32" Widescreen. (One that won't blow up after 3 years)

[Wendelius]

Hi,

Well, my 32" widescreen Hitachi TV that cost me a bloody fortune 3 years ago just passed away (sparks, smoke and the repair guy is asking £600 to change the tube and rebuild its base). Needless to say I'm a bit miffed... and most probably in the market for a new TV.

One thing I couldn't complain about regarding my TV was the picture. I had to tweak it a bit to avoid ghosting in Dark Scenes but the geometry, symmetry, ... were always really good.

Talking to the repair guy, he told that he thought that Sony Widescreens were a bit unreliable (my previous set was a Sony that lasted only 5 years so I'm not too keen on them either but they might have changed...) and he said he thought that Panasonic and Toshiba had really good sets. Didn't say anything good or bad about Hitachi.

So knowing that I'm looking for:

- a 32" WS TV (or 28" if you can convince me something is a deal really worth having)
- a Reliable product :)
- 100Hz refresh or similar display enhancing technology (I think the Hitachi used by default another system that they said was superior to having 100Hz refresh rate but I could remember wrong)
- At least 2 Scarts, 3 A/V inputs
- a set costing £900 or less
- No extra surround sound speakers. I got my HC set-up.

Can anyone recommend a good TV set that will have time to get dusty before it blows up?

Many thanks,
Wendelius

PS: I've browsed back a few days and seen similar threads but nothing that really answered my particular requirements so here is hoping you can help.

[rpurdy]

got a panasonic - excellent picture - prefer it to Sony - personal preference though

try getting the TV from John Lewis - they'll match prices and give a 5 year guarantee for free

[Phill]

I believe, under the sale of goods act, you are entitled to a replacement or repair form the shop you bought it from. Even if it's outside of some silly waranty, you still have your statutory right.

[Brunnen-G]

Originally posted by Phill
I believe, under the sale of goods act, you are entitled to a replacement or repair form the shop you bought it from. Even if it's outside of some silly waranty, you still have your statutory right.

The goods must be "fit for the purpose intended" for 6 years. This excludes wear and tear, but probably includes spontaneous combustion ;) Contact the place you bought it and wave the sale of goods act at them, as phil said. Get your local trading standards involved if they get stroppy. Might be a bit of a hassle, but could save you £900, so i think it's worth a go ;)

[Wayne Moule]

Originally posted by rpurdy
got a panasonic - excellent picture - prefer it to Sony - personal preference though

try getting the TV from John Lewis - they'll match prices and give a 5 year guarantee for free

Have you got the address please,as .com don't do large screen tellies?

[Wendelius]

Thanks for the tip on the sales of goods act. That's definitely worth investigating!

I just had a look for that Act and found some info at http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1994/Ukpga_19940035_en_1.htm

However, there is nothing as detailed as "how long should my TV be fit for?". Does anyone know of an official source for that information?

Many thanks,
Wendelius

[kcxdev]

Originally posted by Wayne Moule


Have you got the address please,as .com don't do large screen tellies?

you want the address for John Lewis??? try http://www.johnlewis.com/info/corporate/DSLocator.asp?str=960

[wseed]

Originally posted by Wendelius
Thanks for the tip on the sales of goods act. That's definitely worth investigating!

I just had a look for that Act and found some info at http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1994/Ukpga_19940035_en_1.htm

However, there is nothing as detailed as "how long should my TV be fit for?". Does anyone know of an official source for that information?

Many thanks,
Wendelius

There is no official set figure, you should expect a reasonable lifespan from the goods an more expensive stuff is to be expected to have better longevity than a cheap one. I would have thought that it isn’t unreasonable to expect 3years usage in a domestic environment from a cheap TV let alone an expensive “quality” brand.

Go to your store and see what you can get out of them, don’t be fobbed off. I even managed to get sorted for some kit I bought from Scan after some good quotes from the CAB.


Good luck

[The Pink Flamingo]

Originally posted by wseed


Go to your store and see what you can get out of them, don’t be fobbed off. I even managed to get sorted for some kit I bought from Scan after some good quotes from the CAB.


Good luck


Bloody 'ell, you must be a big, nasty-looking bugger!! :D :D


TPF

[akira9000]

Originally posted by rpurdy
got a panasonic - excellent picture - prefer it to Sony - personal preference though

try getting the TV from John Lewis - they'll match prices and give a 5 year guarantee for free

I always get my tvs from John Lewis for the same reasons.Plus if I've ever asked which tvs can play a pure ntsc signal,they always know what I mean!