Pushy pushy. We bought a 37" yesterday. Sales guy said we definitely need an extended warranty. $100-200. Said the set should definitely be Calibrated.. $300 but there's a today only special of $200. Also asked why I was buying the Cheap $29.00 HDMI cable. He stated he was not on commission.
Pushy pushy. We bought a 37" yesterday. Sales guy said we definitely need an extended warranty. $100-200. Said the set should definitely be Calibrated.. $300 but there's a today only special of $200. Also asked why I was buying the Cheap $29.00 HDMI cable. He stated he was not on commission.
Doesn't matter which store you go to - they're all pushy.
But, they do need calibrated, but you can do that yourself. Go buy "Digital Video Essentials" (it's on DVD or Bluray). It'll take you step by step through it. Amazing how good things will look once it's "tuned". Here's the product web site (I got mine at Amazon though):
None. I think the guy put a curse on me. I asked the salesman if I should NOT buy the set.
Once they push I start to go backward. I was waiting for the Acid Rain and Paint Protection plan.
My SSR: 05 6 speed black has a K&N cold air kit descreened and Diablo tuner & Eric's hood
When ever they start pushing the extended warranty on me I tell them if they have that little faith in the product then I don't need it. It's funny how fast they can run after you and change the tune of the sales pitch.
__________________ 2008 FLHRSE4 Harley
2001 Harley Heritage
2001 WS6 Trans Am
I bought my 52 inch Sony LCD from Best Buy. I bought the same extended warranty directly from Sony online for less money. I ordered out a really nice APC power conditioner online from Provantage.com to plug my Sony Blu-Ray, DirecTV DVR, and Sony surround sound receiver into. That's probably a lot better place to put the money than into an extended warranty. Most problems come about from power spikes and such anyway.
I also went with the Monster HDMI cables and subwoofer cable but bought them on eBay for much less than Best Buy rakes you over the coals for.
Some of my friends swear by the Belkin cables. But, they don't cost enough.
My personal rule about extended warranties is 'if I could afford to buy the product a second time, then I don't need the warranty. If I can't afford another one (like a car) then the warranty is a good idea'.
Very often you have to take the TV (or whatever) to a factory authorized repair facility and not return it to the store.
In my "working life", I was an electronics repair tech. I sometimes use better cables just because they look good. Other than that, electrons travel at the speed of light (186,000 miles per second) no matter the price of the cable. If you have a very high current application such as a high powered sound system, then adequate sized speaker wires are a must, but most signal wires (ie HDMI), are low current. I think that you will find that the "calibration" can be done by going to the setup menu and adjusting the sharpness, contrast, brightness, etc to your personal preference. It's not like the "old" days when we had to go inside the cabinet to reset convergence, etc. That's the setup I have used on all of my flatscreens and they look great.
I ordered out a really nice APC power conditioner online from Provantage.com to plug my Sony Blu-Ray, DirecTV DVR, and Sony surround sound receiver into. That's probably a lot better place to put the money than into an extended warranty. Most problems come about from power spikes and such anyway.
I agree - clean power = longer life. I have my gear connected to an APC SmartUPS.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hatterhead
Found this site and have used it several times. Very good quality and great prices.
I think that you will find that the "calibration" can be done by going to the setup menu and adjusting the sharpness, contrast, brightness, etc to your personal preference. It's not like the "old" days when we had to go inside the cabinet to reset convergence, etc. That's the setup I have used on all of my flatscreens and they look great.
Well, that's really all that DVE has you do, but it displays test patterns and has color filters so you can get it "right" and not guess. It's all of twenty bucks, so why not? You can use it over and over or loan it to a friend (that's how I originally got a hold of it). Hell, you can even tell your friends that you'll "professionally" calibrate their TV in exchange for something. They don't have to know it's so easy.
don't you think the D'Backs were good when they had Brenly? Sorry bout the slight change in subject, but my Cubbies need all the "press" they can get..............docrod
My SSR: 2004 Ultra Violet #11012 born on 04 June 2004
I won't walk into a Best Buy and that's a shame because it's the only electronics store around here. I shop/research online then buy online or from Costco. Costco gives an extra warranty for free and I've never, ever had a problem taking something back, even more than a year later.
My SSR: Slingshot Yellow VIN 20778 Born 05 May 2005 (05/05/05)
Quote:
Originally Posted by docrod
don't you think the D'Backs were good when they had Brenly? Sorry bout the slight change in subject, but my Cubbies need all the "press" they can get..............docrod
Watching the Cubbies right now . . . WINNING.
Lately, the only thing worse than watching the D'Backs lose is listening to Daron Sutton's inane "girlie" chatter for two hours.
I made all of the adjustments today. Looks fine. Thing is...the pic is only as good as the cable broadcast. My buddy is giving me an HDMI cable...so the purchased one is going back.
Quest, Thank You, Thank you for the straight skinny on what I thought. Must work or they can't sell it.
Dicktator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Quest
In my "working life", I was an electronics repair tech. I sometimes use better cables just because they look good. Other than that, electrons travel at the speed of light (186,000 miles per second) no matter the price of the cable. If you have a very high current application such as a high powered sound system, then adequate sized speaker wires are a must, but most signal wires (ie HDMI), are low current. I think that you will find that the "calibration" can be done by going to the setup menu and adjusting the sharpness, contrast, brightness, etc to your personal preference. It's not like the "old" days when we had to go inside the cabinet to reset convergence, etc. That's the setup I have used on all of my flatscreens and they look great.
Thing is...the pic is only as good as the cable broadcast.
Don't know about your cable company, but is it advise to upgrade your cable service for HD?
