The next step down from the top resolution is 720p, which usually comes with a significant price break.
That's great if you use your TV only to watch programming from broadcast, cable or satellite sources. Those top out at 720p for the most part, so there's little reason to get a set with higher resolution.
Also, if you have a screen smaller than 40 inches, you can probably go 720p without sacrificing much if any quality.
However, if you're going for a larger set and plan to use it to watch high-definition, Blu-ray discs or play games capable of the top resolution, then spending the extra money for 1080p could make sense.
And here's the second big factor: contrast. But on this you're mostly on your own. There's no standard rating for contrast, so comparing the statistics of two manufacturers is an apples-and-oranges game.
When it comes to contrast, reviews are a good touchstone, but the best strategy is to check out sets in person.
Just remember that the images on most HDTVs look good in isolation. It's better to compare two or more televisions side by side, or at least within viewing distance of one another, on the showroom floor.
And don't rule out the brands with major pedigrees such as Sony, Panasonic, Sharp and Samsung. They'll probably be aggressively priced too.
Even before Black Friday, some 50-inch plasma sets have been advertised at less than $1,000.
That's especially significant because $1,000 is a key psychological barrier, said Paul Gagnon, director of North America TV market research for DisplaySearch.
"That's where a lot of consumers make the distinction between a luxury and regular purchase," he said.
For all too many people in these tough times, $1,000 could mean the difference between the luxury of paying the mortgage and staying up at night worrying about foreclosure. But if you do have some extra cash -- or are in the banking business and in line for some bailout money -- the bargain days for HDTVs are coming up quick.
Here's a rundown of the types of sets available:
LCD -- These lightweight, energy-efficient models are the flat-panel HDTVs of choice for most consumers. And it's little wonder -- the images are sparkling bright, even in well-lighted rooms, and the most prominent problem of earlier LCD sets, occasional dead pixels that mar the picture quality, has been eradicated. "It's been years since I've seen a dead pixel," Doherty said.
