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Prices for TV sets - especially flat-panel models - can be volatile, which makes it hard to be precise about what you can expect for a given amount of money. Moreover, the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for a particular set, which is what the Buyer's Guide lists, will usually be higher than the best you can find if you shop carefully. These guidelines are therefore very approximate.

Less than $500

• Traditional standard-definition, or SD (non-HDTV), direct-view CRT sets - maximum screen size 36 inches
• Small LCD sets (typically 15 inches or less)

$500 to $1,000

• Direct-view CRT HDTV sets, widescreen in small sizes (30 inches or less) or standard 4:3 aspect ratio in larger sizes up to 36 inches
• Medium-size LCDs (17 to 27 inches), mostly HDTV
• Budget standard-definition front projectors

$1,000 to $1,500

• Widescreen direct-view CRT HDTV sets up to 34 inches
• Budget CRT rear-projection HDTVs
• LCD HDTV panels up to 32 inches
• Budget ED (enhanced definition) and higher-performance SD front projectors

$1,500 to $2,500

• CRT rear-projection HDTVs
• Some DLP and LCD rear-projection HDTVs with screens up to 52 inches
• 42-inch plasma panels, EDTV and budget HDTV
• Front projectors, HDTV and high-end EDTV

$2,500 to $4,000

• High-end CRT rear-projection HDTVs
• DLP and LCD rear-projection HDTVs, including some 1080p models
• HDTV plasma panels up to 50 inches
• HDTV LCD panels up to about 40 inches
• HDTV front projectors

$4,000 to $7,000

• Large (mostly 60-inch and up), high-end DLP and LCD rear-projection HDTVs
• LCoS rear-projection HDTVs
• HDTV plasma panels up to 61 inches
• HDTV LCD panels up to about 46 inches
• High-end HDTV front projectors

$7,000 and up

• Large (up to about 70-inch) LCoS rear-projection HDTVs
• High-end HDTV plasma panels
• Large (up to 65-inch) HDTV LCD panels
• Very high-end front projectors, including LCoS, 3-chip DLP, and CRT models