After you’ve decided your price range, and the brand – you’ll want to consider the size.  There are some rules if you want to make sure to get the optimal experience from your HDTV. 

According to Amazon.com:

 With standard-definition TVs, the rule used to be that viewers would feel comfortable watching a set from a distance of 3 to 6 times the screen size in inches. With HDTV, the resolution is so much better that you can sit closer to a larger TV without noticing the pixels. So with HDTVs, the rule tends to be you can sit anywhere from 1.5 to 3 times the screen size (in inches) for the best experience.

If you know the size of the room you have already, where you want to sit, and where your new HDTV should go once you get it, you can figure out the size HDTV you should get.

• Minimum size = Viewing distance/3
• Maximum size= Viewing distance/1.5 

There is a lot of information out there about how to pick the ideal size and while it’s all good and well though out; it doesn’t matter.  It doesn’t matter because if you want to buy a 52 inch television for your 7×7 room, no one can stop you.  You want to make sure that you like not only the price, and the brand but when you look at it you feel comfortable about the way the television is going to fit in your space.

As newer televisions are made available the older televisions are reduced.  Manufacturers are left having to move inventory and offer incentives and slash prices to move them.  There are lots of scenarios which make patience a great virtue if you have your heart set on buying a particular size from a particular brand.

It was only a few years ago that it cost $999 for a name brand 42″ plasma.  Now you can pick up a 42″ plasma for $599 on sale.

• 2009 HDTV Buying Guide: Part 1 – Price
• SFGate Features HDTV Buying Guide
• HDTV Buying Guide Part 1: Repair or Replace?
• TVLampsnbulbs.com 2009 HDTV Buying Guide
• 2009 HDTV Buying Guide: Part 3 – 720p vs. 1080p