question on the new TV's and what to get for under $500 - not sure this is the right place to post

[2Design]

question on the new TV's and what to get for under $500 - not sure this is the right place to post but it is a home improvement for me

Ok it looks like the only thing available is hdtv lcd models

office depot has a Memorex 32" on sale for $399

Costco has the Toshiba $37 for about $650
The Vizio 32" 1080i for $539 includes hdmi cable includes two years extended costco warranty with tech support
The Vizio 32" 720p for $429

Then I can get the HD cable box from brighthouse at no extra charge

So what do you guys think

oh btw, I don't shop at Walmart since they drive wages down world wide

[cbayer]

1. I bought the Vizio at Costco and really like it.

It's the one with the HDMI cable. The first one we bought went bad within the Costco extended warranty period and they replaced it with a new (and even better) one. We have it mounted in a boat, so it gets lots of exposure and bouncing around, but it still works great.

It's really nice not to have to have an additional box.

:hi:

[2Design]

2. what do you mean not have an additional box

I have the cable box
He did not hook up the hdmi cable but used a bunch of color coded cables

[cbayer]

3. I meant the HDTV converter box. It's nice to have it built into the TV.

:hi:

[2Design]

4. which vizio did you get

what size? 1080p? 720P? 32"

[cbayer]

5. 32 inch, but I am not sure of the resolution. It has the hdtv converter inside, so

we didn't have to get another box. We get all our TV through the air via our antennae on the mast, which is 55 feet tall, so we get lots and lots of HD stations.

[NMDemDist2]

6. the LCDs are so cheap because they all have a major design flaw

in many models. Some brands were better than others and the technology is still working out the bugs

we have a Sony LCD and all the manufacturers have had trouble with their light engines

Sony replaced ours, but only after a long fight

be sure to google any model you chose for "light engine failure" for that model

but for $400 it might be ok to only get 3-4 years service.

YMMV

:hi:

[2Design]

7. 3 or 4 years ???? My last tv I bought in 1987 and it has been in storage

since 2004 - I was buying a new one because I am not near my storage unit and must decide if this is where I want to settle. So that was like 17 years and I had to convince myself it was time. I find it funny to read forums and people have numerous tvs

[NMDemDist2]

8. our Sony lasted 18 months until it needed MAJOR repair

they don't make em like they used to......


if it's basically a 'throw away' TV, check Craiglist or thrift stores

edit to add, we paid almost $2000 for it too

[2Design]

9. well costco has a two year warranty and when paid with their american express card you get another

well costco has a two year warranty and when paid with their american express card you get another year

so that does persuade me to definitely buy the tv at costco because they stand behind the products they sell

so at least I am assure of three years and if replaced in that last year - probably another one

The technology is changing so fast now - who knows what they will have in 10 to 20 yeras

[Warpy]

10. Go to the store and look at the picture

look at the remote, look at the controls, and think about how big your room is and how far away from the screen you'll sit.

That should narrow it down considerably.

You'll definitely get a bigger bang for the buck at Costco, but other than that, let your wallet and your esthetics be your guide. Costco has a lot more in stock than just a featured sale model.

I have a small place and usually sit 6 feet away from the screen while I'm at the puter, so a 20 inch LCD is fine for me.