Sceptre 42" LCD TV $1399+ship/tax

[Craig234]

I bought this TV in June, because Costco had a big woop de do rebate of $700 off the regular $2500 price; paid $2000 shipped. I figured Costco doesn't play games too much.

Days after the price match ended, they dropped the price to $200 below what I paid and offered free shipping from now on, $264 less than my bill between the two.

Talked to them, no dice on any price match or credit for the drop.

Now, I see the same set at TigerDirect, what looks like their regular price for $1399.

I like the set a lot, it has the bells and whistles I wanted - HDMI, 1920x1080, 1080p, DVI, tuner, VGA, etc.

So at this price it seems like a great deal IMO and I thought I'd post it. Pricegrabber only showed one, for over $2400, so maybe it's a good price.

Here's the link:

Link

 

[Corporate Thug]

not bad for 1080p

 

[Aarondeep]

You got it at costco, if they wont pricematch it return it and get a new set. 6-month return policy..... =)

 

[Craig234]

I asked about that - telling them I didn't want to, but why wouldn't they price match and do us both a favor - and the store manager said they would not accept a return without a good reason.

They said specifically they would not accept it under those circumstances.

 

[niji1875]

it is too expensive.BestBuy.com has the Westinghouse W4207 42" Flat-Panel LCD HD Monitor on sale for $900 with free shipping. but quality isnt better than this.

 

[helloedchen]

Originally posted by: niji1875
it is too expensive.BestBuy.com has the Westinghouse W4207 42" Flat-Panel LCD HD Monitor on sale for $900 with free shipping. but quality isnt better than this.

Look closer. It's 1,349.99 for the Westy at BB.

Also keep in mind, Westy is NOT 1080p like the Sceptre listed above.

 

[Zirconium]

Originally posted by: niji1875
it is too expensive.BestBuy.com has the Westinghouse W4207 42" Flat-Panel LCD HD Monitor on sale for $900 with free shipping. but quality isnt better than this.

Link? Bestbuy.com shows it as being $1350. I believe that TV was going for $1000 on Black Friday, so I find it hard to believe they are selling it for even less now. In either case, the W4207 isn't 1080p like the Sceptre is. Costco.com is selling the Sceptre for $1500 right now. There was a $200 coupon for it not long ago; I am not sure if it is still valid. In either case, shipping is included, so you only pay tax. I'd go with Costco over Tiger Direct because if you do have a problem, Costco still has that unlimited return policy.

 

[Diogenes2]

$1399 at the egg with free ship...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824112180

 

[Marinski]

Costco has the a Philips 42" LCD for $1499. The same one is at Walmarts but its more. Would Walmarts price match this? I would think the Philips is probably better then the Sceptre.

 

[BIGFOOTPI]

note- ship charge , for me, from tigerdirect is a whopping $177... so take that into consideration.
Costco has $1499 free ship +tax. (assuming you are a costco member of course - otherwise is higher)
for me, the newegg price is cheapest- 1399, free ship and no tax in GA, but I like costco return policy that doesnt end on TVs- assuming there is an actual malfunction.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I'm not in the financial shape to buy a tv, nor do I need one at this time. But I've been helping quite a few friends buy them by shopping around. What I've found is that best buy is one of the higher priced places to buy....even when the sets are on sale. You will be better off buying through a low-cost high-volume seller or online to get the best price possible. Just be sure to be available when the package arrives, so you can accept or decline delivery if it was mishandled.

 

[Basilisk]

I'm not getting something about this Sceptre: it has VGA, HDMI, and OTA HD tuner... but what about those little things like S-video and component? How do you attach your tape deck or DVD player ???

Ahhh... my education continues[?]: Apparently there exist VGA<->component-video adaptors and you plug that into the VGA port for component inputs. [Froogle "vga component video cable" if you haven't heard of these, as I hadn't. $2.5-$85 (+s/h+tax) for a 3' one.] I take it this cable is not included with the set as I don't see it in any pictures. Does anyone know of some other connection method for DVD? [I expect I'd use the HDMI connector to my computer.]


Edit: NE doesn't include the necessary Media Box[MB], so it lacks the MB's inputs, explaining the lack of listed inputs. There are [sometimes?] Combo Deals to include the MB: make certain you get both TV and MB. Until yesterday, the NE/ChiefValue pictures showed the MB as included -- but it wasn't.

 

[Marinski]

Chiefvalue has this Sceptre TV for $1200 +40 for shipping.

