Price Trends: 42" 1080p LCD HDTVs

Some good news to report on the LCD front. Prices on 42" LCD HDTVs are all on the decline, with the exception of two categories — 60Hz LCDs and 3D LCDs. The latter is understandable, given the newness of the technology, but it's a bit surprising to see deals on 42" 60Hz LCDs on the rebound. In fact, 120Hz and 240Hz LCDs are cheaper than 60Hz LCDs.

Meanwhile 42" LED LCDs have dropped dramatically, thanks to a push from 3rd tier vendors like ProScan (you can actually buy a 3rd tier LED LCD for just a few bucks more than a name brand 60Hz LCD). But fear not, brand-name LED LCDs are not that much costlier. Missing from the action are 42" 3D LCDs. (The majority of 3D TV deals we see are for screens 46" and up.)

Here's where the prices stand as of May. (S&H is included when applicable.)

42" 1080p LCD HDTVs
60Hz: $635
120Hz: $499
240Hz: $588
LED-backlit: $649
3D: N/A

(best deal for 42" Plasma in May: $469)