Low=cost TV maker Vizio intends to quickly drive down the price of 1080p-capable HDTV sets, according to an interview with CNET. The company says it will produce a 47-inch set at the full HD resolution that should break the $2,000 price threshhold, well under the $2,500 or higher prices that prevail in the current market. "We don't believe anyone can call $3,000 affordable," says Vizio head William Wang. The as yet unnamed display should ship before late January and could potentially arrive by the end of 2006.

The US-based company has grown remarkably in recent years due to its aggressive pricing, frequently undercutting larger manufacturers while offering similar-quality sets. Its most recent effort included a $999 42-inch plasma accompanied by discounts on other existing models.