Get a 32-inch LCD HDTV for $299.95 shipped

A 32-inch HDTV for under $300? Sign me up!

(Credit: Amazon.com)

If you missed last week's deal on the 32-inch HDTV with built-in DVD player, here's one that's nearly as good: PC Connection has a refurbished Westinghouse 32-inch LCD HDTV for $299.95 shipped.

As my daughter likes to say, that's "sweeticle." Perfect for dens, bedrooms, and the like, the Westinghouse SK-32H240S-B offers a 720p high-def picture, two HDMI inputs, and an ATSC/NTSC/ClearQAM tuner.

It also has one of my favorite features: automatic source detection. That means that if you turn on, say, your Microsoft Xbox game console, the TV automatically switches to the correct input. Of course, you have to manually switch it back when you're done, but it's still cool.

Because this is a refurbished model, the warranty lasts just 90 days. That's a definite concern, and Westinghouse doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to service. However, PC Connection is a veteran reseller, so I'm confident that it'd make things right if you had any out-of-the-box problems.

This is without a doubt the lowest price I've seen on a 32-inch HDTV. If you're in the market, it might be tough to pass up. Might be tough to keep in stock, too, so don't wait.

Update: If you'd rather not go the refurbished route, Costco has a new ProScan 32-inch LCD for $329.99. Shipping will run you a reasonable $19.99, but you may get stuck paying sales tax as well.

[ducttape36]

aw man, my bro pulled the trigger on the 32" hdtv from last week which ran 360.00 with shipping. oh well, i guess he'll just have to look at it like he got a 60 dollar dvd player as well.

[rickbroida]

There you go! Now that's some positive thinking at work. :)

[abundantsnotbob]

It's better to have that logic than to blame Rick. That was the best deal at the time, and it is annoying to buy something, when it is reduced price just a bit later, but just keep in mind that there could be a 40" TV for the same price in a while(Not likely). Keep up the good work Rick!

[davidwarren]

Looks like a good deal, but I just searched on Amazon and it seems a lot of people have issues with this model. Especially after a few months.

[dalsanto3]

Thanks for pointing that out. I almost pulled the trigger on this one but 19 out of 35 people gave it one star on amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Westinghouse-SK-32H240S-32-Inch-LCD-HDTV/product-reviews/B000NIK9WS/ref=cm_cr_pr_hist_1?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&filterBy=addOneStar

Even if you consider that more people who are upset with a product are going to review it...that's still a lot of defective units

[rickbroida]

Of course, there's an argument to be made that the refurbished units are those that were returned and repaired. Plus, most of the Amazon reviewers paid quite a bit more for the TV, meaning they're probably less forgiving of problems. I'm not saying buyers shouldn't beware on this one, but I do think there are two possible sides to the reviews... ;)

[dalsanto3]

I'm all for refurbished units - and of course any time you get a refurbished unit with a 90 day warranty there's some element of risk. I'm also interested in a cheap TV that doesn't necessarily have the picture quality of a more expensive unit.

But the reviews aren't people giving it 3 stars and saying that the picture quality isn't quite up to snuff, or that they didn't think they got enough value from it. It's people saying that it completely stopped working, and the customer service response was horrible (which seems to be a common problem with Westinghouse).

[planblove]

Good deal, even if it may have issues. I've already got 4 hdtvs in my house so I don't need it but I did pass along the link to possible buyers.

[gapipkin]

Wow, HDTVs? Really? No way! Get out! Are you like rich or something? I can't believe it! Who has 4 TVs in one house?! You should be appointed king or something.

[planblove]

No not rich. I've gotten them all over the past 3-4 years, not all at once. Lets just say there are no more tube tvs in my house.

[edmundh]

Re: automatic source detection

Why would you have to manually switch it back? When you are ready to watch tv again, won't it automatically switch to the cable box/dvr/tuner?

[ewestby]

No, because the input switcher only changes the input when it detects a new signal starting up through a previously "cold" cable. (It might work if you turned your cable or satellite box off and on again, though sometimes they pass a small signal to the TV even when switched off.) Your suggestion is a good one, though: when the console or whatever turns off, the TV ought to switch back to whatever input was being used previously.

