How much would you pay for a 61-inch plasma display? The NEC beast going on sale in Japan from 23 July will arrive in the UK next month and probably cost between £22,000 and £25,000.

The company says it hasn't set pricing so its probably hanging on until the last minute to see how exchange rates are working out. The above figures come secondhand from an NEC sales manager, but calling NEC's sales line it was suggested we might be able to get it for £19,000 - £20,000.

But if that sounds a bit steep, try and haggle. All plasma prices are up for negotiation in the UK according to source close to NEC. We're told of one customer who bought more than 500 displays and got them at 80 per cent below the retail price. That comes down to £2,000 for a 40-inch job.

The NEC 61-inch display weighs more than 68Kg so don't try and hang it on your plasterboard partition wall with a couple of one inch wood screws.

Elsewhere on the monster plasma display front, LG Electronics is coming up with a 60-inch model soon. We've been told October but it could be earlier than that. Pricing is likely to be similar to the NEC model. ®

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NEC's selling 61-inch plasma displays