Pamela Corie
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 04/04) - Ten years ago, big screen TVs hit the scene with a bang. Technology advanced to the point that television sets could provide good quality viewing on a screen larger than 50", with a price tag to match.

"Innovation that comes our way because of the space race trickles down to the consumer and as a result, television lines have evolved into amazing products," said Roy Williams, owner of Roy's Radio Shack in Yellowknife.

"High definition hit retail outlets three years ago, advancing that technology even more."

The biggest screen available today is 65", but according to Williams, up to 60" is not uncommon for most manufacturers.

"Today there are brand new technologies like plasma, liquid crystal display and digital light processor," Williams said.

"DLP is a much lighter product, not as heavy as the glass tube, and is the common choice of most major manufacturers and suppliers."

As for the retail cost of these revolutionary new products, it's becoming more reasonable every day.

"For a 42" projection set, the cost would be $1,599-- much lower than a set that size 10 years ago," Williams stated.

"A plasma screen runs $4,499 in that size and a DLP is $3,500 at 42 inches."

So the consumer continues to pay for the additional quality but, according to Williams, they don't seem to mind.

"The price literally changes by the day but customers are willing to pay for this technology. It is state of the art and people want that quality."