTVs that might have been on a burn-causing loop. In the end he concluded that the effect might be created in a "worst case scenario" which involves "100% viewing of 4:3 content with black side bars [instead of gray], or exclusive viewing of 2.35:1 aspect ratio movies (without using one of the zoom modes to eliminate the black bars) and leaving it on that way continuously for weeks."

So basically, unless you're seriously obsessed with a particular image that you'd stare at it for weeks at a time, or only watch 2.35:1 movies (in which case who cares if the burn is uneven in the unused pixels?), you can skip worrying about burn-in and enjoy your plasma. If you want more on the science of all of this, check out Gary's full story. [HD Guru]

Note: Due to the unprecedented price fluctuations seen on TV pricing this week from online retailers, don't be startled if the prices we brazenly quoted here are off—by pennies or by hundreds. The model numbers are there for a reason, so you can check prices yourself when you're ready to cash out.

Panasonic X1 Plasma Series

Plasma HDTVs provide the best picture performance and these 720p Panasonics—shown up top—are the value champs. Plasma screens have a wider viewing angle than any LCD panel, excellent contrast and color fidelity. The X1s include 600Hz refresh for full motion resolution, an SD card reader for digital photos and an anti-reflective screen coating (the shiny one). Available in 42-inch and 50-inch screen sizes. If you're going to set it up at a distance of 9 feet or more, it's almost silly to spend extra for more resolution.

The best deal is the TC-P50X1, a 50 incher selling for $689.98 at Electronics Expo (via Amazon).

Panasonic S1 Plasma Series

The S1s are Panasonic's least expensive 1080p line to feature its energy saving, high contrast, deep black level Neo PDP plasma technology. In addition to the full 1080 line motion resolution and an anti-reflective screen coating (the shiny one), there's an SD card reader. If you're looking for a Full HD 1080p TV with the excellent performance and don't care about features like internet connectivity or THX-certified picture and sound modes (which the step-up G10 line has), these are the HDTVs for you. Available from 42-inch to 65-inch screen sizes.

Under $1,000, your best shot is the TC-P42S1, a 42-inch set now selling for $797.95 at Amazon.

LG LH30 Series

LG's LH30 is the first step-up from the baseline, maintaining a nice low price but delivering surprisingly good picture quality. This model has a wide-viewing-angle IPS LCD panel, dull-finish anti-glare screen coating (better than the shiny anti-reflective coating at cutting down natural-light reflections, but at a slight cost of contrast), pro color-calibration mode and "Picture Wizard." They add 1080p resolution and Smart Energy Savings for low power consumption. Offered in a range from 32 inches to 47 inches.

We were impressed to find the 47-inch 47LH30 locally for $900, and on Amazon for $938.15.

LG LH40 Series

The LH40 line adds 120Hz to plenty of models below $1000. If that's something you value, this is your best bet. Everything else here comes in the LH30 line, too. It's available in screen sizes ranging from 32 inches to 55 inches.

Locally, we spotted a 47-inch 47LH40 for $980, though it was over $1000 on Amazon. The 42-inch 42LH40 may be the best pick: It's currently $823 on Amazon.

Samsung B550 Series

This series represents Samsung's top 60Hz 1080p HDTVs. They provide excellent overall performance without any of the fancy features found on its higher-end models. They incorporate Samsung's Touch of Color bezel and its 6ms response time LCD panel, and are available in 32-inch to 52-inch sizes. Currently, the 46-inch LN46B550 is priced at $999 on Amazon.

For this story, Gary picked out 10 total deals. He is running the other five on HD Guru, so go have a look. If you came across any other good deals lately, let us know in comments, but be ready to defend the quality, not just the super sick price.

Gary Merson is the HD Guru, the industry's leading HDTV journalist. He's been reviewing TVs for well over a decade, and recently wrote a guide to choosing an HDTV.

Panasonic Z1

Panasonic's flagship HDTV is its thinnest 54-inch plasma HDTV ever, with only 1-inch depth. They did it by eliminating a third sheet of glass found in all other plasmas except Pioneer's Kuro, and bonding the anti-reflective coating directly top glass. The Z1 employs SiBEAM's 60GHz 1080p for wireless glitch-free images sent via the included transmitter/media box from up to 30 feet away. The Z1 has THX picture mode and a custom calibration mode, plus nice bonus features including VieraCast Internet connectivity for YouTube and Amazon VOD and an SD card reader for photos. The Z1 delivers amazing performance with full 1080 line motion resolution, accurate HD color, deep black levels and 96Hz for judder free movie viewing.

The sexiest HDTV of 2009, the TC-P54Z1 will set you back $4000.

Update: Many of you have commented that you prefer Panasonic's excellent Viera V10 series, and to Gary's credit, he gave the TV his highest rating, and is including it in his top 10 list, which he'll publish next week. There's nothing wrong with that TV, and if we indicated six here, it would certainly be shown. It has the same NeoPDP panel as the Z1, but it's not the same picture, because it has the third separate piece of glass with anti-reflective coating.

Pioneer Kuro Signature

You know it's been a weird year for TVs when not one but two of our top picks are no longer being manufactured, but are still being sold. Pioneer's sweetest (and last) Kuro line is technically a monitor: There's no tuner or audio. But the Signature models offer the deepest black of any high definition display on the market—without any white-letter-on-black-background halos occasionally seen on LED-based LCD TVs. The Signature models features hand selected parts, 2.5-in. depth, Custom Calibration, 72Hz refresh and control over the internet via its Ethernet connection. The Pioneer uses a single top sheet of glass to minimize internal reflections, with the anti-reflection coating bonded directly to the surface.

The Signature models are available at scattered retailers around the country in the 50-inch size (PRO-101FD) for about $3000 to $3500, and 60-inch size (PRO-141FD) for $4000 to $4800.

Samsung LNB8500

The 8500 series is Samsung flagship LED LCD TV. It feature packed with thin 1.6-inch depth, white LED local dimming backlights for improved uniformity, dual-chip 240 Hz plus a scanning backlight for excellent motion resolution and the best black level of any LED LCD observed to date. The 8500 features four HDMI inputs plus internet connectivity with Flickr, YouTube, weather, news and other widgets. It also has a PV+C input for connection to your computer or HTPC. This is a benchmark LED LCD to judge against every other make and model.

All this performance comes at a price. The LNB8500 series comes in 46-inch (UN46B8500) and 55-inch (UN55B8500) screen sizes, currently on Amazon for $2620 and $4020, respectively.

LG LH90

This LG has all the hot LCD performance features video freaks crave, including white LED dimming backlights for excellent black levels, wide viewing angle LCD IPS panel, accurate color, and 240Hz (120 refresh + scanning backlight) for excellent motion resolution. This LG also has all the tweaks anyone could ask for including ISF CCC mode for calibration, THX certification and LG's "picture wizard" for user set-up without calibration discs or external test signals. The LH90 isn't the thinnest LED LCD, but it more than makes up for it with its price.

The LG LH90 series is available in 42-, 47- and 55-inch screen sizes at street prices that are considerably lower than many competitors' edge lit 120 Hz LED edge lit models. The 42LH90 is online for $1200 to $1500; the 47LH90 sells in the $1700 range; and the 55LH90 goes for $2200 to $2800. In case you couldn't tell, the LH90 series is the value/performance leader of the pack.

Sony XBR8

A comparable model never replaced Sony's 2008 flagship model in 2009. It is the only HDTV available with separate red, green and blue LED backlights (rather than all white), with local dimming for deep black levels. Though slightly thicker than other TVs in its class, the XBR8 has accurate HDTV color, enough brightness for a beach house, a non-glossy anti-glare screen coating (rare for 2009), 120Hz refresh rate and Sony's Bravia Engine 2 signal processing.

You can still find the XBR8s—we spotted the 46-inch KDL-46XBR8 for under $2200 and the 55-inch KDL-55XBR8 for under $4000.

Gary Merson is the HD Guru, the industry's leading HDTV journalist. He's been reviewing TVs for well over a decade, and recently wrote a guide to choosing an HDTV.

Not All Deals Are Created Equal

Check here for a breakdown of the not so great deals to avoid from Best Buy, Sears, Amazon and Walmart.

