F...TVs
 

So my $3000 dollar 42 inch Phillips TV is now broken after only 3.5 years of service. Plasma BTW.

I have a black band that will not go away on the right side, basically it is the band that is there when you are watching 4-3 picture but when you switch to high def it remains. Called Phillips and basically they said look in the yellow pages for a repair shop, great customer service.

I called Geek Squad and they want $150 just to look at it! By the time they repair it probably be 300 or 400 dollars. Might as well by a new one for 600 dollars.


So basically never buy Phillips I have two other HD TV's both Samsung and they work great.

Funny how my Sony CRT lasted 10 years and I swear I even dropped it several times during moves, I gave it away for this TV and it was still working! Grrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!

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$3000 for a 42 inch TV? I paid $400 for my 38 inch HDTV. Granted it's not plasma.. I've seen big screen (50 inch+) HDTV's go for far less than that...

Is the plasma the only thing that's kicking up to $3000??

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Are you in the DC area? If you are, I know a great repair guy who fixed one of my HD's, and he's very reasonable. $60 to diagnose the problem, and if he can fix it for you, he'll deduct that $60 from the total bill. He got one of my TVs -a 32 inch Sanyo HD- back up and running in a few days.

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If you don't have Panasonic you're not doing your homework. Honstly though Plasama TVs have hourly lifespan so if you've used it to its max nothing you can do about. The older the less lifespan. I would check the lifespan rating of your TV and call them back. Make sure you make a fuss and tell them your going to create a blog about how bad Philips brand TVs are and they'll get your attention.

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Just curious, is plasma that much better than any other flat tv? (i have 36 inch Sony CRT - works just peachy - only 6 years old though).

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I bought the TV in 2/2006 it was top of the line with the ambilight and all that crap, HD plasma and all that was still very expensive. Honestly start going on line and searching plasma tv's the life of these TV's for a lot of folks has been 4 or 5 years.

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[quote=GMScud;595689]Are you in the DC area? If you are, I know a great repair guy who fixed one of my HD's, and he's very reasonable. $60 to diagnose the problem, and if he can fix it for you, he'll deduct that $60 from the total bill. He got one of my TVs -a 32 inch Sanyo HD- back up and running in a few days.[/quote]

where about is this guy? I am in northern Baltimore but willing to drive to someone good.

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[quote=saden1;595711]If you don't have Panasonic you're not doing your homework. Honstly though Plasama TVs have hourly lifespan so if you've used it to its max nothing you can do about. The older the less lifespan. I would check the lifespan rating of your TV and call them back. Make sure you make a fuss and tell them your going to create a blog about how bad Philips brand TVs are and they'll get your attention.[/quote]

I have heard a few folks throw around the Panasonic name on here but I know severely folks who have Panasonic and they have had problems as well. I honestly don't think any one builds a quality TV anymore.

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[quote=mredskins;595729]I have heard a few folks throw around the Panasonic name on here but I know severely folks who have Panasonic and they have had problems as well. I honestly don't think any one builds a quality TV anymore.[/quote]


yea, i would say buying a different brand name of a tv is like choosing ford over chevy or dodge over toyota. they all have their problems. it usually comes down to money, who has the best deal with the best warrenty. when i was shopping for tvs i was looking to get a samsung but i ended up getting a sharp aquos 46" lcd from sears, so far it's been great but i know there will come a time when something will go wrong with it. thats just the way it is.

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in reality, there are only 3 companies that actually " make" T.V's

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[quote=saden1;595711][B]If you don't have Panasonic you're not doing your homework[/B]. Honstly though Plasama TVs have hourly lifespan so if you've used it to its max nothing you can do about. The older the less lifespan. I would check the lifespan rating of your TV and call them back. Make sure you make a fuss and tell them your going to create a blog about how bad Philips brand TVs are and they'll get your attention.[/quote]

Really? I only know two people who bought Panasonic and both TVs ended up being duds. Between me, my mom/stepdad, dad/stepmom, we've got a Sanyo, a few Sony's, and Sharp, and a few Vizio's, and they are all excellent. Based on my friend's experience, I'll avoid Panasonic like the plague. Come to think of it, I've never owned anything Panasonic that I've liked particularly.

