Should I spend 10% of the cost of a HDTV on the extended warranty?

Q. I’m trying to calculate the total cost of ownership on a $3K HDTV. Are extended warranties a scam, or a must have? I’m also thinking of purchasing from Costco. Do they provide extended warranties?

A. Remember that the cost of an extended warranty is calculated by an actuary so that the company providing the warranty ultimately profits. In effect, Costco expects you to have less than $300 of problems with your TV over the term of the warranty.

From a purely numerical perspective, it is then not worth the money, but then again no extended warranty is based on this definition. In one or two years it is exceedingly unlikely that anything will go wrong with your tv, but if it does, it could be much more to fix than $300.

Then again your $3000 tv may only be worth $800 in 3 years (if not less), so why bother?

Original Question

Can I use a computer monitor for 720p HDTV?

Q. I have a 1280x1024 computer monitor with a VGA and DVI hookup. Does DVI mean that I can hook up an HDTV over-the-air tuner to it? Obviously, I can't view 1080i, but can I watch 720p signals? I've read about HDCP and how it disables analog outputs if a flag is set, so I'm real confused.

A. A computer store that sells both TVs and computers should be able to answer this for you, maybe even for the exact monitor model you want to know about. I would trust their answers more than TV stores that sell computers or office supply stores that sell both.

Why guess or leave it up to strangers. (Hmmm ... I guess the store guys would be strangers too ... but at least you know on what authority they are giving you their opinion)

Two computer stores that I know do this are

MicroCenter and CompUSA.

Check their web sites for phone numbers in your area.

Even if they aren't near you, they probably have 800 numbers that will answer your question.

Of course you could always just try it ... what's the worst that could happen? ... Better call!

Original Question

How do I connect my computer with my LCD HDTV using D-Sub cable?

Q. I have Compaq Presario V6000 and Samsung LN-S4695 LCD HDTV. I connected my PC to TV using D-Sub cable, and then I tried to view my PC through TV. Problem is my TV doesn't accept the connection (for some reason), and my TV displays "Not Supported Mode". I tried in various options by using FN key and F4 on keyboard. Please help me with this!

A. plug your computer into your normal monitor. change the resolution to 800 x 600. then make sure your refresh rate is 60 hertz. unplug the dsub connector from the back of your monitor. plug it into your lcd panel;s dsub connector. then adjust the resolution to the maximum allowed by your television. it should be 1920 x 1080. main thing is to make sure your refresh rate on your computer does not exceed the refresh rate on the monitor.

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Can I trade in a broken 40 inch lcd hdtv somewhere for a rebate or something?

Q. My tv got broken (wont get into details) but it needs a new panel which they told me would cost over 800 which is more then the actual price i paid for the tv. So it is sitting uselessly in my room. Can i trade it in somewhere to get a rebate for another tv or something?

A. Your best bet is to list it on craigslist.org or ebay for parts. List the brand name and the exact model number. If the screen is destroyed and that's why it's dead, that means that all the other parts are probably good. Flat panel TVs have a high failure rate for power supplies and boards, they are very sought after. I'm sure someone has the same TV and needs parts. Wherever you list it, make it very clear why the panel is bad so that buyers can judge what might still be useful.

Original Question

How to hook up the new HDTV to replace the old regular tv that is controlled by DISH NETWORK in the other room?

Q. The #2 remote from Dish Network controls the old tv fine, but how do I hook up the the new HDTV. There is only one box, next to the main tv. It appears there is a little attenna on the back of the box, if that does anything.

A. Yes the best thing is to call the customer support - all you need is the codes for the new tv so the remote knows how to operate the new tv. 1-800-344-3474

Also just for your knowledge - tv2 is standard definition. So if your wanting HD on that tv you will need to have it as tv1 on a HD reciever. The reason tv2 is standard is because it uses a co-axial cable. And yes a hd tv will work just fine on a sd connection. If you wanting hd you also need to subscribe to hd programming.

One last thing if you do have a hd receiver (models, vip 211,vip 411, vip 612,vip622, vip722, and shortly the vip 922 you need to use hdmi cabling to run from the back of receiver to the tv to deliver the best picture possible. When I hooked up my tv I refused to pay box store prices for hdmi wiring and asked in here in yahoo answers for cheap places to buy wires and someone gave me an excellent place.

www.monoprice.com

The hdmi wire I got from them I could have a truck run over and it would still work and I paid less than 8 buck for 6ft cords. I got the kind rated for wall installation and truth be told their almost too good - they're so strong they don't want to bend easily. Next time I'm not getting the wall mountable ones. Otherwise if you wanting hd and you have the tv and you have the receiver and programming but not the wiring your bottlenecking the signal and you won't get 1080.
If you just bought the new tv as a replacement and don't care for hd then your fine as is to hook it up as tv2.

too see the model receiver you have you can look on the lower left front of the box and it should give a number like for instance for the sd (322, 522, or 625). Unless it an old relic receiver if should show it there :)

Original Question

What is the difference between a 1080p and 720p hdtv?

Q. I'm looking into buying a new tv and am looking at two different tvs. One is a 1080p and is $800. The other is $450 but is only a 720p. What is the difference between the pixel count visually (they are both 42" plasmas) and how can this affect blu-rays and video games? Sources appreciated.

A. I've tested both types of displays in 24, 27, 32, 40, 42, and 48 inch. In the TVs I tested, there is a difference in all of those screens above 32 inches. 1080p gives superior clarity. Not that 720 is bad on, say, a 42 inch display, but the difference is noticeable on the sets I've seen.

It can be extra noticeable if you use the TV as a computer monitor. You really see the difference with small text fonts.

You should make the same test yourself. Look at the picture on store model TVs in operation, and judge for yourself if 720p is adequate on a larger screen. If you like it, then go for it and save a little money. But if you want the best clarity possible, especially if you go with a Blue-ray DVD player, you're going to want a 1080p screen.

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