Is this 30" HD-ready TV worth the money?

Vinny

Vinny

CAGiversary!
Feedback
216 (100%)
I've been wanting a nice new TV for a while now... I'm wondering if this Insignia 30" widescreen HDTV-ready is any good:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7279198&type=product&id=1118839462408

It'll be $400 on Black Friday and I saw the TV in store and thought the picture was very nice (and it was two component inputs, which is great). But I know almost nothing about the brand and can't find any specs outside the ones on bestbuy.com. Some reviews would've been nice too but I can't find any reviews either.

If there's a better TV buy around the same price (flat screen, I don't really need HDTV) then let me know guys.;-)
 
Thats very tempting... although... that thing would require a crane to move. Its gotta be atleast 200lbs with a tube that big.
 
All I know is that Insignia is best buy's generic brand. They are the only ones who sell it.
They slap that name on whatever brand they buy from CHina. It's like the generic food at the grocery store.
It could be good and it could be bad. The only way you will know is to find reviews and definitely buy a warranty for it.
 
Seems overpriced to me. No HDMI, no tuner, and it doesn't list capable modes. It's also a house brand and I think you could do better for a no-name in that price range.
 
actually thats not a bad deal. the next 30 inch widescreen hdtv's start at $600-650 which is what i paid. if i didn't have one already, i'd be all over this. sure it doesn't come with a built in hd tuner, but you don't need one really. the cable company has an hd box for the same rental price as a regular box.
 
You could get one for less than $650, plus Insignia is pretty bad.

Philips still has 30" HDTVs for ~$400 or less shipped from their online outlet, refurbs though. There can be even better deals than that locally, some Walmarts have clearanced out some HDTV's, but this isn't bad if you don't mind a refurb, its where I got mine. I would keep looking before I got one from there, but I'd use their price as a guide to what is a deal and what isn't.

http://www.outlet.philips.com/
 
brrrrrrrrr...refurb. im not paying hundreds for something that was used and abused and then sent back. i know what cheap asses do to manipulate return policies and get new shit. i'm sure there not all bad, but im not gonna find out either.
 
[quote name='thagoat']brrrrrrrrr...refurb. im not paying hundreds for something that was used and abused and then sent back. i know what cheap asses do to manipulate return policies and get new shit. i'm sure there not all bad, but im not gonna find out either.[/QUOTE]
Refurb is not used... They're mostly scratch and dents, or something was wrong with it and they repaired it. The one I got was in good shape, but YMMV. New is very much preferable, but its not a bad fallback deal if you can't find anything in your area.
 
The main problem I found when I was shopping for widescreen TVs (I was looking at the 34" Sony) was that you can get a 4:3 40" of the same quality for less or equal amount of money. This gives you roughly the same amount of screen area on 16:9 sources and a much larger area on 4:3 sources. Something to think about.

Also, I agree that this "deal" is not much of a deal.
 
[quote name='dafoomie']Refurb is not used... They're mostly scratch and dents, or something was wrong with it and they repaired it. The one I got was in good shape, but YMMV. New is very much preferable, but its not a bad fallback deal if you can't find anything in your area.[/QUOTE]

I also have a Philips refurb and I love the damn thing. $375 roughly for a 30" widescreen that does 480p. How awesome of a deal is that? Also, there's nothing at all wrong with mine.. as far as I can tell. Looks great, works great.
 
Great. I had just asked a question about the Phillips Refurbs...looks like I might bite. Right now I have a JVC 30' WS, but I really want a HDTV to obviously enjoy HDTV and 480/1080. Any of you guys have pictures of you're actual TVs?
 
I didn't notice that it'll be $400 on black friday, you might give it a try and see how it works, if you can get one, and return it if you don't like it, or it breaks.
 
[quote name='dafoomie']You could get one for less than $650, plus Insignia is pretty bad.

Philips still has 30" HDTVs for ~$400 or less shipped from their online outlet, refurbs though. There can be even better deals than that locally, some Walmarts have clearanced out some HDTV's, but this isn't bad if you don't mind a refurb, its where I got mine. I would keep looking before I got one from there, but I'd use their price as a guide to what is a deal and what isn't.

http://www.outlet.philips.com/[/QUOTE]

I just recieved a 30" refurb from Philips which was only 400 dollars, I paid tax but got free shipping... it had HDMI, and 2 other component outputs

Pretty satisfied with it so far
 
It seems as though the general consensus is to avoid Insignia... I never realized it was a Best Buy 'brand'. I think a refurb sounds good but I'm not too big on Philips... their product quality is equivalent to Sony for me, everything I've had has had one problem or another. But a Samsung, Toshiba, or Panasonic TV would be gold to me. I won't mind minor dings and what not as long as the TV works and the screen is in perfect shape.:)

[quote name='the3rdkey']Vinny I want your dog and how does he know how to talk?[/QUOTE]

That's not my dog! Just a pic I found. But I want to know what breed it is... it's so freakin' cool!
 
