Get a 47-inch LCD HDTV for $639.99

March Madness has come and gone (with a heartbreaking finish by my beloved Spartans), but the NBA finals are just around the corner. If you're still watching sports, Lost, and other stuff on a standard-def tube, it's time to take the HD plunge.

MacMall (MacMall?) has the refurbished Westinghouse TX-47F430S 47-inch LCD HDTV for $639.99. That's pretty amazing considering that this model sells new for $1,400.

The TX-47F430S serves up 1080p resolution, an ATSC/NTSC/ClearQAM tuner, 4 HDMI inputs, two component inputs, and a VGA interface for PC connections. My favorite feature: the onscreen Quick Install Matrix, which illustrates the various connection options.

Of course, features don't tell the whole story. As CNET's review of the TX-47F430S points out, the TV suffers from "ho-hum styling" and mediocre black levels.

And I'll add a complaint that, according to one user review, duplicates a problem on my otherwise-excellent 46-inch Westinghouse: The remote works poorly unless you're facing the TV dead-on.

MacMall charges a steep (but typical) $99.99 for shipping, but a $50 rebate brings that down to a more reasonable $49.99. That gets you out the door for around $690--still hundreds less than most of the 46-inch models I'm seeing.

Because this is a refurb, the warranty expires after 90 days. The final disclaimer I'll add is that I've heard less than stellar things about Westinghouse service. Thus, jazzed as I am about this TV's price, I'm gonna slap on a small caveat-emptor sticker.

[Nychocolips]

I've liked most of the TVs you've come up with. Unfortunately, I have such a specific requirement that I have not pulled the trigger on any. I want a TV that can accept a cable card. Now I know most of you out there might say it's a hardly used feature and even obsolute. All I can say is that I pay $1.50 a month to get HD service in my bedroom (the living room has the HDDVR/Cable Box).

Just the same, I am calling a few people who are looking for a spare TV and having them look at this.

Cheers.

[rickbroida]

Yeah, it's too bad CableCard never really took off. Seemed like a logical solution. Meanwhile, where's the Comcast DVR with TiVo software? That's, like, YEARS overdue.

[mhr512]

Most cable companies run their local HD channels "in the clear" meaning that it is not encrypted. Therefore you don't need a cable card. Of course anything that is above the basic tier would require a cable card.

[ducttape36]

only the major networks hd feeds are free of encryption, as I believe its required by law to do so.

[j_a_s_p_e_r]

Great deal. One of the best I've seen, even better than TigerDirect's 50" DLP for $500 a few weeks ago (because it was fat and ugly and 720p)

I remember walking around in Circuit City in '99 when the 42" tvs were selling for $15,000 thinking to myself.. "what idiot would pay that much for a tv?" - and this is a *47* inch! Now I'm thinking "What a deal, but I guess I'll keep waiting for my old TV to break. Now where did I put my toolbox.... "

[bellewitch]

Rick I LOVE your advise but I have to say I have had A LOT of problems with Westinghouse. It took me over a year to get a replacement on a warranty. I went thru 2 refurbished TV's after my original tv broke. Their customer service is HORRIBLE!!! The first replacement got damaged in shipping. The second broke after 2 months. Just a warning to people to be careful!

[rickbroida]

Sorry to hear that! Unfortunately, I'm afraid your story isn't unique. While I've had nothing but good luck with my Westy, I've read a fair number of horror stories about customer service. I think in the future I'll steer clear (post-wise, that is) of this brand.

Anyone else had good/bad/other experience dealing with Westinghouse?

[brandonh33]

Rick, I have heard horror storys about this brand from a lot of people. I did however used to have a 32" and it was great. My mom actually bought a newer model of my 32" and it would actually turn on every night at 2 am. It turns out this problem was widespread at the time. So, it is really a gamble with this brand but at this price its worth a look.

[j_a_s_p_e_r]

brandonh33 - Many tvs have an alam clock feature, my bet is that your mom's tv got set. At one point I actually used my old tv as an alarm clock to wake up to the morning news. Now I have kids to wake me ...

[brandonh33]

Jasper, it was not the alarm but something wrong with the actual set (could have been alarm related but no solution as alarm was turned off). I had a look at it as well as called tech support (no help) and had multiple bestbuy employees look at it (even less help). As I said it was a problem with almost all the tvs of that version, with no known solution.

[rexdeaz]

This isn't about Westinghouse, but about ecost.com. You guys might wanna steer clear of them as well. I ordered the HP Pavilion you listed here in late January. It was defective, I ordered the replacement, they took $530 out of my account until the broken model was returned, or so they claimed. The defect is back in their warehouse and my money has yet to be seen.

[j_a_s_p_e_r]

I love eCost's deals, but I hate dealing with them. Word of advice: don't email, phone. Phone a LOT. Thats the only way to make them work for you

[rickbroida]

This isn't from eCost, it's from MacMall.

[d_alexander]

I've had a 42-inch 720p Westinghouse TV for about three years now. It hasn't caused me a single problem and works great, but I also have heard bad things about their customer service department. I think they make fine, middle-market TVs but you're taking a bit of a risk with their service if something goes wrong.

[sirtikalot]

i believe i reported this to cheapskate

[sirtikalot]

or maybe it was that 22 in westing house monitor for $120 from macmall, or maybe both