Need help finding a good budget display

Ningyo · 09-21-07, 01:10 PM

Hi! I had recently replied in some threads asking for opinions on the Best Buy Insignia 42" Plasma, and got no replies. That makes me think there's no one who has experience with this one, so I thought I'd try a different approach, that might work better overall.

I'm on a budget, and can't buy the TV of my dreams. So what I'm looking for is a flat panel set for around $800 or so, 37" or bigger. I realize this won't get me the cream of the crop, but I'm hoping to get something reliable. 1080i/p would be nice, but if a 720 set is a good deal, I can live happily.

My uses for it are pretty normal... I'll be watching SD and HD broadcasts, mostly through cable, some time with Xbox 360 and PS2, and the occasional DVD. During the day, I'll use my surround sound to listen, and at night, the TV's speakers.

I don't really want a tube TV, and while DLP looks great, I'm not keen on replacing the rather expensive bulbs. I could be wrong about any of this, but more then one person has told me this is the place to ask, so I put myself in your capable hands.

So! With all this rambling, if anyone has any advice that fits what I wrote, I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!

Ningyo · 09-23-07, 03:03 AM

I hope it's ok to bump this, it's been over a day.

I don't mean this to be rude, but have I done something wrong that would cause no answers? I was told many times this is the place to go for help with this kind of thing.

Thanks...

David Hwang · 09-23-07, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ningyo

I don't mean this to be rude, but have I done something wrong that would cause no answers?

I think you will get more replies in LCD and Plasma forums which seem to have more readers than this one.

If you have only 800 dollars to spend, you could consider a cheap 37" 1080p LCD TV. Use the search function and you will find lots of infomation. Good luck!

ccotenj · 09-23-07, 10:35 PM

your best bet would really be a rptv... i wouldn't worry too much about the bulbs, they aren't that expensive and it's not like they blow every day...

heck, you can get a refurb 52" jvc d-ila set for around $600, and i'm pretty sure you would be happier with that than a cheap lcd... i used one for 3 years and it was great... put the other 200 bucks towards a a3 hd-dvd player, and you'll be cooking with gas...

bosng · 09-24-07, 01:57 AM

philips online has some good deals on refurbished tv's.
they come with a 90 day warranty.

a 46" flatscreen plasma hdtv for your price point. as well as bigger ones for slightly more.

Ningyo · 09-24-07, 03:42 PM

Thanks for the replies!

I didn't post in the plasma or LCD forums because honestly, I wasn't sure what direction to take.

Do you have any idea on how long a bulb in a DLP would last, and possibly it's replacement costs? Since I know it has to be at least a year or so before it blows out, I know I could replace it then.

Ah, being on a small budget stinks, but I appreciate the help! I'll do some more poking around, as well as checking Philips online.

bosng · 09-25-07, 12:35 PM

if you have trouble finding the philips site just type in "outlet" and "philips" into google and you'll be there in a jiffy.

not sure whether it was ok to post a link.

Ningyo · 09-25-07, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bosng

if you have trouble finding the philips site just type in "outlet" and "philips" into google and you'll be there in a jiffy.

not sure whether it was ok to post a link.

W..wow! They have some amazing prices here! And Googling those two words.. Just hit the feeling lucky button, and you're there.

Thank you!

09-21-07, 01:10 PM	#1 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a4ac4393' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:30&n=a4ac4393' border='0' alt=''></a>
Ningyo Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: MA Posts: 101	Need help finding a good budget display Hi! I had recently replied in some threads asking for opinions on the Best Buy Insignia 42" Plasma, and got no replies. That makes me think there's no one who has experience with this one, so I thought I'd try a different approach, that might work better overall. I'm on a budget, and can't buy the TV of my dreams. So what I'm looking for is a flat panel set for around $800 or so, 37" or bigger. I realize this won't get me the cream of the crop, but I'm hoping to get something reliable. 1080i/p would be nice, but if a 720 set is a good deal, I can live happily. My uses for it are pretty normal... I'll be watching SD and HD broadcasts, mostly through cable, some time with Xbox 360 and PS2, and the occasional DVD. During the day, I'll use my surround sound to listen, and at night, the TV's speakers. I don't really want a tube TV, and while DLP looks great, I'm not keen on replacing the rather expensive bulbs. I could be wrong about any of this, but more then one person has told me this is the place to ask, so I put myself in your capable hands. So! With all this rambling, if anyone has any advice that fits what I wrote, I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!

09-24-07, 01:57 AM	#5 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a591f81a' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:36&n=a591f81a' border='0' alt=''></a>
bosng AVS Special Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 2,050	philips online has some good deals on refurbished tv's. they come with a 90 day warranty. a 46" flatscreen plasma hdtv for your price point. as well as bigger ones for slightly more.

09-23-07, 03:03 AM	#2 \| Link
Ningyo Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: MA Posts: 101	I hope it's ok to bump this, it's been over a day. I don't mean this to be rude, but have I done something wrong that would cause no answers? I was told many times this is the place to go for help with this kind of thing. Thanks...

09-23-07, 10:35 PM	#4 \| Link
ccotenj AVS Special Member AVS CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: the toxic waste dumps of new jersey Posts: 6,798 Classified Rating: 100% (15)	your best bet would really be a rptv... i wouldn't worry too much about the bulbs, they aren't that expensive and it's not like they blow every day... heck, you can get a refurb 52" jvc d-ila set for around $600, and i'm pretty sure you would be happier with that than a cheap lcd... i used one for 3 years and it was great... put the other 200 bucks towards a a3 hd-dvd player, and you'll be cooking with gas...

09-24-07, 03:42 PM	#6 \| Link
Ningyo Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: MA Posts: 101	Thanks for the replies! I didn't post in the plasma or LCD forums because honestly, I wasn't sure what direction to take. Do you have any idea on how long a bulb in a DLP would last, and possibly it's replacement costs? Since I know it has to be at least a year or so before it blows out, I know I could replace it then. Ah, being on a small budget stinks, but I appreciate the help! I'll do some more poking around, as well as checking Philips online.

09-25-07, 12:35 PM	#7 \| Link
bosng AVS Special Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 2,050	if you have trouble finding the philips site just type in "outlet" and "philips" into google and you'll be there in a jiffy. not sure whether it was ok to post a link.