 

[apexi350z]

Originally posted by: Basilisk
I'm not getting something about this Sceptre: it has VGA, HDMI, and OTA HD tuner... but what about those little things like S-video and component? How do you attach your tape deck or DVD player ???

Ahhh... my education continues[?]: Apparently there exist VGA<->component-video adaptors and you plug that into the VGA port for component inputs. [Froogle "vga component video cable" if you haven't heard of these, as I hadn't. $2.5-$85 (+s/h+tax) for a 3' one.] I take it this cable is not included with the set as I don't see it in any pictures. Does anyone know of some other connection method for DVD? [I expect I'd use the HDMI connector to my computer.]

go here for more info:

http://www.sceptre.com/Products/LCD/Specifications/View_x42gv-Naga.htm

 

[Craig234]

Others are finding good prices that beat TigerDirect on this. (Still a bit disappointed that I didn't avoid spending $600 more Sites were saying 'buy now, price drops are done...')

Originally posted by: Basilisk
I'm not getting something about this Sceptre: it has VGA, HDMI, and OTA HD tuner... but what about those little things like S-video and component? How do you attach your tape deck or DVD player ???

Ahhh... my education continues[?]: Apparently there exist VGA<->component-video adaptors and you plug that into the VGA port for component inputs. [Froogle "vga component video cable" if you haven't heard of these, as I hadn't. $2.5-$85 (+s/h+tax) for a 3' one.] I take it this cable is not included with the set as I don't see it in any pictures. Does anyone know of some other connection method for DVD? [I expect I'd use the HDMI connector to my computer.]

As for the hookups like for DVD, the set has a 'media box' with a bunch of them; my progressive scan dvd is hooked up without having to use the vga port.

It has inputs including:

* 1 - Enhanced HDTV/HDMI or DVI port
* 1 - VGA 15-pin D-sub (or as 2nd Component YPbPr port with optional cable)
* 1 - HD Component (Y, Pb, Pr) & Audio (R/L)
* 2 - S-Video 4-pin DIN & Audio (R/L) or Composite RCA A/V & Audio (R/L)
* PC Audio In

 

[Basilisk]

Thanks apexi350z & Craig234! I put too much faith in NewEgg's defective list of inputs.

Edit:
Help, my brain hurts! I've looked further at the Sceptre site and I'm increasingly confused. I didn't find any owner's manual there, or I could've answered these Q myself; perhaps someone owning one of these has the answer.

1) The Sceptre site has two lists of video inputs: one agrees with NewEgg's limited set and one is the list of Media Box [MB] inputs. My inference is that the monitor, itself has HDMI and VGA ports in addition to those on the MB:

• "Enhanced HDMI/HDCP/DVI port

• VGA 15-pin D-sub x 1(or as 2nd Component YPbPr port with optional cable)"

If so, what is an "Enhanced HDMI..." port?!

2) The site's image of the back of the MB shows two coax connectors: the ATSC tuner and the TV tuner. WTH is the TV tuner???? Would one have to use separate antennas for ATSC and NTSC? I guess one might need a directional/rotor to pull in NTSC and might want an omnidirectional one for ATSC... but I wasn't expecting this. Is there another explanation?

 

[GreyMulkin]

Seems like a good deal from ChiefValue. Anyone know what resolutions this thing supports? I can't find a link anywhere on Sceptre's site for a manual. I know the 1080p Westinghouse panels support 1080p @ 60Hz (the HDTV spec only calls for 1080p @ 30Hz) which is nice for PC input.

 

[Craig234]

My OP mentioned the resolution of 1920x1200.

Edit: I was wrong! 1920x1080

 

[Basilisk]

"1920 x 1200" would surprise me as their site [linked in my last post] says "PC VGA Max Resolution 1920 x 1080".

I was Googling about this afternoon and vaguely recall some forum I wandered through indicated the x42gv accepted scads of different settings. The corp site mentions "Video System: VGA/SVGA/XGA/SXGA/WXGA" which itself suggests a general scaling ability. [Sorry, I can't find that article now.]

 

[Basilisk]

Chiefvalue went OOS this afternoon. Left my other computer on the finalize order page... wasn't quite ready to pull the trigger.

Edit:
And back in stock a few hours later!

PS: Craig234 -- I wasn't intending any slight to your post in pointing out the resolution error. Some folks hadn't realized that damn few TV's exceed 1080 v-res, so I was just clarifying it.

