It’s that time of year, where manufacturers and retailers are selling 2011 models for cheap to make room for the 2012s.
Should you buy now and save money, or wait a few months for the latest and greatest?
We look at each manufacturer and help you decide.
Alphabetically…
LG
Most of LG’s new models will be available in later this month or in March, with the more expensive models in April or later. Thinner bezels are the big change, with the new control schemes a bonus novelty.
Unless you’re waiting for OLED (allegedly later this year), there are only marginal picture quality improvements. Go for a leftover 2011. Here are our picks:
LG Infinia 47LW5600 47-Inch Cinema 3D 1080p 120 Hz LED-LCD HDTV with Smart TV and Four Pairs of 3D Glasses
LG Infinia 47LW6500 47-Inch Cinema 3D 1080p 240 Hz LED-LCD HDTV with Smart TV and Four Pairs of 3D Glasses
LG Infinia 55LW5600 55-Inch Cinema 3D 1080p 120 Hz LED-LCD HDTV with Smart TV and Four Pairs of 3D Glasses
LG Infinia 65LW6500 65-Inch Cinema 3D 1080p 120 Hz LED-LCD HDTV with Smart TV and Four Pairs of 3D Glasses
Panasonic
The big news with Panasonic is the expansion of their LCD and LCD LED lines. Gary has checked out the WT50 series and said they look great, with extremely wide viewing angles. Well worth spending on when they’re released sometime this spring. The lower LCD lines are similar to last year’s models.
On the plasma side of things, check out Gary’s article on the upgraded VT, GT, ST series. However, the lower end plasma models are similar to last year’s.
You can read about all the new HDTV lines in our Panasonic CES Show Coverage. Here are hot deals on remaining 2011s
Panasonic VIERA TC-P60S30 60-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
Panasonic VIERA TC-P65GT30 65-Inch 1080p 3D Plasma HDTV
Panasonic VIERA TC-P65ST30 65-Inch 1080p 600 Hz 3D Plasma HDTV
Panasonic VIERA TC-P46ST30 46-Inch 1080p 3D Plasma HDTV
Panasonic VIERA TC-L42E3 42-Inch 1080p 60 Hz LED-LCD HDTV
Panasonic VIERA TC-P65VT30 65-inch 1080p 3D Plasma HDTV, Black
Panasonic VIERA TC-L37E3 37-Inch 1080p LED HDTV
Panasonic VIERA TC-L32C3 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV
Samsung
Samsung mentioned some slight performance improvements, most notably for plasma. The 8000 LED models will have a built-in camera along with speech recognition (similar to LG).
With the LCDs, performance will be similar to last year’s models, though it’s probably worth it to get a 2012 plasma. No shipping info yet, but expect this spring for most models.
Samsung UN55D8000 55-Inch 1080p 240Hz 3D LED HDTV (Silver)
Samsung UN46D8000 46-Inch 1080p 240Hz 3D LED HDTV (Silver)
Samsung UN46D7000 46-Inch 1080p 240 Hz 3D LED HDTV (Silver)
Sharp
The entry-level 632 big screen is carry over, but new big 3D models are coming. If you want 3D, you should wait for these new models. Most are shipping in this month or next. If you don’t care about 3D, get a 2011 closeout.
Sony
Sony discontinued two lines of LCDs (Google TV and NX), and the entire XBR line is carried over until July. The only changes to the other 2012 models are mostly cosmetic and/or additional streaming offerings.
Sony BRAVIA KDL40EX720 40-Inch 1080p 3D LED HDTV, Black
Sony BRAVIA XBR55HX929 55-Inch 1080p 3D Local-Dimming LED HDTV with Built-In Wi-Fi, Black
Sony BRAVIA KDL55NX720 55-inch 1080p 3D LED HDTV with Built-in WiFi, Black
Sony BRAVIA KDL46NX720 46-inch 1080p WiFi 3D LED HDTV, Black
Sony BRAVIA KDL46EX720 46-Inch 1080p 3D LED HDTV, Black
Sony BRAVIA KDL55EX720 55-Inch 1080p 3D LED HDTV, Black
Sony BRAVIA KDL60EX720 60-Inch 1080p 3D LED HDTV, Black
Toshiba
Toshiba’s new models are mostly styling changes. You should be able to find 2012 models with similar features and performance. Here are two hot deals:
Toshiba 40E210 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV, Black
Toshiba 32C110U 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV, Black
Vizio
The 21×9 monitor is new (again), and should be available in March. Generally, though, the new models have little performance changes, and only minor cosmetic changes. There are also several carry over models.
All the rest…
We’ve discussed all the heavy hitters. If you’re considering a TV from a company we haven’t listed, check out our An HDTV by Another Name article.
Conclusion
Similar to we said last year, unless you want the latest and greatest, now is an excellent time to buy a “new” TV. Last year’s models offer nearly identical performance and features in most cases, yet will be several hundred dollars less expensive (if not even less).
Gary Merson
and
Geoff Morrison @TechWriterGeoff
Geoff’s book is now in paperback!.
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