Consumerist: TVs

Morning Deals

Ben Popken — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:54:14 EDT

Amazon: 3 months of Amazon Prime free with $100 worth of textbooks in cart (No actual purchase necessary)
Froobi: Refurbished SanDisk Sansa e270 6GB MP3 Media Player w/ FM/Voice Recorder for $55.95
Amazon: "Narrow Stairs" by Death Cab For Cutie, $5 DRM-free MP3 album

Highlights From Dealhack

REI: Summer Sale: Up to 40% or More off Apparel, Footwear, & Gear
Staples: Envision 22-inch Widescreen Dual Input LCD $200 Shipped
Design Within Reach: Save 15% off Upholstered Furniture & Free Shipping

Highlights From Bargainist

Headsets.com: Free Bluetooth headset if you get cited driving while on phone (a promotion that incentivizes breaking the law, um ok)
Yves Rocher: 50% off select beauty products
Busted Tees: After Christmas in July Sale: Select shirts $10

Despite Bankruptcy, Olevia Says Warranties Good

Ben Popken — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:05:34 EDT

Even though they filed for Chapter 11, the makers of Olevia brand TVs have pledged that they will continue to honor their warranties, reports Marketnews. The news should come as a relief to worried consumers. Olevia was known for making good HD-LCD tvs at a good price.

Olevia Files for Bankruptcy [Marketnews]
PREVIOUSLY: Olevia TV-Maker Files For Bankruptcy. Goodbye, Warranties.

Dish Telemarketer Fined $75,000 For Hanging Up On Customers

Ben Popken — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:50:40 EDT

The FTC fined a Dish Network telemarketing firm $75,000 for hanging up on customers, reports the Deseret News. The company used teleautobots to dial peoples' homes, which were then supposed to connect to a live telemarketer when someone picked up. However, the system would sometimes get more live customers than there were telemarketers, leaving some customers with a silent line. Federal regulations stipulate that if you use teleautobots, you have to connect the customer to a person within two seconds. The FTC made this law because people, in particular women and old people, were worried they were being stalked when they answered the phone and no one was there.

Provo marketing firm fined for hanging up on customers [Deseret News] (Thanks to Brandon!) (Photo: Getty)

Olevia TV-Maker Files For Bankruptcy. Goodbye, Warranties.

Ben Popken — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:21:49 EDT

If you have an Olevia TV, your warranty is probably going to be worthless now. Parent company Syntax-Brillian has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Olevia is going to be spun off into its own limited liability company. An Engadget commenter suggests that after the bankruptcy proceedings, Syntax-Brillian will have no assets, only liabilities. In accounting terms, outstanding warranties are a liability. It's just an educated guess, but don't plan on counting on Olevia to fulfill their warranties (not like they were so great at service to begin with). Instead, if you bought an Olevia on a credit card, you may have extended warranty protection through your credit card company, as Meghann describes in a recent post (see number 6).

1-Syntax-Brillian files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy [Reuters]

Here's 4 good reasons to buy a high-def TV ...

Chris Walters — Tue, 20 May 2008 12:29:30 EDT

Here's 4 good reasons to buy a high-def TV now instead of later. [SmartMoney]

Big Box Retailers Fight Back Against FCC's Recent Fines

Chris Walters — Tue, 20 May 2008 10:30:52 EDT

Best Buy, Circuit City, and Sears are all contesting the FCC's recent fines against them for not properly following analog transition rules in their stores, reports Ars Technica. Last week, Best Buy submitted a 41-page response (PDF) that claimed among other things that the FCC has no authority to fine them.

Best Buy's boldest claim is that the FCC "has not claimed any express authorization from Congress to enact the Labeling Rule, and none exist." In other words, they claim the FCC doesn't have the authority to force retailers to label all analog TVs with warnings that they will need a digital converter after to receive over-the-air broadcasts after February 17th, 2009.

Additionally, the company claims that its violations were accidents and not "willful" as described by the FCC, and that the FCC's report contained errors, such as listing a model that doesn't exist.

"Best Buy: FCC has no power to fine us over analog TVs" [Ars Technica] (Thanks to forgottenpassword!)

Just in time for your rebate and stimulus ...

