Off-brand HDTVs - Sceptre and Vizio - good deal or rip off?

[cdanddvdpublisher]

I don't watch a lot of television. Consider it a waste of time. But when I do, and especially for video quality, I want the images to be excellent quality. I don't necessarily go for the highest quality because I do have to watch the budget, like most people. But I'm not so price conscious that I seek gutter level either. A happy medium is good.

[Epicurus8a]

I don't watch a lot of television. Consider it a waste of time. But when I do, and especially for video quality, I want the images to be excellent quality. I don't necessarily go for the highest quality because I do have to watch the budget, like most people. But I'm not so price conscious that I seek gutter level either. A happy medium is good.

Sony, Samsung , and Mitsubishi are all highly regarded, but they also carry higher price tags. Toshiba Regza seems to be a good compromise, IMO.

[cdanddvdpublisher]

I don't watch a lot of television. Consider it a waste of time. But when I do, and especially for video quality, I want the images to be excellent quality. I don't necessarily go for the highest quality because I do have to watch the budget, like most people. But I'm not so price conscious that I seek gutter level either. A happy medium is good.

Sony, Samsung , and Mitsubishi are all highly regarded, but they also carry higher price tags. Toshiba Regza seems to be a good compromise, IMO.

I've always had a high opinion of Toshiba. And yes, Sony, Samsung, and Mitsubishi are all pretty expensive. I'm curious, has anyone ever purchased a TV or other expensive electronic item from Amazon. I get my books there all the time, but I've never tried buying anything else from them. Just curious if the same level of service and care is taken with other items as they have with delivery of books.

[akrako1]

I'm curious, has anyone ever purchased a TV or other expensive electronic item from Amazon. I get my books there all the time, but I've never tried buying anything else from them. Just curious if the same level of service and care is taken with other items as they have with delivery of books.

I've purchased many small electronics/appliances from Amazon. Had no problems. I would just be worried about getting a TV, and then the subsequent service. I'd imaging the chances you'd have to ship the set out for repairs would be much higher if you purchase thru an on-line only retailer. Hence why I'm looking at warehouse/discount brick-and-morter locations. I'm luckily enough to be in Chicago, so along with the main big boxes, I have local access to ABT, Fry's, Microcenter, CDW, etc.

[Des]

I purchased a leaf blower/mulcher from Amazon once. Does that count?

Arrived new and in the box.

--dES

[Epicurus8a]

I'm curious, has anyone ever purchased a TV or other expensive electronic item from Amazon. I get my books there all the time, but I've never tried buying anything else from them. Just curious if the same level of service and care is taken with other items as they have with delivery of books.

I always buy large items locally because return shipping can be expensive if I have to return the item for any reason.

Also, a lot of people like Panasonic equipment. Personally I'm not impressed by anything they make.

[MJA]

I bought my 37"TV from crutchfield.com + 5 years service for less than 1K.no issues so far

* Repair and service in case of product failure
* One-time bulb replacement for big-screen projection TVs (front projector bulbs not covered)
* Coverage for damage by power surges
* "No lemon" policy — you get a new replacement item if the product requires more than 3 repairs after the manufacturer's warranty period and during your Service Net coverage
* Toll-free customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
* Free express shipping

[fritzi93]

Sony, Samsung , and Mitsubishi are all highly regarded, but they also carry higher price tags. Toshiba Regza seems to be a good compromise, IMO.

Funny you should mention that. I just got my elderly mother a 32" Regza. It was a NewEgg promo, $750, free shipping. It looked quite good, although far too bright out of the box. Wasn't able to spend much time on fine adjustments, I'll have to do that next visit.

[Epicurus8a]

Sony, Samsung , and Mitsubishi are all highly regarded, but they also carry higher price tags. Toshiba Regza seems to be a good compromise, IMO.

Funny you should mention that. I just got my elderly mother a 32" Regza. It was a NewEgg promo, $750, free shipping. It looked quite good, although far too bright out of the box. Wasn't able to spend much time on fine adjustments, I'll have to do that next visit.

Sounds like a good deal. And as you no doubt suspect there is a set-up menu for the brightness.

Costco has a 26" (with DVD Player) for $550, a 37' for $900, and a 52" for $2000. Costco's prices are fair, they have a great return policy, and automatically give an extended warranty.

[fritzi93]

[quote="Epicurus8a"]

Sounds like a good deal. And as you no doubt suspect there is a set-up menu for the brightness.

Costco has a 26" (with DVD Player) for $550, a 37' for $900, and a 52" for $2000. Costco's prices are fair, they have a great return policy, and automatically give an extended warranty.

Yeah, I just knocked the mode from "Sports" down to "Cinema", which cut the excessive brightness. I'll get into settings next time I visit my Mother. This LCD TV has a built-in DVD player as well. The old gal has a hard time when she has to deal with more than one remote control. :P This way she only needs one.

[Epicurus8a]

The old gal has a hard time when she has to deal with more than one remote control. :P This way she only needs one.

I know a lot of people like that - young and old.

[cdanddvdpublisher]

If you want good name brands and super cheap, try looking in some thrift stores too. Sometimes, you end up coming home with a piece of junk but I've struck it lucky a few times. You would be amazed at what kind of things people donate to those places.

[RabidDog]

I think the reason why people bigger Tvs is that its the one thing that is obvious, and, implicitly BETTER. As an OP here is trying to buy a HDTV you are swamped with meaningless stats, which really tell you nothing about quality, but how else are ordinary people to decide? they dont really trust the salespeople, so look at the price, the stats and the size, also the brand name. And come to some sort of vague buying decision (ooh I like the shape of the buttons). Most people dont even have faith in their own opinions, which frankly, can be in error. Research is good but sometimes you are left in the same sort of daze. Even "reviews by owners" are now being subverted by Mfrs. Some companies have good reps and thats worth an awful lot these days.....
Plus of course the new xxxx model which uses the new xxxx technology is coming out in about six months.
Hell even hoovers can be made sexy with a bit of techno babble and a sexy futuristic styling (think dyson) but the point is, its now acceptable for men to do the Dysoning, because you know, its technically superior.
WOW a new type of ice ! NANOOK look at this
Why are there so many different soap powders?
FWISeen I like toshiba Sony Philips for Tvs and would avoid Alba (okay screen but tuner is rubbish) others? dislike Sanyo Amstrad Matsui anything with Vox in the name and Radio Shack(tandy)