Flat-Panel Prices Keep Falling

PC World examines the issue of falling flat-panel display prices, finding that LCD prices dropped 27% in 2004 from $1500 for a 27-inch HD-ready LCD TV to under $1,100 today. Similarly, plasma prices have declined by 23% over the last year. The average price of a 42-inch plasma is now just over $2,200 as of January. The data comes from research firms DisplaySearch and NPD Group, and the article cites several examples of models that come in well below those averages.

For what it's worth, I would advise against buying the cheapest plasma or LCD you can find. Sure, you'll save a few bucks, but after your house and car, this is likely the biggest purchase you'll make this year. With HDTVs, like anything else, in many respects you get what you pay for. Now I'm not suggesting that everyone rush out and plunk down $10,000 or more on a top of the line Runco plasma (although if you do, you won't be disappointed). There are some less well-known companies that make quality products, and you can't assume that just because a product has a certain label on it that it's automatically better than one from a company you've never heard of. However, with any purchase this large, quality has to be at least as important as price. Make sure that you've read up on the HDTV you're about to buy and that you're happy with its picture quality. Then factor in the price to ensure that you're not overspending just because of a brand name and that you're not going too cheap in a way that sacrifices quality.