Televisions are expensive and they always have been. With HDTV having taken off and become the norm, there is now a matter of finding a good one that is compatible, but doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to purchase. Thankfully, that has become a much simpler task now that the format is becoming standard. For those that aren’t quite at that level, they are still very high quality and manage to pass for something close.
Either way, you have an opportunity to pick up a great television set, high in quality and low in price, for your family. I could give you a dozen that fall under the $700 mark, but these are some that I think are the best. Especially for the price tag.
Size: 42 inches
Price: $487.00, down to $429.00 for the 32 inch.
Key Features: Comes with a USB connection port to play compatible devices and various forms of media, intelligent sensor optimizes the picture based on the light levels and other conditions of the room it is in.
LG has come up with a number of products in the last few years that are really putting it back in the spotlight. This is a solid television that gives you plenty of options for expanding your media library and entertainment capabilities. Using the USB is a fast way to give yourself a wider selection of online content without having to have a game console, streamer or multimedia device. It is also only 40 lbs, making it safe to mount just about anywhere.
Size: 32 inch
Price: $316.00
Key Features: SD card slot in the TV itself; clearer picture thanks to higher contrast tuner.
I love anything that incorporates the latest technology standards along with it. The Panasonic Vier did so by putting an on-board SD reader into the television itself. Which makes it so much easier to view certain content, from movies to photos, depending on the size of your card. It also has a pretty great image and sound quality, even though the screen is on the small side for this type of set.
Size: 32 inches
Price: $379.99
Key Features: Five HD inputs, including a PC hookup port; additional USB port.
This television is nothing special when compared to other Sony products, which tend to be a lot more innovative in design. But it is a nice, standard and has a beautiful HD picture quality. There are plenty of ports there for you to hook it up to whatever you need to. It lacks an SD slot, but the USB and PC ports are workable.
Size: 46 inches
Price: $699.99
Key Features: Large screen; ConnectShare for quick access to thumbdrives through a back port; Game Mode for better response time when playing video games.
With a much larger screen than most at that price and crystal clear graphics, it is a tempting television. One of my personal favorite features is the Game Mode, which turns off all unnecessary graphics when you turn on a gaming console to improve response and loading time. It makes for a much smoother gaming experience. You can also use it as a PC monitor.
Size: 42 inches
Price: $599.99
Key Features: IPTV, an internet content connection service that comes standard with the TV; Plasma screen type.
I usually shy away from plasma screen TV’s because they have a reputation of being less reliable than standard LCD HD sets. But that has become less true over time, and this one is pretty solid. It has a 42″ screen with gorgeous color. But best of all is the IPTV feature, which taps into your network to allow you to access Internet content to stream directly onto your TV. What is exciting about this is it is the first step towards eliminating set top boxes that act as streamers, where the device is now built right into the set.