The holidays are coming up. That’s always a great excuse to refresh some of the components of your home theater system. Or to reward your kid in college for his or her hard work. But times are hard, and we’ll understand if you’re not willing to spend more than a thousand bucks – heck, $700! – on a new HDTV.
This is why we came up with this list of excellent HDTVs under $700. In case you do decide to buy any of them, you can thank Hooked Up Installs by having our professional installation team set up your (or your kid’s) home theater.
Panasonic Viera Class X3 Series (50” Plasma)
If you’re looking for a high-quality and affordable plasma, this Viera HDTV is a great choice. It features 600 Hz Sub Field Driving technology (for full-HD motion and stills), Panasonic’s own image analysis technology, IPTV (Internet Protocol television) capability, and DLNA and Wi-Fi connectivity. It’s environment-friendly, too, with a mercury- and lead-free plasma display panel. The Viera Class X3 retails for about $650, and delivers great value not commonly expected from HDTVs in the same price range and with the same screen size.
LG 42PW350 (42” 3D-capable Plasma)
If you think the sleek and slim frame of this LG plasma HDTV is an eye-catcher, wait until you turn the set on. Like the Viera, the LG 42PW350 boasts of a fast 600 Hz refresh rate designed to eliminate motion blurs and deliver crisp, clear visuals. It’s also 3D-capable (with 2D to 3D conversion), self-calibrating, and energy-saving.
Samsung LN46D550 (46” LCD)
With a budget of $700, you might think it’s impossible to find a stylish, feature-rich LCD HDTV with advanced connectivity. Think again. Part of the Samsung LCD TV Series 5, the entry-level LN46D550 should be able to meet most of your home entertainment needs: a 46” widescreen display, full HD 1080p images, Samsung’s HyperReal Engine, DLNA technology, a Wide Color Enhancer feature, and ENERGY STAR certification.
Sony Bravia KDL46BX420 (46” LCD)
Another excellent choice for an entry-level LCD HDTV is the 46” Sony Bravia BX420. Aside from full 1080p picture quality, this baby also features Scene Select settings (for sports, photos, games, movies, and music), CCFL backlighting, Light Sensor technology (which automatically adjusts the picture based on your room lighting), ENERGY STAR certification, and five HD inputs (2 HDMI inputs, 2 component inputs, and a PC input).
Panasonic Viera TC-PST30 Series (3D-capable Plasma)
Available in six sizes (from 42 to 65), the Panasonic Viera ST30 Series is loaded with a rich set of value-driven features. These include: full HD 3D capability (with 2D to 3D conversion), 600 Hz Sub Field Drive, wide viewing angles, Infinite Black technology (for deep, rich blacks even when viewed in bright surroundings), DLNA and Wi-Fi connectivity, and Panasonic’s own Viera Connect IPTV service. And, if you know where to look, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that a number of retailers are gearing up for the holidays and selling this series’ models for less than $700.