Recent Changes

Updated November 25 - [Vizio]
Updated November 24 - [Amazon]
Updated November 23 - [WireFly], [HP], [Newegg]
Updated November 20 - [Best Buy], [Staples], [Office Depot], [Office Max], [Dell]
, [Sears], [Target], [Wal-Mart], [K-M]

Table of Contents

Page 1 - Cell Phones, Computers, Digital Cameras, DVD Players, GPS and more
Page 2 - TVs, Video Games, Printers, Software, MP3 Players and more
Page 3 - Movies and TV Shows (DVD and Blu-ray)

Doorbuster items marked with an *

Cell Phones

AT&T Blackberry Bold 9700 (Bold2) - Free for new activations, $29.99 for current [WireFly]
BlackBerry Bold 9700 Phone - $149.99 [Amazon]

AT&T Sony Ericsson W518a - Free w/2 Year Contract * [Best Buy]

HTC Pure Windows Phone (With New AT&T Service Plan) - $0.01 [Amazon]

LG Xenon GR500 Cell Phone (With New AT&T Service Plan) - $0.01 [Amazon]

BoostMobile Motorola Clutch i465 - $59.99 [Best Buy]

DLO Jam Jacket For iPhone - $9.99 [Best Buy]

Jabra BT-2080 Bluetooth Headset - $19.99 [Best Buy]

MiFi 2200 By Novatel Wireless - Free with 2 year contract [Best Buy]

Mobile Broadband Card 598U By Sierra Wireless - Free with 2 year contract [Best Buy]

Motorola S9 HD Stereo Bluetooth Headset - $49.99 [Best Buy]

Net10 Samsung T401G - $39.99 [Best Buy]

Sprint BlackBerry Curve 8330 Smart Phone - Free with 2 year contract [Best Buy]

BlackBerry Tour 9630 Phone (With New Sprint Service Plan) - $49.99 [Amazon]

Sprint Samsung Instinct S30 -Free with 2 year contract [Best Buy]

Sprint Samsung Moment - $79.99 for new activations, $99.99 for current customers [WireFly]
Samsung Moment M900 Phone (With New Sprint Service Plan) - $79.99 [Amazon]

T-Mobile Motorola Renew Phone - $7.99 [Best Buy]

Verizon Wireless DROID - $199.99 with 2 year contract [Best Buy]

Verizon Wireless Motorola Rival - Free for new activations * [Best Buy]

Verizon LG Chocolate Touch - Free with 2 year contract * [Best Buy]

Verizon BlackBerry Storm2 - Free for new activations, $29.99 for current customers [WireFly]
BlackBerry Storm2 9550 Phone (With New Verizon Service Plan) - $149.99 [Amazon]

Virgin Mobile Kyocera X-tc - $49.99 [Best Buy]

Motorola TalkAbout Earbud with Microphone for All Series - $12.05 [Amazon]

Plantronics Discovery 975 Bluetooth Headset - $84.99 [Amazon]

Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth Headset - $70.00 [Amazon]

Computer Accessories


APC 450VA Battery Backup - $19.99 [Staples]

APC 550VA Battery Backup - $24.99 [Office Depot]

All Case Logic Laptop Sleeves - 50% Off [Office Depot]

Altec Lansing VS2621 PC Speakers - $19.99 [Staples]

Any Business Case, Sleeve, or Backpack - 40% Off [Staples]

Antec USB Powered Notebook Cooler - $19.82 [Amazon]

Belkin 6-Outlet Surge Protector w/Left Extension Cord Combo - $5.99 [Staples]

HP Wireless Mouse (Black) - $9.99 [Staples]

Logitech C600 Webcam - $39.99 [Staples]


Logitech QuickCam Pro Webcam - $49.99 [Office Max]

Logitech Webcam Pro 9000 - $75.99 [Amazon]

Logitech Z13 Speaker System - $29.99 [Office Max]


Logitech LX6 Cordless Optical Mouse - $7.99 [Office Depot]


Logitech V220 Optical Wireless Mouse - $9.99 * [Office Max]


Logitech V450 Wireless Laser Notebook Mouse - $14.99 [Staples]

Logitech MX 1100 Cordless Laser Mouse - $49.99 [Amazon]

Logitech G9 Gaming Mouse - $49.99 [HP]

Logitech Illuminated Keyboard - $29.99 [Staples]

Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Combo - $39.99 [Office Max]
Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Pro - $59.99 [Amazon]

Logitech Black Cordless Ergonomic Desktop Wave Keyboard/Mouse Combo $46.99 [Newegg]

Microsoft Lifecam VX-5000 Webcam - $9.99 * [Office Max]


Microsoft Mobile 300 Mouse (Pink) - $4.99 * [Office Max]

Microsoft 4000 Wireless Laser Keyboard/Mouse Set - $29.99 * [Staples]

Microsoft Digital Media Keyboard 6000 - $12.99 [Office Depot]

Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 USB Keyboard - $19.99 [Dell]

Microsoft VX-3000 LifeCam Webcam - $9.99 [Staples]

Height-Adjustable Mobile Laptop Cart - $17.99 [Office Depot]

Moble IT Retractable USB Hub - $4.99 [Office Depot]

Targus 208-CD/DVD Album - $9.98 [Staples]

Targus Chill Mat Notebook Fan - $9.99 [Staples]

USB Web Cam - $9.99 [Office Depot]

iHome Wired Optical Mouse - $6.99 [Office Depot]

Computers


Acer Aspire One 10.1" Netbook w/ 1GB RAM, 160GB HD, Windows XP - $149.99 * [Office Max]

Acer Aspire One Black Intel Atom N270(1.60GHz) Netbook $189.99 [Newegg]


Acer Netbook 10.1" Netbook w/Intel 1.6GHz Atom Processor N270 - $199.99 [Office Depot]

Acer Aspire 15.6" Widescreen Notebook Computer w/AMD Athlon X2 Dual-Core Processor L310, 4GB RAM, 320GB Hard Drive - $379.99 [Office Depot]

Acer 17.3" Blue Laptop w/4GB Memory, 320GB Hard Drive and Windows 7 Premium (Online Only) - $498.00 [Wal-Mart]

ASUS Eee PC 1005HA-PU1X-BK 10.1-Inch Black Netbook - $349.99 [Amazon]

Compaq Presario Dual-Core Desktop w/ 3GB RAM, 500GB HD, Windows 7 - $239.99 * [Office Max]

Compaq CQ4010F Desktop Computer w/AMD Sempron LE-1300 Processor, 2GB RAM, 250GB Hard Drive - $229.99 [Office Depot]

Compaq Netbook w/Intel Atom Processor, 1GB Memory, 160GB Hard Drive - $179.99 [Best Buy]

Compaq Netbook w/Intel Atom Processor, 1GB Memory, 250GB Hard Drive - $229.99 [Best Buy]

Compaq Presario AMD LE-1300 Desktop w/18.5" Monitor - $329.99 [Office Depot]

Dell 10.1" Inspiron Mini 10V Netbook w/Atom 1.6Ghz Processor N270 - $249.00 [Dell]

Dell 10.1" Netbook w/Intel Atom Processor, 1GB Memory, 160GB Hard Drive - $379.99 [Best Buy]

Dell 14" Inspiron 14 Notebook w/Intel T4300 Processor, 4GB RAM, 320GB Hard Drive - $599.00 [Dell]

Dell 14" Studio XPS 13 Notebook w/Intel P7450 Processor, 4GB RAM, 500GB Hard Drive - $999.00 [Dell]

Dell 15.6" Inspiron 15 Notebook w/Intel T4300 Processor, 4GB RAM, 320GB Hard Drive - $549.00 [Dell]

Dell 15.6" Studio 15 Notebook w/Intel T6600 Processor, 4GB RAM, 250GB Hard Drive - $499.00 [Dell]

Dell 15.6" Studio Laptop w/Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 Processor, 4GB RAM, 500GB Hard Drive - $599.98 [Staples]

Dell 16" Studio XPS 16 Notebook w/Intel P7450 Processor, 4GB RAM, 500GB Hard Drive - $999.00 [Dell]

Dell 17" Studio 17 Notebook w/Intel T4300 Processor, 4GB RAM, 500GB Hard Drive - $749.00 [Dell]

Dell 20" Studio XPS 8000 Desktop w/Intel i5-750 CPU, 6GB RAM, 750GB Hard Drive - $899.00 [Dell]

Dell Desktop PC w/AMD Athlon X2 215 Processor, 4GB RAM, 640GB Hard Drive, 20-inch LCD Monitor - $499.98 [Staples]

Dell Inspiron 537s Desktop w/Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5300 Processor, 4GB RAM, 320GB Hard Drive - $349.00 [Dell]

Dell Inspiron 537s w/Intel E5300 Processor, 4GB RAM, 500GB Hard Drive, w/20" LCD Monitor - $499.00 [Dell]

Dell Inspiron w/Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 Processor, 3GB RAM, 320GB Hard Drive - $499.00 [Dell]

Dell Studio Desktop w/Intel E7500 Processor, 6GB RAM, 500GB Hard Drive, w/18.5" LCD Monitor - $699.00 [Dell]

Dell Studio Desktop w/Intel Q8300 Processor, 6GB RAM, 640GB Hard Drive, w/20" LCD Monitor - $749.00 [Dell]

Dell Studio Slim Desktop w/Intel E5400, 4GB RAM, 500GB Hard Drive, w/18.5" LCD Monitor - $599.00 [Dell]

Free Software w/Purchase of Computer - Free [Office Depot]

