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December 19, 2006 10:27 AM PST

Another drop: 42-inch plasma for $799

by Michael Kanellos
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It's $799

The $799 42-inch plasma with elves

You may have already seen this if you have cable TV (and don't automatically skip over infomercials), but Big Lots is offering a 42-inch plasma TV from Sylvania for $799. That's $400 off the regular price and down $200 from the 42-inch plasma that Vizio cranked out for Black Friday.

Granted, it's always possible that you might find a better deal out there, but this one is pretty good. The store chain has 4,000 in stock, with a minimum of three per store and a limit of one per family. Look at the excitement of the lady with the Brittania jeans. She's going to buy one.

From the ad, it's unclear whether the TV Sylvania offers is a high-def plasma or not--Sylvania offers both. It might be only a regular plasma. But Amazon is also offering a 42-inch Sylvania plasma that accepts both 720 and 1080i input, according to the product description, for $799.

What's behind this? A couple of things. First, there are a lot of people in the TV business these days, so manufacturers have to try every means and outlet to make sure their inventory gets out there and gets noticed. Second, the 40- to 49-inch TV market is this year's Gettysburg for the plasma vs. LCD war. Plasma has dominated this space, but LCD has crept in. If LCD gets a toehold here, the technology will move to the 50-inch market. "We will fight them in the trenches, in the airwaves and in aisle 5A," a pained plasma exec might say.

Plus, when you are at Big Lots you can pick up a 60-inch metal wind chime (how decorative!) and a wet/dry ladies rechargeable shaver. Remember: The only thing we have to fear is fear of a good bargain.

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NOT AN HDTV!!!!
by dak244 December 19, 2006 10:50 AM PST
What this article fails to tell you, is that if you look close this is an ENHANCED definition tv, not a HIGH definition. I wont argue this is still fairly inexpense, but you can not compare this to the Vizio, which is a HDTV.
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True but still a flat panel
by andrewrm December 19, 2006 12:45 PM PST
EDTV isn't what most crave readers desire for obvious reasons but for the cost you are still getting a viewing experience that is far superior to the tube set that the typical Big Lots shopper bought at Wal-Mart.
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Unfair comparison
by charlie321 December 19, 2006 5:51 PM PST
Comparing this to the Vizio that was on sale at Costco is misleading and may
lead some people to buy a TV they will be unhappy with. The Vizio is a full-
featured HDTV complete with a QAM tuner. The monitor on sale at Big Lots is
just an EDTV.
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Update: price even lower at Amazon
by charlie321 December 19, 2006 5:55 PM PST
This set is now on sale at Amazon for $599.
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Enhanced Def
by ohendo December 20, 2006 5:36 AM PST
I went to BigLots.com, pulled up the ad, and clearly saw the "Enhanced Definition" printed under the TV. Enough said.
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will it be 499 soon?
by sharewareisland December 24, 2006 11:05 PM PST
will it be 499 soon?

- Vic
- http://www.Sharewareisland.com
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