New TV. Or not.

[Disneefun]

I know this is kind of a dumb question, but I've been working it around in my brain for a couple of days and can't quite decide. I'm just looking for some opinions from other people.

Here's the deal: We have a monster tube TV that's 18 years old and still works just fine. However, we've been looking at new TV's for a while, just kind of casually looking. We've found an LED tv that we like, that's on sale this week.

Should we get it is the question. Now, here are the concerning factors:

Money isn't a problem. We can easily pay cash for this TV and not hurt savings, travel, retirement, etc. The problem is that we are very frugal and hate waste. I hate to dump a functioning TV into the recycle heap. I know many people before me have done it, but I don't usually waste things like that. I'm a use it up, wear it out, etc. kind of girl. Since I know it can't be donated anywhere b/c no one wants those old TV's and we don't have any use for it in any other room, it'll have to go into the recycle/landfill pile.

However, I don't know how long the old monster has left in her. Could be years, could be days. Should we go ahead and get something new "just in case?"

We're not huge TV watchers and we don't demand the latest and greatest as far as picture, performance, etc. (Obviously.) So the old one still meets our needs. But the Olympics start this week and I'm an Olympic junkie. Part of me says this is the time to go for it, if ever there was one....

I don't know. I'm just rattling it around in my head and getting nowhere. While I know you guys can't make the decision for me, and I don't expect you to, I'm just looking for some outside opinions or, "Hey, here's our experience having had to make the same decision" stories.

Anyone want to share?

 

[ICF]

Do you have (or are you planning to get) HDTV? I'd be surprised if your 18 year old tube TV was an HD set.

Without HD (and you can get some channels OTA for free via an antenna)....your new LED TV won't be living up to it's potential.

 

[Disneefun]

Do you have (or are you planning to get) HDTV? I'd be surprised if your 18 year old tube TV was an HD set.

Without HD (and you can get some channels OTA for free via an antenna)....your new LED TV won't be living up to it's potential.

No plans to. We have satellite, but I don't see the need to pay for HD channels. We're just not that into picture quality, etc. Like I said, we don't watch a whole lot of TV. Mostly movies and stuff on DVD, streaming and sports.

 

[LJSquishy]

Believe it or not, there are still some folks out there without any TV and they would love to have your old tube TV. If you decide to upgrade, post a free ad on Craigalist and someone will come and get your old TV. It would be difficult to sell it, but someone will definitely take it for free.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If you're not interested in getting HD channels, there's no point in upgrading your tv. However, once you have an HD tv, you'll wonder why it took so long to upgrade.

I'm guessing you wouldn't even be able to give your CRT tv away.

 

[ICF]

If you're not interested in getting HD channels, there's no point in upgrading your tv. However, once you have an HD tv, you'll wonder why it took so long to upgrade.

Exactly...

And to be honest, your channels may look worse depending on what you have or would upgrade too.

Lets (for example) say you have an old fashioned 27 inch tube TV with only SD channels and you want to upgrade to a 42 inch LED TV but dont want to pay for the HD channels. Since the # of pixels (i.e. the little dots that make up your picture) isn't increasing by going to HD...but your picture size is increasing, most likely the image you see on the screen will appear worse to your eyes.

If you aren't going to invest in the technology needed to use your potentially new TV to the fullest, I'd just wait for the other one to die.

 

[sksjasams]

We got a new 47" lg hdtv last November for a great price on amazon. I was very reluctant to change over. Our huge 32 inch tube tv was perfectly adequate, and I knew that a new tv would also require a new entertainment center. You'll want to keep that in mind as well.

Once we got the new hdtv all set up and hooked up to our standard directv receiver, we were extremely disappointed. The picture was way worse than our old tv. Way worse. I posted on av forums for advice...anything to avoid having to upgrade the satellite service to hd. Well, turns out that is the only way.

I ordered very inexpensive hd cables (one for the ps3 and one for the hdtv) from monoprice.com. And then I started negotiating with directv. I found deals for new customers on dish's website and called to ask them to match it. It took two phone calls and lots of talking, but they did it. We got a free hd dvr receiver and free hd for life by agreeing to autopay. We do pay an extra $7 per month for dvr service, but it is an amazing luxury and we absolutely love it. We did not need to get the dvr receiver (regular hd receiver would have worked), but since we were upgrading we thought it would be worth it, which it totally was.

Our hdtv picture outstanding! The new tv and stand really updated the look of the whole room. I would definitely recommend the updgrade, but go into it knowing what you'll need to do.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Califgirl]

My parents had tube TV's up until a couple of years ago. I finally bought my dad a LCD TV for his bedroom (not replacing the main TV) and he couldn't believe the difference in the quality of the picture. He had cable service and the cable digital signal really made the TV picture look great. I know he wasn't paying extra for HD, just the digital signal made a huge difference in picture quality - and the tube TV's can't pick up the digital signal.

