"jeff" wrote in message
news:d8%Ad.16742$152.9141@trndny01...
what kind of a deal is best buys' 23" symphonic tv for $105,after
rebate?

The general consensus here, which I'm *hoping* isn't true, is that the
inexpensive TVs manufactured by Funai (symphonic/emerson/sylvania, et al)
*typically* only last a year or two tops. One thing that seems nice about
the Symphonic 23", is that the 23" size gives you a significantly larger
viewing area than a 20" while still not being excessively heavy. The
total
shipping weight of the TV is around 64 pounds, (the TV itself is around 55
pounds), so I *think* an average guy who is in reasonably good shape could
get it into the car (if the box fits), and then carry it from the car to
the
house without a 2nd person.

I would have bought this TV instead of an inexpensive 20" Sylvania, except
I
wasn't sure if the box for the Symphonic would have fit in my car. Also
the
20" I bought has a much flatter screen, and is a bit more stylish looking
than the Symphonic 23", but it might have been better to have the larger
viewing area of the latter. Another factor in my choice was that the
cabinet I'm using was not intended for a TV greater than 50 lbs., but I
doubt that the 55 lbs weight of the Symphonic would really be a problem.

Anyway, *hopefully* the Funai-made TVs will last longer than what I'm told
here!

I've seen them last years, but after a year or so it's very hit or miss.
Sometimes they keep going, sometimes they die right after the warranty
expires. If you don't put a lot of hours on it it could last a while, but
you might have to touch up some soldering if it starts acting flakey at all.
If it dies, it's probably not worth taking to a shop for service.