HP Notebook Computer G60-508US w/Intel Celeron Processor 900 - $299.99 [Office Depot]

HP Notebook Computer G71-343US With Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6600 - $449.99 [Office Depot]

10.1" HP Mini 110-1037NR Pink Netbook - $339.95 [Amazon]

10.1" HP Mini 110-1109NR White Netbook (Windows XP) - $199.99 [Amazon]

13.3" HP Pavilion DM3-1030US Silver Laptop - $499.99 [Amazon]
13.3" HP Pavilion dm3z AMD Neo Laptop w/4GB RAM, 320GB HD - $529.99 [HP]

15.6" HP G60-507DX Laptop with Intel Celeron 900 MHz, Windows 7, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD - $197.00 [Best Buy]

HP 15.6" Laptop w/Intel Celeron Processor 900, 3GB RAM, 160GB Hard Drive, Windows 7 - $299.98 * [Staples]

HP 15.6" Notebook w/Intel Processor, 3GB Memory, 250GB Hard Drive (Model # G60-519WM) - $298.00 * [Wal-Mart]

HP 15.6" Laptop w/Intel Pentium Processor T4300, 4GB RAM, 250GB Hard Drive, Windows 7 - $399.98 * [Staples]

HP 15.6" Notebook w/AMD Turion II Dual Core Processor M500, 6GB Memory, 320GB Hard Drive, Windows 7 - $599.99 [Best Buy]

HP 15.6" Notebook w/AMD Turion II Dual Core Processor M500, 8GB Memory, 500GB Hard Drive, Windows 7 - $699.99 [Best Buy]

15.6" HP Pavilion dv6t Quad Edition Laptop w/i7 Processor & HD LED Display - $999.99 [HP]

HP 17" Notebook w/4GB Memory, 320GB Hard Drive (Model # G71-329WM) - $398.00 [Wal-Mart]

HP 17.3" Laptop w/Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 Processor, 4GB RAM, 320GB Hard Drive - $599.98 [Staples]

HP Desktop AMD X4 Quad Core, 8GB Memory, 1TB Hard Drive w/20" Monitor, HP Deskjet DJ350 Color Printer & Windows 7 Home Premium - $499.97 [Best Buy]

HP Pavilion Desktop P6229PG w/20" Widescreen LCD Monitor - $499.99 [Office Depot]

HP Pavilion Elite e9250t w/Intel i5 Processor, 6GB RAM & 500GB HD - $799.99 [HP]

HP Pavilion p6280t Desktop w/Quad Core Processor, 6GB RAM & 640GB HD - $569.99 [HP]

HP Pavilion All-In-One 19" Desktop w/4GB Memory, 500GB Hard Drive, MS213 AMD - $598.00 [Wal-Mart]

HP Pavilion Desktop w/AMD Processor, 3GB Memory, 320GB Hard Drive, w/20" Monitor (Model # P6243w-b) - $398.00 * [Wal-Mart]

HP Pavilion Slimline s5210t Desktop w/Dual Core Processor 640GB HD & 3GB RAM - $349.99 [HP]

HP Pavillion Slimline s5220f Desktop Computer w/Intel Pentium Processor E5300, 4GB RAM, 640GB Hard Drive - $369.99 [Office Depot]

HP Pavillion Slimline Intel E5300 Desktop w/20" Monitor - $519.99 [Office Depot]

Macbook 13.3" Notebook w/2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB DDR3 Memory, 250GB Hard Drive, w/$150 Gift Card - $999.99 [Best Buy]

10.1" Samsung N110-12PBK Netbook - $326.95 [Amazon]

Sony 15" Laptop w/Intel Dual Core Processor, 4GB Memory, 320GB Hard Drive, Windows 7 - $399.99 [Best Buy]

Sony 15" Laptop w/Intel Dual Core Processor, 4GB RAM, 320GB HD, Windows 7, Sony Headphones, Built-In Blu-ray, Blu-ray Movie - $479.97 [Best Buy]

Sony 15.5" Laptop w/Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 Processor, 4GB RAM, 320GB Hard Drive - $649.98 [Staples]

13.3" Toshiba Satellite T135-S1307 TruBrite 13.3-Inch Ultrathin Black Laptop - $699.99 [Amazon]

Toshiba 15.6" Widescreen Notebook w/AMD Turion II Dual-Core Processor M500, 3GB RAM, 320GB Hard Drive - $469.99 [Office Depot]

Toshiba 16" Laptop w/Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 3GB DDR3 Memory, 250GB Hard Drive (Model # L505-S5984) - $399.99 [Best Buy]

Toshiba 16" Laptop w/Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4GB DDR3 Memory, 320GB Hard Drive (Model # L505-S5984) w/Printer and Case - $499.97 [Best Buy]

Toshiba 17" Notebook w/AMD Turion II M500, 3GB RAM, 250GB Hard Drive - $499.99 [Office Depot]

Toshiba L505-S5998 T4300 4GB RAM, 320GB HD Notebook - $399.99 [Office Max]

Wacom Intuos3 6x8" Pen Tablet - $199.99 [Amazon]

eMachines 15.6" Notebook w/AMD Processor, 2GB Memory, 160GB Hard Drive (Model # EME627) - $198.00 * [Wal-Mart]

eMachines Desktop w/AMD Athlon Processor, 3GB RAM, 320GB HD, Windows 7, w/18.5" LCD Monitor and HP Deskjet Printer - $299.97 [Best Buy]

iBUYPOWER Gamer Extreme 938i Intel Core i7 860(2.80GHz) Desktop PC - $799.99 with Free Shipping [Newegg]

CyberpowerPC Gamer Ultra 2019 Athlon II X2 245(2.9GHz) - $399.99 with Free Shipping [Newegg

Digital Cameras


Ativa Digital 1080p HD Video Camcorder 4x Optical Zoom - $89.99 [Office Depot]

Canon 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera, EOS Rebel XS - $569.99 [Sears]

Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS 10.0 MP Digital Camera - $149.99 [Best Buy]

Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS 10.0 MP Digital ELPH Camera - $149.99 [Office Depot]

Canon PowerShot A1100 12.1 MP Digital Camera w/4x Optical Zoom, 2.5" LCD (Silver) - $129.99 * [Staples]

Canon PowerShot SD780 IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera - $179.99 [Office Depot]

Canon Powershot SD780 IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera - $179.99 [Sears]

Canon 980IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera - $279.99 [Sears]

Canon Rebelx XS Digital SLR Camera & Canon EF 75-300MM Telephoto Zoom Lens - $669.98 [Sears]

Canon EOS Rebel T1i D-SLR Camera w/18-55mm IS Lens - $699.99 [Best Buy]

Canon Rebel Tli Camera w/55-250mm IS Telephoto Lens and Lowepro D-SLR Bag - $849.97 [Best Buy]

Disney Pix Micro Digital Cameras Designed For Just For Kids - $9.99 * [Sears]

Flip Ultra Camcorder w/2" LCD - $129.99 [Staples]

Free Canon Photo Printer With Purchase Of Any Digital Camera (After Rebate) - $0.00 * [Staples]

Fuji J29 10MP 3X Zoom 2.7" LCD Digital Camera Bundle - $89.99 * [Sears]

Fujifilm FinePix A170 10.2 Megapixel 3x Optical Zoom Digital Camera (Silver) - $59.99 [Dell]

Fujifilm Finepix Z37 Polka Dot 10.0 Megapixel Digital Camera - $119.99 [Best Buy]

Fujifilm Finepix Z37 10.0 Megapixel Digital Camera w/Extra Battery and Case - $149.97 [Best Buy]

GE A1250 12MP Digital Camera - $69.99 * [Sears]

Hi Pro Camera Kits - 50% Off * [Sears]

Insignia 720p HD Camcorder - $69.99 [Best Buy]

Insignia NS-DSC10A 10.0 Megapixel Digital Camera (Pink) - $49.99 * [Best Buy]

Insignia NS-DSC10B 10.0 Megapixel Digital Camera (Blue) - $49.99 * [Best Buy]

Jazz T20 4X Digtal Zoom 1.5" LCD Camcorder - $19.99 * [Sears]

Jazz T55 Camcorder - $49.99 * [Sears]

Kodak EasyShare CD80 Digital Camera Bundle - $79.99 [Office Depot]

Kodak EasyShare C140 Digital Camera With 7" Kodak Digital Photo Frame - $109.99 [Best Buy]

Kodak EasyShare M381 Digital Camera w/Case & Tripod - $169.99 [Office Depot]

Kodak EasyShare Z915 Digital Camera w/Case & Charger - $199.99 [Office Depot]

Kodak M1063 10.3MP Digital Camera - $89.99 [Sears]

Kodak 10.0 MP Digital Camera w/Memory Card And Bag - $79.99 * [Staples]

