Iqaluit (Dec 15/03) - With Christmas just around the corner people are out looking for that special gift.

Entertainment systems are always a hot ticket. TVs are getting bigger and bigger but are they popular in the North?

When Santa comes to Iqaluit this year he won't need an extra large sleigh for big screen TVs.

"The big screen TVs aren't in big demand up here," said Barbara Kalil, manager of Radio Shack in Iqaluit.

"People have shown some interest in big screens, but they are still a small percentage," she added.

One of the biggest issues about a big screen is the price tag attached. The cost of a system starts at more than $1,000 for a basic system.

People who want the best equipment better be prepared to pay anywhere from $7,000 to $8,000.

"The higher end TVs get pretty pricey up here," said Glen Cousins, general manager of Northmart, in Iqaluit.

Cousins said that cost is a big factor against having one of the larger systems.

Another reason to take into account is shipping the system in the North.

Kalil said the cost to have a big screen shipped to Iqaluit is about $100. She pointed out that the costs aren't high but there are added problems in the shipping process.

"For some of the systems temperature can be a big deal," she said. "Some of the equipment is sensitive."

Although this is the busy season for the electronics store, Kalil said the big systems aren't a big item on people's lists.

She said more people are interested in the mid-range sizes like 36-inch screens.

She added they are also interested in the gadgets like DVD players, surround sound and CD players.