Repair or replace my old TV?

Question

We do not watch much TV, if that affects your answer. We live very close to a metro area (Washington DC) and get plenty of stations with rabbit ears. Yes, we live in the stone ages.

It's a 10 or 11 year old Sanyo. One speaker stopped working a year ago, and the other has just started having problems sporadically (you lose sound for a few seconds and then it crackles back on).

If you suggest a new one, would you get a very cheap one with rabbit ears (good for two years before the over-the-air transmissions go all-digital; then a conversion kit will be available for about $50, it seems) or one that can receive digital signals (standard digital TV or High-Definition TV)?

Lastly, for anyone with a suggestion for this relic (i.e., me), do you have a good pay-as-you-go cell phone? I'd like one for emergencies and don't feel like spending $50 per month for something I wouldn't use much.

Thanks (if anyone is still reading)...

Answer 1

So far, no one has a conversion kit for HDTV and I don't think anyone has guaranteed a max of $50 (including the feds). Additionally, since the picture shape will change, you'll be looking at a much smaller picture if you go with a conversion. So, I'd seriously consider a new HDTV that can receive all of the signals. I would imagine that there should be some blow out specials either Sunday (during the SB) or the week after to get rid of all of those they didn't sell before the big game. Or, look for a gently-used one from someone who's trading up (and just can't wait for that 50 in plasma).

Try a Tracfone for the emergency phone-- I got one for my mom. You can get a new phone cheap -- $15 -- at Walmart, Target, or just about anywhere and you can get a prepaid card that's good for a year of service fairly cheap -- $100 for 250 or more anytime minutes, depending on any specials they might have. That's only about $8 per month...

Answer 2

You can get cell phone plans they are probably cheaper then the pre paid phones in the long run you can get plans as low as 29..00 39.00 and 49.00 a month. If you want to know if you should get a TV yes get a high definition, they make all kind s of good tvs now a days
go to best buy http://www.bestbuy.com/ and look at the different TV's you can probably get one alot cheaper from there also.
https://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/
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Why pay for minutes you don’t need? Here’s the answer if you just want affordable wireless rates for occasional calls or emergencies, plus unlimited weekend calling.
$29.99

Answer 3

Vaio is a line of pcs. i will anticipate that the set is a Sony Vega, it truly is a line of flatscreen Trinitron CRT televisions. the alternative on no matter if to fix or replace relies upon on what's incorrect. that ought to help to confirm how a lot it ought to value to fix and, hence, the feasibility to pay for provider to maximum ideas-blowing it. i'd not precisely leap at alternative for an HDTV at this second, extremely if there should be a situation with her being waiting to purchase one. There are more low priced HDTV contraptions from manufacturers like Vizio, yet i do not propose them because of questionable shopper service, truly non-existent provider. If the issue is amazingly user-friendly, then the cost of restore plus a $50+ converter field isn't any massive deal, and that is that if she does not have cable or satellite tv for pc provider, it truly is anticipated to proceed NTSC broadcast previous the final date; the February 2009 final date specifies termination of *terrestrial NTSC broadcasting,* not paid NTSC cable or satellite tv for pc amenities. because the in hardship-free words concepts that we've is that "the picture is off," the outline is too ambiguous to make a properly-considered opinion from it. better concepts is needed, jointly with the form huge style and what that is doing precisely.

Answer 4

I wouldn't buy a regular TV at all right now. Anything I buy will be digital ready even if it costs a little more.

You can use a discarded cell phone with no service plan on it for emergencies. Even deactivated phones can still be used to call 911.

Answer 5

PAWN SHOPS, EBAY, YARD SALES , THRIFT STORES, GOODWILL, AND ANY STORE YOU CAN BUY OTHER PEOPLE OLD STUFF THAT THEY DON'T WANT FOR NEXT TO NOTHING THAT WOULD BE YOUR BEST BET GOOD LUCK