Kodak CD80 10.2 MP, 3x Zoom Digital Camera 2.4" LCD 2GB Card And Case - $79.99 * [Sears]

Kodak EasyShare C180 10.2 Megapixel 3x Optical Zoom Digital Camera w/Kodak P820 8" Digital Picture Frame - $99.99 [Dell]

Kodak EasyShare C182 12.0 Megapixel Digital Camera - $69.00 [Wal-Mart]

Kodak Z950 12 Megapixel Digital Camera - $149.99 [Office Max]


Nikon L20 10 Megapixel Digital Camera - $79.99 [Office Max]


Olympus X905 10MP Digital Camera - $49.99 * [Office Max]

Nikon COOLPIX L20 Digital Camera - $99.99 * [Sears]

Nikon CoolPix S230 10MP Digital Camera - $139.00 [Wal-Mart]

Nikon Coolpix 12MP S570 Digital Camera - $149.99 [Sears]

Nikon Coolpix S60 10.0 Megapixel Digital Camera (Red) - $179.99 [Best Buy]

Nikon Coolpix S60 10.0 Megapixel Digital Camera w/Extra Battery and Case - $209.97 [Best Buy]

Nikon Coolpix L100 10.0 MegaPixel Digital Camera w/15x Optical Zoom, 3" LCD (Black) - $199.99 * [Staples]

Nikon Coolpix P90 12.1 Megapixel Digital Camera - $299.99 [Best Buy]

Nikon Coolpix P90 12.1 Megapixel Digital Camera w/Extra Battery and Case - $329.97 [Best Buy]

Nikon Coolpix S570 12.0 MegaPixel Digital Camera - $149.99 * [Staples]

Nikon Coolpix S570 12.0 Megapixel Digital Camera - $149.99 [Office Depot]

Nikon D3000 10.0 MegaPixel Digital Camera - $499.99 * [Staples]

Nikon D3000DX 10.2 Megapixel D-SLR Digital Camera w/10-55mm VR Lens - $499.99 [Best Buy]

Nikon D3000DX 10.2 Megapixel D-SLR Digital Camera w/10-55mm and 55-200mm Lens and Bag - $599.97 [Best Buy]

Olympus Stylus FE 4000 12.1 MP Digital Camera - $99.99 [Sears]
Olympus Stylus FE 4000 12.1 MP Digital Camera - $99.99 * [Staples]

Samsung SL40 12.2 MP Digital Camera - $79.99 [Sears]

Samsung C10 SD 1200 Digital Zoom 10X Optical Zoom 2.7" LCD Camcorder - $149.99 * [Sears]

Samsung Compact Full HD Camcorder - $399.99 [Sears]

Sony 4GB Camcorder - $249.99 [Sears]

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC S930 10.0 Megapixel Digital Camera - $79.00 [Wal-Mart]

Sony Cyber-Shot W180 10.1 MP Digital Camera - $99.99 [Sears]
Sony Cyber-Shot W180 10.1 MP Digital Camera (Black) - $99.99 [Best Buy]
Sony Cyber-Shot W180 10.1 MP Digital Camera w/Flexpod and Camera Case - $119.97 [Best Buy]

Sony Cyber-Shot W220 12.1 MegaPixel Digital Camera w/4x Optical Zoom - $129.99 * [Staples]
Sony Cyber-Shot W220 Digital Camera - $129.99 [Office Depot]

Sony Cyber-Shot W290 Digital Camera w/Case & Charger - $229.99 [Office Depot]

Sony Cyber-Shot H20 10.1 MP Digital Camera - $249.99 [Sears]

Sony DCR-SR47 60GB Hard Disk Drive Camcorder - $299.99 [Sears]

Vivitar Digital Camera Bundle - $49.99 [Office Depot]

Digital Media Cards


Olympus 2GB xD Memory Card - $4.99 [Office Max]


PNY 4GB Flash Drive - $9.99 [Best Buy]

PNY 4GB MicroSD HD Memory Card - $9.99 [Best Buy]

PNY 4GB SDHC Memory Card - $9.99 [Best Buy]

SanDisk 2GB SD Card - $5.99 [Sears]

SanDisk 4GB Memory Cards Or Flash Drive - $8.99 * [Sears]


SanDisk 4GB SDHC Card - $4.99 [Office Max]
SanDisk 4GB SDHC Card - $8.00 [Wal-Mart]

SanDisk 4GB Ultra II SDHC Memory Card - $12.99 [Office Depot]

SanDisk 4GB microSD Memory Card - $7.99 [Office Max]

SanDisk 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo - $14.99 [Best Buy]

SanDisk 8GB SDHC Memory Card - $14.99 [Office Depot]
SanDisk 8GB SDHC Card - $14.99 [Sears]
SanDisk 8GB SDHC Card - $19.99 [Best Buy]
SanDisk 8GB SHDC - $19.99 [Office Max]

SanDisk 8GB Memory Stick PRO Duo Memory Card - $24.99 [Office Depot]

SanDisk 8GB Ultra II CompactFlash Memory Card - $19.99 [Office Depot]

Sony 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo - $12.99 [Sears]

Sony 4GB Memory Stick - $20.00 [Wal-Mart]

DVD Players

Coby 7" Portable DVD Player - $49.99 [Staples]

Curtis DVD Player AR - $17.99 * [Sears]

GPX 8" Portabe DVD Player PD808BU - $79.99 [Sears]

GPX BD707B DVD/CD Boom Box w/7" LCD Display - $99.99 * [Sears]

Insignia Blu-ray Disc Player (Model # NS-BRDVD3) w/Superman Returns or Beetlejuice Bluray - $99.99 [Best Buy]

Memorex 1080P HDMI Upconvert DVD Player - $29.99 [K-M]

Magnavox DVD Player with VCR - $49.99 * [Sears]
Magnavox DVD Player with VCR - $49.99 [K-M]

Magnavox NB500 Blu-ray Disc Player - $78.00 * [Wal-Mart]

Memorex Compact DVD Player With Progressive Scan - $19.99 [Target]

RCA 7" Portable DVD Player - $47.00 [Target]

RCA 7" Dual Screen Portable DVD Player With Car Adapter - $88.00 [Target]

Samsung BD-P1590 Blu Ray Player (Saturday) - $148.00 [Wal-Mart]

Samsung BD-P1600 Blu-Ray Disc Player - $149.99 [Best Buy]
Samsung BD-P1600 Blu-Ray Disc Player- $149.99 [Sears]

Samsung BD-P4600 Blu-Ray Disc Player - $279.99 [Best Buy]

Sony DVD Player DVP-SR200P - $34.99 [Sears]

Sony BDP-S360 Blu-Ray Disc Player - $149.99 [Best Buy]
Sony BDP-S360 Blu-Ray Player with $20 Gift Card - $149.99 [Target]
Sony BDP-S360 Blu-Ray Player - $149.99 [Sears]

Sony BDP-S369 Blu-Ray Player - $148.00 [Wal-Mart]

Sylvania 7" Portable DVD Player - $49.99 * [Sears]
Sylvania 7" Portable DVD Player - $49.99 * [K-M]

Electronics


1.5" Digital Photo Frames - $7.99 [Office Depot]

2GB Pulse Smartpen w/$30 Gift Card - $169.99 [Best Buy]

4-Device Universal Remote - Free After Rebate [Staples]

AT&T DECT 6.0 Cordless Phone System with 4 Handsets - $59.99 [Sears]

AT&T DECT 6.0 Cordless Phone With Digital Answering System - $49.99 * [Staples]

All Philips HDMI Cables With Any TV Purchase - 15% Off [Sears]

Ativa 8" Digital Photo Frame - $49.99 [Office Depot]

Belkin HDTV Starter Kit - $34.99 [K-M]

Bose In-Ear Headphones - $89.99 [Best Buy]

Brother P-Touch PT-1290 Electronic Labeler - $9.99 [Office Depot]

Canon Vixia HD HF20 Camcorder - $499.99 [Best Buy]

Canon Vixia HD HF20 Camcorder w/Extra Li-Ion Battery & 8" HDMI Cable - $599.97 [Best Buy]

Casio Keyboard With Stand And Song Book - $49.99 [Target]

Cobra Radar Detector - $29.99 * [K-M]

Cobra Two Way Radio Pair - $19.99 * [K-M]

Coby 7" Digital Photo Frame - $29.99 * [K-M]
Coby 7" Digital Photo Frame - $29.99 * [Sears]

Coby 8" Digital Photo Frame - $49.99 [Sears]

Coby 7" Portable Digital TV - $99.99 [Staples]

Digital Decor Color LCD Key Chain Holds 48 Pictures - $10.00 * [Target]

Dynex 7" Digital Photo Frame - $29.99 [Best Buy]

Emerson 3-Handset DECT Phone Bundle - $39.99 [K-M]

Emerson Portable Karaoke CP398 System - $29.99 [Sears]

