ACK! I've been burned!!!!!

[Skipjack]

My RCA got hit by lightning last summer (less than 2 years old), and they replaced the Set/Box ect all for free and because of the prices coming down I got a better and bigger set

That's one way to solve the burn in problem.  Just take out the extended warranty and then, when you start seeing burn-in, wrap your house in tin foil.

[StarvingForHDTV]

Originally posted by MathWiz579
I guess my main concern now with purchasing a regular RPTV (Sony 51" probably) is burn-in or glare. My living room in the apartment is right next to a sliding glass door, and although we do have blinds, they still let a little light in that reflects off our current TV.

Make sure you can take off the "glare screen" easily for your model.  It makes a world of difference.  You can probably search for your model number to find posts about the process for glare screen removal.

As far as burn in, you should do the AVIA calibration as soon as possible.  I have been using my CRT RPTV with no stretch modes for quite some time (Matt Heebner's idea), and so far there is no evidence of burn in.

Good luck,

Starving

[kjnorman]

Originally posted by StarvingForHDTV
Make sure you can take off the "glare screen" easily for your model.  It makes a world of difference.  You can probably search for your model number to find posts about the process for glare screen removal.

This is a good idea, but only if you do not have young children or pets.  My 1 yr old, likes to go up to the TV and "plaster" her sticky hands all over it.  Remember, the glare screen is there to protect the fragile screen behind it.

[MathWiz579]

I actually just a few days ago downloaded instructions on how to get the glare screen off for my specific Sony model. So it makes a big difference eh? I won't be having kids for quite some time (getting married this summer, in law school, 22 years old, etc...) so that one won't be a problem... we are going to get a small dog but I think the dog won't even be able to reach the screen of the TV, so that shouldn't  be a problem either.

Does picture quality suffer at all by taking off the glare screen? Also, where is the AVIA setup disc available?

Thanks again for the help.

[summerfun]

Originally posted by gparris
The cost of replacing the bulb is in the extended warranty you get from Circuit City as I understand it...if this is not your case, I have found it to be around 2 hundred not 2 grand (oh pleezzz!):p

Two hundred is the correct number for a new bulb and you should only need one every 3 to 5 years. It is covered by Sony for the first year if you happen to get a bad one as some people have, like me. They sent a brand new bulb out overnight, no questions asked.

As someone else stated, it is covered by the CC extended 3 or 5 year plans, but I choose not to purchase.

[StarvingForHDTV]

Originally posted by MathWiz579
Does picture quality suffer at all by taking off the glare screen? Also, where is the AVIA setup disc available?

Thanks again for the help.

Your picture quality should improve by taking off the glare screen.  At least mine did.

You can get Avia at most places that sell DVDs.  Check out the Avia website:

http://www.ovationmultimedia.com/

Good luck to you,

Starving

[davezen2]

MathWiz,

Also keep in mind that if you remove the protective screen, you will have to re-focus your CRTs since the distance from the mirror to the lenticular screen will change.

Removing it is definitely something I'd recommend.  I have a situation that sounds similar to yours and removing the "glare" screen made a huge improvement.

[MathWiz579]

davezen2,

Is refocusing the CRT something that I can do myself in the TV options or is it something that needs to be done by an expert?

Thanks for the help!

[davezen2]

MathWiz,

Check your PMs

[gparris]

Originally posted by Tom Snyder
Hey Kerry:

Watch out for making claims on Homeowners insurance...  we know a lot of folks who made claims (and our insurance agent has backed this up) that all it takes is a claim or two and you either get priced out of the ballpark or even cancelled enitrely at renewal time.  And because they all share information, if you get cancelled by one insurance company, it's almost impossible to get covered by any of them.

We have a homeowner's policy with a huge deductible so it's only for catastrophic stuff, and we save the difference in the premium in a fund to help cover the small stuff...

We almost always skip the extended warrantees, but I agree with Gregg... on the Widescreens, it's probably worth it.

So...after all this discussion about what type of HDTV to buy, problems with screens and your bad luck,
have you made a decision on what kind of set you want to buy and when (and where)?

 (I know you'll buy an extended warranty this time).

Just curious...and you did start the thread.