Get Ready For The Holiday Shopping Frenzy
Shopping for electronic gadgets isn't as easy as it used to be. A TV was a TV, a radio was a radio, and a stereo was a stereo. However, now there are flat screen TVs, projection TVs, plasma TVs, 5, 6, and 7 channel surround sound receivers, speakers, subwoofers, and the choices go on and on and on.
The following a list and discussion of products that are either "Hot" or "Not" for home theater consumers this Holiday Shopping Season. For additional information on each product category, be sure to check out the links provided to additional resources within and on the right sidebar of this article.
Blu-ray and HD-DVD have now been available for over a year now, with both competing incompatible formats that are vying for your eyes, ears, and wallet.
Of course, if you don't have an HDTV, then you would just be buying an overly-expensive DVD player. If you do have an HDTV, either Blu-ray or HD-DVD will make your screen sparkle with true high definition resolution.
With prices for HD-DVD players now starting at $250 or less and Blu-ray Disc players starting at about $400, they are certainly becoming more affordable.
Also, another option, which would make a great holiday gift, are new Blu-ray/HD-DVD Combination players from both LG (BH100 or BH200) and Samsung (BD-UP5000) that play both Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs, as well as standard DVDs. Keep in mind that these players will cost you about $999.
In addition, don't forget the price of the movies, which are anywhere from $5-10 more than a standard DVD. One comforting thought is that although Blu-ray and HD-DVD players cannot play each other's discs, they both will play standard DVDs, so your current DVD collection will not become obsolete. If you are looking for the latest high-tech gadget for the holidays, either a Blu-ray Disc, HD-DVD, or Blu-ray/HD-DVD player may be just the ticket.
For more details on Blu-ray and HD-DVD, check out the following resources:
Blu-ray and HD-DVD - What You Need To Know
Blu-ray and HD-DVD FAQs
Before You Buy a Blu-ray or HD-DVD Player
Blu-ray and HD-DVD Player Top Picks
2. LCD and Plasma Flat Panel Televisions
Flat panel televisions are the most desired product this holiday season. LCD and Plasma flat panel televisions are hot, hot, hot! Prices have come down significantly this year, with many 32-inch size LCD and 42-inch Plasma televisions selling below $1,300. You may see some $899 (or lower) door busters on LCD and even $999 Plasma sets the day after Thanksgiving.
With regards to LCD Televisions, specifically; in addition to falling prices, performance of these sets have also increased significantly, with a significant number LCD sets and a growing number of Plasma sets featuring 1080p processing and display capability.
Also, with the maturing of LCD technology and more efficient production methods, screen size availability of LCD televisions, once relegated to below 37-inches, are now quite common in sizes up to 46-inches, with some sets with larger screen sizes available. Large screen sizes in the 42-inch and up range was territory once dominated by Plasma televisions. As a result of these trends, LCD televisions are selling like hotcakes in the consumer market.
With Regards to Plasma Televisions, screen sizes over 50-inches are coming down in price, and you will see more in the below-$2,000 price range, as well as more higher-end Plasmas featuring full 1080p resolution this holiday season.
With prices falling, performance going up, and more screen size options available, with LCD and Plasma televisions are the quickly dominating the market; the traditional tube television has essentially disappeared off the shelf. LCD and Plasma televisions will definitely be in the majority of American homes before the end of the decade.
For information on what you need to know before you buy an LCD or Plasma television, as well as some suggestions, check out both my LCD Television FAQs and my current 40-inch and Larger LCD Television Top Picks, as well as my 32 and 37-inch LCD Television Picks.
For Plasma televisions, check out my Plasma TV FAQS and Top Picks.
Ever since the DVD player first arrived, many consumers asked "Can it record?". Although standard DVD players can't record, the DVD recorder, first introduced five years ago, is definitely taking notice of consumers as a viable video recording option to the VCR.
As with DVD players, the video quality of these units far surpasses the VCR, and, in most cases, the DVDs recorded on them will play in a standard DVD player. In addition, DVD recorders now come in several configurations, including DVD recorder/hard drive combos (that make it easy to edit and temporarily store videos before putting them on a DVD) and now, DVD Recorder/VCR Combos (which combine a DVD recorder and a VCR in the same chassis).
After initial out-of-this-world prices of $2,000 and higher just six years ago, some latest-generation name-brand models are now priced as low as $119, making them a very practical alternative to the VCR.
For information on what you need to know before you buy a DVD Recorder, as well as some suggestions, check out my DVD Recorder FAQs as well as my current DVD Recorder and DVD Recorder/VCR Combo Top Picks.
Proceed To Page 2 - What's Hot For The Holidays - Home Theater-in-a-Box, Video Projectors, HD-Compatible DVD Players
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