Ben Popken — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:08:39 EDT

Just in time for your rebate and stimulus checks, industry insiders predict price drops of 20-25% on HDTVs in May. [HD Guru via Gizmodo]

Bank Of America Won't Let You Access Your Money

Carey — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 09:20:15 EST

Silly Bill. He thought Bank of America would let him spend $5,800 on a home theater system just because he had over $10,000 in the bank. He tried to charge the system to his Bank of America Visa Platinum Check Card but was declined. Confused, Bill called Bank of America customer support for an explanation and had the sort of conversation that makes you want to drive a fork through your ear.

So tonight I went to my local Best Buy, planning on surprising the wife with a new bigscreen TV.
We get there and, believe it or not, the Best Buy people are helpful, friendly, informative and DON'T try to push Monster cables on me. (I know - I nearly fainted too).

Having done my homework, I picked out a receiver, speaker system, wall mount, some blue ray movies , and a 58" plasma TV. Total cost : $5870.69

So I head to the register to pay for my newly acquired goodies and my card - despite having a few grand more than the total in my "available funds" is declined.

Puzzled - I call Bank of America , wait on hold about ten minutes, go through countless adverts for bank services, double authorizations etc and FINALLY I get to a human. Of course in spite of all of this the woman wants my information all over again even though I just typed it in. She wont even help me til I provide it and so I do.

I explain that I am in the store, at the register, and that I know I have available funds.

She puts me on hold about 5 minutes , then comes back and says "Im sorry - that's over your daily limit. There's nothing I can do. Was there anything else I can help you with?"

Remembering to keep a cool head, I ask about a supervisor giving me an override on the limit. She says "let me transfer you to the ATM department." And before I can explain that this isn't an ATM problem, she disconnects me.

Frustrated - I dial again, more menus, get a human, get transferred, get another human, get transferred, (every time re-verifying my ID)finally I get to the FOURTH person who apologizes 10 times and says "don't worry sir - I can help you!"

I think I'm getting somewhere but then a supervisor comes on and explains to me that "Everyone in the United States that uses Bank of America has a daily spending limit of 5000.00 no matter what."

Stunned, I ask for an exception and in a parent-giving-me-a-cookie tone he says "well, I suppose we can up that to 6000.00 just this once."

At this point I am over an hour on the phone but we try the transaction again. Declined.

More hold time. He comes back and says that he is sorry but 6000. is the limit and buying gasoline and dinner earlier in the day is going to put me at more than 6 grand for the day and so I can come back tomorrow and buy the TV or I can go to my branch and get a money order.

Fuming, and doing my best to remain calm, the conversation goes like this:

"Let me get this straight - I have an "available" balance of nearly 10 grand in my account?"

"yes sir"

"And its not pending or a deposit waiting to clear, that's my money, confirmed and in your bank?"

"yes sir"

"And you have kept me on the phone for over an hour, asked me multiple times to verify my identity and are satisfied that I am who I say I am?"

"yes sir"

"And you are going to deny me access to MY money?!?!"

"No sir - we are not denying you your money, your're just over your daily limit."

"My daily limit? This isn't a credit card. It's a PLATINUM Visa checkcard. I understand that you have to put limits in for my protection but I need to make this purchase"

"Im sorry theres nothing I can do"

At this point, after nearly an hour an twenty minutes on the phone, I lose my cool. I am embarrassed, have essentially shut down a register lane on a Friday night at Best Buy and am obviously the talk of the store both from employees and customers.

I ask to speak to a supervisor and am told that I am speaking to one. I ask to speak to HIS supervisor and am told that's not possible.

Out of desperation I ask again and he says "wait just a moment"

More hold. Ten more minutes. I am fuming. He comes back and excitedly tells me "try it now."

So for the umpteenth time I swipe my card. This time it comes up "authorization code needed"

I relay this to the BoA guy and he says "well, we are making progress"

A few more minutes of hold time later and he comes back with the code and makes my purchase go through.

I have NEVER experienced such shoddy customer service ever. Im sure Im preaching to the choir when I say this, but Monday morning I am cancelling my BoA account, and fellow consumerists - Stay the heck away from Bank of America!

