There are literally hundreds of different TV brands, or TV manufacturers, with available products for purchase. Choosing between some of the most popular names, from Sharp and Hitachi televisions to Panasonic and Toshiba televisions, can be a complicated and confusing prospect. You might be asking yourself: do I buy a big name, like one of those listed above, or try my luck at the cheaper TV value brands, such as a Sanyo television? Let's take a look at some of the more popular TV brands on the market today.
Name Brand Televisions
Sharp televisions have been around in one form or another since 1912, and although that's a long time before the rise of televisions after World War II, it's proof that this is a company that builds quality products. Sharp televisions, particularly its Aquos line, are considered some of the best TVs available. For instance, the Sharp LC-52LE700Uboasts LED (light emitting diode) technology, offering some of the most crisp and colorful images on the market. However, Sharp televisions are hardly bargain bin material, with most retailing for $800 or more.
Hitachi hasn't been around quite as long as Sharp – this company started out amidst the rise of TV in the 1950s – but it does boast a proven track record for quality products. Hitachi made a name for itself in North America with the release of its popular 50-plus inch rear-projection televisions, which brought big-screen technology into middle class households for the first time back in the 1990s. However, Hitachi televisions are premium systems, with models such as the popular 42-inch Hitachi UT42V702 usually retailing for over $1,000.
Toshiba is one of the most renowned names in technology. Founded via merger in 1939, the company today produces a vast array of popular devices, from televisions to laptop computers to computer peripherals like hard drives. Recently, its focus for the television market has been to straddle the line between premium quality and affordability. Unlike products from Hitachi, Sharp or Sony, many Toshiba televisions are currently available, even in the popular 42-inch widescreen, for less than $1,000.
Value Brand Televisions
There are many value brand makers of televisions, from VisionQuest to Dynex to the Best Buy-owned Insignia. However, one of the most reliable names in this area is Sanyo, a Fortune 500 company that has been around since 1950. Sanyo televisions, including the 42-inch DP42849, are available for $700 or less and boast a surprisingly impressive image quality.