As I’ve said before, “the whole world is going flat!” No matter where you go, you can find flat screen TVs. Even the grocery store is not immune to this phenomenon. Many are selling “cheap” flat screens with brand labels like Voyager, Apex and Element. With flat-panel prices dropping close to 40% from 2006 to 2007, a person can easily be tempted by these “new” or “no-name” brands. These brands can easily undercut Sony and Sharp’s prices by hundreds of dollars. Prices now start well under $500 for a 32-in. LCD TV, and under $300 for a 19-in. model.
The most prominent low-cost brands include: Vizio, Westinghouse Digital, Polaroid, Funai, Insignia (house brand of Best Buy), and Olevia. You could also include include older names like Magnavox, Philco, and RCA. All of these sets now come out of factories in either Taiwan or China. However, there are pitfalls to these cheaper sets.
Cons
Image Quality - While the price of LCD flat panels continues to drop, the image quality of LCD HDTVs in the 26-in or below size has diminished somewhat also. In earlier years, top of the line panels were available in this size range. However, today’s pricing pressures force some set makers to step down performance to screen resolutions of 1024 x 768 to keep the price low. If you want the best LCD glass within an LCD HDTV—one that features superior contrast ratios, off-axis viewing, signal processing and 10 bit color (1024 shades of gray versus 256)—you need to consider a name brand. In screen sizes of 32-in. and below, compare off center viewing, color, upconversion of standard definition sources and motion smear. You will find the range in performance from fair to really poor.
Aspect Ratios - Gone are the days of the boxy 4:3 sets – even for the smaller screen sizes. Today, everything is widescreen. However, it should be noted that these sets may not offer a true 16:9 aspect ratio. In fact, many of the smaller screen sizes have an aspect ratio of 16:10, 15:9 or less and may offer small black bars at the top and bottom of the screen when displaying a widescreen image. And, even in these smaller screen sizes, they must now include a digital ATSC “Over-the-Air” tuner. If possible, make sure that the set also includes a QAM cable HD tuner. Since two-thirds of the U.S. population receives their TV signals via cable, it makes sense to have a cable HD tuner built-in. What will this do for you? Except for scrambled movie channels, you may not need a cable box with a set that includes a QAM tuner for channels that are “in-the-clear.”
Warranty - These cheaper brands will save you money, initially. However, the cost to repair may exceed the purchase price. Many of these sets have lousy factory warranties. With some brands, there is simply no service after the warranty expires. While enticing, what commercials and dealers don’t reveal is that to utilize the warranty, you have to shell out several hundred dollars more. And, once the warranty expires (anywhere from 90-days to 1-year), you are on your own to get the set fixed because these low-cost manufacturers literally “wash their hands” of your purchase. You are left with taking the set back to where you purchased it in hopes that they will fix it. In many cases, the electronics retailer will tell you to contact the manufacturer, and send it in for repairs.
It is highly recommended to check with the manufacturer’s web site to learn the in-warranty service costs (don’t forget shipping fees) and the charges for post-warranty service before you make the purchase. And, sometimes, out of warranty simply means “out of luck.” If you have to send a 26-in. or 32-in. TV back to the manufacturer (at your cost) for repairs, the money you saved up front will quickly evaporate. Your retailer will try to sell you an extended warranty. However, the extended warranty could cost hundreds of dollars, and may never be invoked. Many consumer advocates advise against them.
I have an Insignia 1080P 42” LCD. Two week ago the hdmi port fell off the main system board. So far Best Buy can even get a replacement board for it. Its an Insignia INC4218. Now its a piece of junk. If anyone can help me get a system board for it please advise.
-mw
I agree with some of the other posters. Depending on what you want, the big brand may not be the correct decision to make.
A careful examination of quality, price, and end use application should be the drivers. When I was looking for a 32 in. HDTV for my living room, (I’ll tell you now I went with the Sony model), I compared a number of models, Samsung, (1st try and returned), RCA, (probably the most beautiful), and a Sony(what I ended up with because actually was the best price for the features).
I paid the most for the Samsung model, but I was not satisfied with it, (ghosting image for moving bodies, not real sharp, and could never get the color right). I took it back. The RCA was comparable to the Sony model, and it was $200 less expensive before the Sony went on sale. I’m happy with my Sony now, and it works great with my PS3, and Sony DVD/VHS player. I bought a Magnavox for my Bedroom in 2005, and it was the prettiest girl on the street when I bought i tfrom Sears, and had the best price. I was so happy with it I bough 2 other 15 in. Magnavox LCD TVs for my kitchen and bedroom. People say Magnavox is an off brand, but it seems clear to me they know how to make 15 in. and 26 in. LCD TVs. Excellent color, and sharpness with the correct adjustments, and I know I paid a good price. I was very happy and I got what I wanted.
