It was only a matter of time before flat HDTVs would drop to a price where the average consumer can seriously justify “roof-testing” that trusty old 27-inch tube CRT television with a sexy, flat HDTV LCD set. That time is now and retailers are being swamped with consumers getting ready to make the move from analog TV to digital HDTV. While dumping your old set for a thinner, more beautiful mate is a very good idea, there are some potential pitfalls to beware of: - Make sure any set you buy is an HDTV-ready set. This means that it is either is ready to accept an HDTV signal via a digital cable or a satellite receiver box. The cheapest sets on the market are “EDTV” sets, meaning that they are flat and sexy-looking but will not reproduce HDTV in its full glory. Despite the tempting price, you don’t want such a set.

VIZIO digital display and set top maker, announced their "Black Friday" pricing for key high definition plasma and LCD televisions. VIZIO 32" LCD TV The VIZIO L32 LCD TV gets a $100 price cut to an every day price of $899.99. The 32" LCD offers an "Easy-to-set-up Guide," high definition 1366 x 768 native resolution and 8 ms response time. Built-in speakers, a universal remote control, PIP/POP, 3:2 pulldown, 3D-comb filter, motion-adaptive deinterlacer, component, VGA-type PC and HDMI video inputs along with multiple video settings are also features of this LCD. The VIZIO L32 can be found in Sam's Clubs stores and online.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has developed an efficient multi-channel display driver IC (DDI) for high-resolution LCD panels. Samsung's 1026CH Source Driver IC (S6CR014) is capable of processing thousands of channels with just four image-refining ICs instead of the typical ten used to power a 17” LCD panel today. DDI is a semiconductor located in the periphery of a display panel, driving the LCD cells by transmitting electric signals to individual pixels. As the push toward large, high-resolution displays accelerates, DDI has become a key component, with over 20 DDIs usually integrated in a panel.With the required number of ICs reduced, the LCD module's power consumption decreases too and that is expected to drop prices. According to Gartner Group, a market research firm, the DDI market is expected to grow from $6.6 billion last year to $ 8.2 billion this year and $12.5 billion by 2008.

Sony is launching its latest LCD televisions under a new sub-brand – BRAVIA which stands for Best Resolution Audio Video Integrated Architecture. The new brand was introduced on Monday with an unveiling of a right field sign at Yankee Stadium before the New York Yankees – Toronto Blue Jays game. Part of the sponsorship agreement with the Yankees designates the company as the official LCD TV of the team.

A study by iSuppli, an electronics research firm, revealed LCD TV prices are dropping. In July prices for lower end 40 to 42-inch panels fell to $950, marking the first time panels of this size have come in at under $1,000. Meanwhile, average prices for 40/42-inch panels dropped to $1,125. This could mean the actual LCD TV sets of the same size could be priced as low as $2,500 by the end of the year. According to iSuppli, panel suppliers are behind the price drop as they increase production of 23, 26, 32, 37 and 40/42-inch screens, hoping to accelerate consumer’s adoption rate for LCD TVs.