Televisions 'n' stuff

[The Burgomaster]

I went to Best Buy the other day to look at High Definition TVs.  The salesman was really helpful and knowledgeable.  I spent about 45 minutes with him, looking at HD projection screens, LCD screens, and plasma screens.  The prices (including the accessories) ranged as high as about $10,500.

I currently have a 60 inch Sony (which is NOT high-definition).  I have owned it for nearly 5 years and never had a problem with it.  My plan (if I decide to buy the HD) would be to move the 60 inch Sony upstairs and put the HD in my "screening room."

Now the question.  Who among you has already ventured into the HD world?  What do you think of it?  Did you go with the standard projection type, the LCD or the (yikes) plasma?

Should I lay my grubby mitts on one of these babys now (Best Buy currently has a "no interest for 18 months" plan, plus they give you a $300 gift card if you buy the TV), or should I wait another year in anticipation of lower prices and possibly better models?

Please answer quickly.  I am very compulsive and I might go ahead and buy the damned thing at any moment . . . .

[AndyC]

Can't say I have much experience with HDTV in particular, but I do know that even a year from now, there will probably be compelling reasons to wait longer, and even if you do buy a better TV at a lower price, there is always something better that will appear shortly after, to make you kick yourself. It's the law of electronics.

If you can afford it, buy it.

I should mention that friends who make more money than I do have been known to come to me for advice when they're not completely sure about an extravagant purchase, and need a shove. I've helped friends talk themselves into king-sized beds, grandiose home theatres, a six-car concrete driveway and other neat stuff. My job is basically to stand there and say "go big or go home," but in fancier words.

By the way Burgo, what do you do for a living that allows you to own two very fine televisions?

[The Burgomaster]

AndyC wrote:

"By the way Burgo, what do you do for a living that allows you to own two very fine televisions?"

I'm a CPA, working for a consulting firm.  My salary isn't necessarily what allows me to do this.  It's really the irresponsible way I handle money and my fearlessness about saying, "Charge it!"

[AndyC]

Well, at least you have the professional know-how to handle money irresponsibly.

[onionhead]

Any schuck can squander money.  It takes real talent to squander it on BiG tOYs.  Personally, I was recently in the market for a flat screen monitor and found a dynamite quality Viewsonic 19 inch flatpanel for under 600 smackers.  The salesman said to wait a year and technology would bring the price down to around 200.  Bottom line:  Wait.

[Ash]

I have no experience with HD.

I own a 27 inch JVC that has the date 1987 stamped on the back.

It still works great!

[The Burgomaster]

AndyC wrote:

"Well, at least you have the professional know-how to handle money irresponsibly."

Let me give you some free advice.  Live your life for today (mostly), because you may not be around tomorrow.  People who spend their lives being thrifty end up with a big pile of money, but then they die and someone else gets to enjoy it.  MONEY IS NOTHING MORE THAN PAPER UNLESS YOU SPEND IT.

[Jamtoy]

Live debt free.