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Ultimate HDTV buying guide

Ultimate HDTV buying guide
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Updated February 13, 2009

Televisions are expensive beasts, but they fall into a few distinct price categories. Here's a cheat sheet that will help better align the set of your dreams with the reality of your bank account. Note that these prices reflect the latest street/online price as of this writing. To sort TVs in CNET's database by price range, check out this list...

What to consider: Your budget range | Size up your screen | HDTV boot camp |
Wide-screen vs. 4:3 | Key features and connectivity options | Judging picture quality |
Video gaming and computer tips | Accessories and warranties

Your budget range

Pricing parameters
Televisions are expensive beasts, but they fall into a few distinct price categories. Here's a cheat sheet that will help better align the set of your dreams with the reality of your bank account. Note that these prices reflect the latest street/online price as of this writing.

What you'll pay
What you'll get
Less than $300
CRT: up to 27 inches
LCD: up to 24 inches
$300 to $500
LCD: up to 32 inches
$500 to $800
LCD: up to 42 inches
Plasma: up to 42 inches
Rear-projection: up to 61 inches
$800 to $1,100
LCD: up to 47 inches
Plasma: up to 50 inches
Rear-projection: up to 61 inches
$1,100 to $1,700
LCD: up to 52 inches
Plasma: up to 50 inches
Rear-projection: up to 67 inches
$1,700 to $2,700
LCD: up to 52 inches
Plasma: up to 58 inches
Rear-projection: up to 67 inches
More than $2,700
LCD: up to 108 inches
Plasma: up to 103 inches
Rear-projection: up to 73 inches

Next: See size up your screen 


See other things to consider:
Your budget range | Size up your screen | HDTV boot camp | Wide-screen vs. 4:3 |
Key features and connectivity options | Judging picture quality |
Video gaming and computer tips | Accessories and warranties
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