anyone with exper. w/30-inch HDTVs

[jaymer]

the missus was wanting a new TV for Christmas... just couldn't pull the trigger on a smaller unit.
Have read reviews on the units from Philips - the refurb unit from their outlet is $539 shipped. Plus samsung, sanyo, others have a tv or monitor in the 699-799 price range.

One thing that bothers me is reading some reviews form Amazon where people have bad units, and the support is terrible. Amazon (supposedly) wont return a TV over 30in, and you have to go through the Manuf. Some get working units and no problems.

Just wondering if anyone knows of good/bad stories about these smaller TVs.

jaymer...

[DSquare]

I have the Philips 30PW850H bought new from Sears. I love it, my only complaint is no 720p but besides that in my opinion its a great tv for the price. I bought it for $899 at Sears then found out that Costco had it for $799, so I went back to Sears and they pricedmatched it for me and got it for $789.

[bdraw]

I just bought a 30" Sharp LCD for the bedroom that I am really happy with. The slow refresh bothers me a little but other than that I love it.

One of my best friends has a 30" Samsung that he is really happy with. He bought it from Best Buy only because they were the only one that had it in stock, and he isn't much for waiting for something to ship. I think it is really hard to buy a TV online unless it is a really good deal. But I don't think I would bother with the hassel considering the weight of the unit unless it was a really really good deal.

Personally I would wait for a good open box buy from either CC or BB after the holidays.

[SixIron]

Jaymer I sent you a PM.

[wallinbl]

I have a Sony 30" HD tube. I love it - the picture quality is fantastic. Paid $900 for it @ Circuity City a few months ago. I looked at a few other models at the time, but the Sony just had a better picture. Bought one for my dad at the same time. Neither of us have any problems.

There was a guy in the Ars Technica for sale/trade forum looking to unload a 32" Sony HDTV tube last week and he was local to Tampa. He only wanted $600, which is a pretty good deal.

[CANDY76MAN]

I think if I were getting a tube set I would try to get one of Sony's new tubes that have a finer dot pitch, I think they call it "super fine pitch"...I haven't seen one in person yet but the reviews I've read said it makes a noticable difference on hd...which is saying a lot considering the quality tubes have to begin with is already better than any other display type.

[jaymer]

i got the 30 inch sony - 165 lb beast.
looks fasntastic.
its not widescreen, but the wife is still watching a lot of 4x3 material so its perfect for her.
i feel much better about the Sony than getting a refurb Philips or mail order set from amazon and having potential hassles with it. i read lots of reviews on several other sets in this size range and it seemed hit or miss on quality.

jaymer...