[Tfug] OT: HDTV

[Bexley Hall]

> > We're looking into the idea of purchasing a new HDTV
> > (despite the fact that we only watch about 5 hours of
> > broadcast TV each week  :-/ )
> >
> > However, I'm wondering if the LCD models have the same
> > sorts of quality problems as the LCD *monitors*?!
> > Anyone have a set that is at least 2-3 years old to 
> > comment first-hand?
> 
> Please elaborate. What sort of quality problems have you 
> observed and wish to avoid?

Most LCD monitors exhibit power supply failures in as little
as 2 years.  The actual *causes* vary from manufacturer to
manufacturer (and, from model to model).  Most typically,
the inverters driving the CCFL's crap out.

Also, the CCFL's appear to have a short life -- with noticeable
intensity and/or color change as they age.

Since a TV is a bit more complex than an LCD monitor (e.g., it
contains a tuner, audio IF and, usually, some smallish audio
amplifier for integrated or external speakers), *and* since
the entire screen tends to be larger, I suspect the power
demands similarly increase (e.g., 50W for a 19" 4:3 LCD monitor
probably translates to 100 - 300W for some of these *behemoth*
TV's...)

I also suspect that there is far less emphasis on quality in
"home electronics" kit than in computer kit -- especially since
many of the suppliers of computer equipment have longer memories
than home consumers  :-/  As such, I would expect to see even
cheaper quality components used in home sets.  That, coupled with
the general downward trend in quality, has me leary of dropping
any sort of cash on something that we hardly will use!  :-/

> > I wonder if TV's see more use than LCD monitors?  I suspect
> > monitors get left on "at work" for 8-10 hours daily --  
> > maybe more if left to go to "power save mode" afterhours (which
> > still stresses some of the components therein).  Hard to
> > imagine TV's seeing that much use... though, having said
> > that, I know a good many "couch potatoes" who probably 
> > have their sets on 8+ hours 7 days a week!  :<
> 
> Broadcast TV?

Broadcast/Cable/Satellite.  I.e., things that aren't on DVD.

> Have you visited http://www.tvfool.com ? Can you see the 
> transmission towers on Mt Bigelow? (at night)

Yes, out the bedroom windows.  I think it's about 13 miles (?)
as the crow flies from here.  I think we can receive almost
all of the ATV channels with an indoor antenna, currently
(though I think one of the TV's has trouble with 11 and another
set has trouble with <mumble>).

I've tried a USB DTV tuner and can only receive the 6-? channels.
But, that little gizmo just uses a 12" stick antenna which I had
set on the floor (amazing that it can receive *anything* with
all the RF noise I generate!  :> )

> The reason I ask is based on the experience of a guy I knew
> years ago who subsequently went on to become an engineering
> manager at AiResearch / Honeywell. A coiuple of years ago 
> for his bad-ass theater system, he wanted bleeding edge 
> broadcast content. So he bought a top end antenna, plus amp
> and rotator. But the guy lives south of Sabino Canyon and 
> Snyder on that hill. Whoops! No line of sight... Wasted his
> money... 

The TV (in our case) would still find use watching movies,
documentaries (on DVD), etc.  I am more concerned about it
crapping out at a young age (e.g., my JVC lasted 19 years
before I slipped with the soldering iron  :-/  ).

I've half-heartedly watched at WorldCare for discarded LCD
TV's and not encountered any.  But, I'm not sure they have
been in widespread use long enough to start exhibiting failures.
I would have liked to see *how* they fail as well as how *often*.
Don't know if I should join the folks wheeling out those big
sets from the Costco warehouse -- or *pity* them!  :-/