Does anybody know why this HDTV is so cheap?

Question

I'm planning to buy a HDTV and was waiting for the 4th of july deals but I found this tv with amaizing price. The problem is that I smell somethign weird here. Here are 2 links for the same item

1- This is from newegg. They always have good prices but this TV used to cost 999 and now 599 WHY? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889107017

2- This is from tigerdirect but despite being refurbished still smell a rat what do you think?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=3071639&sku=V18-3710&srkey=V18-3710

Answer 1

It's a 2006 model. They must have over estiomated how many would sell. The contrast and response time is not good for todays TVs but the price is right.

Answer 2

The TV is not a Full-HD (1080P) set.  It is no name brand so don't expect great customer service or a fast fix should the TV break down.  The TV itself is OK by today's standards.  Also, it is much cheaper because it does not have a QAM tuner.  The type of tuner in this set would allow you to view digital channels over the air, but not over cable without a cable box.  As far as the refurbished unit, that sounds reasonable and I do not smell anything fishy.  Just consider it may be from a TV that someone was not happy with and their may be a reason for that.

Answer 3

Most likely because it is not a 1080p TV, they have the sharpest display, and nowadays they are the best you can get.

Answer 4

The native resolution is 1366x768 which is neither 720 nor 1080.

1366x768 has the same exact aspect ratio though as the 2 HDTV formats (namely, 1366/768=1.78 so the width is 1.78 times the height - exactly the same proportions as 720 and 1080).

It's only 37" and has a nonstandard native display resolution.  It's not Full HD, but it accepts input signals up to 1080i.

It will rescale both 720 and 1080 to fit the 768 screen display.

I don't smell a rat; it's probably a fine TV for the money.