Thread: Rear Projection TV

I've had a 2001 Hitachi Ultra Scan (model 53FDX01BA) 53" HD television that has worked great up until it blew it's converter circuitry a few days ago. Went to the shop and we decided to have it repaired for a few hundred bucks rather than spending a couple of thousand for a new unit.

Hitachi came back home and then had to go back to the shop.

In the mean time, we've been given a loaner, a 2001 Mitsubishi (model WS-55859 ) 55" Big Screen HD TV.

Other than the screen size, both televisions seem, as far as I can tell, very similar. They're both older rear projection televisions. But being rather naive about electronics, I'm not sure of the real differences between the two, if any.

The shop is offering to trade to us the loaner Mitsubishi for the Hitachi. No additional charge beyond what we paid to fix the Hitachi.

What I can't determine is whether or not it would be a good deal.

Is the Mitsubishi a better TV than the Hitachi? Vice Versa? Or is it a case of "Six of one, half dozen of another" ?

Any TV experts out there?

What is a reatail value of both, and which is the youngest.
That would be a reasonable way to compare them.
Within the same price range, using the same technology, I don't think there is a whole lot of difference other than the nametag.

Are they offering a 'parts and labor' guarantee on the 'new to you' one'?

Originally Posted by Johnus

Are they offering a 'parts and labor' guarantee on the 'new to you' one'?

Yes, they are offering a 90 days warranty that my wife, who used to do BXI trade business with the repair shop owner, is convinced she can negotiate up to a year service warranty. And both units are the same age from 2001.

It seems like a good deal, but I just don't want to trade away a good TV (albeit, in need of repair) for a lesser. Although, if they are essentially the same it becomes a non-issue.

Truth be known they're probably made by the same manufacturer.

Edit: Looks like each is their own.

That being the the case, the biggest factor for me in choosing a t.v. has always been reliability and picture quality. I've never really heard any complaints about either manufacturer to be honest.

Rear projection tv's? I guess razors aren't the only antiques we discuss around here....