Are there ANY TVs that one can purchase today that last like the older ones did!?!? Any suggestions one!?

Question

Our toshiba big-screen TV Lamp unit just ruptured and it turns out it costs $170 to replace. We have only had this TV for 4 yrs, not even long enough for dust to build. Apparently the original units only last 6-8,000 hrs. The replacements, however, last only about 2000 hrs. So, we anticipate needing to replace it again every 1-1 1/2 yrs. This was not explained to us when we purchased the TV or we woulnd't have bought it. We didn't need another "dependent." I'm so livid about how society works today that I just want to pull my hair out and scream. Selling us cheap products at high costs that don't last as long as they could. We have a TV that we have had for over 11yrs that works just fine. We decided to "invest" in this larger one since TV's last so long, we thought! Now there is an ANNUAL expense with the excuse is that it’s like having a NEW tv. Give me a break! If I wanted a new TV every year I would've stuck with a smaller, more affordable one and kept it for 20 years!

Answer 1

The lamps for projectors or rear projection TV's are hot, have limited life, and may cost hundreds to replace.

LCD's typically have a backlight rated 50,000 hours or more, so unless something else goes wrong, should last many years.  Out of all the laptops and LCD monitors I have known at home or work, we only had 1 failure (Dell monitor).  And that was likely a problem with a solder joint for the VGA cable.

Answer 2

That is the problem with lamp based TV's, is as mentioned the bulb gets hot and has a limited life before the bulb has to be replaced.

Current Plasmas and LCD's will last 60,000 hours before reaching half life, which means at about 60,000 hours of use the picture will only be half as bright as when new.  But if you think about it, if you watch TV 5 hours a day, the set will last you about 24 years before it's even reached it's half life.

With technology improving so fast, that if you bought a Plasma or LCD trust me in 24 years that Plasma or LCD will be ancient technology and will all will be on to the latest next greatest TV.

Take OLED TV's for example once they improve the length of life, and prices drop we will all be having TV's that can be rolled like a poster on a wall and watching TV's as big or small as we care to.