[quote name='Vinny']
That's not my dog! Just a pic I found. But I want to know what breed it is... it's so freakin' cool![/QUOTE]
You have the coolest avatar, not being sarcastic. Goes perfect with your rank. Being meaning to tell you that.
 
[quote name='Vinny']It seems as though the general consensus is to avoid Insignia... I never realized it was a Best Buy 'brand'. I think a refurb sounds good but I'm not too big on Philips... their product quality is equivalent to Sony for me, everything I've had has had one problem or another. But a Samsung, Toshiba, or Panasonic TV would be gold to me. I won't mind minor dings and what not as long as the TV works and the screen is in perfect shape.:)[/QUOTE]
You're right, Philips is not great. You might want to shop around locally first, see if you can find a better brand. A very underrated brand is Sanyo, lots of Walmarts have been clearancing out 30 inch Sanyo HDTV's. 2nd lowest failure rate in the industry. Plus, you can return it to a Walmart B&M during the entire warranty period if it fails, unlike other brands.
 
[quote name='dafoomie']You're right, Philips is not great. You might want to shop around locally first, see if you can find a better brand. A very underrated brand is Sanyo, lots of Walmarts have been clearancing out 30 inch Sanyo HDTV's. 2nd lowest failure rate in the industry. Plus, you can return it to a Walmart B&M during the entire warranty period if it fails, unlike other brands.[/QUOTE]

Oh yeah, that's a good point. I've been hearing a lot of good about Sanyo as of late.
 
One is the 8402, the other is the 8420. The 8420 is the updated version of the 8402, its slightly better. But, it looks like the 8402 has 2 component inputs and HDMI, while the 8420 has one component input and HDMI, but I could be wrong, I'm only going by the description. So, if you'd rather have more inputs, go with the 8402. If you'd rather have a slightly better picture, go with the 8420.
 
Alright thanks also will there be a big difference between using my HD box with the component input compared to the HDMI. The reason I ask is the HD cable box only have DVI or component and this tv doesn't use DVI.
 
[quote name='nyyanksfan20']Alright thanks also will there be a big difference between using my HD box with the component input compared to the HDMI. The reason I ask is the HD cable box only have DVI or component and this tv doesn't use DVI.[/QUOTE]
Shouldn't be any difference at all.
 
It doesn't have an integrated HD tuner, so there goes any savings. HD monitor means you have to get the HD receiver separately. However, Samsungs are pretty much the best looking TV I've seen.

[quote name='GameDude']Sears has this on Black Friday:

Samsung TX-R2765 DynaFlat 27" HDTV Monitor


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7045477&type=product&productCategoryId=cat15027&id=1099396991085


Seems pretty decent.

Maximum Resolution 1080i

Component Video Inputs 2

Slightly smaller, though.[/QUOTE]
 
[quote name='Kayden']It doesn't have an integrated HD tuner, so there goes any savings. HD monitor means you have to get the HD receiver separately. However, Samsungs are pretty much the best looking TV I've seen.[/QUOTE]

Well it depends where you get your service from. Cablevision gives me a free hd cable box.
 
i signed up to say that this TV is easily worth the 400.

i bought it to hook up my X Box 360 and DVD Player for High Def. quality and I must say that the picture is great in my opinion and i like to think i know what i am talking about. i have been into console gaming for more than 15 years and this TV is for the most part crisp and clear with all the settings fine tuned.

i like the features and the presentation with mirror black plastic is beautiful.

This is a great bang for the buck.

The thing is a beast... the back side is huge so be aware of that.

on the plus the virtual surround is very convincing and good quality for stock sound.
 
I too signed up just to say I bought this exact tv on friday after thanksgiving for 400 bucks. At first i was going to buy a 20"lcd tv but took the chance with the 30" insignia and im glad i did. The picture quality is amazing for a offbrand. It looks damn near lcd image quality. It automatically detects your resolutions from your dvd/console and adjusts itself. The picture is vivid and beautiful, has awesome sound and only weighs 140 pounds which aint bad considering. I highly recommend this tv for xbox 360 owners. Its an inexpensive way to get a beautiful near lcd quality HD image.:applause:
 
[quote name='deezdrama']I too signed up just to say I bought this exact tv on friday after thanksgiving for 400 bucks. At first i was going to buy a 20"lcd tv but took the chance with the 30" insignia and im glad i did. The picture quality is amazing for a offbrand. It looks damn near lcd image quality. It automatically detects your resolutions from your dvd/console and adjusts itself. The picture is vivid and beautiful, has awesome sound and only weighs 140 pounds which aint bad considering. I highly recommend this tv for xbox 360 owners. Its an inexpensive way to get a beautiful near lcd quality HD image.:applause:[/QUOTE]

Direct view CRT's usually have better PQ than LCD's..
 
[quote name='chaarlieee']Direct view CRT's usually have better PQ than LCD's..[/QUOTE]

:lol: I didn't have the heart to tell him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top