TV Deals

Shoppers in the market for a new big screen to watch Sunday's big game are in luck. Prices are better now than during the holiday season. Kelli Grant, Senior Consumer Reporter for SmartMoney.com tells what you need to know to get a good deal.

Survey the sales. TV prices fell roughly 18% over the past year as the technology got cheaper to produce. Experts say shoppers should look for at least 30% off on a given set. That might be $500 or less for a 42" set.

Sports fans finally have some justification to go with a big screen. The larger you go the more you will see in savings. In previous years, some of the best prices were on 42" screens, but as overall prices drop, that sale competition has shifted to 50" and 55" sets. Prices start at $700 to $800, with premium brands selling at the high end of that range.

Be sure to read reviews. While holiday sales focused on small brands and cheap TVs, current deals encompass a wider range of brands and price points. That makes it important to check reviews on sites like CNET and Consumer Reports to make sure that an enticing price is for competitive reasons, and not because a set is a dud.

Weigh your need for a TV at this moment. Prices are great, but shoppers who buy now won't be getting an absolutely cutting-edge television. Manufacturers often introduce models with new bells and whistles in January. It's those sets that stores are making room for now. If you don't need a new set now, those new models will be on sale come the fall.

There's an undeniable appeal of a set capable of playing 3D movies or connecting to the web. But such sets still sell for premiums of roughly $200 and these features aren't yet must-haves. The Super Bowl won't be broadcast in 3D, and the lack of a standard technology means there's a risk that a set could be obsolete in a few years. And most Blu-ray players and game consoles have web connectivity, too.

For more information on buying a new television and other consumer tips click here.