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[quote=mredskins;595728]where about is this guy? I am in northern Baltimore but willing to drive to someone good.[/quote]

He's in Gaithersburg, so he was about a 15 mile drive from me, but worth it.

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[quote=GMScud;595755]He's in Gaithersburg, so he was about a 15 mile drive from me, but worth it.[/quote]

Ok shoot me his contact info! thank you!

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[quote=mredskins;595756]Ok shoot me his contact info! thank you![/quote]

Here ya go- this is his Superpages listing-

[url=http://yellowpages.superpages.com/listings.jsp?CS=L&MCBP=true&search=Find+It&SRC=&C=Advanced+TV&STYPE=S&L=Gaithersburg%2C+MD&x=79&y=16](Results 1 - 8 of 8) ~ Advanced TV Gaithersburg MD ~ Simple Search ~ SuperPages.com: Yellow Pages[/url]

It's a little hole in the wall repair shop, but he's really good. Kind of short on the telephone, but very professional. I was referred to him by my buddy's mom who has been taking TVs there for years.

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[quote=saden1;595711]If you don't have Panasonic you're not doing your homework. Honstly though Plasama TVs have hourly lifespan so if you've used it to its max nothing you can do about. The older the less lifespan. I would check the lifespan rating of your TV and call them back. Make sure you make a fuss and tell them your going to create a blog about how bad Philips brand TVs are and they'll get your attention.[/quote]

Word, and that goes for just about every type of electronic equipment, Panasonic is king.

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[quote=GMScud;595754]Really? I only know two people who bought Panasonic and both TVs ended up being duds. Between me, my mom/stepdad, dad/stepmom, we've got a Sanyo, a few Sony's, and Sharp, and a few Vizio's, and they are all excellent. Based on my friend's experience, I'll avoid Panasonic like the plague. Come to think of it, I've never owned anything Panasonic that I've liked particularly.[/quote]

Check consumer reports. Panasonic is consistently rated highest across just about any electonic category, from plasma TVs, to audio receivers, to whatever.

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[quote=Schneed10;595761]Check consumer reports. Panasonic is consistently rated highest across just about any electonic category, from plasma TVs, to audio receivers, to whatever.[/quote]

That's fine. I'm just going off of personal experience, as well as the two stinker TVs my friends bought recently. I haven't owned a lot of Panasonic stuff in my life, but I have had some audio equipment over the years. None of it was more memorable than any other brand. I'll take the Bose sound system I have now over anything else out there.

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[quote=Schneed10;595761]Check consumer reports. Panasonic is consistently rated highest across just about any electonic category, from plasma TVs, to audio receivers, to whatever.[/quote]

LOL! This sounds like a white trash fight between Ford vs. Chevy. Is fighting over which TV brand the yuppie version of the ford vs. chevy fight!

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[quote=mredskins;595765]LOL! This sounds like a white trash fight between Ford vs. Chevy. Is fighting over which TV brand the yuppie version of the ford vs. chevy fight![/quote]

Hey I'm not saying Panasonic sucks or anything. I just may think twice before buying one based on friend's experiences. I'm sure they have plenty of quality products.

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^ GM I am just teasing, thanks for your help earlier. I too have always thought of Panasonic as a cheaper brand but honestly I am not in the know about TVs, I just want the fing thing to work! =)

For the record I thought of Phillips as crappy too but my wife was like I love the lights on the side! I want to get a Sony, she got a big told you so this morning.

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Statistically speaking you'll always have duds so that's not something to base your rating of a product on. It should be based on the features vs price of a fully functioning product. As for the Panasonic brand, I would wager that they are less prone to defect than most brands out there.

