Need a new TV today, these are my possible choices:

[alexruiz]

Hi everyone.

The title should give you an idea of where I stand. The TV in the basement broke, but it is the most watched as it keeps the children happy. I need to get a replacement TODAY, so that rules out buying online. Because of the sense of urgency, I also know that I am stuck with the best price I can get today, even if we have had better prices in the past or if a better price exists online.

I am allocating $300 for a 32" TV. Location is SE Michigan (no Frys), and I am not considering worst buy at all Here are my possible choices:

1) The obvious one, Costco.
The trademark costco warranty and support. They have 2 TVs in the price and size range
The Vizio E320VA LCD 32" with specs here at Vizio's
They also have the Westinghouse LD-3255VX 32" LED
Both of them have very good specs (4 hdmi and true sound in the vizio, LED for the westy) Reviews for both, however, are mediocre. Sound is the biggest complaint for both, not to mention the reports of Vizio's quality drop.

2)The unlikely choice, Kmart
Kmart has RCA 32LA30RQ 32in LCD with specs here at RCA's
It also has very good specs, and reviews are quire favorable. However, there is the brand factor.

3) The geeky place, Microcenter
Microcenter has the Olevia VCF-32FDV1U 32in LCD with specs here at Olevia's
This one has probably the best feature set (1080p, 4 HDMI, 2 component, etc) However, Olevia had been reported to come down in quality big time.


To be honest, I am torn. We always support Kmart as much as possible, and this would be a good chance. However, Costco warranty is top notch, or the 32" 1080p at MC could eventually double as monitor.

Which one would you take? Or would you pick something different?



Alex

 

[ViviTheMage]

I am a brand whore, and would stay away from Olevia, and Vizio.

Westinghouse is OK in my book (owned 3 different ones in the past).... but you can't beat quality.

If it's for the kids though, who cares I guess?

EDIT : based on specs alone .. and I prefer to support microcenter, i'd go VCF-32FDV1U

 

[smitbret]

I am a brand whore, and would stay away from Olevia, and Vizio.

Westinghouse is OK in my book (owned 3 different ones in the past).... but you can't beat quality.

If it's for the kids though, who cares I guess?

EDIT : based on specs alone .. and I prefer to support microcenter, i'd go VCF-32FDV1U

Well, your brand-whoring is backwards. I would think the general consensus would put the brands in this order:

Vizio
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.
.
.
.
.
Olevia
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.
.
.
RCA
Westinghouse

A lot of the old popular brands like Magnavox, Emerson, Sylvania, Westinghouse aren't really the same television companies they used to be; RCA is in the same boat. They just rebrand a 3rd party tv and sell it under their name. Olevia reminds me of Vizio about 3 years ago. Vizio is the #1 seller of LCD tvs in America and typically contain LG panels. They aren't Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, LG or Toshiba, but they are probably the next best thing if you don't wanna spend for those names.