CR Provides HD Heads-Up

Consumer Reports said HDTV set prices could hit new lows in the next few months, so its March issue is providing a buyer's guide.

The five big questions to ask before the credit card comes out, says CR: Why HD? How big a screen?; Thick or thin?; CRT, LCD, plasma or projection (front or rear)?; HD-ready or Built-in tuner?

It provides options based on preference and budget and warns of hidden-cost loans and possible additional outlays for warranty and installation.

A comparison of display technologies is at http://www.ConsumerReports.org.

Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.