First Act Electronic Drum Set - $35.00 [Target]

GE 6 Foot HDMI Cable - $9.99 * [Target]

GPX 2.1 Channel DVD Home Theater System - $39.99 [K-M]

GPX Portable Karaoke Machine - $39.99 [Best Buy]

HP 8" Digital Picture Frame 512MB Memory - $109.99 [Staples]

HP 10" Digital Picture Frame 512MB Memory - $139.99 [Staples]

Insignia 7" Digital Photo Frame - $44.99 [Best Buy]

Jazz VGA 4X Digital Zoom 1.5 in. LCD Screen Pocket Digital Camcorder - $19.99 [K-M]

Kodak EasyShare P720 7" Digital Frame - $49.99 [Sears]

Logitech Harmony 510 Advanced Universal Remote - $39.99 [Best Buy]

Maxell Noise-Canceling Headphones - $20.00 [Staples]

Memorex 7" Widescreen Portable DVD Player - $29.99 * [Office Max]


Memorex Micro Speaker System for iPod - $11.99 [Office Max]


Memorex Home Audio System For iPod - $49.99 [Target]

Memorex iPod Clock Radio - $25.00 [Staples]

Midland LXT360VP3 2-Way Radios - $24.99 [Staples]

Motorola H390 Bluetooth Headset - $9.99 * [Staples]

Omnitech 12" Digital Picture Frame - $69.99 * [Staples]

Omnitech Bluetooth Speakerphone - $20.00 [Staples]

Omnitech Digital Photo Ornament - $10.00 [Staples]

Omnitech Mini-Speaker - $9.99 [Staples]

Panasonic DECT 6.0 Digital Cordless KX-TG9332T Phone Answering System (After Rebate) - $29.99 [Office Depot]
Panasonic DECT 6.0 Expandable Cordless Phone w/Digital Answering Machine - $49.99 [Staples]
Panasonic DECT 6.0 Expandable Cordless Phone System w/3 Handsets - $59.99 [Best Buy]

Pandigital 9" Digital Photo Frame - $59.99 [Best Buy]

Pandigital 10" Digital Photo Frame - $69.99 * [Sears]

Phillips 4-Device Remote Control - $9.99 [K-M]

Plantronics Explorer Bluetooth Mobile Headset 220 - $14.99 [Office Depot]

Sharp Handheld Calculator - Free After Rebate [Staples]

Skull Candy Ink'd Earbuds - $9.99 [Staples]

SmartPants 8.5" Digital Photo Frame - $49.99 [K-M]

Sony DCR-SR47 Handycam Camcorder - $249.99 [Best Buy]
Sony DCR-SR47 Handycam Camcorder w/Extra Li-Ion Battery & Bag - $299.97 [Best Buy]

Sony DCR-SX40 Handycam Camcorder - $199.99 [Best Buy]
Sony DCR-SX40 Handycam Camcorder w/Extra Li-Ion Battery & 8GB Memory Stick - $259.97 [Best Buy]

Sony E10 Ear Buds Headphones - $4.99 [Sears]
Sony Earbuds - $4.99 [K-M]
Sony Earbuds - $7.99 [Office Depot]

Sony Reader Pocket Edition And Cover With Light Combo - $214.98 [Staples]

Sony Reader Pocket Edition Cover With Light - $54.99 [Staples]

Sony Reader Pocket Edition With 5" Display - $199.99 [Staples]
Sony Reader Pocket Edition w/$30 Gift Card - $199.99 [Best Buy]

Sony Reader Touch Edition With 6" Screen - $299.99 [Staples]

Sony Reader Touch Edition And Cover With Light Combo - $319.98 [Staples]

Sony Studio Monitor Headphones - $9.99 [Best Buy]

Sony Wireless Headphones - $29.99 [Sears]

Sungale 7" Widescreen Digital Photo Frame - $29.99 * [Office Max]

Sungale 7" Digital Picture Frame - $29.99 * [Staples]

Uniden DECT 6.0 Cordless Phone w/5 Handsets & Digital Answering Machine - $59.99 [Staples]

VTech DECT 6.0 Expandable Cordless Phone System LS6215-2 w/2 Handsets - $44.99 [Best Buy]

Verizon 100 Cordless Phone w/ 2 Handsets - $19.99 [Office Max]

iHome Dock - $9.99 [K-M]

iHome PC Accessories - $9.99 [K-M]

iHome Portable Alarm Clock Speaker iPod Dock - $39.99 [Best Buy]

iHome Portable iPod/MP3 Speaker System - $9.99 [Sears]

GPS

Garmin GPS Friction Mount - $14.99 [Best Buy]

Garmin Nuvi 205 GPS - $89.99 * [Sears]
Garmin Nuvi 205 GPS Navigation System - $99.99 * [Best Buy]

Garmin Nuvi 255WT GPS Navigation System - $129.99 [Best Buy]

Garmin Nuvi 1200 GPS Navigation System - $119.99 [Office Depot]

Garmin Nuvi 1300 GPS Navigation System - $149.99 [Office Depot]

Garmin Nuvi 1350T GPS System - $179.00 [Target]

Lowepro Black Neoprene Sleeve - $7.99 [Best Buy]

Magellan RoadMate 1220 GPS - $84.99 * [K-M]
Magellan RoadMate 1220 GPS - $89.99 [Sears]

Magellan SE4 GPS - $89.99 [Best Buy]

Magellan RoadMate 1440 GPS - $119.99 * [Sears]

TomTom ONE 125-SE GPS - $59.00 [Wal-Mart]

TomTom ONE 130 GPS - $79.99 [Sears]
TomTom ONE 130 GPS - $77.99 [Office Depot]
TomTom ONE 130 GPS - $79.99 [K-M]

TomTom XL325 GPS - $89.00 [Wal-Mart]
TomTom XL325S GPS - $99.99 [Sears]
TomTom XL325S GPS - $99.99 [K-M]

TomTom XL 330 GPS Navigation System - $97.99 [Office Depot]
TomTom XL 340S GPS With Case - $97.00 [Target]

TomTom 540S Portable GPS Navigation System - $149.99 [Best Buy]

TomTom GO 630 GPS Navigation System - $169.99 [Office Depot]

TomTom GO 730 Portable GPS Navigation System - $174.99 [Best Buy]

Hard Drives


LG External Slim Portable USB 2.0 DVD Drive - $49.99 [Best Buy]

Seagate FreeAgent Docking Station - $19.99 [Office Max]

Seagate 320GB Expansion External Portable Hard Drive - $59.99 [Office Depot]

Seagate 500GB Portable USB 2.0 Hard Drive - $59.99 [Office Max]

Seagate 640GB FreeAgent Go External Portable Hard Drive - $119.99 [Office Depot]

Seagate 750GB Free Agent Go External Portable Hard Drive - $149.99 [Office Depot]


Seagate 1TB External Hard Drive - $69.99 * eBay [Staples]

Seagate 1TB External Hard Drive - $79.99 [Office Max]

Seagate Barracuda 1.5TB 3.5" Internal Hard Drive $97.99 [Newegg]

Seagate 1.5TB External Hard Drive - $99.99 [Office Depot]
Seagate 1.5TB External Hard Drive - $139.99 [Staples]

Seagate 2TB FreeAgent External Hard Drive - $179.99 [Office Depot]

Verbatim 1TB External Hard Drive - $79.99 [Office Depot]

Western Digital My Passport Essential 320GB Hard Drive - $49.00 [Wal-Mart]

Western Digital My Passport Essential 500 GB Portable Hard Drive - $69.99 * [Staples]

Western Digital Elements 500GB Portable Hard Drive - $59.98 [Target]

Western Digital 500GB My Passport Elite Portable Hard Drive Titanium - $79.99 [Best Buy]

Western Digital 1TB 3.5" External Hard Drive - $78.00 [Wal-Mart]

Western Digital Elements 1TB Desktop Hard Drive - $59.98 [Target]

Western Digital 1.5TB My Book Home Edition External Hard Drive - $119.99 [Best Buy]

Western Digital WDTV Media Player - $74.99 [Best Buy]

Home Theater

4' Monster Cable 700 Series HDMI Cable - $49.99 [Best Buy]

Ativa Home Theater System 5.1 - $39.99 [Office Depot]

Init Cherry Wood Stand With Mount For TVs Up To 46" - $99.99 [Best Buy]

Init Cherry Wood w/Black Glass Shelves TV Stand - $149.99 [Best Buy]

Klipsch Icon 2-Way Triple 5.25" Floorstanding Speaker - $186.99 [Best Buy]

Klipsch Icon 2-Way Triple 6.5" Floorstanding Speaker - $236.99 [Best Buy]

Samsung 5.1 Channel 1000W Home Theater System With Blu-ray Disc Player - $399.99 [Best Buy]

