Buying a New TV?

Bob Bitchen asks: "I have had the current TV set for 10+ years and really haven't put any thought into a new one. The current set is having some problems and I'm thinking of getting a new larger set or possibly a projector, with a budget of $1000. What's the best thing to get these days? HDTV ready might be nice but it's not mandatory. I don't know enough about the projector technology to feel comfortable about buying them but I might be convinced, if I hear from enough converts. Do the projectors perform as well as conventional displays? If I do go with a conventional display TV, what models are preferred and why? I am also looking for some good sites for comparing and learning more about the current state-of-the-art in televisions. I found a good site for projectors but haven't found a similar site for TVs."

My opinions...

[Anonymous Coward]

OK, stay away from the "Dick Tracy"-style of wristwatch TV...they aren't good and there is no place to plug in cable.
Also, colour is now available so you don't have to see everything in black and white.
Make sure you get one with more than 13 channels...somebody told me there is more.
Remember to pay your license fee that you MUST do if you own & watch the tele.
Use rabbit ears to pick up stations a long distance away (called "DX"), but don't use real rabbits or else the blood will obscure your view of the tube.

Thanks for listening.
Thomas Farnsworth

Re:Me personally...

[MBCook]

I agree with this. Get a great regular TV for $200-$300 and then get other things with the rest of the money. Use it to pay down a credit card. Get ahead on your home loan. Go on vacation. Spend some of it on a TiVo (you can't go wrong, but you can always return it if you don't like it (I know, not possible)). I'd say don't go buy a HDTV, wait a few more years for everything to settle down. And look into repairing your TV. It could give you years more service for only $50. Of course, if it's much more than $100 just get a new TV.

But definatly get a TiVo. DirecTiVos are especially great.

Semi-OT: Don't whine. Do something about it.

[i_am_nitrogen]

While I sympathize with your economic situation, usually 17 year olds living in their parents' basement aren't supposed to have $1000 to spend on a TV. Okay, so I'm 19, and I'm about to move out, and I already own a complete home theater including DLP projector.. but that's not the rule. Just because you don't have $1000, doesn't mean you should complain someone else does. There is a remedy to your situation. If you are unemployed, take a job at the supermarket. If you have a crappy job, learn new skills in your spare time so you'll have a way to pitch yourself to a new employer. If you really are 17 and living at home, stop complaining. Otherwise, make your life better.

Anyhow, how do you know the guy hasn't already been to China? A TV will last 10 years or more. A 1 week vacation to china will last 1 week, but those intenstinal parasites you'll carry around for a lifetime. Or, you could get SARS. I bet that's why airfare's so cheap.

Re:Words to live by...

[Bistronaut]

..."can't go wrong with a Sony".

Unless you have to carry it up stairs. Sony makes their TVs out of solid depleted Uranium! Make sure you have a dolly!

Re:Words to live by...

[psyconaut]

Story for you (like you care!) ;-)

My current Sony weighs 98lbs. Sounds like nothing. I mean, I can quite comfortably hump a 98lb girl all night ;-)

BUT.....when I bought my Sony, I didn't take the dealer up on the free delivery....we removed it from the box and I hauled it by myself into the car....and out when home...across the drive...and up the stairs. FUCK ME! It was a long haul. Sony make TVs that are not move-friendly. 98lbs doesn't sound much until you have to do what I did and realize that it has no FREAKIN' HANDLES! ;-)

-psy

Re:Words to live by...

[splattertrousers]

"can't go wrong with a Sony"

More than half of the Sony devices I've had have been complete crap. But the other half have been pretty darn good. Very strange.

Re:Words to live by...

[Anonvmous Coward]

" I can quite comfortably hump a 98lb girl all night ;-)"

Gravity's not exactly a constant in dream land, buddy. ;)