Unit sales of flat-screen TV sets increased 31.3 percent in February from the same month last year, led by brisk demand for 40-inch and other big-screen models, according to data released Monday by a market research firm.

It was the biggest gain since August.

In value, sales of flat-screen TVs rose 14.3 percent, with prices averaging ¥102,800, up 0.1 percent from the previous month, BCN Inc. said.

Blu-ray and other DVD recorders scored a year-on-year unit sales gain of 28.0 percent.

Consumers can't afford to buy automobiles and other high-priced products amid the deepening recession, but they are finding some home electronics affordable, BCN officials said.

Sales of both flat-screen TVs and DVD recorders increased because consumers purchased them together, the officials said.