CLEVELAND -- Televisions are hot items right now at discount and electronic stores, but do you know how to pick the one that's best for your family and your wallet?

NewsChannel5's John Matarese reported that you might want to avoid some low-priced models, because they may not be high definition.

Most of us assume that a plasma TV is a high-definition set, because most of them are. But you can't always make that assumption.

A Circuit City ad showed a 42-inch Panasonic plasma priced at $2,999, while another 42-inch Panasonic plasma is $1,000 less.

They look the same, but there's a big difference. While most plasma sets are HDTV, some cheaper models are just EDTV, or enhanced definition.

EDTV is not the same as HDTV, which will become standard in three years.

Matarese advises looking for true high definition, and if you can't afford it, wait a little bit to make your purchase.

When making a purchase, especially a big-ticket item, always do your research. Consumer Reports is a good tool to use for comparing TV makes and models, and you can compare prices at www.shopzilla.com.