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The Samsung LNB360 performs well for a cheap HDTV.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

To a bargain HDTV shopper, the array of small-screen LCDs must seem inexhaustible and indistinguishable, but among recent models we've reviewed, the Samsung LNB360 stands out with the best picture quality. It's no home theater superstar, mind you, but it managed to beat out the entry-level LCD competition in the important arena of black-level performance.

It does cost a few more bucks than many of its competitors, and it lacks some noteworthy features (like side-panel inputs), but if you're looking for a small LCD that gives "good enough" picture for less, the LNB360 series certainly qualifies.

Read the full review of the Samsung LNB360 series.

Samsung LNB360 series (photos)

This sub-$300 32-inch LCD features tons of inputs.

(Credit: Best Buy)

Sorry to hit you with TV deals two days in a row, but Wednesday's 26-inch Mag sold out so quickly, it seemed like the right thing to do.

Likewise, Wal-Mart's recent 32-inch HDTV for $298 barely lasted the day, so hopefully this offer will stick around a bit longer.

Best Buy has a Dynex 32-inch LCD HDTV for $299.99. It's a new unit, not a refurb, and you can save around $44 in shipping charges by opting for in-store pickup. (You'll still have to pay sales tax, though.)

Dynex is definitely not a household brand, but based on the 4-stars-out-of-5 review average on Best Buy's site, the DX-L32-10A is a pretty decent TV.

As you might expect, it offers 1,366x768-pixel resolution (720p, which is fine for a set of this size). Less expected: an impressive three HDMI inputs, plus two component, two composite, and one PC. You can plug everything you've got into this baby!

I'm glad to see 32-inch TVs starting to settle into the $300 range. Hopefully the larger models (42- and 46-inchers, for example) will follow suit, as their prices have barely budged in the past year.

Think you'll grab one of these for the den, bedroom, game room, or somewhere else? Or are you holding out for an even better Black Friday deal?

The KDL-L5000 series is surprisingly affordable, for a Sony.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

When you compare the various entry-level LCDs in the price range of the Sony KDL-L5000 series, you'll notice a few that cost a bit less. But for a Sony, this set is remarkably affordable, and its design, anchored by a sleek exterior and Sony's typical remote and menu prowess, stands at least a cut or two above that of most HDTVs in its class. Its picture quality also hits most of the right notes, despite a uniformity hiccup and imperfect color accuracy.

Finally, the feature set has a few extras not often found in this price range, including a smattering of power saving modes and that third HDMI input. If you don't mind spending a couple bucks more than you absolutely need, the Sony KDL-L5000 series deserves consideration.

Read the full review of the Sony KDL-L5000 series.

Sony KDL-L5000 series (photos)

Mag's 26-inch LCD HDTV can double as a PC monitor, albeit a fairly low-res one.

Update: I'm afraid this is sold out already, as I predicted. Sorry if you missed it!

Update #2: And now it's back in stock. Moral of the story: If something sells out, check again in an hour, a couple hours, or even the next day. You never know when the vendor will replenish its stock.

It's not even Black Friday yet, and already I'm seeing one of the best deals of 2009. CompUSA has a Mag 26-inch LCD HDTV for $199.99 shipped.

To put that in perspective, the last time I saw anything close was back in July: a 25-inch monitor (not TV) for $199.99 plus shipping.

The Mag Innovision UF261 sports a 26-inch screen, an ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuner, 720p output (or 1,366 x 768 if you're thinking in computer terms), and all the inputs you're likely to need: HDMI, component, composite, and VGA.

To my surprise, this is a new unit, not a refurb, and it's backed by a full one-year warranty. (Curiously, however, coverage is provided by Columbus Capital Corp., not Mag proper. Not sure if that's important, just FYI.)

I think the UF261 would make a great TV for a den or bedroom, and it would pair nicely with a game console.

You could also use it as a mammoth PC monitor, but the limited resolution might limit your enjoyment. (In comparison, a typical 22-inch monitor runs at 1,680 x 1,050.) Also, I haven't found any reviews of this model, save for the handful on CompUSA's site (they're mostly positive).

Still, as I said, this is perhaps the best HDTV/monitor deal I've seen this year, and consequently I'll be shocked if it doesn't sell out by the end of the day. Act fast if you want in.

Fox's "Family Guy" is one of only a handful of network shows that has yet to make the jump to high-def

(Credit: John P. Falcone/CNET)

When HDTVs first appeared for sale in the late 1990s, they were a doubly bad deal. In addition to being prohibitively expensive, there was also very little high-def programming one could actually watch. Even if you were fortunate enough to have an HD channel or two broadcasting in your area, most of the shows weren't in HD anyway. And--years before Blu-ray--there weren't even any HD home video options, either. Most folks were lucky to see a few hours of high-def per week.

