Buying a new TV - does anyone still buy tube TVs?

[CrusaderX]

The TV that my parents have in their living room needs to be replaced because the picture is going bad. It's a big old Zenith console TV with a 27'' screen that they've had for at least 10 years or so.

But they're not really avid TV watchers in the first place, so they don't want to purchase a huge and costly new HD TV. My mom will watch soaps, news, and a few prime-time dramas, and my dad will watch football games in the fall, along with the occasional DVD flick. They're a retired couple and definitely not cutting-edge videophiles, so they're only looking to invest around $400.00 max for a new set. But it seems as if a good 32'' (or larger) HD TV simply can't be found for that price. So they're thinking of buying a 32'' standard definition tube TV, like this Sharp 32'' standard definition TV.

I know that signals will be going digital in February of 2009, and I know that HD TVs seem to be everywhere, with the old tube TVs on their way out. But there just doesn't seem to be many options if you're not willing to spend alot more than $400.00. It's rather frustrating for the casual shopper/viewer, like my parents.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good TV, at least 32'' in size, but in a fairly low price range? And does anyone know if the Sharp TV I linked to above is a decent buy for their needs?

 

[GlassJaw]

Right now, the TV market is basically in limbo. I believe as early as next year, manufacturers are going to stop making non-HDTV's.

You can still buy non-HDTV's tubes, just realize you are essentially buying an already obsolete piece of hardware. If they are never going to get HD channels anyway, I suppose it doesn't really matter.

 

[scrubkai]

Remember also: Only the over the air TV signals will change over to HD in a few years.
If your parents have cable or satlite TV, then a non-HD TV will continue to work fine even after the switch.

 

[Mallus]

That's still in the neighborhood of $400 for a heavy, bulky obsolete television. Frankly, it's a terrible deal.

Compare that with the $550 26" Sharp LCD set that I recently picked up for my mother-in-law at the Brick, NJ Costco; a bit more expensive, yes, but sleek, light enough for her to move if she needs to, and capable of displaying HD signals (720p/1080i).

The set also has a built-in HD tuner, which means my mother-in-law gets 6 HD channels, even though she only has basic cable --without a cable box, even. I screwed the cable into the back of the set myself.. She receives CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, PBS, .etc. I'm assuming these are the HD channels which are broadcast over-the-air in her area that her cable company is forced to carry.

From your description of your parent's viewing habits, it sounds like they get more than their money's worth from a less expensive HDTV.

 

[Andre]

Check out local thrift stores. Be prepared to make a few trips, as the good stuff goes quick. For example, I just donated a perfectly good 27" picture-in-picture tube tv to a local charity. They'll likely price it for $100 or less, and I expect it will sell fairly quickly.

Another option is to check the classifieds in the local paper. As more and more people upgrade to HDTV, you'll see more older sets being sold for quite reasonable prices.

There's always a risk with used electronics, but TV's generally last quite a while (as opposed to vcr's and dvd players). Just test the set before paying and your folks will likely be fine.

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

If you shop around, you can definitely get an HDTV of around that size for under $400. If you have 'Big Lots' stores in your area, they were selling some very nice widescreen HDTVs for $300-$400 when last I popped in, the largest of which were, I believe, in the 27" range. I didn't pick one up because I'm a) poor and b) only going to use it when I have a reason to buy a PS3, which is probably at least a year away (I don't watch television and only rarely watch movies). Still, it was a very good deal.

Otherwise, I would advise waiting; larger HDTVs are predicted to plummet in price this year. To me, the nicest thing about them is their much lighter weight, and I would think that would go double for an older couple.

 

[Mallus]

To me, the nicest thing about them is their much lighter weight, and I would think that would go double for an older couple.

Yeah... the set Crusader X is considering weighs over 100 lbs...

 

[Goddess FallenAngel]

If you don't mind going used, you can pick up a TV fairly cheaply from your local classifieds or Craiglist.org - it's what I would do in your situation, honestly.

 

[drothgery]

Remember also: Only the over the air TV signals will change over to HD in a few years.

They'll change to digital. HDTV is digital, but digital isn't necessarily HDTV.

 

[scrubkai]

They'll change to digital. HDTV is digital, but digital isn't necessarily HDTV.

Yes you are right.... I stand corrected on that one.
I'm obviously too used to talking to non-technical marketing people