I did a quick search on the word ‘television’ and I didn’t see any threads asking, so here goes.
The wife is going to buy me a TV. We’re upgrading from a stinky old 20". I’d like to get a 32" or a 36" but I know that the best value in an upgrade is a 27".
We don’t want a projection set since we’re putting it into a good sized cabinet/armoire (that I bought for her). We use the TV to watch movies (don’t really watch TV so don’t really need PIP), don’t have a DVD player, but plan on one soon. We have a aiwa mini-system that can take advantage of the 5+1 DVD audio. Don’t really need great speakers/surround sound in the TV itself (since we’re using the aiwa).
Which TVs should I consider? Which brands are best and for what reasons? Any tips on getting 'em on the cheap? Good websites for research/purchase?
Here is a major point to consider - in the next few years, everything is going digital - cable, satellite, broadcast, everything. So make sure it is a 16:9 picture ratio, not the old 4:3. This will also help when you get a DVD player, you can watch the widescreen versions. Remembering from Consumer Reports, I think Toshiba had the (slightly) best rating for the larger screen systems (30"-40"). As far as good prices, I have no clue.
This may sound a little crazy to you but do you have a Target in your area? They are big time great on clearance items. I have seen them clearance off TVs on the cheap. Good brand name items like Magnavox, Sony, RCA, whatever. Last week I was crusing for clearance stuff and they had a cute little 13" for 89.00 that’s as cheap as you will get a brand new color 13". I believe it was a Magnavox. I’ve priced these little TVs before because I wanted to get the kids one for their rooms. The cheapest I’ve ever found one, even on sale was at Best Buy and it was 89.00 but one of those cheapy off brand sets. I eventually bought them used at a pawn shop for 45.00 a piece.
I need a new TV myself. The one in the living room I have had since 1977. It’s starting to go. I’m gonna hit the clearance aisles for awhile till something strikes my fancy. Mine is a 19" so like you I want to move up to a 27" or 32". Happy hunting. Oh yeah by the way…back in 77 when I bought the TV, it’s a Hitachi, my mother had just purchased a new RCA. She threw a fit because I bought that “Japanese” TV. She thought it would never last. Guess she was wrong, mine outlasted hers by about 10 years with only one trip to the repair man for under a 100 bucks.
I grew up in a TV repair shop, but many things have changed since then. <hands CheapBastid a grain of salt> That said, here’s my advice:
Stay far, far away from Sony (Soon Only Not Yet) products if you’re looking for value, low price, reliability, serviceability,or just a lack of extreme back pain when you try to move them. Ignore the hype; they’re not worth it. Also, North American Philips (Magnavox, Sylvania, etc) tend to have slightly brownish color balances–everything looks kind of sepia-toned on 'em to me, but I’m picky. They are pretty reliable. Matsushita makes excellent direct-view sets, as does JVC, but be prepared to pay heavily. I think the best all-around value is probably Panasonic; I was perfectly happy with my Panasonic 32" for years (until I got my JVC).
Well, I do tend to speak more from a tech’s viewpoint than a viewer’s, and Sony is a tech’s nightmare. The Sony units look OK, but you can do better for the same price–shop around.