2009 HDTV Buying Guide: Part 1 – Price

It almost sounds too easy but the first and most important aspect of your HDTV purchase should be price.  Your television is supposed to give you pleasure and entertainment, not make you wish you never set eyes on it.  To make sure you never get to that point, the best way is to make sure you know in advance how much television you want to buy.

Price comes into play in a few different ways.  It can impact the brand of your television, the size, and how you buy it.

Buying a television isn’t that different from when you went to school, there are popular brands and brands that aren’t that well known.  The top brands like Sony, Panasonic, and Samsung typically charge a premium because they spend a lot more time marketing their products and usually give you a warranty that’s more comprehensive.  If price isn’t an issue, you can pick any television.  The issue arises when price is a concern which is true for most people in the market today.  Then you’re left deciding how to compromise. 

Companies like Vizio, Olevia, and Soyo have been able to grow marketshare and take it away from the “big 3″ of Consumer Electronics.  Instead of flaunting a brand name they speak more about value.  They are able to drive sales because people have been taught that most of the HDTV screens are all made the same handful of manufacturers and the picture is almost guaranteed to be better than an older CRT television.  Couple this with the thinner form factor and almost any company can get away with making an HDTV providing the price is good enough.

Other companies like Best Buy have created Dynex and Insignia as their own brands.  Instead of paying for marketing they show their product in their circulars and on their store shelves and are able to charge less because they don’t have to fight.  Instead these private label brands flourish because they are labeled as “exclusives.”  Typically, in exchange for a lesser known name and a low price tag you get shorter warranty.  Many manufacturers offer a one year warranty but many of the lesser known brands will only get you 90 days. [We'll talk about warranties later, but this is all best on your own comfort level]

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