Comments on: Report: 'Stunning' pre-holiday HDTV price drop

A PirceScan report entitled "LCD TV Prices Fall Fast in Advance of Holiday Shopping" finds just that.

[nperess]

Even with a pretty stable job....I will hold off on purchasing a flat panel.

[myles taylor]

I'm definitely waiting for a price drop. I'm going to need a new TV soon and I hope the prices drop so I can get one. So the answer is yes, I am.

[andywoho003]

The price could drop FIFTY percent, and if people are worried and holding on to their money, they're going to hold on to their money.

No matter how you slice it, an HDTV ready flat panel is still a luxury item out of reach to many people. Food, gas, rent--these all come first and always will.

[Lerianis]

And most people in this country are having no problem paying for those things, and as the countries economic problems get worse the prices of those things will drop as well. The fact is that they were TOO HIGH, those necessary items, for the past 10 years about.

[gminetos]

No Where Near Yet

Not interested in HDTV just yet. I'm waiting for stability in standards, technology and pricing. By standards, I mean settling on 1080p instead of 1080i and 760p. And it also means every channel is broadcasting in high-definition 1080p. By technology I mean not having to choose between plasma, LCD, or DLP - I only want one and I want that to be OLED. And pricing needs to be commodity type pricing, with 46-inch hdtv's in the $500 range and 57-inchers topping out at $1000.

That's what I and millions of others are waiting for. I'm figuring somewhere in the 2010-2012 timeframe I'll see each of those elements in place and then I'm in. Until then, I'll watch the few network channels of HDTV on my HP Touchsmart desktop.

[Lerianis]

You're going to be waiting about 20 years for them to go solely to OLED. In fact, they are NEVER going to go solely to that, because they will find a better alternative in the next 5 years, most likely.

[iconoclast04]

I don't know that channels will be broadcasting 1080p any time soon, if ever. As Cnet has pointed out at least 3 million times, unless you are watching on a screen that's at least 50", the difference is negligible. I don't know that demand for 1080p television signals will ever really get that high.

[bugsnest]

Brilliant plan! Except that the "ultimate technology" of the future that commodotizes televsion sets may not even happen in your lifetime. Enjoy the HP laptop until then :)

[drmatt87]

Yeah and its 720p! not 760p... Most cable is in 1080i, Dish has On demand 1080p... O and you want a 46' OLED for $500... maybe 10-15 years from now, and maybe by then OLED will have a long enough life to justify its price!

[twalsh3]

I agree, first there is not going to be one standard . This is technology we are talking about, everything will advance so even if they get down to OLED, something will replace it after that. If you want to wait for all this to happen, let us know how that goes for ya when your watching your 26" tube still in 15 years.

[Shaun822]

Sorry gminetos thats a pipe dream, and it isn't even the pipe dream that would be best. Most people don't have rooms large enough to place 50+ inch TV's in and 1080p only becomes noticeable at sizes larger than 50 inches, so even if the prices dropped to that ridiculous range you cite people won't buy them because they won't be able to comfortably watch them. Since the majority of the population has no need for full 1080p they won't spend the extra money on it, especially in shaky financial times. That means there is no real need for "every channel" to start broadcasting in 1080p. Secondly, depending on what you are doing with your TV different TV tech will suit you better. If you are gaming you should go with LCD because you can get plasma burn in. If you are making a home theater plasma gives you better color clarity on DVD's and Blu Ray's, and I don't even know why you would mention DLP its dead tech walking. So, one technology doesn't benefit anyone.

[weixiong100]

"three-quarters of HDTV shoppers who don't already own a high-def TV plan to purchase one within the next year"
isn't it should be 100%?
If someone is not planning to purchase a HDTV within the next year, how does he/she considered a HDTV shopper?

[katzmaier]

Heh, nice catch. That might be my favorite screw-up of the year so far. Corrected to the proper "online shoppers." Thanks.

Katz

[hameiri]

I think you can be an HDTV shopper without being an HDTV buyer. I used to be in television sales, so I know. Many people shop, including me, when the purchase could be many years in the future. That way, if a deal happens, you know enough and hopefully are there to see it.

What I mean to say, is that there are people that shop for Ferraris, but won't buy one until they are rich. That could take awhile.

[billeeyum]

Some of us who are on more limited budgets may actively shop for an expensive item for over a year. For me to afford a high quality HDTV I need to watch for a really good sale or for prices to drop. I have been shopping for an HDTV for over 6 months. When the right deal comes around I will buy one. Will that be in the next six months? Maybe. I am a HDTV shopper but it may be more than a year between when i started shopping and when I buy.

[bugsnest]

I am in agreement with the first poster - I have a stable job but am still going to hold off on purchasing a flat panel since its a luxury that can be pushed for later. If only they bought down gas prices as dramatically as HDTV prices :(

[hameiri]

I have an HDTV. But, I wouldn't mind another one. I'm waiting for a fantastic TV and a reasonable price. I could buy a 40" and move my current one to the computer room, or the bedroom..... or I could get a 17 - 26" one for the bedroom.

I've noticed that people stop spending money when they perceive the economy is bad. I wonder, isn't it a little late then? Also, isn't it a self fulfilling prophesy? Aren't they then part of the problem?

[Mac User Too]

As an economist, I can answer tell you the answer to your second question is 'Yes'! If consumers continue to spend, then businesses will continue to employ, purchase goods and services. People keep jobs and buy more. Spending encourages more spending. For a lot of people, perception is the only problem. If people whose economic circumstances have not changed continued to spend normally, the economy would 'recover' quicker.

