Buying a 9-year old plasma TV?

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Buying a 9-year old plasma TV?

markwolk

101 posts

Master Geek

#144186 10-May-2014 10:42

Does it make sense at all? - My neighbour is selling a 42" Sony that cost $5,000 in its heyday for $300. What is the expected lifetime of such a TV? Am I better off buying a cheap unbranded modern TV instead?

I know it does not have Freeview, but that does not bother me since I have Sky.

Mark Wolk

Sideface

9650 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 15598

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1041260 10-May-2014 10:47

Don't do it.
TVs are not designed to last 9 years, even the good ones.

Sideface

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2526
Inactive user

#1041263 10-May-2014 11:00

avoid

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9996

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1041276 10-May-2014 11:26

Safe to say it's probably munted and it'll be very low spec - I'd pick it'll be 852x480 resolution. I'd also pick it would have serious screen burn.

New generation plasma TV's are far different than old ones, but I guess it depends exactly what purpose you're wanting it for.

I certainly wouldn't want to pay anywhere near $300 for it. I wouldn't expect that get that for my 7yr old Pioneer 50" Plasma, and that's a far superior TV to a Sony.

markwolk

101 posts

Master Geek

#1041278 10-May-2014 11:29

Thanks; I suppose these unanimous replies seal its fate.

Mark Wolk

Batman

Mad Scientist
30014 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6217

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1041339 10-May-2014 14:50

You can get new 40" for $400

JimmyH

2898 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1554

#1041387 10-May-2014 16:32

^^^ Exactly.

While it will be an off-brand unit at that price, a $400 40-inch unit will be capable of displaying an HD picture, have HDMI inputs, have a Freeview Tuner, and come with a warranty. None of which the second hand plasma will have.

Avoid.

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

michaelt

425 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 8

#1041390 10-May-2014 16:39

Might as well make the offer before I chuck it on trademe. I have a 1920*1080 42" Philips LCD I'll sell for the same price of $300. HDMI inputs, full HD, etc. No built-in Freeview, but I have a set-top Freeview HD receiver somewhere (maybe $20 more for that).

richms

29099 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10210

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1041420 10-May-2014 17:46

Tell him $50 for it and you will take it away. IME old plasmas are better space heaters and if it's anything more than a garage tv you will spend more on running it than paying off something more modern.

Richard rich.ms

Regs

4066 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 206

Trusted

Snowflake

#1042714 12-May-2014 23:23

mine is about that old, does 848x480 resolution, has only DVI (no hdmi), and was (from memory) 60,000 hours till 'half bright'. it will probably still last a lot longer, but the lack of hdmi, higher resolution, etc, means you're better off paying double that for a brand new cheap LG or other

33coupe

1024 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 75

ID Verified

#1043267 13-May-2014 21:31

I've had my Hitachi Plasma over 10 years and it's still going great.

Saying that, I don't think I'd buy one that old, let alone at that price!