[planblove]

The newer model Xbox 360 kinda has this feature, it won't boot up completely until it detects the tv is on the right signal.

[ikramerica--2008]

Then good luck getting a new XBox working with this TV.

You wake up first. No, you wake up first... ;)

[jca671]

My prediction is that 40" models will hit this price point in 6 months.

[DetJMunch]

Does Cnet review this model? If so, what do they say?

[rickbroida]

Nope, no review of this model from CNET. User reviews from various sites are decidedly mixed. This is definitely one of those roll-the-dice deals. But given that many 32-inch LCDs are still selling in the $500 range, it might be worth the risk.

[DetJMunch]

How about other Westinghouse TVs? How does CNet generally rate them? Generally how good a brand are they considered? I have a 37" Vizio that I am very happy with but could use another in a spare room.

[rickbroida]

Well, I have a 46-inch Westinghouse that's a few years old. It's been great! No complaints worth mentioning. And PC Mag recently gave an Editors' Choice award to a 52-inch Westinghouse. But, if you peruse user reviews, you see that customer service is definitely lacking. Hopefully you won't need it. :)

[davidwarren]

what the heck, I bought one anyway.

[davidwarren]

Surprisingly, this showed up at my door before I got home for work. Pretty fast for free shipping on a tv....

[rickbroida]

Wow, fast shipping indeed! Now for the $64K question: How is it?

[davidwarren]

Rick- I bought it to put up on the wall in my son's room, so I am waiting on a wall mount. however, I plugged it into my HD cable box with hdmi and it looked great. Didn't try it with any other connectors, but there were no dead spots I could see and the color and picture were great for the 10 minutes I had it hooked up. So far so good.

[ccmike72]

this set is tempting but if your looking for something cheap that you have some security behind Costco has a proscan 32" for 329.99 after their 50 dollar promo good till the end of the month i think. Yeah you will pay more but you'll get a 1 year warranty and the additional 2 year warranty coverage from Costco. ALso you have a real place that you can return it with no hassle. Is it work saving 70 bucks for something that could could blank out in 3 months leaving you 300 bucks lighter?

[ccmike72]

my 70 dollar comment is to pad some room for taxes etc...

[Nychocolips]

This is close to what I am looking for. Unfortunately, I have a difficult addition. I want one that can handle a Cable TV Cable Card. I just have no interest in paying Box or DVR fees for the bedroom TV. And I can deal with the TV guide feature not working with Cable.

Looks tempting otherwise. :)

[pablomoca]

seems like a great deal and i was about to jump on it but, looks like they're already gone.

[btravitz]

Where on CNET are these posted? I look at CNET everyday and don't see these deals posted.

[rickbroida]

Uhhhh...right here at the Cheapskate! :) www.news.com/cheapskate

[iceman721]

I think that the Costco deal is better than this one. Yes you will have to pay taxes but I think the Proscan is just as good of a set if not a little better. You also will have the outstanding return policy that Costco has on electronics with a 90 day no questions asked return policy and an extension of the manufacturers warranty. That alone for me is worth the extra 30.00. I expect that I will pay about 360.00 OTD for the TV after taxes & shipping. They are also offering a $150.00 Costco cash card if you choose to activate DirectTV service.

I will be picking up the Proscan for my bedroom next week.

[iceman721]

I think that the Costco deal is better than this one. Yes you will have to pay taxes but I think the Proscan is just as good of a set if not a little better. You also will have the outstanding return policy that Costco has on electronics with a 90 day no questions asked return policy and an extension of the manufacturers warranty. That alone for me is worth the extra 30.00. I expect that I will pay about 360.00 OTD for the TV after taxes & shipping. They are also offering a $150.00 Costco cash card if you choose to activate DirectTV service.

I will be picking up the Proscan for my bedroom next week.

[adntaylo]

Pulled the trigger on this. It took 1 day shipping to my house (midwest). This model looks great. I've been scouring the web for the best deals from 32 to 60. Two tv's - one for bedroom and one for main room. This TV will work great in the bedroom. This isn't anywhere close to the power needed for a main tv but for any other room it is great. Even with the regular cable hookup - comcast, it looks really good on the digital channels it tries to display in 1080i and 720p. So glad I picked this up.