OT: Television Repair

[Coronita]

[quote=spdrun]Fact: the support electronics ARE different.[/quote]

Data?

[LAAFTERHOURS]

[quote=flu][quote=LAAFTERHOURS][quote=flu][quote=svelte]Wow. Have we gotten to the point where TVs are 2 year disposable items?

And I was ticked a few years back when my huge Mitsubishi Diamond Series projection TV crapped out at 4 years. I had to practically give it away for a few bucks because the repair cost was so high.[/quote]

Yes, considering you can get a “ok” 42″ tv from costco around $500-600 (before any special coupons or rebates)

Costco $599 special

… and costco will warranty the TV (or any electronics for that matter) for 2 years (above the manufacturer warranty)….

Costco warranty terms

and considering that an american technician/labor probably costs a minimum of $100/hr… Purely from a dollar perspective if you are not an audio/videophile and can settle for “good enough”….TV’s are a disposable item these days (environmental issues aside)…

This is exactly why Sony is having such a huge issue… Because once the holy grail of super quality TV’s, most people don’t give a crap anymore and will settle for “good enough”….Most people don’t care the fine distinction between your top of the line Samsung/Sony/LG or your crapper Vizio… And notwithstanding, it probably gives people an excuse to upgrade after 2 years anyway. And manufacturers (including Sony) no longer manufacture with quality/long lasting in mind. Because they want people to constantly upgrade anyway.

Same thing can be said for Digital SLR cameras. That’s why when you buy a digital SLR, spend good money on the lens, because those won’t depreciate. But the camera body will take a hit every year from now on…unless you get the the real pro version.[/quote]

Monitor slickdeals and you can score a much better deal than a 42 inch 500 or 600 bucks.

There was a 47 3D LG for 499 two weeks ago. 55 inch 3d was 900 two weeks ago. Labor day is a great time to score a stellar deal.[/quote]

does it come with a 2 year warranty?[/quote]

I never buy a warranty from big box stores. Get one from square trade for cheap.

My first 42 inch (the first 1080P 42 inch available in the world in 2006) has been rock solid for 6 years. I never bought a warranty on it.

Do your homework, check the ratings on the TV and AVS forums for common issues (if they exist) based upon the model. Unless you are moving a TV around, you shouldnt have issues. Run sample images/ sample test to test for dead pixels and other things. If its broke, you will know immediately and can return it. If you are comfortable with doing your research before buying, shouldnt need a warranty. If you want a warranty, hit up costco for the extra warranty padding they offer.

I would rather invest my warranty dollars on appliances. Learned my lesson on a samsung built in microwave that crapped out at 18 months new.

[spdrun]

To **** with warranties — I can buy most people’s electronic sloppy seconds at a 60-75% discount on Craigslist. No point warranting if it’s sufficiently cheap.

[Hatfield]

[quote=svelte]Wow. Have we gotten to the point where TVs are 2 year disposable items?[/quote]

I’m guessing this flat screen TV is a plasma. Plasma TVs are notorious for power supply failures. Before LCDs came down so much in price, my brother was getting blown up plasmas for free or cheap on CL, fixing the power supply, and then reselling them for a $300-400. Many of the sets used the same power supply so he knew exactly what to replace. It was very easy money.

That said, our plasma is a 42″ Magnavox. It probably 8-10 years old by now and has given us no problems at all.

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