I have DIRECTV and I had to upgrade my service to accept those HD channels, otherwise, wasn't any point in buying a flat screen with HD capabilities.
My SSR: Slingshot Yellow VIN 20778 Born 05 May 2005 (05/05/05)
Quote:
Originally Posted by XSELER8
I made all of the adjustments today. Looks fine. Thing is...the pic is only as good as the cable broadcast. My buddy is giving me an HDMI cable...so the purchased one is going back.
[QUOTE=Quest;882904Other than that, electrons travel at the speed of light (186,000 miles per second) no matter the price of the cable.[/QUOTE]
One time a sales guy told me the wire was like a garden hose....thicker the better. Let's more stuff go through. Sadly people accept any nonsense a salesperson will blow up their rear end. In a high end store I overheard the s.p. tell a customer to connect the speaker wires, leave the power on for 24 hours to Burn Them In and he will hear the difference. The wire set ran $1700 with the Gold connectors.
My SSR: 2004 Ultra Violet #11012 born on 04 June 2004
Quote:
Originally Posted by RUN ROD RUN
Don't know about your cable company, but is it advise to upgrade your cable service for HD?
I have DIRECTV and I had to upgrade my service to accept those HD channels, otherwise, wasn't any point in buying a flat screen with HD capabilities.
With the vaulted ceilings in my house DirecTV wanted to run cable down the outside of the walls I stayed with Dish and my old cable, did some research and read that there isn't really a significant difference in SD or HD unless the screen is 50+ inches. Wasn't sure I believed that until running DVDs on our 46 inch Sony via the PS3/HDMI...not much of a difference between BluRay, HD, or standard.
With the vaulted ceilings in my house DirecTV wanted to run cable down the outside of the walls I stayed with Dish and my old cable, did some research and read that there isn't really a significant difference in SD or HD unless the screen is 50+ inches. Wasn't sure I believed that until running DVDs on our 46 inch Sony via the PS3/HDMI...not much of a difference between BluRay, HD, or standard.
Well, that's "standard installation". Installers won't take the time to run through the walls anymore. That would take a lot of time and their game is to blast through as many installs per day as possible.
As far as noticing the difference from SD to HD, DIsh network's programming is 100% digital, even standard def. It's going to look better even on a bigger screen than a cable broadcast.
I waited a long time to get into Bluray. If you have a good quality DVD player with progressive scan output, then it is hard to notice the difference.
With the vaulted ceilings in my house DirecTV wanted to run cable down the outside of the walls I stayed with Dish and my old cable, did some research and read that there isn't really a significant difference in SD or HD unless the screen is 50+ inches. Wasn't sure I believed that until running DVDs on our 46 inch Sony via the PS3/HDMI...not much of a difference between BluRay, HD, or standard.
After buying our 50+ inch HD TV last Dec, we went about a month or two under the normal DIRECTV service. Then one day our neighbor told us about the additional $10 per month HD upgrade.
So we gave them a call and DIRECTV replace the dish with a slightly larger one, added additional cable going from the dish to a outside box plus a special HD box under the TV.
WOW ... Big Difference! Much sharper picture.
Well, that's "standard installation". Installers won't take the time to run through the walls anymore. That would take a lot of time and their game is to blast through as many installs per day as possible.
True. Every house in my neighborhood got the cables outside.
If you want it inside the walls, you more then likely need to hire an independent installer for a custom job.
talked to my Direct tv installer.... he doesn't like to run thru walls,, there might be a electric or someother wire he could drill thru.....
when I had this house built...I had the tv guy and the electrian install extra cables for the tv computer and telephone
My SSR: 2004 Ultra Violet #11012 born on 04 June 2004
Quote:
Originally Posted by RUN ROD RUN
True. Every house in my neighborhood got the cables outside.
If you want it inside the walls, you more then likely need to hire an independent installer for a custom job.
Actually, when I called the supervisor of DirecTV installer I discovered that the X # of feet permitted for the "free" install was more than we needed and the supervisor told the installer to arrange another install date and allow for enough time to run the new cable in the attic space and inside the walls. At this point I was done dealing with them and since Dish was cheaper for more, I cancelled the order.
PLUS, when I said outside the walls, I don't mean outside, outside but outside, inside
My SSR: UV SSR My other SS is a 64 Malibu LA built Black Plate Car
Running wire
You all are right on , The contract installers are paid by the # of set boxes they install. Ir doesn't matter if its computer ,phone, or TV it's just wire. I retired from 35 years with the Phone companies and being paid by the hour and not by the job makes all the difference in the world. If the installer drives up in a beater pickup you are taking a chance.
Most Any sheet rock wall can be "fished" Your best bet is find some old phone guy and bribe him with Chrome bits for his SSR. Home Depot and Lowe's have some really trick wall fishing tools.
PLUS, when I said outside the walls, I don't mean outside, outside but outside, inside
When I first moved into my house, all of the cable was run like that. At least it was on the insides of the closets for most of it. I ripped everything out. I ran my own wiring for phone, TV, and computer to every room.
Then I did most of it again a few years later (the right way).
hey X a 37 incher.......I didn't know that they made them that small anymore...
everything I have.....nah
the 37 fits in the cabinet like it's a custom installation
I bought an LG 37LE5300...without the ext warranty or calibration or thickasz HDMI cabe. Nice set.
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VIVA DE FUNK
2008 FLHRSE4 Harley
Best Buy
! 
I stayed with Dish and my old cable, did some research and read that there isn't really a significant difference in SD or HD unless the screen is 50+ inches. Wasn't sure I believed that until running DVDs on our 46 inch Sony via the PS3/HDMI...not much of a difference between BluRay, HD, or standard.
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