O.K., We Need A New T.V. Can Anyone Suggest One?

[Dinger]

Our price limit is about $900. Mr. Dinger and I got in a bit of a tiff last night when we went looking. So, we didn't buy one. Today, we're watching the Packers/Lions game on a 13" screen. Shit, we need binoculars. Anyway, I want a Samsung 40" 120 Hz, 1080 resolution t.v. But there is a lot to know now, with all the new technology, it's hard to even make a decision. We saw this particular t.v. at Best Buy and Sears for about $884. We can get 10% back at Sears, but they have shit for a guarantee, and we're NOT paying $125 a year for an extended warranty. I think Best Buy's is a little better. Shit, I'm confused. Help! (please) :)

[old mark]

1. Sears sucks-shop around. We have had good luck with Sonys-

Our "new" Sony is about 13 years old, works fine.

mark

[Dinger]

2. Thanks Mark

We had a Vizio, and it sucked. Barely lasted a year, and then they wouldn't do a damn thing, after teasing that that they "might" since it was so close to the expiration of the warranty.

[HopeHoops]

3. I've got an old 19" - 1982 or so.

Will that do?

[Catshrink]

8. Same here, but 1987.

It works fine but the original remote is toast so I can't do anything with set up but I haven't needed to. I'll keep the TV until it either breaks/stops working or my Bears go to the SuperBowl. The latter isn't happening this year (Jay Cutler :rofl:) so I'm crossing my fingers the TV will last another year. It's a Panasonic. I'll probably get a 32" LCD from Costco --I have been looking at them. But, if I get a new TV I'll need another TV stand for it because the one it's on won't work for one that big. This consumerism crap is for the birds --- buy one thing, then need another to "support" it than something else to support the support. I'm keeping the old TV for as long as I can. In fact, I may not replace it for a while if it does crap out.

[HopeHoops]

15. Mine's an RCA with knobs (including the power/volume knob). No remote.

I don't use it anymore unless I want to hook up a VCR somewhere. We've got a 27" in the living room (tube, not flat screen) that's hooked into the DVD, VCR, and LaserDisc players. We don't get cable (by choice).

On Edit:

I originally bought the 19" RCA as a monitor for my Commodore 64 - beat the hell out of a 14" screen!

[Moondog]

4. I've had good luck with Sony, Sharp, and once had

a Gold Star (Korean company called Lucky Gold Star, now selling stuff as LG), that was a really good set at a really good price.

[old mark]

12. Yeah! Gold Star was a really cheap brand selling at discount stores-

They really worked well and seem to last a lot longer than the should for the price. Koreans seem to make really good quality stuff in general.

FWIW, I also had good luck with Samsung and Sharp TV's, Panasonic used to be good, but I think they have gone downhill.
FWIW 2: My dad worked for Sears for about 25 years, as did one of my brothers, and I'd never buy anything there again - they really changed their attitude toward decent treatment of their customers and their staff. Used to be good, now not.

mark

[Pharlo]

5. If I recall correctly, you're in, or around Green Bay.

Have you checked out what is available at an 'American TV, Furniture and Appliance'?

I've never had a problem with anything I've gotten from them in the past. I know there is one in Appleton. You may want to check out what they have available online and see if there are any specials that would make the trip worthwhile.

http://www.americantv.com/home.do

Happy TV hunting!

[david13]

6. Let me give you one very important word in terms of tv.

Sony and Toshiba. Always seems to me the other stuff is junk and doesn't last. The 13 would be ok. Just move it closer to you. Then you won't need binoculars.
You ought to be able to get a good 32 for 900.
dc

[Bozita]

7. Costco gives an extra one-year warranty on TVs. Bought a Vizio 55" LCD for $1499 about 5 mo. ago

The LED models are pushing the prices lower.

[Joe the Liberal]

9. Brand matters.....

Sony makes good TV's and have good customer service, the major brands may be a little more expensive but it's worth it imo.

[Bozita]

10. Samsung 40" Touch of Color™ 1080P LCD HDTV at Costco - $649.99

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11472489&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|79|2341&N=4001374&Mo=57&No=8&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=2341&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1〈=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=

$649.99 after $200 OFF
Samsung
40" Touch of Color™ 1080P LCD HDTV
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 60,000:1
Item # 914040
Rated
(out of 25 reviews)
Share this Product:
$649.99
Shipping & Handling: $19.99 *

[blue_onyx]

11. We got a Samsung at Sears earlier this year

We've been very happy with it. Samsung seemed to have the best picture. It kind of creepy how great the picture is. I also have a small Sony LCD which I got five years ago. It's been a great TV and I've had no problems with it.

We did get the extended warranty on the Samsung. My cousin had a TV (a Panasonic, I think) that broke less than a year after he got it. After he got it fixed, it broke again. This time, he had to have it taken away to get fixed and ended up having to rent a tv for months (Panasonic reimbursed him). It broke a third time and he ended up getting a settlement. He used the money to buy a Samsung as well. It's up to you whether you want to get the warranty. In some cases (like with my cousin) it may be a great decision. In other cases, you may end up not needing the warranty.

[cowcommander]

13. Seriously consider an extended warranty

They can save your bacon later on when it comes to electronics. One thing you have to realize is that they're just not made as tough as older TVs were back then. My parents had a big-ass 42 inch TV that died in two years, and with no warranty it was a huge waste of money.

[NewJeffCT]

14. The store warranties are often a rip-off, though

So, buy one on your own and not through BestBuy or Sears.

[Catshrink]

17. I used to work for an electronics retailer that is now out of biz

Those extended warranties are 90% profit. I do remember seeing an article -- maybe consumers reports -- that discussed which warranties were worth it and which weren't. Of course I can't remember the information now and didn't save it because I just don't buy that much stuff.

[datasuspect]

16. don't buy a television

and make a joyful noise for the reclamation of your mind.

[hunter]

18. Do you have a Costco nearby?

Personally, I don't think I could bring myself to spend more than two or three hundred dollars (if anything...) for a television. Costco has some nice televisions for that.

My wife felt she could spend twice that so we ended up with a larger Vizio with a picture that was utterly amazing compared to our kid-beaten ten year old analog television.

I don't ever buy insurance. If anything electronic dies when we have no money we can do without or buy a temporary replacement for next to nothing at a thrift store, on craigslist, etc.. Analog televisions are essentially free now.

Insurance is for life-or-death, keep-a-roof-over-your-head, and keep-you-out-of-jail stuff. And even if you have insurance against scary things if Harsh Reality really wants to bite your ass she'll read the fine print on your insurance policy and do it in a way that's not covered by your insurance.

[dembotoz]

19. bought a 27 inch for 25 bucks at the local st vinnies

or goodwill or what ever.
also check freenapkin.com stuff being given away.
fair amount of stuff up in the fox valley.


just can't (or won't) justify the cost for a flat screen right now.

[triguy46]

20. I think this is the way to go:

[blogslut]

21. Here's an alternate shopping resource

Looks like NewEgg.com has a pretty good deal:

http://www.pricewatch.com/browse/tv/lcd_40inch

[tishaLA]

22. go to newegg.com

i bought a 1080 toshiba there a year and a half ago, got extended warranty cheap, no problems with the TV at all.

[carlyhippy]

23. I know I am probably gonna be in trouble for this....but......

at walmart they have a Vizio 42 inch 1080p 120 hz lcd tv for 797.00....

I have one and they are wonderful! Beautiful picture no blur pretty nice in hdtv