What a difference a decade makes. As we approach 2010, high-def is nearly ubiquitous, at least as far as national networks are concerned--whether you get your TV from an over-the-air antenna, cable/fiber, or satellite. Instead of having to consult enthusiast Web sites like AVS Forum to see which handful of shows are in high-def, it's now easier to list the few shows that are not yet in HD.

To that end, we did a quick survey of the current TV schedule (with a focus on the major broadcast networks). Listed below are the programs that, for whatever reason, have yet to make the jump to high-def:

The Vizio VO320E is one of the least-expensive 32-inch TVs on the market.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

Vizio chose to adorn its VO320E 32-inch LCD with claims of environmental consciousness, saying the little set exceeds Energy Star guidelines by 15 percent. But that's not a very high standard, and according to our tests the Vizio, while definitely no power hog, sips just a couple bucks less juice per year than other LCDs in its class. Its true appeal is low price combined with perfectly acceptable picture quality. A couple of flaws might give black level sticklers or dual-use PC/TV aficionados pause, but other bargain hunters should consider this entry-level Vizio among the better LCDs in its class.

Read the full review of the Vizio VO320E.

Vizio VO320E -- photos

The basic styling of the Toshiba AV502U series befits its low price.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

When we say the entry-level Toshiba AV502U series can produce relatively deep black levels, the key word is "relatively." It's perhaps more accurate to say that its shade of black outdoes most other less-expensive, lower resolution, small-screen LCDs we've seen by a narrow margin. It does fall short of the competition in terms of maintaining accurate color at every brightness level, however, and it will look best if you avoid feeding it any 1080i sources. Speaking of looks, the AV502U is also among the most boring-looking TVs we've seen when it's turned off, and that's saying something. Those caveats aside, this little LCD does do slightly better blacks for less, and that might be enough for bargain hunters.

Read the full review of the Toshiba AV502U series.

Toshiba AV502U series--photos

A 42-inch plasma for under $500? That's one helluva deal.

(Credit: Panasonic)

Hurry, hurry, step right up! No, I mean it: hurry, because Dell is offering the 42-inch Panasonic Viera TC-P42X1 plasma TV for $499 shipped only until 1 p.m. PST Friday, i.e. today.

That's assuming they're in stock that long. This is a decidedly Black Friday-caliber deal, one of the best I've ever seen on a TV of this size.

Note: you have to add the TV to your cart and proceed to the checkout to get the $499 price. And you'll probably have to cough up sales tax.

CNET hasn't reviewed this particular model, but does note a review of its virtually identical, larger sibling: the TC-P50X1. The verdict on that model: "The best black-levels-to-dollars ratio of any HDTV we've tested."

For what it's worth, the customer ratings on Dell's product page average 4.8 stars out of 5. Even at its usual price of $749, this TV is loved by most.

I should note that it's a 720p model, so if you're hankerin' for 1080p (which you can't even get from most TV sources, though you can from Blu-ray players and game consoles), look elsewhere. Of course, some would argue that at this size, 1080p is overkill. Thoughts?

In the interests of expediency, I'm going to leave it there. Check the specs on Dell's product page, and be sure to read the user reviews and CNET's related review. But my Spidey senses (cheapy senses?) say this is an outta-the-park awesome deal. Get it while you can.

Bonus: Want a Blu-ray player to go with it? Circuit City has a refurbished Samsung BD-P1590 for $100 shipped. It supports BD-Live, Netflix streaming, YouTube, and more.

Two Pixar classics on Blu-ray for just $11. How can you go wrong?

Here's an interesting deal for anyone who has:

1. Children
2. A Blu-ray player
3. A nearby Target store
4. A love of Pixar films

With a little coupon magic, you can score the "Monsters, Inc." and "Up" Blu-ray combo packs for $10.98 (plus sales tax).

Each bundle has four discs: two Blu-ray Discs (one with the movie, one with extras), one DVD of the movie (bonus!), and one disc containing a DisneyFile Digital Copy (for viewing on, say, a laptop or iPhone).

Start by printing this $8 off "Monsters, Inc." coupon. You'll need to install a small app called Coupon Printer, but it appears to be harmless.

Next, print this $10 off "Up" coupon. It also requires Coupon Printer.

Finally, head to this Hot Coupon World post, scroll down to the Expiring November 25, 2009, section, and enter a '1' in the field next to "Blu-ray movies: "Up AND Monsters, Inc. together." Then scroll all the way down, click "Get Coupons," and print the coupon.

Now hop in the car and drive to your local Target. I'm not 100 percent sure they'll take all three coupons, but a blogger over at Frugal Find (source of this nifty deal) reported they had success using it.

As someone who has children, a Blu-ray player, a nearby Target store, and a love of Pixar films (particularly these two), you had better believe I'm looking for my car keys. How about you?