High definition TV's are big sellers during the holidays.
Prices are falling - but the sets are still fairly expensive.
Consumer Reports says rear projection high definition tv sets are more likely to need repair in the first three years than plasma or LCD sets. Plasma and LCD sets had a three percent repair rate, so the magazine says you should consider skipping the extended warranty.
Panasonic, Sony, Sharp and Samsung were found to be most reliable. Hitachi and Dell LCD sets and Philips plasma sets were less reliable.
As for rear projection sets: a quarter of repairs involved replacing the bulb - but many of those failures were covered by the standard warranty. A sneak preview of Black Friday advertising circulars shows plasma tvs will be heavily promoted.
But Consumer Reports says you don't have to settle for no-name brands. For instance a 42 inch Panasonic HDTV will sell for less than $1000.
