Has the Quality of Consumer Electronics Declined?

NewtonsLaw asks: "With Christmas coming up I dare say that lots of people are going to spend big bucks on consumer electronics in the next few weeks. This column asks an interesting question -- are consumer electronics manufacturers sacrificing quality and reliability for an endless list of features? If you're like me, you've probably got a TV, VCR or other appliance you bought over 5 years ago which is still going strong -- but much of the stuff you've bought in the past 2-3 years is already giving trouble. What's more, it seems to be the big-name manufacturers such as Sony who are most affected by this decline in standards. I'd love to hear the experiences of other Slashdot readers in an effort to get as many data-points as possible. Are you better off buying a $49 DVD player on the expectation that it will only last a year or so -- or do lay out two or three times that amount something made by a big-name manufacturer in the (possibly vain) hope it will provide superior performance and last longer?"

Um...

[Zildy]

...decline in standards...

Madonna's signature on an iPod.

Discuss.

Today's Ask Slashdot Brought To You By Sony

[Alt_Cognito]

I'm happy with my cyberhome DVD player!

Q. Has the quality declined?

[dsb3]

A1. Yes.

A2. D'uh.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Coincidence?

[nule.org]

Let's see on the front page of /. right now is: Has the Quality of Consumer Electronics Declined?" which is followed immediately by: "Apple Hawks Madonna iPods"...

Hrm... seems like /. answered its own question.

Re:Made in America = cheap as crap

[Computer!]

Nice troll. Can you name a few electronic products actually made in America?

obligatory homer simpson quote:

[digable]

"... i know a genuine panaphonic when i see it! ..."

Re:Um...

[misfit13b]

i'll see your Madonna iPod and raise you a Michael Jordan Palm Pilot [isportsstore.com]

:^)

Re:The quality of everything now is worse

[littleRedFriend]

We, as consumers, by buying the cheapest, lowest-quality stuff out there, are responsible for this.

Sjeesh, can you /. guys please make up your mind? Now I will have to bring back my $199 walmart PC.

Re:Is this a question?

[Anonymous Coward]

fan made in the early 80s. It has been running continuously for about 10 years

if you've traveled from the past to see what its
like now, i need you to kill an arab terrorist
for me when you go back.

Re:Umbrella repair

[sootman]

Long, long ago, there used to be umbrella repair shops.
Pfft, yeah, right, umbrella repair, uh-huh. What's next, you're gonna tell me people used to get their shoes repaired, too? Go smoke some more crack, we've got important things to discuss here.