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[quote=JoeRedskin;595722]Just curious, is plasma that much better than any other flat tv? (i have 36 inch Sony CRT - works just peachy - only 6 years old though).[/quote]

When it comes to color representation no one comes close (maybe OLED TVs but that will cost you $$$). Plasma TVs are also better able to represent blacks and whites more closely than LCD and CRT.

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saden1=TV nerd

Are you really pale, don't get out much, have a beer gut? You maybe a TV nerd, we can help. =)

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3.5 years on a plasma isn't really all that short of a time to have a problem. Certainly it could be longer but I think every manufacturer is going to have some individual products come off an assembly line and bust within 4 years. And you cannot compare CRTs to plasma or LCDs. It's like comparing a '65 VW Bug to a '05 Lexus. Lots more "moving" parts.

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Update: I called GM's guy and he said he may be able to fix but would probably be i nthe 200 to 300 range, very nice guy and was willing to work with me considering I had to drive 60 miles to him. So now I am thinking maybe I jsut replace it but it looks every damn TV breaks if you google Phillips tons of people pisssed, google Sony tons of people pisssed, google Panasonic tons of people pissed. I guess basically don't expect your TV to last longer then maybe 5 years.

I will take suggestions I want a 42 inch HD TV in the price range of 600-800 bucks. Any ideas?

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[quote=mredskins;598161]saden1=TV nerd

Are you really pale, don't get out much, have a beer gut? You maybe a TV nerd, we can help. =)[/quote]


Don't get it twisted homie, I've been in Vegas since Thursday. And yes, I am a TV nerd. You say it as if it's something to be ashamed of.

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^ LOL! We all got love something!

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Yes, some of us [URL="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jUP_JaQ_-I7tGUGTjvY-VQ?feat=directlink"]finer things[/URL].

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[quote=DynamiteRave;595686]$3000 for a 42 inch TV? I paid $400 for my 38 inch HDTV. Granted it's not plasma.. I've seen big screen (50 inch+) HDTV's go for far less than that...

Is the plasma the only thing that's kicking up to $3000??[/quote]

I paid $800 for my 42" Samsung HD. Still working perfect after years and it was a floor model. :D

The reason I will not buy a plasma is right here...they're basically disposable TVs. My rear projection has a good enough picture, but has replaceable parts.

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I'd think a $300 repair bill for a $3,000 TV is not that bad. I'm still kind of stuck on the $3,000 TV thing. If I did not have direct TV I would have had to buy those converter boxs for all of my TV's. I'm just one of those if it is not broke why buy a new one. We did have one TV go out but my parents had just purchased a large flat screen and gave us their 36 or something TV that has a good picture. I do like the HD stuff out but I just do not watch enough TV to run out and spend a grand on a TV.

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[quote=firstdown;598461]I'd think a $300 repair bill for a $3,000 TV is not that bad. I'm still kind of stuck on the $3,000 TV thing. If I did not have direct TV I would have had to buy those converter boxs for all of my TV's. I'm just one of those if it is not broke why buy a new one. We did have one TV go out but my parents had just purchased a large flat screen and gave us their 36 or something TV that has a good picture. I do like the HD stuff out but I just do not watch enough TV to run out and spend a grand on a TV.[/quote]


I think you are missing the point, the TV was $3000 in 2006 you can now get a better verison of that TV in the range of 600 to 800. Why drop 300 and have it break again when I can get a new one that is better for 600 with a warrenty.

To be honest I kind have gotton use to watching it that way, really is not that bad I may just hold off.

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[quote=mredskins;598514]I think you are missing the point, the TV was $3000 in 2006 you can now get a better verison of that TV in the range of 600 to 800. Why drop 300 and have it break again when I can get a new one that is better for 600 with a warrenty.

To be honest I kind have gotton use to watching it that way, really is not that bad I may just hold off.[/quote]
You can buy a 42" HDTV for $600 to $800? I know they have really dropped in price and thought you could get a 36" for around that price but not one that big.

