LCD TV Reliability - are extended warranties good value?

maxi_isa

I'm considering either a Sony 32V4000 or Samsung 32A457.

Normally I don't bother with extended warranties for electrical items but wonder if the risk is higher with lcd tvs.

Any advice/experience appreciated.

5bellies_2

LCDs have fewer individual parts compared to CRT TVs, and hardly any of them are repairable so repair costs are higher. Reliability is reasonably unknown as the technology is still fairly new.

The Sony can be bought for about £360 with a 12 month warranty, or from John Lewis with a 5 year warranty for £440. One repair in the additional four years is likely to cost the £80 difference - just to look at it!

bonzer

I don't know there's any specific reason to believe LCD TVs are unreliable as compared with anything else.

If you buy the extended warranty for your TV, Murphy's law says it'll be something else that'll give up that you didn't take out insurance on.

I only generally buy insurance for risks I couldn't possibly afford to cover myself e.g house insurance. For everything else I'd just create yourself a disaster fund to dip into if things go wrong. If nothing goes wrong, you've got a nice pile of cash.

Bonzer

robredz

The main problem with LCD telly's is the same as LCD monitors, stuck/deadpixels and the warranties are less generous than with a monitor, 1 year as opposed to 3.

I think that otherwise they should be no less reliable in general than a standard TV

thescouselander

To be honest I have never seen a LCD screed develop a dead pixel while in use. Every time I have seen a screen with a dead/stuck pixel it has been like from that since new.

Also, even if the screen did develop a dead or stuck pixel this is not usually covered by warrantee unless there is a certain number of them - you will most likely not be able to claim for a singe faulty pixel.

As for the rest of the TV it shouldn't be any less reliable than a CRT TV.

Conor_3

robredz wrote: »

The main problem with LCD telly's is the same as LCD monitors, stuck/deadpixels and the warranties are less generous than with a monitor, 1 year as opposed to 3.

I think that otherwise they should be no less reliable in general than a standard TV

Stuck and dead pixels aren't classed as a fault unless the amount of them exceeds the ISO standard.

maxi_isa

Many thanks for your helpful replies.

I think I'll just buy the cheapest (without extended warranty). Even if it fails I've saved a lot over the years with this policy.

However, I am having trouble choosing between the Sony and the Samsung.
The Sony is (about £30-40) more expensive and I know Sony do have a big following from the Trinitron days but, BIG QUESTION - is it worth the extra?

spenderdave

Just to add that. as one who repairs these things, lcd reliability is not good. Common failures are the backlight generators or the displays themselves (they don't like being hit either). When they do go wrong they are often uneconomic to repair due the cost of spares or unavailability of them. Also many of the cheaper ones have picture quality way way down on what you can get with good crt sets.

Sign of the times I am afraid, but lcd (and plasma) are not good news.

KeithP

I would always try to buy any tv from John Lewis.
They give a five year guarantee on all televisions.
Their prices may at first seem higher, but they will price match with any other shop, but not internet supplier.
I have just bought a Sony tv from JL in Southampton and I asked them to match the price that Robert Whyte of Glasgow had in their shop.They did. Saved over £100 on JL shop price.

maxi_isa

Keith/Dave - thanks for your comments after which I'm having second thoughts!

I like the idea of getting John Lewis to price match and having their 5 year warranty. Unfortunately, I live in North Yorkshire and there is no JL anywhere near.

I'll ponder for a bit longer.

turbo

Our Goodmans LCD TV stopped working 2 weeks ago. It was purchased in August 2006 from Comet. The engineer said that it was a problem with the power supply but they couldn't get spare parts. We didn't have an extended warranty and I am now awaiting delivery of a new TV with a five year warranty. We have not purchased an extended warranty before on anything.

Turbo