Buying an LCD Projection TV

Let’s say you want a jumbo-sized TV screen, but you don’t want to spend the money required for a front-projector home theater system. An LCD projection TV is just the right choice for you.
Screen sizes range from around 40 inches to 60 inches and more. If you’re on a tight budget, you can purchase a projection TV using cathode-ray picture tubes, or CRTs, which are smaller versions of the tubes used in a conventional TV, but the quality isn’t nearly as good as what you’ll get from an LCD projection TV. In addition, you’ll need around eight square feet of floor space – they’re massive units. LCD project TVs take up a lot less space: most units are only 15 to 20 inches deep, and RCA offers a 61-inch unit that’s only 7 inches deep. (It’s fairly price, though – most retailers offer this unit for around $6,500.) Keep in mind a 50 inch model may weigh over 100 pounds.

LCD projection TVs are slimmer, lighter, and produce a higher-quality image than CRT-based systems. Major manufacturers of projection TVs include Hitachi, Sony, Panasonic, Philips, RCA, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba. Prices start around $2,500 for a 50 inch unit, but expect prices to continue to fall as technological advances are made. LCD projection TVs with 50 inch to 60 inch screen sizes are the best sellers.

How is the image projected? An LCD projection TV has three tiny LCD panels inside. The image is created on the screen, and not projected onto the screen (like a CRT-based TV does.) As a result most LCD projection TVs can be placed on a tabletop or other suitable stand, since they need less than 20 inches of depth.

How much will you spend on an LCD projection TV? Prices vary among manufacturers and among models, but in general you can expect to pay the following prices based on the size of the set you purchase:

Screen Size Average Cost
42 inch $1,500 to $2,000
46 to 52 inch $2,000 to $2,500
55 to 62 inch $2,500 to $3,000
55 to 62 inch over $3,000

You can expect to find the same features in an LCD projection TV that you can find in a flat-panel LCD TV. For instance, the Sony KDF-E50A10 50” LCD projection TV has a 16:9 aspect ratio, HDTV picture, CableCard-ready slot, an assortment of audio and video inputs, customizable picture settings… all for around $2,500. If you want a jumbo-sized screen without paying plasma prices, check out LCD projection TVs.

Finding a Cheap LCD TV
Deciding to purchase an LCD TV is only half the battle if your budget is low, you’ll also want to find a cheap LCD TV – but one that offers the quality and reliability you need. How can you find a great deal on a cheap LCD TV? There are several ways – let’s look at a few of the best.

Consider a refurbished LCD TV. Refurbished LCD TVs are generally 20% to 40% less expensive than a brand-new version, making it a great way to find a cheap LCD TV. A refurbished TV has been tested and certified by the manufacturer to be like-new quality. Finding a refurbished model with a warranty is a great way to purchase a cheap LCD TV – and you won’t have to worry about quality or reliability.

Check online discounters. Many online retailers offer lower prices than traditional brick-and-mortar retailers, but there’s a catch: in most cases you’ll also have to pay shipping charges. Make sure you add in the shipping cost to the price of the LCD TV to make sure you’re really buying a cheap LCD TV – the shipping costs could cause the price to be higher than what you’d pay at a local retailer.

Consider a used LCD TV. “Used” doesn’t always have to mean “old.” LCD technology is rapidly advancing and today’s cutting-edge model can be tomorrow’s out of date model. Many consumers love to buy the latest technology, and will sell their “old” set at a fraction of its original cost… letting you purchase a cheap LCD TV. In addition, some electronics stores take trade-ins, returning the used model to the manufacturer for inspection and testing before re-selling it. You can find a cheap LCD TV by shopping for deals on used equipment, whether it’s from a retailer or from an individual.

Consider a “scratch and dent” TV. LCD TVs, like other appliances and electronics equipment, can’t be sold as “new” if they have minor cosmetic damage. Most retailers will discount those items heavily instead of paying the shipping charges necessary to return them to the manufacturer for repair. Most scratch and dent TVs come with a full warranty, so you won’t have to worry about reliability. You can buy a cheap LCD TV by finding a unit you want with minor cosmetic damage.

Watch for rebates and model close-outs. As technology advances and trends in viewing change, manufacturers scramble to develop hot new models. Great deals can be found on cheap LCD TVs if you take advantage of rebates or model close-outs; in addition to manufacturer specials, some retailers may discount certain models in order to reduce inventory. Keep an eye out for seasonal specials as well.

Lastly, remember the old adage, “If it’s too good to be true, it usually is.” If you’re buying a cheap LCD TV that’s used, make sure the unit you buy is in good repair and if possible try to get a warranty of at least 15 to 30 days. If it’s a new or refurbished LCD TV, make sure the warranty is still in effect and that you understand the terms and conditions. Make sure the cheap LCD TV you find is truly a good bargain.

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