27" HDTV for $199 and $21.95 for 36 months ISP comittment *Pre-register*

[tji]

Is this a REAL HDTV? To me, one of the most important aspects of HDTV is the Wide aspect ratio (16:9). In the specs, they list the display area as 520mm x 390mm. That is standard display ratio, not wide.

I have been shopping around for a tube based wide screen TV for a few months now. When I was in Europe, there were all kinds of wide screen TV's in standard resolutions. They were not much more expensive than standard TV's either (under $1K for a decent TV). HDTV is probably overkill for my needs right now, I mainly want a good platform for watching my widescreen DVD's.

Anyone know of a good deal on a 16:9 TV? Either HDTV or standard?

 

[goog40]

Damn, I registered for this a few weeks ago and they didn't give me a reserve #, and I wrote back and they never answered. So I had to register again now after everyone else

 

[CheapGuy]

I don't know if anyone else has noticed this, but you don't have to check the "I agree to the terms" box. It'll still send you a pre-reg number.

 

[RoadRuner]

Anyone else get NPC-402 for the confirmation #??

 

[SuperRob]

No, mine is different.

 

[smartt]

No.. but I'm close!

 

[HJB417]

hey, you can use it as a monitor too which basically defeats the purpose of me buying a cheap as $30 jaton card with tvout. This means you can watch divx, dvds, vcds, VIDEO GAMES on a 27inch monitor/TV with your current video card.

 

[dealmaker]

I was about to jump on this however look at the TV. It is not a sony, probably a Panashiba or a FUNAI! I bet the tv sucks!

 

[Wag]

Regardless of what kind of monitor it is, I'd be pretty wary of any company that reserves the right to take back their equipment at any time.

I bet you they ask for it back the 35th month.

 

[rockshox72]

This sounds totally reaks of fishy Houston Ship Channel waters.

 

[smartt]

Easy for you to say.

 

[pdo]

this deal seem kinda fishy especially when the original poster keeping a really close eyes on it and get offended on other people's opinions. I'd stay away from this deal if I were you guys.

---

OK, children. I have reviewed this thread, and there is nothing in smartt's posts or links to warrant the kind of abuse you folks are dishing out. If you can't prove something is wrong, quit ganging up on him, and play nice.

AnandTech Moderator

 

[smartt]

DANG! I got caught again. Gigs up, okay guys take back all your money. It looks like I'll have to find another company. The only reason I have been 'monitoring' this thread so closely as all of you conspiracy freaks think is that I subscribed to the thread. Wow, now isn't that I concept? I don't mind educated comments, but mindless statements that sound like they came from the mouth of Jar Jar Binks are worthless. If you have something valuable to add, great, but come on? Mesa thinksa this stinksa? Is this a forum are a grade school? Keep your NEFing to yourself or go over to OT and chat. If I'm the only one monitoring this thread then why does it keep popping up to the top via mindless comments like you just made?

 

[fargus]

Found at (another bargain site).com today:
"NadaPC has a $199 HDTV when you sign up for 36 months of $21.95 ISP. Looks like an old Princeton monitor. Update: The NadaPc deal is not a deal since the total cost of the "$199" HDTV is actually (21.95 X 36) + 199 = $979.84. The HDTV is made by Princeton Graphics and is available from Buy.com for $790. "

 

[smartt]

Now that's the kind of logic that makes sense, thanks Fargus.

 

[HJB417]

I would rather pay $20/month simply because I don't have $800 to spend upfront.

 

[Wag]

If you think $20 a month is worth the risk of having a "free" HDTV is good then go for it.

I'm not sure why the moderator thought we were ganging up on Smartt, but I think folks are just wary of these deals where the company can call back their equipment. This has happened alot recently, and it just sounds too good to be true.

Does anyone honestly expect this company to be around in 3 years? I would seem so much easier and safer just to get a cheaper ISP and save the difference to buy the monitor outright.

 

[HJB417]

I emailed them asking if I get to keep the TV after 36 months of paying.

Reply they sent:
"The HDTV is yours to keep. You have to pay for the ISP service for 36
months.

Please contact us if you have any further questions.

NadaPC"

 

[RoadRuner]

if nadapc goes out of business in 12 months, or 24 months , won't you have saved more money than buying it straight out?

 

[Alesmith]

Here's a very real concern:

They could go out of business within 3 years. If fact, there's a decent chance that they will... everyone here seems to agree with that.

However, everyone seems to agree that if they go out of business, it's Yahoo!, thanks for my TV, and no more $20 payments every month.

But, when a company goes out of business, it files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. At that point, an outside accounting firm is brought in to assess and liquidate assets and equity, then divide the funds up among creditors.

Guess what the accounting firm is going to do with the following:
"NadaPC retains a security interest in the Devices until the completion of the 36-month service period."

Hmmm... sounds like an asset to me. "Liquidate and divide" anyone?

Just some caution from the resident economist...

Cheers,
-Dave

 

[spec411]

Everyone crapping on this deal must be smokin something! This is a HOT DEAL!!!

Havent ANY od you learned with Free-Pc, Vrigin Webplayer, I-Opener, Redgorilla, Epods, etc...that ALL the companies that "locked" us into 3 year agreements for receiving a free or low-priced item eventually went belly-up and THEN....

even though they retained a "security interest" in the products per their contracts, they ALL just folded and let the people KEEP the free devices w/no more commitment and no more charges!!! This will likely be the same deal, you'll get the HDYV and in 6 months theyll fold, you wont be bound to the contract any longer and can enjoy your discountef TV!!

DO YOU KNOW HOW IMPOSSIBLE IT WOULD BE TO GET PEOPLE TO RETURN THEIR STUFF (IE NOTHING TO LIQUIDATE)...think Virgin got many webplayers back??? GET REAL!

CMON PEOPLE WAKE UP AND REALIZE THIS IS A HOT DEAL!!!

 

[Zim Hosein]

fargus, thanks for breaking down the math, you saved me from making a BIG mistake.