Television Sets

[WingZombie38]

On the 4th of July 2002, my 20" [and 23 year old] television died on me with no way to repair. I have been stuck with no Tv until early January 2003 when I found an old '80's TV set in a box in my parents bedroom.

Let me tell you about it. The company that made it is Lotus, it has radio, and a big antena. I can hook it up to the satilite dish, which is nice. I had been going crazy without the televison for more than half a year.

What is so bad about this thing?
It is MONO and it has a 5" screen!!! If I didn't go crazy then I sure am now. The thing makes my eyes hurt (so its not wise to watch anything for more than 2-5 hours depending on endurance) and it cuts out a LOT out of the picture. I realized it did that when I looked at an online screen cap of a program I watch.

I had also taped some things for my cousin last month. What happened on the playback? You could barely hear a thing. And this happened with many VCR/Television combos, except the mono one it was taped on...


So, why exactly am I sharing this with you all?

Despite being broke college students, my sibling and I have managed to set aside some money. Its around $200 now! Our parents are proud and said they are willing to pitch in about $100 bucks.

My sib and I are terrible with picking out electronics. I wanted to ask you all if you had any reccomendations for a good television set (in the price range of $300-400 or maybe just a bit more) and where to find it. We are in NYC and are also willing to buy from an online store.

Any suggestions?


And by all means, please, do talk about your televisions. I like hearing about the different viewing pleasures people have. :)

[StarScream64]

A few months ago my mother got a good TV at Best Buy for around $200 (give or take). It's a 27'' 'MTS Stereo' (whatever the heck that means.) SHARP. Normal TV's really shouldn't cost that much now, since everybody's trying to go HD. Have you checked any prices lately? Well, good luck television hunting. :)

[Good Ol' Batmanuel!]

Well, for $300-400, you could get a decent new tv, I guess. However, if it was me, I'd definitely check second-hand shops first. You might find a higher quality, bigger set for the same amount. Just a suggestion.

I wanted a nice big tv for gaming, so I got a used 32'' JVC for $300-400 less than if I'd bought the same one new! :D

It all depends on what you want it for, of course. I wanted quality and paid more for mine. If I'd wanted it just for casual viewing, I'd have settled for much less. I used to use a little 13'' for video games before the JVC. Then I got into home theater. That's another story entirely. :)

[Brainatra]

Sure you could find a set for less than $300, or even $200, depending on how big you're wanting. A 20" TV should be quite affordable...

As for brands, Samsung proved to be pretty decent for me...

Re: 80's sets: stereo TV didn't really get introduced until the mid-80's, and even then took a bit of time to get implemented (hence those old "In stereo where available" logos that used to be on the screens at the start of programs). Thus, wouldn't surprise me a set from that time was mono-only (*our* family's TV when I was a kid in the 80's certainly wasn't stereo---heck, it didn't even have a remote control, but two dial tuner knobs!).

-B.

[kiddiesunshine]

Just some additional information: Tech TV said the analog to digital TV signal switch is going to take place in 2006, but that date could be extended as they allow more people to prepare for the switch.

[Brainatra]

Originally posted by kiddiesunshine
Just some additional information: Tech TV said the analog to digital TV signal switch is going to take place in 2006, but that date could be extended as they allow more people to prepare for the switch.

Actually, it's been changed to "whenever 85% of households switch over to digital TV", seeing as there's *no way in heck* that the entire country's going to convert to DTV/HDTV within the next three years. If anything, I'd probably compare it to the switch from black-and-white to color. Modern color TVs were introduced in the mid-50's, but took 20 years to finally outsell color sets...thus, between that historic precedent and the lackluster support (cable company issues of carrying DTV, etc.) I wouldn't worry about buying a digital TV for now...

[Pilmedium]

I would not suggest paying much more than $300 for a television unless you want a big one with special features or something like that.

Originally posted by savy7
What is so bad about this thing?
It is MONO and it has a 5" screen!!! If I didn't go crazy then I sure am now. The thing makes my eyes hurt (so its not wise to watch anything for more than 2-5 hours depending on endurance) and it cuts out a LOT out of the picture. I realized it did that when I looked at an online screen cap of a program I watch.

I had also taped some things for my cousin last month. What happened on the playback? You could barely hear a thing. And this happened with many VCR/Television combos, except the mono one it was taped on...

That sounds like a very bad machine.

And by all means, please, do talk about your televisions. I like hearing about the different viewing pleasures people have. :)

One television I frequently use is about 20 years old. When I mention a problem, my father assumes it is broken, but it has not been yet.

[Angel_Baby]

Ok I don't own one of these but I would love to! The plasma flat screens are (i think) the best quality TV's on the market! But for me I'll just wait until the price goes down! :p

[Good Ol' Batmanuel!]

I was just thinking about the first set that I had in my own room. It was a 13'' black and white Sony that was made in the early 80's. The picture on it was great and I used it for playing Atari 2600 and NES.

One day, I was playing The Empire Strikes Back on NES (great game!) and in the middle of playing, I smelled something funny. Then *SNAP*...the screen went dead. Then smoke started coming out the back. :p When my grandparents would visit us during the summer, they used my room and my grandfather wanted a tv in the room, so since the Sony broke, he bought a 13'' color tv to watch, which I later inherited. :D I'd have a hard time going back to a set that small now, though. Heh.