Planning on getting an HDTV and I'm a complete and utter noob.

Well I saw this 20" 720p TV (forgot the brand) and that just reignited my... erm how can I put it... hunger? to get an hdtv I've been checking around and I do see some of the upsides of plasma but it says they only go from 37" to higher. Im looking for something thats is around 20" 720p with a budget of around $400. I could go higher but not really likely. So I don't seem like i'm just completly relying on other people I have done some research its just that I dont quite comprehend the whole technical stuff any help will be greatly appreciated.:D

And yes I do know know many of these threads there are, but none of them really helped me.

Hmm. Well, if you're looking for cost efficiency, try looking into LCD HDTVs. LCDs tend to be cheaper than Plasma, and in my experience they seem to be just as good in terms of image quality. There are differences, but they're kind of technical (one's better in darker areas or something, apparenty, I'm not entirely sure).

As for what TV to buy, I can say this: going to a mortar and brick store is likely to cost you more, since they like selling for sticker there. Personally I'd recommend online purchasing from a bulk store because they tend to sell a bit cheaper (don't quote me on this though because it isn't always neccessarily the case).

Here is a link to a Google product search for LCD TVs, priced between 300 and 400 United States dollars, that are 20 inches in size. There's a fairly comprehensive selection here, but from relatively obscure companies. I don't know whether the image quality is really what you're looking for, but it's in your price bracket. There are apprently 1080p-capable 23" LCD tv's going for around $600, and they're made by Sony, an excellent company with a reputation for quality. For $200 more you could get the piece of mind of having a TV from a company that's known for making good TVs, but then again it's up to you.

I'd say, if money's the issue for you (but you absolutely MUST have an HDTV), go with those lower-end LCD HDTVs similar to the ones in the link I sent you. Although those companies are relatively unknown, chances are the TVs won't break. Usually, flat screen TVs are fairly rugged so you'll get a decent quality TV, just don't expect the sharp images that a higher-end TV could provide.

By the way, there ARE high definition TVs that are 20" but aren't flatscreen, and they tend to be A LOT cheaper. If you can deal with a bit more heft and weight in exchange for better image quality, I'd go for a regular, bulky, non flat-screen TV.

Thanks for the reply, but as for the 1080p 23" I've heard people say as well on a site that when its under like 40" there's not much of a differance from a 1080p compared to a 720p, but I do like the Sony one and maybe I will check them out.

Now about the non flat screen hdtv's I've heard of them but I rarely ever see anyone selling any of them.

I got myself a 32" Bravia. the 32V2500, I highly recommend it if you should decide to double your budget :P I worked overtime for a long time, but it soooooo worth it. bravia's have the best colour..

B-R-A-V-I-A = Best Resolution Audio Visual Integrated Architecture and thats the truth!

Sony pretty much doesn't have anything under $600, so if you're looking to spend around $400, I wouldn't go with Sony. Yes, their TVs are very good quality, but that doesn't mean that anybody who isn't Sony can't make good TVs. I just have to warn you that a $400 TV from some unknown company just isn't going to be as good as a $600 Sony. It just won't. But if you can live with that, then that's cool. I just thought you should be aware of that fact. And you're right, at under 40", 1080p isn't all that different from 720p (although it's slightly noticeable on my 32", but maybe that's just a trick of the light). It's definately not noticeable at 20", but I should just say that it would seem all of Sony's TVs, of any size, appear to be 1080p capable - at least all the Sony TVs that I've seen.

My best advice to you: check out Google products to see a ballpark of the kinds of 20" HDTVs you can probably get for $300-$400. With that in hand, click on each one and check out each of the TV's specifications. Does it have any HDMI inputs? Warranties? Check out customer reviews, too. Once you've picked out a few, I'd suggest trying to locate a brick and mortar store that sells those TVs, and go there to check them out yourself. A picture is no match for real-life, you really should see the TV for yourself before buying it.

However, I don't suggest buying it at the store. I've seen TVs selling for $500 on Google Products that cost nearly $700 at an actual physical store. Sometimes the price differential is huge. But if the TV sells at $400 at the store as well, go ahead and buy it; at least you could bring it home right away.