I'm about to purchase a LG 32" LCD HDTV flat panel set and I know the folks at Best Buy will ask me if I want to purchase the extended warrenty/service contract (whatever they call it). Is it worth it? The TV is just gonna sit there and I may be moving in about 5 months (can they be damaged easily from moving?). I typically don't go for these extended warrenties because you're basically betting against yourself. Advice? Suggestions? Thanks.

 

If you damage it while moving, that will most likely not be covered...

 

Costco!! Theres one right over the east river. And I think they still have a 'no questions asked' return policy.

But alas, they dont carry LG. If you're okay with Sammy, Sony or Sharp then Costco.

 

Costco has changed their return policy on electronics.. probably because people were abusing it.

I would not purchase an extended warranty for a direct view LCD. I would consider it for a TV that had a bulb, such as LCoS, or DLP, depending on the specific coverage and cost.

 

Went to Circuit City and bought a Panasonic unit instead. They matched B&H's price and will deliver and install for me (which is great since there's no way it'd fit on/in the S2000 ). I didn't purchase the extended warrenty. I figured it'd be fine.

As for the Costco, I did read a while back that they changed their return policy.

Now my follow-up question is- are those HDMI cables worth buying? My cable company has the component cables only I think. Can I really tell the difference? They are kind pricey at around $90.

 

It's a digitial signal, so you shouldn't need to buy the high end cables for HDMI/DVI.

 

i bought the warranties for my LCD and plasma, i thought it'd be worth it

 

PM wantone for HDMI cables.

 

Well, you can certainly find much much cheaper, and high quality HDMI cables (check monoprice.com). You shouldn't need them for just cable, but if you plan on hooking up an HDCP device such as a bluray player, HD-DVD player, etc, you will need to use HDMI.

 

blu-ray/hd-dvd works just fine via component. many newer TVs will even do 1080p over that. There is an option for the movies to be lower resolution via analog, but no studios have plans on doing that any time soon.

As for the HDMI cable, the cheapest one you can get your mitts on is more than adequate. Only an idiot would pay $150 for a Monster one at Best Buy. I know Newegg has the cables for like $20. It's a digital signal, so cable quality/thickness is really a non-issue. If the signal gets there, it'll be fine.

Is HDMI better, that component? Usually, but only a little. HDMI isn't always better as some components use shitty TDMS chips; on those component could be better!

And, yea, I'd get an extended warranty as long as it covers the backlight on the LCD. Otherwise pass. Make sure you see it in WRITING.