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General discussion

buying new tv

Sep 5, 2005 1:21AM PDT

i'm 73 on oxygen 24 hours a day, the same number of hours the tv is on each day (i am NOT exaggerating)--i'm a fitful sleeper and there's something comforting about waking up every two hours or so to the picture and sound of tv--
we run a 36" rear projection toshiba--3 years old--and the set has been all we've wanted--great and NEVER a bit of trouble--let's skimp: that's 900 days
20 hours a day--
see my problem?--in all of my research into hd, lcd or
plasma the only thing i can remember right now is the lamps blowing out at 600 to 2000-5000 hours--that's an inconvenience and expense i can't afford every three or four months--

stick with my 36" rear projection? or is there something out there that is as reliable as this set?
hope somebody can help me out--reed

Discussion is locked

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What About A 36" Direct View CRT?....
Sep 5, 2005 3:09AM PDT

...They last forever and actually give you the very best picture available at any price. No burn in problem, no half life issues, no bulb burn outs, etc.

Best of all, they're ridiculously cheap!

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Mis-information
Sep 5, 2005 3:13AM PDT

Your tube TV will be past it's half life (often around 10,000hrs)so looking for something new isn't a bad idea.
Alot of people say alot of things about TV's.
If you wish to upgrade to a plasma TV (flat on wall set up) you should not worry about changing bulbs or anything, once the set goes, it's gone. A plasma TV typically is rated for 30,000 hrs of use or more, that doesn't mean once it hits 30,000 hrs it just stops working. Ask around, anyone been to an airport recently? PLasma Tv's are everywhere in commercial enviroments, and they have to run 24/7 in many of these places.
You will have to look for a "consumer" model with a tuner and built in speakers, if it will just be hooked up to your local cable feed. Many plasma's are what they call Moniters, NO tuner for changing channels, just alot of connection options, so be aware of what your needs will be and choose accordingly. Many of these sets will have an optional stand,if you do not wish to have it mounted on a wall. Good luck.

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buying new tv
Sep 7, 2005 4:13AM PDT

36" rear projection,,, is this a CRT rear projection TV??
Well thats 18,000 hours. How does the picture look???
If it still works good keep it. Now if it starts having a problem get a new one.
The new Plamsa TVs are rated at 60,000 hours. But will cost $2000~$3000.

They still make CRT rear projecton TVs and direct view CRTs. And they are cheepest to buy. $600~1700.

YES!! DLP and LCD projection TVs have a lamp that needs to be replaced. Cost $200~400 every 4000~6000 hours.
Now there are direct view LCD TV that use a cold cathode floursent lamp. But info on how long the lamps last seems to be hard to find out. John