'Tis the season for lovers of electronics -- the time of year for fanatics of things that turn on and plug in to arrive in store parking lots before sunrise, anticipating holiday freebies and outrageous sales.

"What do I want? Everything," said Adam Ulsh (junior-management information systems), while browsing digital cameras at Best Buy, 1650 N. Atherton St.

Colin Mitchell (junior-communication sciences and disorders), who was shopping with Ulsh, said he hopes to receive a digital camera this year, though he and Ulsh agreed that a high-definition television would make a great gift as well.

Some shoppers go to electronics stores to visit the giant high-definition televisions (HDTV) that they one day hope to mount on a wall at home.

"When I watch a movie, I want it to be the exact same size as at the movie theater without having to go anywhere," Joshua Weiss (senior-film and video) said.

Weiss said he wants the largest high-definition, liquid crystal display (LCD), flat-screen television available.

"Electronics entertain me," he said.

This season, 42 percent of consumers are expected to buy electronics as gifts, making it the fourth most popular gift category after clothing, toys and DVDs or videos, according to a survey of more than 2,000 consumers conducted by NPD Group, a market research company in Port Washington, N.Y.

Electronics moved up in the rankings this year -- in 2003 it was the fifth most-popular gift category.

Tony Walczak, co-owner of Paul & Tony's Stereo, 121 S. Burrowes St., said HDTV is becoming more popular, and shoppers are buying big-screen televisions and surround-sound systems.

However, Walczak said the best-selling item at his store this season is the remote start system, which is an electronic device that allows someone to start his or her car without being inside it or using a key.

It is "more [popular] than I've seen in years," he said.

Although stores like Best Buy and Circuit City, 48 Colonnade Way, are offering storewide sales on everything from high-definition televisions and home theater systems to video cameras and printers, many shoppers -- students in particular -- expect to give and receive less expensive items like CDs and DVDs this holiday season.

If he could have anything, Jarret Crittendon (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies) said he would like an Apple iBook laptop computer, but instead he will probably receive DVDs.

Robin Becker, manager of the Penn State Computer Store in Willard Building, said Apple's iPod and iPod accessories, such as multi-colored iPod "socks" and armbands, are popular this season, as well as digital cameras and iBooks.

"I think it's definitely busier than it normally is this time of year," Becker said.

The Penn State Computer Store also sells personal digital assistants such as the Palm Pilot, computers and monitors, headphones, laptop bags and memory cards, and offers software discounted as much as 70 percent below retail prices for students and faculty members.

Stephanie Holmes (sophomore-nursing) said she expects to give and receive CDs and DVDs.

Holmes said she thinks MP3 players might also be a popular item.

"There haven't been that many key new products this year," Crittendon said.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.