Sony Bravia DAV-HDX589W 5.1 Channel 1000W Home Theater System - $279.99 [Best Buy]

Sony STR-DH800 7.1 Channel 770-Watt A/V Receiver - $279.99 [Best Buy]

Tilting Wall Mount For 30"-56" Flat-Panel TVs - $99.99 [Best Buy]

YAMAHA 5.1-Channel Digital Home Theater Receiver plus Energy 5CH Home Theater Speaker System $299.99 [Newegg]

Monitors

Acer 20" HD LCD Monitor - $79.99 [Best Buy]

Dell 20" S2009W HD LCD Monitor - $99.99 [Best Buy]

Dell 21.5" S2209W Full HD Widescreen Monitor - $144.00 [Dell]

Compaq Q2159 21.5" Full HD Widescreen LCD Monitor - $169.99 [HP]

Dell 23"SP2309W Full HD Widescreen Monitor w/Webcam - $219.00 [Dell]

More Deals

<]]> http://gizmodo.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5409460&view=rss&microfeed=true You can buy an HDTV, a nice big one, for six hundred bucks. Or you can pay six thousand. It's presumably somehow better. You're probably wondering, "What the hell makes it better?" Here's the breakdown:

To be clear, we're only looking sets that are at least 46 inches—go big or go home. And though there are some nice 720p plasmas out there for amazing prices, the majority of TVs we're concerned with are 1080p—it's the standard now, even in cheap HDTVs, and probably the only resolution you'll see next year.

We focus on LCDs quite a bit here, not because we prefer them, but because there are key enhancements that can be put in LCD technology to make them look better. With plasma, the problems—energy consumption, weight, thickness—are more of an evolutionary, year-to-year thing. A cheaper plasma often is one that's just using older technology.

Also, we're using Amazon as our pricing base line, since it's on average a good standard for low but legitimate street prices, and we use Samsung examples a lot because they have a ton of different models on the market, so it was easier to isolate individual features, and to gauge subtle differences in pricing.

Size Matters

The first, and most obvious thing that'll cost you is more screen real estate. There's not an absolute inches to dollars ratio, but generally speaking, the first step up is the cheapest, and somewhere in the middle, there's a sweet spot, after which you basically lose money by upgrading. The funny thing is, each maker seems to have a different idea of where the sweet spot is, which you could play to your advantage:

Take for instance, Panasonic's plasma G10 series. It's $200 to go from the 42-inch model to 50, and then $400 to go up to 54. So the sweet spot is at 50 inches. Similar thing happening with Vizio's XVT line: Going from 42 to 47 inches is just $250, though going up to 55 from 47 costs about a a grand. Hence 47 inches makes the most dollar-per-inch sense if you like that TV.

With Sony and Samsung, though, it pays to keep going up. In Sony's top-of-the-line Bravia XBR9 series, the hop from 40 to 46 is $360, but going from 46 to 52 is just $250. Samsung's LED-backlit TV costs $350 to go from 40 to 46, and just $500 to go from there to 55 inches. (There's a limit, of course, Samsung's 65-inch LN65B650 doesn't have many of the frills discussed below, but still lists for $6000.)

The real lesson here: Don't think of size as a foregone conclusion. When you've narrowed down your options using all the criteria, go back and check the sizes and relative prices. There may be a surprise, hopefully good but possibly bad.

Vroom, Vroom

Everything after size you can roughly sweep everything you'd pay more for into the category of performance. The grand trick of buying TVs though, according to our friend Gary Merson of HD Guru, is that "the TV industry is setup like the car industry." Just like buying a Corvette to battle your mid-life crisis because it vrooms real good, when you pay extra money for extra horsepower, you're also going to get leather bucket seats and the in-dash GPS. It's hard to buy a stripped-down car that just delivers better performance, and the same goes when you're trying to scrimp on a TV without compromising picture. In the case of TVs, a higher performer might come with a million HDMI jacks or integrated Wi-Fi and video on demand, and you never know exactly what you're paying for.

Fortunately, we can break performance into a two major categories so it's slightly easier to interpret those price differentials: Backlight (for LCDs) and panel quality.

Fancy Backlighting

The single most expensive upgrade for LCD TVs right now is LED backlighting. As we explain here, there are a bunch of advantages to LED over conventional CCFL backlighting for LCD TVs. Which particular advantages you pick up depends on the kind of LED backlighting in the set. While both offer instant on and power savings, edge-lit models mainly deliver serious thinness, while backlit sets can offer local dimming, which delivers noticeably better black levels and contrast.

How much will it cost you? Well, comparing two Samsung sets with fairly equivalent panels, the price difference is about $500. The CCFL-backlit LN46B650 is $1360, while the UN46B6000 is $1850. Because it's got LED edge lighting, the B6000 is only 1.2 inches thick, compared to the B650's 3.1 inches. When you step up and compare Samsung's edge-lit to back-lit, the difference isn't as great: A 46-inch 8000 series edge-lit model goes for $2300, while the 8500 series with local-dimming is $2600. (If you're already paying for LED technology, you definitely want to step up.)

So yes, backlit LED sets with local dimming tend to cost more. Sony's year-old Bravia XBR8 uses tri-color LEDs to improve color accuracy over the most LED sets, which use white ones. Though its production is discontinued, it's still nearly $2200 at 46 inches. However, Toshiba consistently delivers cheaper sets than most of its fellow "name" brands, and their 46-inch LED backlit set with local dimming is just $1700.

Panels and Oh, It Hertz

The panel is the other major thing that determines how good an HDTV actually is, and it applies to both LCDs and plasmas. Typically, as you move up in price, you get a better panel. Cheaper sets generally use older panels with previous-generation tech that Merson says have a poorer viewing angle, so there's a smaller area you can actually stare at on your TV to get a good picture. The problem is that no TV manufacturer actually declares its panel attributes on the box, so you're often on your own to figure it out. The best way is to go to the store and check out the viewing angles.

Hertz, for the uninitiated, is simply the number of times per second that LCD TVs refresh their picture. (Plasma isn't part of this discussion because phosphor pixels work differently than liquid crystal ones, and plasma's "refresh rate" would be way higher—to the point of irrelevance.) A 60Hz LCD refreshes the picture 60 times a second, 120Hz is 120 times a second, and so on, up to 240Hz in the top-priced LCD sets. A higher refresh rate is supposed to increase the ability to see fast-moving video at its highest intended resolution, and works well in theory, though there are issues with 240Hz execution. At this point, a minimum of 120Hz is a given on all premium LCDs, says Merson. There isn't one LED-backlit set that doesn't have it.

Here's how the refresh-rate step-ups look: The 46-inch Samsung B550 is a standard 1080p CCFL-backlit set for $1020. Moving up to the same size B650 for $1360—$300 more—gets you 120Hz (plus a higher contrast ratio). Going up again, to the B750 for $1630, another $300, you get 240Hz, and again even better contrast ratio. That's about the top of Samsung's CCFL-backlit line.

You can see the same thing with their LED sets: The 46-inch B6000 is a 120Hz LED edge-lit set for $1850. The 46-inch LED edgel-lit B8000 goes to 240Hz, and it costs $2300, about $450 more.

What About Plasma?

As we mentioned, plasmas are a little less complicated, since there's nothing like refresh rates to deal with. On the other hand, the situation may be more obtuse, since you don't always know what the real differences are. Merson says there are a few basic levels of plasma performance. On Black Friday, Walmart is selling a 50-inch plasma for $598 if you don't mind the fact that it's 720p (and branded Sanyo, which is probably Panasonic-based but who knows?). Stepping up to the 50" 1080p plasmas will generally cost $300 to $400 more.

There are more issues, however. Panasonic has a new panel called NeoPDP that's more energy efficient, but it's sometimes hard to tell which models have it and which don't. (Hint: Look for the Energy Star sticker.) Finally, you have THX-certified panels that offer nearly perfect calibration right out of the box. Beyond that, contrast ratios do tend to get better over time, but it's relative: At the low end of the HDTV price spectrum, plasma sets have generally delivered better picture than LCD anyway.

Frills and Other Stuff

The funny thing about TVs nowadays is that there's more to them than the screen. Like inputs. Until recently, one thing you got more of by paying more money were more holes to stick things into. That's not really the case once you get up into 46-inch sets—you're gonna get 4 HDMI slots in a set that big no matter what. But, there are other things nowadays. Like video services that come in through other holes, or maybe without wires at all.

An example, to use our old friends at Samsung: The B6000 looks a lot like the B7000, but with the B7000, for $180 more, you get online video services via Yahoo's widget engine, like YouTube.

Or, let's look at the upcoming crop of LED TVs that aren't even out yet, or are in limited distribution for now. LG's 55LHX and Sony's Bravia XBR10 both have wireless HDMI and 240Hz, but with Bravia Internet Widgets and Slacker radio, the Bravia is $5000, $200 more than 55LHX. Wireless HDMI itself is a pretty pricey feature. Same Sony, compared to Samsung's 8500. The 8500 has built-in video services, but no wireless HDMI, and it's $500 cheaper, at $4500. Oh, and did I mention that the Sony is even 3 inches smaller than the Samsung and LG?

