Score a 42-inch Sharp HDTV for $899 shipped

(Credit: Dell)

Rumor has it that HDTV prices are about to dip, and this may be the first evidence: Dell has the Sharp LC42SB45U 42-inch LCD on sale for $899, shipping included. That's 500 bucks less than the original price, and a couple hundred less than I've found it anywhere else.

In addition to its 1080p resolution, the LC42SB45U (there's a name that just rolls off the tongue, huh?) offers three HDMI inputs, two component inputs, and a QAM-compatible tuner. What's interesting is that this is a brand-new model, not some closeout from two years ago--which is normally the case for bargain TVs.

Consequently, I haven't found any reviews I can share. But Sharp has an excellent reputation in the HDTV market, so this is probably a winner. And now that it's priced in line with various budget and refurbished models, how can you go wrong?

[donsms]

Thats half of what I paid for a Toshiba 37" 720P LCD a year and a half ago,simply unbelievable pricing!!

[murbo]

not everything is price and resolution in hdtvs.. with a contrast ratio of 8000:1 i'll pass.. phillips has 2008 models with much better features, and 29000:1 dynamic contrast for only a little more than this price

but you are right, prices on hdtvs are dropping like bricks falling from the sky. i would wait for the black friday to buy anything though

[MCVanOLinda]

Agreed. The way things are being predicted, Black Friday should be very awesome this year (if you've got the cash to spare of course)

[ywkhgqo]

There's no standard to contrast ratio, unless you compare them from the same comppany. So Phillips 29000:1 contrast ratio is ridiculous bs. What are these "much better features" don't be general about it. If Phillips tv's are honestly that much better than show it so we can maybe get in on them

[murbo]

@ywkhgqo
so writing that was easier than going to their website? and by the way, i got me one of those 29000:1 contrast ratio tvs from philips for 999, it is 1080p, with 4 hdmi 1.3 ports, 2 component ins, 2 composite ins, and a coax out. it has 5 channel sound eq, and loads of other things to configure/customize on its menu. before i forgot to mention, that "ridiculous bs" contrast ratio looks much better than any sharp i've seen so far...

[UrDaddy]

Murbo is right.....price & resolution is by far not everything when it comes to HDTV........contrast ratio & black levels are also very important........though when it comes to HDTV you need to understand that so far there's hardly anything that actually displays in 1080p beside Blu-Ray/HD-DVD and some internet media......but honestly at those high resolutions there's not a significance difference noticeable by the Human Eye.

Anyway if you want to buy an HDTV solely based off price, you can find far cheaper than this, though maybe not a brand as widely known as Sharp...

Dynex® - 42" 1080p Flat-Panel LCD HDTV $699.00:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8719078&type=product&id=1201306784758

Not sure the cost of shipping, but like I said if you're worried about cost only it's $200 less than the one Rick posted.

[rickbroida]

FWIW, everything I've read about contrast ratio says it's a bogus spec, as there's no standardized way of measuring it. Hence, a company can claim just about any contrast ratio it wants.

[johnisnotcool]

Contrast is not that big of a deal. 8000 is fine. Dynamic contrast is bs. It most likely only has 3-5000 in true contrast(what most people will use and see). I doubt it has much more then this one. I wouldn't buy a Dynex or any of these other ultra cheap tvs. Sharps I would buy it a second, this looks like a great deal.

[psvann]

Dell pulled the ad, looks like.

[WWW_HDTVDreams_COM]

Many companies are now scrambling to lower costs of high definition televisions due the back up of models many dealers are holding. Which is even better for dealers like myself who can offer them even cheaper than the big chain stores due to the fact that they already have these models in quantity sitting on there showroom floors.