I’ll sum and say there is a coorilation between price and quality, but don’t be fooled. You can get an excellent product without spending top dollar if you do your research, know what you are getting, and how you plan to use it.
Also, look at the practicality. If you are not a videophile, and you only watch a few hours of television a week, why do you need to spend thousands of dollars on the very best brand out there, when you would be satisfied with the feature and offerings of a less expensive model? (you don’t need picture in picture if you barly even turn the TV on anyway. You don’t need the TV with the best sound, if you are going to hook it up to your audio reciever anyway. You don’t need a 65 in. TV if your room is only 10 x 10! And you don’t need to spend money you don’t have just because your brother did!
I work in a A/V retail store. We sell all the name brands and over the years have sold several brands of cheaper TVs such as Westinghouse, Olevia, Coby and Polaroid. None of them have ever met up to the standards of a name brand TV. The picture is never as good, they break more, they’re harder to use, they don’t integrate as well with other components and getting service can be horrible. We had a customer that had a Coby which was just out of warranty and he couldn’t find anywhere to get it fixed. I’d much rather have a name brand TV with no bells and whistles than a non name brand TV with 1080P, 120Hz etc.
There is really no pros or cons of LCD tvs. It’s really the customers preference. Many people who read or order Electronic House magazines and others like it are mostly focused on the newest product and how they can get close to having the best procduct. But what does that really mean? It varies.
I purchused a Polariod 32” LCD TV over a year ago and I’m enjoying it. If you look at the customer reviews for this TV it’s horrible. However, I have had the opposite feelings and experience with this TV. The picture and sound looks amazing! I personally could not fathom spending over a thousand dollars on a tv when there are other things l can and need to spend regarding the family household.
A cheap tv that has good wiring, the right room, lighting, cable or satelite with HD, reciever(HD), speakers, 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 surround sounds. Can make a brand name tv look bad.
The reality is there are a lot of home owners and renters who have very expensive tvs and other electronic home theater equipment in their homes that don’t give a clear picture or sound because of the lighting, height and distance, etc. All these things can take away from the fact that your neighbor or friend or family member has a brand name TV that cost $2800 or more. It is how you set up your home media, family room, etc. Not all TVs work in everyones home. I’m not saying cheap is better but the knowledge of setting up your home theater makes a big difference.
I get comments all the time. It’s usually, “I can’t believe you have a Polaroid that shows so clear.” Or “I’ll never buy any electronics from Walmart.” I can admit that having a popular name brand may give you as a customer a slighter edge regarding customer service (maybe). Such as turn around time and maybe warranty.
If I have to really focus on a tv to see a differecne between 1080i (cheaper/older version) versus 1080p (more expensive/newer), then I’m happy with what I have. This whole pros versus cons with LCDs is like pickinhg between a luxury BMW and a luxury Hyundai (maybe). Most people will go with the BMW but both cars are nice cars that have many of the same features (especially new luxury cars made in 2008). The bottom line is that it boils down to preference. How the TV matches your home decor, the picture that displays on the screen, to how much you are willing to spend is sometimes what makes you buy the tv. Brand names are like Chevy versus Ford; some people just love Samsung while others love Sony. Then; there are folks who just love that unknown LCD TV they saw at Target.
I personally, like the audio part of the home theater. I love Sony but that’s my preference. I’ll end here. This is just food for thought. Love to hear some responses. I really enjoy Electronic House magazine and it has been a huge part in creating my home theater in my family room.
Thanks!
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I know it’s a bit off topic, but I have a 42” Insignia plasma TV that Cnet just raked across the coals, but before it was discontinued Best Buy had over 120 POSITIVE comments about the set. I’m sure not that many people had the wool pulled over their eyes and I’m sure the same is true in the LCD world. If I look really closely at my dad-in-law’s 42” Panasonic PX700U, I can tell the blacks are blacker, but his 1080p vs. my 720p...I actually think my picture is smoother and has more natural colors.
Stupid comments like ‘I wouldn’t buy electronics from Walmart’ are pretty ignorant. If I can buy last year’s technology at a discount price with a no-name brand, you bet I’m going for it. Nobody has ever looked down on someone for buying their previously owned Lexus or Infinity from CarMax, after all…