Why Flat-Screen TVs Are So Hot This Season

A years-old technology is shaping up to be one of the holiday season's hottest gifts -- namely, flat-screen televisions.

Blame our continuing state of economic hardship. "People want great entertainment at home," explains Mario Armstrong, digital lifestyle contributor to NBC's Today. "They can't afford as much to go out to the movies." And despite the increase in demand, inventories are large enough that prices are perfectly reasonable -- even on sets with new features like internet connectivity and 3-D capability.

Watch Armstrong's appearance on Today to find out how to calculate your ideal screen-size range, where to purchase an HDMI cable at a 70% discount, and why you don't necessarily need to buy an extended warranty:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy