LCD TV - Are they reliable ?

The studies I have read to date have indicated that LCD and Plasma flat panels have proven to be just as reliable as tubed tv's. That having been said, I did buy a extended warranty with my Samsung LCD just because the technology was still relatively new and I didn't know how much to trust the Samsung brand. Also, I got a good deal on it ($150 for three years). Extended warranties are pure profit for the retail chains so try to negoitiate them down from the quoted price. FYI, I have had my LCD for just over a year and have not had any issues at all. I've never regretted the purchase, it's a GREAT tv. As others have said, stay away from projection/DLP.

five problem free years here with an Hitachi 42". Odd story: I bought the demo from Sears and when the employee unplugged it she got a shock and was thrown to the floor. She was OK.

ET

oh and since they have a cool down cycle connecting it to a UPS is a good idea.

ET

Consumer Reports did a review of lcd and plasmas back in Feb or Mar. The conclusion was that none of the flat panels had much of an issue with repairs. Sharp, Samsung, and Sony all did very well in the report. If I remember correctly, these three competed for top honors with Samsung slightly edging out the others for motion display. The nice thing about Consumer Reports is their reports actually have value, unlike the audiophile rags which are basically useless dribble akin to the mags at the grocery store checkout counter - entertaining though rather perusing hi end speaker cable or two headed babies.

I have to defend DLP. I have Samsung 42" DLP since 2001/2002 and had to replace bulb ($200) only once (rated 8k hours) running TV practically 6-7 hrs everyday. Bulbs are cheaper now. It has matte screen (while plasma is very shiny) that does not burn-in (plasma does). It does not loose contrast/brightness over time (plasma does) and practically runs forever (color wheel is replaceable). Plasma is rated about 50k hours - it means brightness will drop to 50%. This rating assumes constant operation - it gets worse when turned on and off every day. Plasma damage with age shows as bursting plasma cells - black spots/stains. My TV consumes a little more than the bulb itself (150W) while plasma gets closer to 300W. I don't want to be too critical but just to show that no technology is perfect.