Wireless is still in the gimmick phase, but next year, we assume we'll be able to track its price premium as well as we can track size, refresh rate, backlighting and other factors today, $300 to $400 at a time. How do you get from $600 to a $6000? You just add, add some more, and then keep adding.

Still something you wanna know? Send questions about addition, subtraction, hertz, aches, pains and LEDs here, with "Giz Explains" in the subject line.

You will learn important lessons like: sizing your TV to optimize resolution, whether to choose LCD vs plasma vs LED and why you don't need to spend money on a 240 Hz TV. So, make sure to check out the following link before you shop. [HDGuru]

In other words, bumping up the refresh rates beyond 60 Hz may have eliminated the problem of motion blur, but some complain that the activation of the ME/MC circuit that kicks in when LCD sets achieve these high refresh rates desegregates the picture. As the video put together by HDGuru illustrates, this is a very real problem.

That having been said, LCD buyers have a few options. Most sets offer an option to turn off ME/MC, although that will result in lower motion resolution. You could also opt for a plasma set that doesn't suffer from this issue. It also reinforces a point I made with yesterday's article—you don't need to spend extra money on a LCD just because it advertises 240Hz. You probably won't see any additional benefit with that set than you would with one that tops out at 120 Hz. Check out HDGuru for the full details and results of the test. [HDGuru]

The plasma knives are vaguely similar to tools currently used in radiosurgery, but rather than heating tissue directly and damaging it, they penetrate and cauterize it safely. While tools like this are great because they have the potential to save many lives in situations where proper hospital care is not an option, let's be honest: most of us just plain want some mini lightsabers. [Wired]

Samsung's plasmas are pretty quality (I've got one of their 63 inchers), so you should take a long hard look at your bank account and see if you can afford this. Seriously, free shipping too. And that rotating stand is very handy. [Newegg]

The plama engine was tested on September 30, breaking the 200kW maximum power milestone. According to the company, the design has exceeded the predicted performance by 25%. The VASIMR VX-200 has two electromagnetic stages: The first one runs at 32kW and generates plasma from Argon gas, while the second one uses the plasma to output an additional 168kW.

This plasma engine will cut the need for massive amounts of fuel, taking down the current consumption of 7.5 tons of propellant per year—used in the shuttle and other spaceships—down to 0.3 tons. It will also be extremely fast, cutting down the travel to Mars from six months to just 39 days.

The VASIMR will be tested in late 2013 at the International Space Station. Hopefully those guys will pull the handbrake before they find themselves halfway to Saturn. [Universe Today—Thanks Gonzalo Oxenford]

It should be noted, all designs require glasses. (More technical background on the types of glasses here.)

Panasonic's 3D Plasma Concept
The Tech: Plasma with Active Shutter (alternating left eye, right eye progressive frames)
As a baseline reference to get our bearings, I took yet another look at Panasonic's 103-inch plasma display that we've seen twice before. My original impressions stand. It's decent—and definitely the best technology of the three that we saw at CEDIA. Why? There's virtually no flicker in the image because of plasma's instantaneous response times/ability to push legitimate high frame rates. Plus, it probably helps that we're talking about a 103-inch display (that has its own trailer). The bigger a 3D display, the better the illusion. But glasses aside, it's not what I'd deem a perfect experience. You see ghosting around some objects. And...OK, I still can't ignore the damned glasses. It creates an inherent distance from the image inducing an unintentionally ephemeral viewing experience.

Sony's LCD Concept
The Tech: 240Hz LCD with Active Shutter (alternating left eye, right eye progressive frames)
Even Panasonic will tell you that 240Hz is the baseline speed needed for an LCD to pull off 3D. But you know what? 240Hz isn't enough. Watching Pixar's Up, the color and sharpness are both great, but there's an absurd level of flicker that's nominally better than on old timey crank projector. And on this normal-sized LCD, it's incredibly obvious when 3D objects break the illusion by reaching the TV's frame. Granted, we're not talking about a final product here, but the specs seem pretty much identical to what consumers can expect to see in the high-end display market next year.

JVC's GD-463D10 LCD
The Tech: Polarized filter (two images are interlaced on the screen, each eye sees half the data, glasses don't need power)
Of the three technologies here, JVC's is the only final product that's actually available now. And it costs $9,153. It's also easily the worst of the three—completely unwatchable, in fact. The interlaced 3D means that the resolution takes a huge hit. But it's worse than just a 1080i picture. Your brain can almost make out these lines. I could say more about the tech, but I honestly couldn't stand to look at the screen for more than 10 seconds at once. Oh, and the kicker? For nine thousand bucks, you still only get two pairs of the cheap, polarized glasses. Sorry kids, Mommy and Daddy are watching TV tonight.

There's no doubt that some home theater enthusiasts will go out and plop down $5k or more on a commercially available 3D display when they enter the TV lines of major manufacturers like Sony and Panasonic in 2010. But I'm hoping, really hoping, that the public can resist the gimmick until the technology is perfected. To me, that means when we don't need to deal with these silly glasses at all. But for whatever it's worth, plasma is definitely looking like the clear front runner in execution. [Image]

On the left, the recently announced Toshiba SV670, a locally dimmed LED LCD. On the right, Toshiba's last gen, CCFL LCD display (click image for full size pop-up). Both were promised to be configured with the default "sports" settings—no special engineer tweaking.

Local dimming is one of the catchwords of CEDIA—the US's big home theater trade show. It's basically when a backlit LED display completely turns off backlighting in the dark parts of the image, pretty much making black as black as it can be.

Seeing Toshiba's side-by-side, the TVs produced pretty much identical images in terms of color, sharpness and dark details. But the blacks were way blacker, even when the lights in the room were turned on. And the difference is even more pronounced in person.

In other words, from Toshiba or any other company, this what "local dimming" really means when you read it on a spec sheet. The more you know, kids!

Total plasma sales went up 31% compared to the first quarter, mostly due to the high value attached to them in this economic downturn. In terms of LCDs, Vizio continues its hold as the number 1 maker, and in fact grew their market share, as did Samsung, Toshiba and Panasonic. Sony, unfortunately, lost more than 3% of the market—a huge piece of its share—though the Japanese giant did retain its third place position. Check out HDGuru for more info and analysis of the numbers. [HDGuru]

This according to the guys at HDguru, who proclaimed the new $2,600 set was easily the "New King of HDTVs." In some cases, they said, the Panasonic was able to best the Kuro.

The V10 distinction carries with it the same NEO PDP panel as its cousins in the recently released G10 plasma line, but adds in a bevy of new software and hardware features, including three color modes, a thinner profile (1.1″ deep at top and 3.3″ middle), and a 96Hz refresh rate for 24Hz sources. The V10 line currently comes in 50 and 54-in. models, with larger 58 and 65-inchers due out in August.

And lest you still remain on the fence about this HDTV, know that HDGuru changed their frickin review system from four to five hearts to accommodate all the wonderful new awesomeness provided by Panasonic in this pricey new HDTV. [HDGuru]

Although shooting a stream of plasma into your mouth sounds painful, the blowtorch actually works in small pulses, which lets the flame's gasses ionize and cool down a little before they can burn you. So far, dentists have only used this technology to sterilize teeth during root canals, but have a few other ideas on where else to use it—perhaps, in the future, zapping away diseases on your genitals? [R and D via PopSci]

The full motion resolution and overall excellent performance places the UN46B8000 at the top of all the LCD HDTVs tested....this Samsung is the first HDTV to deliver the dream of a thin, light weight, bright, clear 46″ large screen HDTV that you can easily hang on the wall like a painting.

Interesting factoid: If you're watching 24fps content (like a movie), each frame plays 10 times on a 240Hz display. Read that tidbit and lots more in HD Guru's meticulously detailed review of the world's new bestest LCD. [HD Guru]

Tim Alessi, LG's director of product development stated that his company is still committed to the format claiming that "LG will include some of our newest technology in plasma sets, technology such as advanced design, NetCast Entertainment Access for connection to a wide array of Internet-based content and THX-certified displays" in the coming years. According to their estimates, "plasma will account for more than 40 percent of the 50-inch and larger screen size sales." And this volume should continue for another 3 to 4 years.

(Mind you, LG sells a lot more LCDs than plasmas, and plasma not long ago accounted for a majority of 42-inch and larger screens, so for it to be less than half of screens 50 inches or more suggests a lot of decline here, despite the enthusiasm.)

Bob Perry, an EVP at Panasonic US, agrees. In fact, as the largest maker of plasma, Panasonic is still growing. It announced it will open a new plasma factory that it had put on hold last fall when the market for televisions took a steep nosedive.