So I say, try it - you'll love it. Even without buying the HD package from the satellite company.
You'll experience the Olympics like never before!

Oh, and he went out and replaced his other TV within the year.

 

[sksjasams]

My parents had tube TV's up until a couple of years ago. I finally bought my dad a LCD TV for his bedroom (not replacing the main TV) and he couldn't believe the difference inquality of picture. He had cable service and the broadcast signal really made the TV picture look great. I know he wasn't paying extra for HD, just the digital signal made a huge difference in picture quality - and the tube TV's can't pick up the digital signal.

So I say, try it - you'll love it. Even without buying the HD package from the cable / satellite company.
You'll experience the Olympics like never before!

This will only be true in the case of smaller hdtvs. We have a 26" hdtv in our bedroom and the picture is fine with the standard satellite receiver, but it is a whole different story on large size hdtvs. As PP explained about the pixels above and given our experience which I also posted above.

 

[Disneefun]

OK, the TV we're looking at is only 32". Is this going to make for a horrible picture with standard channels or will it be okay?

 

[sksjasams]

OK, the TV we're looking at is only 32". Is this going to make for a horrible picture with standard channels or will it be okay?

I can't answer regarding a 32 inch, as we only have a 26 inch and a 47 inch, but I will say for a main living area, you should go bigger than 32 inches. Because of the rectangle shape and flatness, a room can handle a much bigger tv than you would expect.

Also, because of the ratio, a bigger size is needed to give you the same equivalent picture. Here is a chart, but there are calculators online too.

http://dharmadevil.com/widescreen/

 

[timmac]

In my experience, SD channels still look OK on an HD set, particularly at the 32" (or smaller) size range.

Another consideration that may help push you over the edge, is that the new set will almost certainly be a lot more energy efficient than the one you have now.

 

[sam_gordon]

Can you get your local channels OTA? If so, you can watch the Olympics in HD with minimal cost (antenna). THAT might make it worth it to you.

As far as the old TV, check around with your coworkers, they may have a need/desire for an old TV (game room, spare bedroom, etc).

 

[momof3ds]

We have a 46inch LED tv and could have gone to 55 easily.

We also get the HD channels included with our dish network package.

When we got the TV, I also upgraded to blue-ray players since our dvd players were starting to not work so well.

If you go with an OTA antenna (over the air), all local channels are now broadcasting in HD. In some cases, the picture is even clearer than cable or satellite, due to the bandwidth or something.

We also got new TVs with wifi in them so if we decide to use netflix or amazon for watching movies, we don't need extra equipment. The TV connects to our wireless router.

We also have an external speaker with a wireless subwoofer since many flat screen TVs are lacking in sound quality due to the size of their speakers. Although, I did see some models at BJ's today that have bigger speakers attatched to the TV.

As far as the old TV, I agree with using freecycle. Or, some places offer electronics recycling a few times a year for a small fee or even free. You just have to transport it.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

In regards to HD, the size of the tv has a lot to do with it. We have a 32 and you really cannot tell much difference between HD and SD. We also have a 50 and you can definitely tell the difference, SD just looks bad. Since you have satellite, you will have the HD available, might as well try to get it. I don't know if they actually still charge for HD channels anymore or not. If they want to charge for HD, threaten that you will to go with the "opposite" satellite service...they will probably waive the cost.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Okay so I am going to say just keep your TV till it breaks. We just upgraded to a flat screen and for precisely the same reasons you gave. I cannot stand replacing something that is working perfectly fine. We did not need another TV in the house as we have enough. Then the decision was taken out of my hands because our old tube TV developed a really really really annoying squeal that came on occasionally. So since it was our primary TV we decided it had to go. We gave it to my FIL so he can use it in his garage and he loves it. He doesnt watch it frequently enough for the squealing to bother him.

So to sum it up keep it til it breaks and then replace is my first thought or else see if somebody wants it for free

 

[cornflake]

Get the new tv - you're going to eventually. It's on sale now, the prices have been the prices for a few years now, they're not going to drop hugely in the future... no, 32" you won't notice any difference. Under about 46" you're fine.

I finally did it a couple of years ago - for the Winter Olympics. Makes a HUGE difference.

 

[bdoyledimou]

Unless the sat receiver doesn't have hd output, there is no point in upgrading. until it dies.

TV prices will continue to drop, and there are always specials (I have a 135 inch 3-D HD projector that i bought for $600. project it on a wall and the 3-d is AWESOME)

 

[mill4023]

Buying a new TV and NOT getting HD is pointless.

You should buy the new TV and get HD channels. It's not much money and it's so worth it. Especially with the Olympics.

If you are sitting within about 6 feet, a 32" should be fine. If you're further away, go bigger.

 

[elaine amj]

I have 2 TVs. One is still an old tube and works just fine and we are not planning on replacing for now.

Our main TV was upgraded to HDTV 3-4 years ago. We enjoy it. I like being able to plug my laptop into it when we want to show off photos, etc. HD was worth it for us.