The 2012 models will arrive at dealers in a few days, at higher prices. We are beginning to see inventories depleting on the hottest selling 2011 closeouts,  as there are far fewer models available than a couple of weeks ago. Closeout prices have begun to rise as inventories shrink and dealer incentive programs expire.

A number of brands are making only minor performance changes on their respective 2012 lines, mainly concentrating on new features such as built-in cameras or remotes with gesture or voice control.

One major vendor is planning a huge “industry shaking” policy change that will make many of its new 2012 models far more expensive than its 2011s. Stay tuned for all the details tomorrow.

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New 2012 HDTV models begin shipping later this month. The vast majority begin arriving on dealer shelves during in the next 10 weeks. If you are thinking a buying a new HDTV in this time period you should contemplate a 2011 versus a new 2012 by comparing features using our links below.

HD Guru lists the main features of the top makers 2012s in our CES coverage. We obtained the prices through our industry sources as manufacturers generally like to keep them under wraps until  the TVs ship. Today we cover Sony and Sharp.

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It’s that time of year, where manufacturers and retailers are selling 2011 models for cheap to make room for the 2012s.

Should you buy now and save money, or wait a few months for the latest and greatest?

We look at each manufacturer and help you decide.

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The retail prices and release dates for the entire 2012 Panasonic Plasma HDTV line have been leaked.

How about a $1,799 60-inch and an $799 42-inch?

All the numbery goodness after the jump.

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At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last month Panasonic introduced nineteen new models of plasma TVs in seven series. The top five series (VT, GT, ST, UT, XT) offer 3D and  the top four series offer Panasonic’s Viera Connect Internet streaming and apps.

The improvements include a new plasma panel structure with finer highly reflective ribs, variable cell pitch, new drive and more to achieve a significant  increase in brightness, a new anti-reflective filter improves ambient light blocking along with higher panel light transmission. A new pre-discharge control circuit provides better black levels.

The new Panasonic 2,500 Focused Field Drive creates sharper images during fast motion by decreasing the period of each light emission. Other drive improvements permit 24,576 equivalent steps of gradation. Our Panasonic 2012 Plasma Spec Chart  provides specifications for all series and screen sizes

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Panasonic brought a number of HDTV surprises to Las Vegas with the debut of its new 2012 LCD and plasma lines. The electronics giant revealed performance improvements in both TV technologies. The LED LCD line-up features for the first time 47 and 55-Inch IPS panels to compete head on with Samsungs and LG top of the line products. Its new WT series models showed a performance improvement that leapfrogs every LED LCD makers panels performance to date.

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Surveys show about 1 in 5 HDTV owners end up NOT watching the big game or other programs in high def due to improper setup (source: The Nielsen Co.).

Follow our check list to make sure your HDTV is ready for Super Bowl viewing with the best, sharpest picture. We take you step by step from TV signal to a full high definition image.

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With only one week remaining to the big game, TV makers are running dealer incentives for a final push on big screen HDTVs. We’ve picked the hottest deals, all with free freight. Our survey article indicates buyers want the biggest, sharpest HDTV they can get. This week’s deals list screens from 46 to 60 Inches with the best deals coming from Samsung and Panasonic.  Our top pick is the 60-Inch Panasonic plasma.

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