We clearly see in the industry numbers that LCD growth, particularly in the US market, has leveled off, and it's growth rate is slower than the growth rate of PDP. PDP, used principally in larger displays, continues to show growth as consumers in the US shift to larger displays (50'+), and as PDP, a fairly immature technology from a cost perspective, continues to show improved cost effectiveness.

That sounds more convincing, but it has to be: Panasonic has no significant LCD business (yet), so it better be running its plasma business well, and with increasing efficiency and lowered cost. Does it mean sub-$1000 50 inchers by Christmas?

John Revie, SVP of visual display marketing at Samsung had this to say:

Plasma is an important part of the Flat Panel industry, representing approximately 30% of the 40"+ market and 50% of the 50"+ market. Plasma TVs provide the consumer great picture performance and value. As such we will remain committed to this technology and continue to make [capital expeditures] and R&D investments to improve our production capability and product design.

This sounds optimistic, like the others, but it doesn't change the fact that if you walk into any store to buy a Samsung TV, you can bet the retailer assumes you're talking about LCD.

There is more from each company spokesperson in the HDGuru story, but you can already see that while plasma isn't yet on its deathbed, it's clear that plasma is being relegated to higher and higher screen sizes as LCDs gobble up the rest of the market. [HD Guru]

The underlying plasma tube (PTA) technology remains the same, and the new set is constructed from component panels identical to those in prior examples, but Shinoda has managed to stitch the panels into an almost seamless 3:2 display, reaching the crucial 720p vertical resolution threshold in a 2-meter-tall display that weighs an incredible 16 pounds.

Best of all, Shinoda is moving closer to production of such panels, announcing business alliances with WAIEISHII and Itochu, a do-it-all, GE-like Japanese megacorporation. So somebody might actually make this thing, someday. [Impress Watch]

The performance and feature packed "Full HD" (1920×1080p resolution) TCP50G10 is the least expensive 2009 Panasonic plasma set to include THX certification. What does that mean to consumers? THX originally created audio standards for movie theaters and later for home theater sound systems. In 2008 THX issued a set of home video display standards for its certification.

In a nutshell, the G10 scored super high marks in categories like HD color accuracy, image brightness, energy efficiency and full 1080 line motion resolution. Plus, it's a pretty good deal at $1800. If that hasn't already convinced you, it's probably a good idea to check out HD Guru's full review if you are in the market for a new HDTV. [HD Guru]

The reason TVs are really cheap right now, he told us, is that typically, new TVs ship in the middle of summer. This year, however, they're coming out in April and May, so they've got to clear out all their inventory—which they have more of than they expected—faster than usual. Meaning you can get 2008 models at steep discounts, especially as the new TVs get closer to hitting store shelves.

You're also probably gonna find better deals on TVs bigger than 46 inches, because they have the largest overstock right now. HD Guru specifically mentioned a glut of 52-inch TVs, so if you're looking for something in that size, now's a sweet time. Before you go, don't forget to check out our complete guide to buying an HDTV. [LA Times]

Besides the fact it's from the B&O, when you turn the monster on, it comes alive, the stand elevating itself to your viewing level as the ten-inch loudspeaker emerges from the bottom the of the frame. It turns and tilts too. Also, every 120 hours it re-calibrates itself. Now that is luxury.

Hoarding your money only makes the recession worse, so as long as you're not an AIG executive, what are you waiting for? Oh yeah, July, when it goes on sale. [Flat Panels HD via CE Pro]

The guru himself, Gary, is calling this baby the "most advanced HDTV" from Panasonic, with a native contrast ratio of 40,000:1, THX certification, a crazy color gamut, 24Hz movie playback and a separate box containing a wireless HDMI receiver, to keep the thinness thin.

At a time when plasma seems to be dying—see Pioneer and Vizio—this is one last gasp that might be worth paying for.

There's more leaked info on the Z1 and all the lesser Panasonic plasmas, over there. [HDGuru]

They wouldn't be the first by any stretch—Pioneer and Vizio have both recently clenched the sphincter on plasma production, citing low profitability. If razor-thin profit margins are the concern, though, LG's next move—to produce CRT displays for the developing world, according to the article—seems an odd choice. UPDATE: For what it's worth (a lot?), LG has denied the report. [47News via Crunchgear]

UI Centric created the game as a demo for the 2009 Integrated Systems Europe show in Amsterdam, which is for A/V and electronic systems integration, presumably for homes, blah blah blah. And I wish there was more to say on the matter, but aside from professing my love for virtual table hockey games, that's about the extent of it. (Note to Microsoft: I'd like to see a 103-inch Surface at CES next year. 150-inch is cool too, thx.) [UI Centric via YouTube]

Vizio isn't a manufacturer—they buy panels from other producers. Co-founder Laynie Newsome cites the fact that in the showroom, LCDs are brighter and lure more customers, but there are presumably other factors, including the fact that Panasonic, the largest plasma manufacturer, has had to cut back on 2009 production.

The Panasonic cutbacks allegedly mean having fewer panels to sell to partners like Pioneer. Since Vizio did buy source panels from Panasonic, maybe Vizio got screwed out of panels too. The good news is, Vizio is working hard to gain LCD market share by putting out sets with features like LED backlighting—hopefully at low low prices! What this means for the future of plasma is still unclear, but it can't be good.

Note: Pioneer has not officially confirmed that it is out of the plasma business, but in two statements on the subject, they have not come close to denying it either. [NYT Gadgetwise]

We've known Pioneer's been having a hard time of things lately, especially when they confirmed they were leaving the plasma manufacturing business. They hitched their wagon to Panasonic, the leading plasma manufacturer, but apparently Panny just delayed the opening of a new factory, citing economic strains. So you can see how the #2 would get shoved aside, if all of Panasonic's capacity is tied up with its own product.

As for its DVD and Blu-ray group, the Nikkei says it plans to merge that with a division from Sharp as some sort of new business venture.

Gary Merson at HDGuru had been sniffing around this story, and today, Nikkei confirmed it with a report of its own. [HDGuru]

UPDATE: Here's Pioneer's official non-response to the news:

As a matter of policy, we cannot comment on rumors or speculation. As you know, we have publicly announced that we are actively evaluating our business. We started announcing changes in March, 2008 to increase efficiencies of our business operations. We are still in that process but do not have any further announcements at this time.

A few days after Anthony bought his plasma HDTV and turned down Sears' $300/3 year protection plan, a rep called him at home and asked why he chose plasma over LCD. He told her it was because the TV was cheap.

The rep proceeded to fill his ears with enough BS to power an entire alternative energy economy: Plasmas, she said, needed to be "recharged" every five years, at a cost of $500 a pop, so you should buy our three-year warranty. Compete, utter crap. Not to mention, that three-year warranty would be, um, expired by then.

My guess is that since he gave a non-technical answer ("it was cheap" vs. "plasmas have better blacks") the rep decided to play on his lack of technical knowledge to try to make the sale. Thankfully, Anthony realized that three is less than five and backed out, though he had to look on the internet to verify that what she told him was a lie. Always do your homework before you go to the store, because some, though not all, of these people are very much out to screw you. [Consumerist]

Everyone has a story about fixing a gadget with tough love, but this is kind of extreme. Depending on your history with flat panel TVs, this video will be either cathartic or nerve-wracking, but with the endless shouting arguments going on in the background, the maniacal glee with which our subject takes a metal bat to his television and the inexplicable success of the whole endeavor, well, it's hard not to feel like you've witnessed something significant. NSFW for language. [NoWhereElse—Thanks, Steve]

Before you read any further, I'll answer that nagging question. Yes, you need to wear special glasses.

The demo system starts with a retrofitted 103-inch Panasonic plasma. Coupled with active shutter glasses, a Blu-ray player feeds a 120fps 1080P signal to the television. 60fps are for the right eye while the other 60fps are for the left. IR syncs the glasses to the Blu-ray player to the TV, and presto, 3D magic is made.

So how's it look?

Good. It is sharp, I'll give Panasonic that. 60fps per eye means that the 3D image isn't created through some cheap interlacing effect that would kill the resolution. Watching highlights of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremonies (captured on dual lens 3D cameras), I was really impressed by the endless lines of drummers popping off the screen without the hokey feel of most 3D. A basketball game was equally impressive. It was like watching a perfectly photo-realistic NBA video game, minus the canned animations.

But I never really felt connected to the image. I blame the shutter glasses. There's something imperceptibly distancing about that technology to me—which was only exacerbated by a greasy smear on one of the lenses. It was work to watch these short clips.

Panasonic hopes to commercialize the technology by 2010, something I believe with their huge push with Hollywood types like James Cameron endorsing the technology. And while I can see the appeal of 3D imaging for everyday video content, I really don't think that it will be popularized with shutter glasses, regardless of Blu-ray and fancy plasmas.