TV/DVD Combo or Separate?

[cpals]

Thinking about a Christmas present for someone and looking at Black Friday for some help.... I always thought those DVD/TV combos were cool and help save room, but are they all that good? Do they tend to break a lot so it would be better to buy them separate?

 

[Viper GTS]

Anymore both are basically consumable items, so it doesn't really matter.

The HT geek in me says "Of course go with separates," but for 90% of the population a combo unit will be more than sufficient.

Viper GTS

 

[NuclearNed]

I sold electronics for 5+ years. Don't ever buy anything in a combo when it comes to electronics. If you do, you will get shoddy electronics, and when one piece of it breaks you are left with only unattractive options.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
I sold electronics for 5+ years. Don't ever buy anything in a combo when it comes to electronics. If you do, you will get shoddy electronics, and when one piece of it breaks you are left with only unattractive options.

With DVD players regularly going for $30 these days the harm in buying a combo unit is minimal. As long as it has proper A/V inputs so you can purchase an external player you don't really stand to lose much.

Besides, combos are low end by definition - What are they really going to gain by going with equivalently low end separates?

Viper GTS

 

[Muadib]

Separates!!! Combo units use cheap parts to keep cost down.

 

[RossMAN]

OM has a nice Apex 20" combo for $149 after coupon but the reviews on Amazon aren't that great.

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
I sold electronics for 5+ years. Don't ever buy anything in a combo when it comes to electronics. If you do, you will get shoddy electronics, and when one piece of it breaks you are left with only unattractive options.

With DVD players regularly going for $30 these days the harm in buying a combo unit is minimal. As long as it has proper A/V inputs so you can purchase an external player you don't really stand to lose much.

Besides, combos are low end by definition - What are they really going to gain by going with equivalently low end separates?

Viper GTS

I'll totally agree with you, but only if the original poster acknowledges that a combo is, as you said, a "disposable" unit. If he knows he's buying crap, then more power to him.

 

[nageov3t]

as with the above, I'd avoid the combo unless you're buying a disposable unit (ie: something for a college dorm or a spare room of the house).