 

[Craig234]

Originally posted by: Basilisk
"1920 x 1200" would surprise me as their site [linked in my last post] says "PC VGA Max Resolution 1920 x 1080".

I was Googling about this afternoon and vaguely recall some forum I wandered through indicated the x42gv accepted scads of different settings. The corp site mentions "Video System: VGA/SVGA/XGA/SXGA/WXGA" which itself suggests a general scaling ability. [Sorry, I can't find that article now.]

Argh, I was wrong, sorry to anyone who saw the error. 1920x1080. I misremembered the answer.

 

[Basilisk]

Edit:
GRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.... SNAFU
read later post for details
________________________________________________________
Original post:
I finally pulled the trigger last night; 'guess it will arrive next week. This is about 4x the highest price I've ever paid for a TV, which suggests how long since I've bought and how modest in size mine are! If the TV's not a wonderful and sensuous experience I'll feel violated!

Edit:
To answer Craig's Q in -next- post:
- Sceptre 42" LCD TV -- $1324 shipped from ChiefValue (1199+40s/h+85NJtax)
- DVD: VIZIO BRAVO D1 up-converting DVD -- $47 shipped from NewEgg
- ATSC: OTA from rooftop large antenna
- NTSC: cable feed from Comcast -- not a "digital" feed at this time...
- HTPC a'building: MSI K8NGM2-FID, A64 3700 SanDiego, onboard 6150, 7900GS(?), ++


Just when you think you are succeeding... KABOOM! :brokenheart: I normally use my VISA debit card, but chose to put these on my other card which has gone almost unused for two years. So... the CC company sees the atypical $1324 charge and shuts down the account! :shocked: [They once caught a fraudulent charge this way, so I can't really complain.)
After six long phone calls (3 to ChiefValue, 3 to CC company) across two hours, the CC account is still hung -- they haven't been able to fix it!! I will switch to the other card if the problem continues, but I have to applaud the -efforts- of staff at both the CC and ChiefValue: very positive and hard-working, even if the CC folks have stumbled in their results!
SO: if you are going to make an unusually large purchase on an infrequently-used CC card, consider warning the CC company beforehand and MAYBE you can avoid this sort of insanity. :disgust:

 

[Craig234]

Where did you get it from, what will your input source be? Let us know how you like it.

 

[Basilisk]

The Saga continues: Order CANCELED...
______________________________________

As the lower edit on my last post indicated, Chase Bank [my CC company] had royally bescrewt me, and between them and calls to ChiefValue I spent over two hours on the phone and nearly ten calls before the order was straightened out, 30 minutes ago.

A few minutes ago I got another call, from ChiefValue:

CV: "We wanted to advise you we had an erroneous picture on our site and we've now corrected it. That picture showed the Sceptre and its Media Box, but the Media Box is NOT included in the package you purchased."

me: "And you're telling me it's another $600++ to buy the Media Box, w/o which the Sceptre is useless?"

CV: "Yes sir. We're sorry."

me: "So... I've wasted hours in this order and ordered about $150 in cables and an up-converting DVD player, but I'm about to cancel this order for the TV?"

CV: "Yes sir. We're sorry."

me: "Okay... well thanks for the call."

CV: "Have a great day!"
______________________________________

She's right... they (and NE) have changed the picture.

They've also increased the price of the monitor by $149.

They've also increased the shipping charges by $10.


:thumbsdown: Have a great day! :thumbsdown:

______________________________________

Edit:
While closing browser Tabs, I just noticed ChiefValue has a Combo-Deal on the Naga PLUS the Media Box: $1,348.99 (+s/h+tax) -- that's right, they've raised the price from $1200 to $1349 but are now running a Combo Deal throwing in the Media Box discounted to $599.99-$600 -- they pay you 1 cent to take the Media Box.

After what I've been through, I'll still accept that as an invitation to buy it at Costco [next post], getting a free membership thrown in plus enough leftover $$ [s/h] for a nice dinner.

 

[Basilisk]

Costco is offering the Sceptre 42" X42GV-naga for $1299 (incl s/h). It includes the Media Box, so that's a MUCH better deal than ChiefValue/NewEgg.

For those of us in NJ, that's $1299 + $91 NJtax + $50 membership = $1440 -- only $116 more than that ChiefValue deal two days ago which -lacked- the $600 (+>$50 s/h&taxes) Media Box.

Wulp... heading out of town for the weekend. Will thimk about it.