Get a 42-inch HDTV for $499.99
A 42-inch LCD for $500? That's a rare find indeed.
(Credit: Newegg)It's NFL playoff season, so I've been keeping an eye peeled for good deals on big TVs. Alas, the discounts just aren't there. However, there's one bright spot: Newegg has the Corion Digital Lifestyles FA2B42323 42-inch LCD for $499.99.
It's a new set, not a refurb, and shipping will run you about $50. Even with that painful charge, it's still a couple hundred dollars less than you'll pay for, say, Wal-Mart's lowest-price 42-incher.
Ah, but is it any good? CNET hasn't reviewed the cleverly named FA2B42323, but nearly 75 percent of Newegg customers rated it 4 or 5 stars. That's a damn good score for an off-brand TV.
Keep in mind, however, that it's a fairly low-end TV. It tops out at 720p (which I think is fine for a 42-inch screen) and comes with only two HDMI inputs. Plus, various user reviews indicate mediocre speakers.
Still, this looks to be the best HDTV deal going right now. I'd prefer to watch the Super Bowl on something a bit larger, but cheapskates can't be choosers.
Now, if you don't mind a refurbished LCD that's even lighter on the inputs, the 46-inch Westinghouse LTV-46w1 I profiled a year ago (!) can be yours for $649.99 (plus shipping).
This is the same model that's been sitting in my living room for a couple years, and I have few complaints.
Thanks to reader sluggotor for sharing this deal!
Rick Broida, a technology writer for nearly 20 years, is the author of more than a dozen books. In addition to writing CNET's The Cheapskate blog, he oversees BNET's Business Hacks. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CBS Interactive. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers. Follow Rick on Twitter at cheapskateblog. 
1 BIC Acoustech H100 Sub: http://bicamerica.com/showpage.php?brand=1&type=8&spkrID=26
2 PolkAudio Monitor 50s: http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/monitor50/
1 Onkyo TX-SR506: http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR506&class=Receiver&p=i
1 Logitech Harmony 550: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universal_remotes/devices/376&cl=us,en
25 ft of 12-gauge speaker wire.
One deal-breaker you should probably keep in mind - the screen has an 8 ms response time. That's a on the slow side for video.
Funny thing about Westinghouse - I work in their old office park, and really would rather take my chances an off-brand like Corion before settling with the mediocrity of Westinghouse's displays.
How is buying an LCD from a California company manufacturing in China better than buying an LCD from a Pittsburgh company manufacturing in Taiwan?
Anybody who buys anything is taking a risk. Yes, there is a risk that Corion will be a out of business before my warranty runs out, but in an economy where multi-billion-dollar corporations are bought and sold like baseball cards, it's a risk I'm willing to take on a $500 LCD.
You don't need a 10 megapixel camera to take pictures for your wallet and you don't need 1080p for anything less than like 50 inches (usually)
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_13342PX80/Panasonic-TH-42PX80U.html?tp=161&tab=features_and_specs
Not sure where you got your info. Maybe some scare tactic by a salesman or advertisement. True the Plasma does use more power than an LCD, but not 100%, it is more like 5-45% depending on if you are using 1080p or 720p. Here are some numbers that show about how much a tv would cost per year to run. If you are looking at sets 42" and below then it's going to take a while to recoup the cost of using paying more for LCD over Plasma.
PRODUCT ANNUAL COST
20-cu.-ft. refrigerator (a newer top-freezer) $50
25-cu.-ft. refrigerator (a newer side-by-side) 65
32-inch picture-tube 40
36-inch picture-tube 50
37-inch LCD 50
40-inch LCD 55
56-inch rear-projection 65
42-inch plasma, 720p 70
52-inch LCD 80
50-inch plasma, 720p 80
50-inch plasma, 1080p 110
Based on Department of Energy?s 2007 national average pricing for energy, 10.65 cents per, for 8 hours a day of usage.
- by One-Eared Gundark January 12, 2009 10:34 AM PST
- Get_Bent said: "Don't forget to factor in your higher electricity bills. A plasma TV draws about twice as many watts as a same size LCD TV. Also, a plasma TV gives off more heat, so your air conditioner usage will increase, too."
- Like this Reply to this comment
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(28 Comments)Ah, yes...the heat. But my 58" plasma puts out nice heat to keep my heating bills lower in the cold months. The cold weather far outlasts the hot weather around here.
I just couldn't fork over the extra cash for a large 120 Hz LCD when a less expensive plasma had better picture quality. I know I'll more than make up the difference with energy usage, but it's all about picture quality.