An array of flat-panel TVs at a Best Buy store in San Francisco in April. Buyers face sometimes-dizzying choices like resolution and sound quality as the cost of the HDTVs declines.

Just a few years ago, consumers interested in purchasing an HDTV set had to ask themselves just one simple question: Do I have a spare $10,000?

Today, as prices for LCD and plasma HDTVs race to the bottom, flat panel TVs have approached commodity status; stand outside many big-box retailers and you’ll see waves of customers rolling TVs to their cars.

As a result, both well known and virtually unknown TV manufacturers are introducing new features and system tweaks intended to differentiate themselves from the competition and get consumers to buy.