As a side note, after the transaction was completed I said to the supervisor, "So, what if I was say, Donald Trump and wanted to spend 30 grand on something?"

His response, " Well , for Mr Trump we would have made an accommodation ahead of time."

I said "And if I'd decided tonight to buy the $14,999.99 71" plasma TV in here this evening?"

"You wouldn't not have been allowed to do that."

At that point I hung up.

Sheesh!

Bank of America, though still thoroughly decrepit and evil, may have been sending a helpful signal. Large purchases like home theater systems should be charged to a credit card, ideally one that offers rewards and extended warranty protection. As Bank of America would say, it's for your own good.

(Photo: Getty)

Survey Says: Half Of UK Men Would Give Up Sex For 50-Inch Plasma TV

Chris Walters — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 21:32:41 EST

A British electronics retailer asked 2,000 men and women what they'd give up in exchange for a 50" plasma TV, and according to them, "47 percent of men would give up sex for half a year." Among women, the number drops to about a third who are wiling to forgo sex. We're not going to pretend for a second that this study is in any way scientific, but still—six months? Seriously?

Proving how non-addictive tobacco is, only 25% of people were willing to give up cigarettes for a TV, and about the same number were willing to give up chocolate.

Maybe the men who answered six months were counting on loopholes—there's a lot of non-"sex" you can enjoy with a 50" plasma TV and some hi-def porn.

"Half of UK men would swap sex for 50 inch TV" [Reuters]
(Photo: Getty)

Monster Cables, Monster Ripoff: 80% Markups

Ben Popken — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:16:40 EST

Ever wonder why gadget store employees push Monster cables like they're crack? Bitchin' markups, just like you suspected (or knew) all along. That's what we found when a Radio Shack employee sent us his store's entire inventory list, which included the wholesale and retail price of every item in stock.

UPDATE: Monster Responds To "Monster Cables, Monster Ripoff" Story

Some cables, like the 19ft HDMI-DVI cable, have markups as high as 80%. Retail: $179.99. Wholesale, $99.40, a profit of $80.54. Or consider the 16 ft S-Video cable, which Radio Shack buys for $61.24 and sells for $114.99. We found non-name brand versions of both on Meritline.com for under $20. It's not just limited to Radio Shack, Best Buy charges the same retail price, and, presumably, gets them for a similar wholesale price.

Here's the thing: digital cables, by definition, have no signal loss. A cable is either digital or it's not. As long as its built to HDMI standards, the only difference between a "fancy" digital cable and a no-name one is the price.

The worst part isn't really the markup. Stereo equipment routinely has markups of 80 to 100 to 200% by the time it hits the shelves. It's the initial inflated price, and how gadget stores try to push the cables so hard, telling people that Monster cables offer superior picture and sound then what you would get with another cable. But that simply isn't the case. Our sister site Gizmodo ran a battery of tests and found Monster cables are for the most part, completely unnecessary. (see The Truth About Monster Cable - Grand Finale (Part III), HDMI Cable Battlemodo Resumes, The Truth About Monster Cable, Part 2 (Verdict: Cheap Cables Keep Up...Usually), and The Truth About Monster Cable).

Our recommendation? Buy generic digital cables on Monoprice.com, Meritline.com, eBay, or other places online. If you're the type who wants Gucci-brand cables, then god bless, and at least buy them on eBay. Our tv looks fine without Monsters.

Full price list of Monster products below.

