My 27" Zenith is slowly dying and I'm looking for a new TV. Since my budget is not infinite, I'm looking for deals.
I was just at the local CC where they had a Sony KV32HS420. Picture looked good. But I and the store have no idea why it was returned or its history.
For me, the price is right but not if it's going to go belly up. A little research tells me that it's a 2-year old model but it seems to have all the jacks to take me into the HD era.
Any opinions on the set or purchasing a used set at CC?
Any questions I can ask at CC or things I can see on the set that would give me any clues as to its condition?
Thanks.
J

I would go ahead and pass on that TV if it is 2 years old.

I bought a display Sony 27HS420 model last month which was one year old, and at store it looked fine. But when I took it home, find out it could not produce very fine images ( I am supposing because at store, TV was displayed at “torch” mode day in and day out, thus CRT damage).

So took it back.

I believe that is a 4:3 screen model and are you sure you would want that instead of a 16:9 model. Also it doesn't have a digital tuner so you would have to connect it to either a HD cable/SAT box or an external tuner to get HD.

If you are going to try to receive HD via OTA you will need a 8VSB tuner and if you are going to try to receive unencrypted cable HD channels without a cable box, you will need a QAM tuner. Some HDTVs don't have a digital tuner, others have only the 8VSB tuner, and others have both an 8VSB and a QAM tuner.

It is a 4:3 screen. I haven't had a widescreen yet and I do watch 4:3 content. The tuner isn't an issue (I think) because I have Comcast Digital Cable. As soon as I get and HD set, I'm switching to an HD box.
Anybody have good experiences with the KVHS420 or buying returned items from CC?
Thanks.
J

Find out the manufacturing date by looking on the back of the set. The model came out about 2 years ago, but was only discontinued about 4-6 months ago.

I purchased the set for $599. Turns out it was a display model. Comes with the Sony warranty. Quite frankly, for the features and picture quality, I can't find anything close to that price, which is a major issue right now. I figure I have 30 days to test drive it. Since they're delivering it, if anything goes wonky, they'll come and take it back.
Would I prefer a Sony 34" or even the 36" 955? Sure, but those are double and triple the price, respectively.
Also, I've spent enough of my life making myself nuts over this and researching sets. Enough.
Somebody reinforce my purchase decision. Lying would be okay.
J

TV showing up today. Prayers to the gods of video would be appreciated.
J

Assuming it didn't get too much use, it should be a good set. I really wanted to get a 36HS420 before they were gone, but I missed out. =(

Well, after a week, it's looking good. Happy so far. Only one moment of WTF. When I turn the set on, picture appears but it's all green for about 3-4 seconds. Everything is visible, just green--then all the colors pop in and it's gorgeous and sharp, especially with component-fed DVDs.
I have an Oppo 970HD on its way. Can't wait to plug in the (included) HDMI cable and see what that does.
So far, I feel quite fortunate that I stumbled across this. I can't think of any set currently being manufactured that would've met my my budget and viewing needs. I don't even want to think about the 36HS420. This beast is heavy enough.
The only currently manufactured set (I think) that really intrigued me was the 36" 955, approximately thrice what I paid.
I'm glad I put the sliders under the stand. I'm sorry I didn't put more sliders under the stand.
I'm betting you might be able to find one, with some patience and diligence, and luck.
J
J

Just don't wipe the screen with any force or chemicals. If you have an anti-glare coating, it will come off.