Off brand hdtv sets.....

Some of these brands have a couple of models that have garnered good reviews as value products. Vizio seems to have had the most success, with many models recieving good reviews as very good value products, though not neccessarily as top performers. I would consider them if I was working within your budget, especially if they might offer a more appropriate bigger screen.

You are likely to have more repair problems and performance will not be as good. The margin in TVs has shrunk so that you can get a good deal from the major companies. I got a 42" 1080 Panasonic Plasma for my wife for $900 this fall, you should do better now. I don't think it is worth the gamble.

the worse thing about my Visio 50" plasma is the worry that if it breaks I have to send it to CA to get it fixed (or replaced) performance wise it is amazing.

I know it is bettered by other sets out there but it is so good I do not care - more money for hi fi...

For 30 years I only bought Sony. Now, I will likely never buy another one. Nothing wrong with them, it's just that they are expensive and I am not a videophile so paying for the excellent Sony picture is not worth it to me (I want save that money for my audiophile obsession). In the last three years I purchased a Vizio 50" Plaza and a 52" Magnavox/Phillips LCD. Both working great with long hours of daily use (knock on wood) and were extremely good deals purchased around Thanksgiving.

Many people buy from off-brand sets from the big box warehouses due to their buyer protection plans. I think the plans are not as generous as they used to be (due to customer abuse), but still quite good. You can also buy an extended warranty, but then your back to the top-brand price (although w/o an extended warranty).

Do your homework and know what you want and what you are getting (ie not the best picture/sound/menu/etc), buy from a warehouse, buy and extended warranty if it helps you sleep at night or cross your fingers and take the risk. Yes, you can get a great deal buying off-brand.