Item | Retail Price | Wholesale Price | Profit Margin

MONSTER 19FT HDMI-DVI | $179.99 | $99.94 | $80.05
MONSTER 8M L 26.24' | $137.99 | $73.49 | $64.5
MONSTER 19FT HDMI-HDMI CA | $169.99 | $105.5 | $64.49
"MONSTER 21' STRAIGHT 1/4""" | $149.99 | $88.87 | $61.12
MONSTER HTS 950 | $149.99 | $90.89 | $59.1
MONSTER SLVR FLAT MNT-37I | $149.99 | $91.44 | $58.55
MONSTER 16FT DVI-DVI CABL | $149.99 | $93.08 | $56.91
MONSTER 13FT HDMI-DVI CAB | $149.99 | $93.08 | $56.91
MONSTER 6M L 19.68' - COM | $114.99 | $61.24 | $53.75
MONSTER 8' DIGITAL FIBER | $114.99 | $61.24 | $53.75
MONSTER 25' SUBWOOFER W/R | $114.99 | $61.24 | $53.75
MONSTER 16' S-VIDEO CABLE | $114.99 | $61.24 | $53.75
MONSTER ULTRA 8FT HDMI CA | $119.99 | $69.3 | $50.69
MONSTER ULTRA 4FT HDMI CA | $99.99 | $49.5 | $50.49
MONSTER 8FT COMPONENT CAB | $91.99 | $41.6 | $50.39
MONSTER 50' GOLD XLRS | $119.99 | $71.1 | $48.89
MONSTER 4M L 13.12' | $103.99 | $55.25 | $48.74
MONSTER 8FT HDMI CABLE | $99.99 | $52.23 | $47.76
MONSTER FLAT SCREEN HDMI | $99.99 | $55.7 | $44.29
MONSTER 20' GOLD XLR | $129.99 | $86.05 | $43.94
MONSTER HTS1000 MKII SURG | $149.99 | $107.04 | $42.95
MONSTER THX V600 4' HDMI | $79.99 | $38.23 | $41.76
MONSTER THX 600 4FT COMPO | $68.99 | $27.52 | $41.47
"MONSTER 12' STRAIGHT 1/4""" | $99.99 | $59.24 | $40.75
MONSTER 4FT HDMI CABLE | $79.99 | $41.78 | $38.21
MONSTER 3FT HDMI-DVI CABL | $99.99 | $62.04 | $37.95
MONSTER 3FT HDMI-HDMI CAB | $99.99 | $62.04 | $37.95
MONSTER 36' PIECE 10.97M | $84.99 | $47.1 | $37.89
MONSTER 16' SUBWOOFER W/R | $84.99 | $47.1 | $37.89
MONSTER 19' RCA ADV AUDIO | $89.99 | $55.83 | $34.16
MONSTER 8' RCA AUDIO INTE | $74.99 | $41.38 | $33.61
MONSTER 30' GOLD XLRS | $79.99 | $47.39 | $32.6
MONSTER THX V500 CV-8 | $54.99 | $22.41 | $32.58
MONSTER 24' PIECE 7.32M | $67.99 | $36.47 | $31.52
MONSTER 6FT HDMI-HDMI CAB | $89.97 | $58.57 | $31.4
MONSTER 10' GOLD XLR | $74.99 | $44.42 | $30.57
MONSTER 18' PIECE 5.49M | $57.99 | $28.13 | $29.86
MONSTER 8' DIGITAL COAX C | $99.99 | $70.31 | $29.68
MONSTER 16' RCA AUDIO INT | $99.99 | $70.31 | $29.68
MONSTER HTS800 HP SURGE | $99.99 | $70.31 | $29.68
MONSTER 4M OPTICAL CABLE | $64.99 | $35.66 | $29.33
MONSTER 12' PIECE 3.66M | $64.99 | $35.66 | $29.33
MONSTER 24' PIECE 7.32M | $79.99 | $51.27 | $28.72
MONSTER RADIOPLAY 300 | $59.99 | $31.9 | $28.09
MONSTER THX V500 CV-4 | $45.99 | $18.35 | $27.64
MONSTER 500 SPEAKER CABLE | $64.99 | $37.47 | $27.52
MONSTER 19FT AUDIO W/RCA | $54.99 | $27.53 | $27.46
"MONSTER 6' 1/4"" AUDIO CAB" | $54.99 | $27.53 | $27.46
MONSTER 3FT DVI-DVI CABLE | $69.99 | $43.05 | $26.94
