As long as there are Phillips, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Sharp, Aiwa, Hitachi, etc. and there is no consolidation of these we'll be OK.

Sure, the early adopters pay "through the nose" and don't get much choice. But they also get to establish what such products will for the masses. After the basic product specs become common, competition get serious and prices drop precipitously.

Hey, I remember buying a 25" color TV in 1967 for just under $600. That was close to month's after tax pay for a young engineer. I was by no means an early adopter.

So, if it looks expensive, just wait!