Flat panel TVs

It's incredibly cool to have a TV on a wall placed as if it were a picture frame. A flat panel TV is a piece of furniture that guests will notice right away and it will be just as stunning turned off as it is turned on. If you need to hang your TV on a wall, you only have two options: Plasma or LCD flat panel.

EDTV Plasma: $1500 to $3500; 37 to 46 inches

HDTV Plasma: $2500 to $20,000; 32 to 61 inches

"Enhanced Definition" Plasma screens (EDTV) do not offer true high-definition TV quality. Instead they offer a "DVD quality" screen resolution of 852x480. For watching DVD-movies, conventional cable or television, or playing video games, the lower resolution is not a factor. You will still be able to enjoy TV shows broadcast in high-definition, however the show will only be as sharp as a DVD. By convention, any plasma with a resolution greater than 852x480 is considered HDTV plasma. These panels include resolutions such as 852x1024, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1280x768, and 1366x768. With a higher resolution screen, you will be able to take advantage of the additional resolution that high-definition broadcasts offer.

HDTV LCD flat panel: $500 to $10,000; 17 to 46 inches

Compared to plasma screens, LCD panels will not offer as nice of a picture or as large of a size. However, the listed price range can be misleading. While 46" LCD flat panels run close to $10,000 and 46" HDTV plasma screens are half that price, LCD technology is cheaper for smaller sizes. Generic-brand LCD TV's with HD resolutions (1280x768) at 30 inches are only $1000, significantly less than the comparable sized HD plasma. These 30” TVs from companies such as Syntax, Olevia, Maxent, Sceptre, represent the best bang for the buck when it comes to stylish TVs with an acceptable image quality. The 46" LCD panel is really only for those who can afford the very best, with a flagship 1080p resolution.

Bottom line?

LCD offers the best value if you're looking to get something in the 30-inch range or smaller. The quality is almost as good as HDTV plasma and it's much more reliable. If you're not much of a gamer and simply want a great screen for your DVDs, an EDTV Plasma is a good bet as well. If you're looking a luxury product in the 50-60 inch screen size with a $5000 to $10,000 budget, you won't find anything with more wow factor than the plasma.