HDTV Sales and The Holidays and Shortages

[Gregg Lengling]

HDTV sales this season are skyrocketing and due to FCC rules requiring Digital Tuners in 50% of sets over 36inches are forcing shortages of certain models.  Most notably are RPTV's (Rear Projection CRT based TV's).  Non-Tuner (HD Ready) models are in the shortest of supply and if they aren't in stock you'll probably never see them as the new Rules effective 7/1/05 will require all sets 36 and larger to all have tuners.  Most manufacturers have ceased production of the HD ready sets in this size, therefore if it isn't in stock you'll never see it.

Many retailers are reporting very short or non-existant supplies of HD Ready sets in the larger sizes.

HD is booming.