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 at the end of this article.
1. DTV Converter Boxes
With the approaching end of analog television broadcasting on February 17, 2009, I feel that the hottest gift this holiday season, may just be the DTV Converter Box. If you know someone special that has one, or more, analog-only televisions in their house, and receives their television programming over-the-air via antenna, then a DTV converter box may be the most appreciative gift that you can give. For more details on the DTV Transition and DTV Converter Boxes, check out my DTV Transition Survival Guide.
2.Blu-ray Disc Players
Now that the Blu-ray/HD-DVD war has ended, and there is more variety of Blu-ray Disc players now available, combined with lower prices, it is expected that Blu-ray disc player and Blu-ray movie promotions will be abundant this holiday season.
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 standard prices for Blu-ray players now starting at $299 or less, they are certainly becoming more affordable for the average consumer. Expect promotional prices on "B" brand (Emerson, Fuani, Sylvania) Blu-ray Disc players during the holidays to be as low as $199 or Less.
However, 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 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, a Blu-ray Disc player may be just the ticket.
For more details on Blu-ray, check out the following resources:
Blu-ray - What You Need To Know
Before You Buy a Blu-ray Disc Player
3. 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 and 26 and 27-inch LCD Television Top Picks.
For Plasma televisions, check out my Plasma TV FAQS and Top Picks.
4. DVD Recorders
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
