OK, I bought a 55 in Sony Rear Projection TV (LCD) It was 1,500 and they want 250 more to cover it for 4 years instead of the 1 year it comes with. Now those bulbs are expensive but if someone knows they will be going down soon or if this tv just does not have it's bulb go out than please let me know. Oh yeah it was from Best Buy and I have 30 days more to buy the warranty.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...&resultIndex=4&searchTerm=extended warranties Rear-projection tvs: Maybe Our data on rear-projection sets bought new in 2005 or 2006 show that about 10 percent needed repair, three times the rate of picture-tube and flat-panel TVs. A common problem: bulb failure, sometimes premature. The median cost paid by survey respondents to repair their one- or two-year-old rear-projection sets out of warranty was about $400. Rear-projection microdisplays, which have largely replaced CRT-based models, use a special bulb to create the light necessary to project an image onto the rear of the screen. The bulbs have a life expectancy of 5,000 to 6,000 hours. You’ll hit that point in about four years if you watch the set for four hours a day, two years if your TV is on for eight or more hours a day. Most TVs covered in our survey were one or two years old, and many of those that needed a new bulb during that time were watched for no more than four hours a day. The math suggests those bulbs failed prematurely. When a bulb burns out, you won’t see any picture, so you have to buy a replacement, which costs about $200 to $400. If a bulb fails during the standard warranty period, you’ll probably be mailed the bulb and directed to the manual for installation tips. Replacement is fairly simple, much like replacing the bulb in a car’s headlight; generally, you need only a screwdriver. About one-third of respondents who needed a new lamp replaced it themselves. But if you’re hesitant to open up the back of your set, seek help from family, friends, or the pros. Most extended warranties cover bulbs, along with in-home service for bulb replacement and most other problems. Warranties typically cover one bulb replacement during the contract, in addition to what the standard warranty covers. Sears has no limit on parts or labor during their three- or five-year contracts, but their plans cost more than most. Most extended warranties run concurrently with standard coverage, so a “three-year” policy actually offers only two more years of coverage. CR’s take. Consider a warranty for a microdisplay set. Although our survey data suggest the vast majority are likely to be trouble-free in their early years, an extended warranty might make sense if: * A bulb is likely to be needed within the period of an extended warranty. Estimate how long it will take you to reach 5,000 hours, the claimed life of many bulbs. If the time lies within the period covered by an extended warranty, it might be worth buying a service plan, assuming the price is right. A service plan will also protect you against the possibility of premature bulb failure after the standard warranty expires. * The cost is reasonable. We suggest paying no more than the cost of one bulb or 15 percent of the TV’s price, whichever is less. If you can’t determine the cost of a replacement bulb (a possibility with a new TV), assume it’s $200 to $400. See whether you can bargain for a lower price on the warranty. Extended warranties have very high profit margins, so the price may be negotiable.
as a rule of thumb, if the electronic item costs more than $500 I will buy a extended warranty. big tvs (both of my HDTVs are covered) computers (only when bought as a unit) vehicles really expensive electronics (PS3/360/Wii, high-end cameras/camcorders, etc)
Quick hijack cause I don't see a need to start a new thread.. but do you know of the other name coax inputs go by? I've been looking for a new LCD TV...but I won't have HD until I move in May or June. So for the next few months, I'll need one that has a regular, analog cable, coax input. http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=940658 That's the Olevia 437V. The 337 definitely doesn't have the input, and the 537 definitely does (based on a picture I saw)...sadly, the pictures of the 437 I've found crop out where the input would be if it was there. So I'm left wondering.. Thanks guys!
i have the 50 inch version of your tv. i didn't buy the warranty. it has a lamp which needs to be replaced (looks very easy to replace). depends on how much you watch tv. normal tv watching etc, it would take 3 years for it to go out. its $200 on sony http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT...Lamps&ProductSKU=XL2400&TabName=feature&var2=
