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Post by jeffolie on Dec 11, 2007 18:42:52 GMT -6
I ,as a consumer, am disappointed in the prices of big screen, 65 inch, HDTVs. My disappointment long with others may be reflected in stagnating sales by other consumers. I expected deeper discounts and will wait until the market price for HDTVs comes down to my target. I have seen some good deals for 50 inch sets and rear projection sets, but the LCDs and plasma sets remain well beyond reasonable in the larger sizes.
The 2009 conversion of TVs from analog to digital will produce a dramatic demand for TVs late next year. Yes consumers may use a set top box to continue using their analog TVs, but many if not most will decide to pay up for a new HDTV.
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Post by graybeard on Dec 11, 2007 20:48:14 GMT -6
Per info last summer, prices were supposed to drop significantly by now, although I'm not sure about the really big ones like 65s. Inflation/devaluation is countering price drops, as you know.
Electronics is the only thing in life where you get more for your money every year.
GB
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Post by unlawflcombatnt on Dec 12, 2007 2:56:27 GMT -6
The 2009 conversion of TVs from analog to digital will produce a dramatic demand for TVs late next year. Yes consumers may use a set top box to continue using their analog TVs, but many if not most will decide to pay up for a new HDTV. I don't know a lot about HDTVs, but if a "set top box" will make an analog TV continue working, that's what I'll get. I'm not paying a high price for a new TV--under any circumstances. If the prices of either the top box, or the HDTV are too high, I'll stop watching TV. It's almost worthless now. And it certainly isn't worth paying a much higher price.
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Post by blueneck on Dec 12, 2007 5:38:57 GMT -6
My sentiments exactly - Probably go with the adapter box as well.
It may also be a good time time to stop watching TV altogether. About all I ever watch anymore is the news, science and business programs on PBS and sporting events, but most of those are going cable or pay per view.
Another major drawback of the plasma and LCD type screens is they have a finite life - most only live 10-20000 hours. So you pay a lot more for a TV that doesn't last as long. what a scam
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Post by jeffolie on Dec 12, 2007 12:22:58 GMT -6
I spend more time on the internet than with TV and I am retired now for 8 years.
My 17 year old son and two 21 year old twin girls spend very little watching TV. My wife loves her soap operas and prime time shows. TV is a staple part of my 6 member family. Going without TV is not an option for our family. There is a significant generational gap between my wife and I compared to our 4 children who watch minor amounts of TV. We have 4 computers on a wireless network.
All that being said, the wife and I are looking forward to a large screen TV. From what I read, the technology keeps improving which suits me quite well since I am at the age where I want to get the most out of my life experience and am willing to pay up for the indulgance. Even so, I am not quite comfortable with the prices for the larger TVs and hoped that the prices would have declined more for the Christmas season.
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Post by unlawflcombatnt on Dec 13, 2007 4:21:26 GMT -6
Another major drawback of the plasma and LCD type screens is they have a finite life - most only live 10-20000 hours. So you pay a lot more for a TV that doesn't last as long. what a scamYes indeed. Another case of planned obsolescence. They did the same thing with aluminum baseball bats, starting about 10 years ago. An aluminum baseball bat made in 1982 is still functional today (I have several of them). But an aluminum bat made after 2000 comes with only a 1-year guarantee. And most of them don't last even that long. And the best aluminum bat made in the 1980's might cost $30-$40, while the best one made in 2007 will cost $250-$350. And it only has a 1-year guarantee, and will likely not even last until the guarantee runs out. Planned obsolescence has been carried to it's most idiotic extreme. HDTVs are just another example of something new, that was completely unnecessary and unwanted by American consumers. So now the makers have "created" a demand, by making regular analog TV obsolete in 2 years. The picture on my current analog TV is just fine. I can see a baseball game in much more detail on TV, than I can when I go to the game in person. I don't need any "improvement" on my TV. But apparently I'll be almost forced into buying this HDTV "improvement," regardless of whether I want it or not. Analog TV will simply cease to be functional within the next 2 years. TV is hardly worth the price I pay now. A higher price will exceed its value--which means I'll do without. Everything has a price, as well as a price that is too high. A higher price will result in at least 2 less customers (my wife and I).
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Post by blueneck on Dec 13, 2007 5:20:31 GMT -6
And there are no more US TV mfrs left to build this need for new TVs.
This is clearly yet another scheme to benefit multimational corps at the expense of US workers.
Definitely will be a good time to cut back on television, and start reading more, playing games, talking. Already started doing this with the TV writers strike
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Post by crashuk on Dec 14, 2007 5:51:22 GMT -6
i plan to buy lcd tv over here in the uk, we too are switcing to digi. my two main reasons for buying a lcd well actually 3. the shop gives out a free 5 year warranty, because i rent i need something easy to carry compared to my crt and the last one connect my pc to the lcd. ive been saving up as i'm that type of person, no hp no credit card, if i dont have the money i go with out.
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Post by jeffolie on Dec 14, 2007 8:49:39 GMT -6
I took the family to view big screens yesterday. They were not very knowledgeable about the technicalities. They selected a rear projection set as the best quality picture. This greatly reduces my cost.
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