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[quote=firstdown;598547]You can buy a 42" HDTV for $600 to $800? I know they have really dropped in price and thought you could get a 36" for around that price but not one that big.[/quote]


This one is $599 if you add it to your cart. Mind you it is only a 720p but is high def, plasma and 42 inches. Plus it is the awesome Panasonic brand that many toot here.

[url=http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05775509000P?vName=Computers+%26+Electronics&cName=Televisions&sName=Flat+Panel]Panasonic 42 in. (Diagonal) Class 720p 600 Hz Plasma HD Television[/url]

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[quote=mredskins;598556]This one is $599 if you add it to your cart. Mind you it is only a 720p but is high def, plasma and 42 inches. Plus it is the awesome Panasonic brand that many toot here.

[URL="http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05775509000P?vName=Computers+%26+Electronics&cName=Televisions&sName=Flat+Panel"]Panasonic 42 in. (Diagonal) Class 720p 600 Hz Plasma HD Television[/URL][/quote]

It's a 720p, not worth having.

Gotta be 1080p and 120Hz as a minimum.

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720p is fine for a smaller set, like in your bedroom, but for your main set and at the 42" size, you definitely should go for the 1080p for just a little more.

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I have had this argument a million times but everything you watch on TV from football to soaps is flimed in 720p not 1080p, very few movies/shows/programs/etc are actually flimed in 1080p so why buy a 1080p TV that you are watching a 720p picture on?

Plus I am willing to bet if you put equal quality TV's next to each other but their only difernce was 720 vs 1080 the average Amercian couldn't not tell you the differnce.

480 to 720 = quantuim leap in viewing quality

720 to 1080 = a hop scotch in viewing quality

Now with that said you could get that same TV 1080p for 799, the dealt in price between the two is shrinking greatly. So for 200 bones more what the hell go live in the fantsay 1080 world you will love it!

[url=http://www.hdtvexpert.com/pages_b/reality.html]HDTVexpert — Front Line: 1080P — Time for a Reality Check![/url]

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Hey it's totally up to the individual but I can see the difference between a 720p and a 1080p set. With a smaller screen you probably won't but 42" and up you will notice small differences.

Plus, if you have or want a blu-ray player you will definitely want the 1080p set.

Again it's really not a big deal. Whatever works for you.

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[quote=Mattyk72;599178]Hey it's totally up to the individual but I can see the difference between a 720p and a 1080p set. With a smaller screen you probably won't but 42" and up you will notice small differences.

Plus, if you have or want a blu-ray player you will definitely want the 1080p set.

Again it's really not a big deal. Whatever works for you.[/quote]

I agree it is what is best for you. If firstdown has been watching CRT's his whole life and he buys a 720p HD TV he is going to be blown away at a great price.

To be honest they don't make many 720 TV's anymore.

Can someone explain the HZ to me why would you want 120hz vs. 600hz?

thank you!

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[quote=mredskins;599182]I agree it is what is best for you. If firstdown has been watching CRT's his whole life and he buys a 720p HD TV he is going to be blown away at a great price.

To be honest they don't make many 720 TV's anymore.

Can someone explain the HZ to me why would you want 120hz vs. 600hz?

thank you![/quote]

Hz is the refresh rate

[url=http://www.hdtvbeat.com/what-is-the-difference-between-120hz-lcd-tvs-and-600hz-plasma-tvs/2009/09/]What Is The Difference Between 120Hz (LCD TVs) and 600Hz (Plasma TVs)?[/url]

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^ Just more a whole lot to do about nothing.

I bought a new dishwasher over the summer. the options on dishwashers are very obvious but on these TV's to the non-TV guru some if it just seems like fluff, the upgrades to me at least don't seem very tangiable. Lots of smoke and mirriors that no one really understands what is best.

I currently own a LCD, Plasma, and DLP to me they all have the same picture quality. I honestly can not tell the differnce between them.