Washington, D.C. (September 19, 2008) -- How would you like a Blu-ray player for $149 or a $499 Plasma HDTV?
Those are just a few of the deals you'll likely see at retail stores on Black Friday, according to the site, DealNews.com.
Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Retailers traditionally slash prices on that day to give the season a strong push-off. Last year, for instance, big-screen HDTVs were available for well under $1,000 at some stores while HD DVD players were slashed to $99.
DealNews.com predicts that Blu-ray players will be available this Black Friday for $149, with other Blu-ray players bundled with movies for $199. (The site does not say which brands will be available at those prices.)
The lowest suggested retail price for a Blu-ray player is now $399, although some discount stores and web sites are selling players for well under $300.
The site also forecasts that high-def sets prices will be cut sharply with 42-inch Plasma 720p HDTV available for as little as $499.
"A $699 50-inch Plasma HDTV is also quite likely, although we're not expecting huge discounts on larger Plasma screens," the site says. "LCD prices will remain higher than Plasma, but they'll still dip considerably, with generic 42-inch 720p LCD HDTVs going for $599. Additionally, look for name-brand 46" or 47" 1080p LCD HDTVs to hit $799, and larger 52" 1080p HDTVs to drop to $1,199."
However, DealNews.com warns that many retailers are more likely to cut HDTV prices closer to Christmas than on Black Friday.
"The general rule is, Black Friday is the best time of the year to buy no-name TVs. December is the best time to buy high-end TVs," the site says.
Those are just a few of the deals you'll likely see at retail stores on Black Friday, according to the site, DealNews.com.
Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Retailers traditionally slash prices on that day to give the season a strong push-off. Last year, for instance, big-screen HDTVs were available for well under $1,000 at some stores while HD DVD players were slashed to $99.
DealNews.com predicts that Blu-ray players will be available this Black Friday for $149, with other Blu-ray players bundled with movies for $199. (The site does not say which brands will be available at those prices.)
The lowest suggested retail price for a Blu-ray player is now $399, although some discount stores and web sites are selling players for well under $300.
The site also forecasts that high-def sets prices will be cut sharply with 42-inch Plasma 720p HDTV available for as little as $499.
"A $699 50-inch Plasma HDTV is also quite likely, although we're not expecting huge discounts on larger Plasma screens," the site says. "LCD prices will remain higher than Plasma, but they'll still dip considerably, with generic 42-inch 720p LCD HDTVs going for $599. Additionally, look for name-brand 46" or 47" 1080p LCD HDTVs to hit $799, and larger 52" 1080p HDTVs to drop to $1,199."
However, DealNews.com warns that many retailers are more likely to cut HDTV prices closer to Christmas than on Black Friday.
"The general rule is, Black Friday is the best time of the year to buy no-name TVs. December is the best time to buy high-end TVs," the site says.
_____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.
© TVPredictions.com
______________________________________________________
Phillip Swann is
president and publisher of TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in
dozens of publications and broadcast outlets, including CNN, Fox
News, Inside Edition, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The
Chicago Tribune, The Financial Times, The Associated Press and The
Hollywood Reporter. He can be reached at swann@tvpredictions.com
or at 703-505-3064.
Click TVPredictions.com to read more news and features on TV
technology.