My 25 year-old TV is dying...please help me into the 21st Century

[PlanetBev]

Got this old Zenith Space Command for my birthday in 1981..gift from dad, so it was kind of sentimental. It still has sound, but a ghostly picture with horizontal lines through it, so it's got to go. Since Zenith was the last TV to be made in the US and the parts were readily available, so every component has been changed over the last quarter century, including the picture tube. I even had one of those old style TV repairman, last of his kind. He's probably dead by now. The cable company kid that came over was younger than the TV.

So, here's my question. What would be a good TV for a moran like me? Hoping for a 27", but I'll take a 24" if I have to. Can't say I understand a lot of the technical language, terms like LCD, the difference between analog and digital, although I know everything is going digital. I want one of those combo DVD/VCR players, as my old Sanyo VCR is 13 years old and ain't gonna last much longer. Somebody gave me a DVD player, but I want one that records as well. It would be nice to get those VHS tapes on DVD.

You guys have any ideas on what you think might be a good product? I've always liked Sharp, Panasonic and Sony. I really don't want to spend anymore that $500 for the TV and DVD/VCR. Might just brave the Xmas crowd and wander into Best Buy today.

[Misskittycat]

1. I could use the same sort of help. Thanks in advance, but

one caveat. I don't want a lot of technological overload. I save technological overload for work-related computer stuff. I'd like to have one remote, and all functions centralized there.

Oh, yes, also: What about the sound part of it? I currently have nothing audio but a personalized CD player. What's the deal with all of this home theatre stuff. If I'm going to buy something to play CDs on, how does that fit into the TV-related equipment re the sound component?

Thanks again anyone who responds.

[PlanetBev]

2. Ditto that, Miss Kitty

That's exactly what I don't want, techo-overload. Jeebus, I still have my old 45 rpm's.

[InternalDialogue]

3. If you don't mind doing a bit of browsing and reading

you might find cnet useful. I usually go there to investigate purchases that are beyond my technological sphere. Reviews, ratings, prices -- you can usually get a good idea of what's in your ballpark, and the tech reviews are pretty good at giving experts' opinions on product shortcomings. Plus, in the left navigation bar on the page, there's a buying guide.

The television page:
http://reviews.cnet.com/Televisions/2001-6475_7-0.html?tag=cnetfd.dir

[PlanetBev]

4. Thanks, Internal

I'll definately take a look!

[mike_c]

5. take this opportunity to give up the plug-in drug altogether!

Seriously, life without TV is great!

[PlanetBev]

6. I can dig what you're saying Mike

A good friend of mine just gave up TV and is perfectly happy. But I have to admit, I would miss Turner Classic Movies, PBS, A&E, The Learning Channel, The Discovery Network, plus a few others. So much of everything else on TV is rubbish.

[Ptah]

7. Kill it

[dajoki]

8. Simple...

buy the cheapest TV you can find(the quality is pretty good even in cheap ones now) buy a seperate DVD/VCR combo, less problems and simpler.:hi:

[PlanetBev]

9. Thanks, dajoki

It's so programmed into us the most expensive is best. I know that's not true, but it's still hard to get past. The less complicated it is, the better for me.:crazy:

[dajoki]

10. Yeah, I was the same way...

until I bought a 27" TV for $140 about 4 years ago, and it's still working perfect(I'm knocking on wood right now). Good luck!!

[dajoki]

11. Delete -- Double post n/t