Hey guys,
Our 42" Panasonic plasma that is just over 2 years old died on us on Tuesday. I was watching the evening news, and it just shut off, won't turn back on. I thought well this is great I bet it is out of warranty. My wife remembers me going against all I have believed in, and bought an extended warranty for this TV. I thought she was crazy, but turns out she was right. We have a 5 year third-party warranty on the TV. They sent out a repair person just about an hour ago, and they found it needs a few "boards". They say it will be a week to ten days until they get them.
Now it is great that they will be fixing it for us, but it doesn't help the current situation of no tv aside from an old Sony Vega 32"-er in the unfinished basement, and the Super Bowl (should I type Big Game?) coming up with my favorite team participating. I don't want to buy a new TV, and be stuck with it as I think we are fine with the one TV as a main, and the back up in the basement for when the kids want to watch something that we don't want to, or play video games. Also I don't really want to spend a lot of money right now especially on something I don't really need.
I could just watch the game elsewhere I suppose, but I am not a bar type of a guy,and truly love watching the game in my own house on my own couch. What would you guys do?
Chris
Get a magnifying glass and watch it on the 32" TV 
.
The problem is the 32" TV is non-high def (yes I have become a HD snob), and in an unfinished (read cold) basement. The kids don't seem to mind it, but I do.
mtn
SuperDork
1/27/12 2:00 p.m.
32'' is plenty big. Just move that one upstairs for a week. Actually, I'm pretty sure that that is all we have at my house.
I am never moving that TV again. It is every bit of 300lbs I bet, and it nearly gave myself and a friend a hernia when we moved to this house 7 years ago. Not crazy heavy, but awkwardly heavy.
For the record the size of the TV is fine, but it is really old,and the picture isn't that great. I am not a size snob when it comes to TV's. I actually didn't need the 42" TV when we got it as I liked the 32" TV size wise, but we got such a good deal on it I couldn't pass it up.
most stores have at the very least, a 30-day return policy. some stores are 60 days.
whip out that credit card and get your refund later.
I did this every time my xbox had to be sent in to get serviced. Buy another xbox, play it for a month, return it on day 29....
I think you should mix up some guacamole, bring some chips, and watch it elsewhere. I remember reading that Gillette broadcasts some away games on the stadium Jumbotron and that the cost is surprisingly modest.
You might be able to do the buy/return thing at Costco if your ethics and their policies permit. A lot of other electronics retailers were catching onto the way people 'rented' big home theater set ups just before the Superbowl and have put special policies in place for the time right around the game.
.. on the other hand, just after the game is still a great period to shop or open box deals at Best Buy. :)
Time to finish the basement...
Go to a buddy's house. Bring beer.
Duke
SuperDork
1/27/12 2:10 p.m.
My solution: don't give a crap about the Superbowl. Live without TV for 8-10 days. But I'm weird like that.
mtn
SuperDork
1/27/12 2:11 p.m.
If 32'' is okay, then you can probably buy a decent TV for $200. Stick it in the basement when you're done and leave the other one to rot in a corner.
No Super Bowl viewing at Gillette this year. Great idea though aside from the cold, possibly rainy weather.
mtn
SuperDork
1/27/12 2:13 p.m.
http://www.hhgregg.com/curtis-32-720p-lcd-hdtv-with-2-hdmi-inputs/item/LCD3235A
What to do? Wrench, Go Racing, Family outings.
Duke wrote:
My solution: don't give a crap about the Superbowl. Live without TV for 8-10 days. But I'm weird like that.
I can live without the TV for the time being aside from the Super Bowl being one thing that I really want to watch. Actually it has been quite nice with no TV the past few days, but I know I will change my tune on that after another week or so. It helps that the Bruins (mainly the only thing I watch religously) have been off since Tuesday, and will be until next week.
I can't live a day with out TV.
Duke wrote:
My solution: don't give a crap about the Superbowl. Live without TV for 8-10 days. But I'm weird like that.
You aren't the only one... But I still would watch the Stupid Bowl this year as I have every year previous, just change my location to the local watering hole or a buddy's house.
If it's a good enough game, you won't notice the non-HD picture that we had to suffer through for decades and decades. If you do notice, it means the game isn't interesting to watch and you're looking at your TV instead.
I care so little about TV and HD in general, I still have a 19" TV in my bedroom that we watch when we get the urge. Otherwise it collects dust.
pigeon
SuperDork
1/27/12 2:32 p.m.
At least you can stream the Rolex24... I'm in the buy/return camp, just watch for those return or "restocking" fees...
Trust me, the retailers know what you're doing when you buy a big TV right before the Superbowl.
Rent a Center?
http://www.rentacenter.com/
DIY an HD Projector:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8irNljhSM90
http://geeknizer.com/diy-build-cheap-1080p-hd-projector/
Or do what I did, buy a used but broken RPTV for $100, spend a day cleaning and soldering the connections on the boards. Enjoy 65" HD TV, laugh maniacally :)
