HIGH DEFINITION TVs

At this time of year, stores are filled with big screen, high-definition televisions.

But what is your best bet? A Plasma? or an LCD?

Plasma's deliver deeper blacks -- better for movies

The Pioneer 60 inch is tops according to Consumer Reports.

In the under 50 inches category -- top rated televisions come from Samsung or Panasonic and cost much less.

LCDs have a brighter picture, making them better for a brightly lit room. But most LCDs have a limited viewing angle.

With LCDs look for 120-Hertz technology -- like the top rated 52-inch Samsung

120 Hertz means it's better for sports.

The Canadian model number for the recommended Samsung LCD is LN52A750RIFXZC. 

SMALL LCDs

The top rated 26-inch LCD for a kitchen or small room comes from Panasonic. Model TC-26LX85 sets from Sony MODEL KDP 26M4000 and Samsung model (LN 26A45O) are a little cheaper and also very good.

There is more good news for high definition television owners. Blu-Ray players have tumbled in price. and all of them ---regardless of price --- give you an excellent picture. Higher price often relates to added features.

HOME THEATRE

If you are looking for surround sound but don't want wires and speakers everywhere, the $300 Sound bar from Sony (SONY H-T-C-T-100) is a good choice.

DIGITAL CAMERAS

Digital cameras are also a lot cheaper.

For a camera small enough to fit in your pocket the $350 Sony Cyber shot DSC - W300 gets top ratings, or for half the price, the Canon Powershot SD1100 comes in many colours and is also avery good.

Top rated among larger cameras is the $450 Canon Power Shot G10, which has a large LCD screen and a handy view finder when it's too bright outside.

But you can now find excellent cameras like the Canon A590 for as little as $130.

Digital picture frames are on many holiday gift lists. The eight inch from HP is a top rated performer that's widely available.

GPS NAVIGATOR

On the road, a portable GPS Navigator can help you get to where you are going.

The good news is -- they all work very well -- so you can buy based on price and features.

Ask about maps and during an in-store demo listen closely to how the voice instructions sound.

GPS FOR OUTDOORS

If you are looking for a GPS for a casual hiker, consider the $200 Gamin E-TREX Venture HC. It provides more than enough navigation abilities.

BEST BATTERIES

And with so many battery powered gadgets, you'll want the best batteries.

If you have a device that you use a lot, or uses a lot of power, like a digital camera -- a good choice for a rechargeable battery is the Duracell 2650 or the Energizer E2 rechargeable .

Energizer Lithium is the very best lithium battery.

It's the only battery earning an excellent rating from Consumer Reports. But you pay a premium for them.

Alkaline batteries are all about the same. So buy the cheapest you can find -- like Kirkland signature from Costco.

If you purchase any of those items, hang onto the receipt so that if they have to go back, you will get back what you paid, not a lower price if they were to go on sale.

With a report by CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen