What’s better than watching football? Football on a big screen in crystal-clear resolution!

Though we’ve read one survey that expects people to purchase 3.9 million TVs before the big game on Feb. 3 between the Patriots and Giants, the Consumer Electronics Association has its own number. In terms of HDTV sales, the CEA estimates that the Super Bowl will push purchases of about 2.4 million high-def sets.

The CEA’s third annual “Sports and Technology” survey, conducted in conjunction with the Sports Video Group, doesn’t mention whether Tom Brady’s participation in the game affected the numbers.

Probably doesn’t hurt though. High-def TVs have improved since the Pats’ last Super Bowl appearance three years ago.

“We have long known the Super Bowl influences HDTV unit sales,” said Tim Herbert, CEA’s senior director of market research. “We are now finding ties to other technologies consumers use to enhance their Super Bowl experience. This year, 18 percent of consumers watching the game expect to have a laptop PC nearby to check stats, IM with friends or check betting lines. Another 12 percent plan to use a PC in another room to check statistics during the game and 13 percent expect to use their mobile phone for the same purpose.”

Keep an eye out for some good HDTV sales beginning this weekend, too. The game will be telecast on Fox.

Read the entire press release here.

Arlen Schweiger - Managing editor of Electronic House Magazine

Arlen contributes product news items to electronichouse.com along with his role on the print publication. Got a tip? Send it along!