[Tinker_Casual]

HD TVs will have to drop below $300 for a 50+"1080p with MUCH better performance and lower power usage than current products, with Blu-Ray movies costing less than current DVDs, and true 100% across-the-board HD systems compatibility, before I'll buy.

Couldn't care less about HD right now.

[wiimate66]

HDTV's have been well within my family's means for a while now. Everyone I know has several HDTV's in their own homes. Maybe its the area I live in but HDTV's have been, in my opinion, cheap for a while now.

[elzktkano7]

The time in now to purchase that 1080p 120hz refresh rate. .. for the low, low price as the economy stumbles! Got the surround sound down, the ps3, for hi-def content, so yeah this year's the year for me!!
gotta get ready for all those games coming out this month, and next, for ps3. now all i need i the iphone to put into that pretty little ipod dock that came with the surround sound... get yours now ...

[elzktkano7]

The time in now to purchase that 1080p 120hz refresh rate. .. for the low, low price as the economy stumbles! Got the surround sound down, the ps3, for hi-def content, so yeah this year's the year for me!!
gotta get ready for all those games coming out this month, and next, for ps3. now all i need i the iphone to put into that pretty little ipod dock that came with the surround sound... get yours now ...

[joebogo77]

I was always amazed during the time I sold home theater equipment at BB, the prices just kept falling and falling, it was a pain keeping up with the constant price cuts. And that was 2 years ago. I foresee this holiday season as being insane. It really wouldn't surprise me if the LG 52 makes its way down to $1000 even, at least for savvier buyers who check online prices frequently. But we must remember that there is always gong to be a price pont that will remain unattainable for certain sizes of HDTV. However, perhaps the most important truth is that as the HDTV wars continue to wage, it is the QUALITY of the products that will continue to improve. And we mustn't forget that manufacturers are constantly working on new ways to increase the lifespan and decrease power consumption of these bad boys, which are both very important considerations for a lot of us.

[Vonmoldy]

I hope with these economic difficulties TV watching in general will become a very low priority.

[DarkHawke]

And why would that be? Is it a better thing to curl up into a ball and worry yourself into an early grave over things that you can't control and may not even adversely affect you? TV, like all other forms of entertainment, is a release, something that lets you pleasantly pass the time and forget your worries for a while. Not that one should spend one's life chained to the boob tube (or panel), and the Lord knows you shouldn't get most of your news from it, but you'd begrudge a man an episode or two of Heroes or House a week?

[toredefine]

I am definitely going to by an HDTV within the next year. Just as the article mentioned above, I am just waiting for the price to drop into my price range. Which, to me, is reasonable. Another 300-400 dollars less than todays prices and I'm sold.

[mblsd8]

I have already purchased a 42 inch and have two 19 inch in the kids room. It's exxagetated that prices are high. I got both of those 19 inch for about 450 combined. I actually do believe that prices are already cheap. I was planning on buying a 52 inch and hopefully they drop within the next month so I can save a little. If you're not watching in HD you're missing out. Especially if you're a sports fan. Even having a smaller TV will do the job.

[emily-b]

My non-hdtv died, and needs to be replaced. It does not make sense to me to buy a non hdtv right now. Prices have come down in recent years. When I first started looking at these types of tvs a few years ago , the prices were insane. A nice size Sony lcd hdtv could be $20,000. Now the same tv might be $2,000. I can deal with $2,000 in comparison. I realize that is still a lot of money for many people, but they dont have to buy a top of the line model . There are plenty of cheaper models that are way less money. The way I view things is that staying home and watching tv is a dirt cheap form of entertainment compared to going to a movie. Add up ticket prices, gas, snacks, etc. Instead apply that money towards paying off a tv set ( or saving up for one). You'll get your $2,000 saved up faster than you think.

[unwritten_law9]

As a cheap college student I will be watching my spending this year quite a bit. Although I have been eying an HDTV the content price of them has been keeping me at bay. When you tack on a blu-ray player, HD cable content, and now another $1 for blu-ray discs from Netflix the price is outrageous. I'll stick with SD until the prices really start to drop.

[swshop]

I have a rear projection DLP HDTV, but am looking forward to buying that huge over-the-fireplace flat panel. I've watched the smaller sets come down in price, but am hoping that we can get 55" and bigger screens with good specs under $2000 soon. That will pull me into the market. But I am amazed at the great prices on under 50" flat panels. As for the economy, it's likely to keep me home for entertainment rather than going out, which makes the purchase of a great HDTV more likely.

[craka]

I have just upgraded my 5yr old 50" Sony LCD RP ($2800, when purchased) to a 65" DLP ($948, no kidding) since i wanted HDMI connections/Blue-Ray, best buy i've made in awhile. Some friends asked about buying my 42" Sony Plasma in my bedroom so now i'm thinking about upgrading that as well. After looking around, i couldn't believe how much prices have dropped on Plasma and LCD in the 40-52 inch range. I know the economy sucks right now but I think staying home and watching TV is a cheaper alternative than going out as another poster noted (gas/movies/food/pkg, $85 a night?). That $85 should pay for one month HD cable service with a few movie packages (Cinemax/Showtime). The 55" and larger Plasma/LCD is still way to high vs DLP/LCD RP/FP so this in the area where i'm waiting for prices to come down before upgrading again.

[mstrj9]

I am going to buy a large screen HDTV soon but, I will wait now that prices have been rumored to be coming down. Also, my retirement stock portfolio just shrunk by a considerable amount and I need to be careful about how much I can spend right now.

I want a top of the line Plasma and have been looking at the Pioneer Elite Kuro and the Panasonic Viera PZ800U 1080p.