MONSTER GAME TO GO MOBILE | $99.99 | $73.15 | $26.84
MONSTER 6M 19.68' | $51.99 | $25.28 | $26.71
MONSTER 13' RCA ADV AUDIO | $69.99 | $43.43 | $26.56
MONSTER 18' PIECE 5.49M | $69.99 | $44.87 | $25.12
MONSTER 4' DIGITAL COAX C | $62.99 | $38.14 | $24.85
"MONSTER 21' ANGLED 1/4"" P" | $59.99 | $35.54 | $24.45
MONSTER 1000 SPEAKER CABL | $59.99 | $35.54 | $24.45
MONSTER FLAT SCREEN F-PIN | $49.99 | $25.69 | $24.3
MONSTER HT800 SURGE | $79.99 | $56.24 | $23.75
MONSTER PC800 HP SURGE | $79.99 | $56.24 | $23.75
MONSTER 4M 13.12' | $45.99 | $22.42 | $23.57
MONSTER 13FT AUDIO W/RCA | $44.99 | $22.22 | $22.77
"MONSTER 21' STRAIGHT 1/4""" | $49.99 | $29.61 | $20.38
"MONSTER 21' 1/4"" PLUGS " | $49.99 | $29.61 | $20.38
MONSTER 15' GOLD XLRS | $49.99 | $29.61 | $20.38
MONSTER 50' PRECISION XLR | $59.99 | $39.7 | $20.29
MONSTER 4FTDIGITAL OPTIC | $35.99 | $16.25 | $19.74
MONSTER SIRIUS HOME ANTEN | $49.99 | $30.31 | $19.68
MONSTER HDMI TO DVI ADAPT | $34.99 | $16 | $18.99
MONSTER DVI TO HDMI ADAPT | $34.99 | $16 | $18.99
MONSTER 6' RCA ADV AUDIO | $49.99 | $31.01 | $18.98
MONSTER 2M DIGITAL COAX | $49.99 | $31.01 | $18.98
"MONSTER 1M 1/4"" SEND&RETU" | $39.99 | $21.08 | $18.91
MONSTER GAMELINK 450 COMP | $69.99 | $51.2 | $18.79
MONSTER AV800 | $39.97 | $21.42 | $18.55
"MONSTER 12FT ANGLED 1/4"" " | $44.99 | $26.65 | $18.34
MONSTER 6' PEICE 1.83M | $34.99 | $16.91 | $18.08
MONSTER 6' RCA TO 1/8 MIN | $49.99 | $32.04 | $17.95
MONSTER 8M L 26.24' | $40.99 | $23.08 | $17.91
MONSTER 12FT SUB | $39.99 | $22.32 | $17.67
"MONSTER 4M STEREO 1/4"" PL" | $39.99 | $22.5 | $17.49
MONSTER 4M XLR CONNECTORS | $39.99 | $22.5 | $17.49
"MONSTER 21' STRAIGHT 1/4""" | $49.99 | $33.07 | $16.92
MONSTER 400 STEREO RCA TO | $32.99 | $16.51 | $16.48
"MONSTER 400 1/4"" .75M " | $32.99 | $16.51 | $16.48
MONSTER INSTRUMENT 12'-1/ | $39.99 | $23.69 | $16.3
MONSTER 12' 1/4 PLUGS | $39.99 | $23.69 | $16.3
MONSTER 10' GOLD XLRS | $39.99 | $23.69 | $16.3
MONSTER 500 SPEAKER CABLE | $39.99 | $23.69 | $16.3
"MONSTER 10' STRT 1/4"" PLU" | $39.99 | $23.69 | $16.3
MONSTER 2M OPTICAL CABLE | $44.99 | $28.83 | $16.16
MONSTER 1M S-VID | $29.97 | $13.93 | $16.04
"MONSTER 4M 1/4"" RCA " | $34.99 | $19.51 | $15.48
"MONSTER 4M RCA-1/4"" " | $34.99 | $19.51 | $15.48
MONSTER STUDIOLINK 4M 1/4 | $34.99 | $19.51 | $15.48
MONSTER STUDIOLINK 4M RCA | $34.99 | $19.51 | $15.48
MONSTER 500 SPEAKER CABLE | $34.99 | $19.51 | $15.48
MONSTER 100 SPEAKER CABLE | $44.99 | $29.76 | $15.23
MONSTER 3FT ADV AUDIO W/R | $39.99 | $24.8 | $15.19
MONSTER 1.5M L 4.92' | $28.99 | $14.05 | $14.94
MONSTER TYPE A MALE TO TY | $34.99 | $20.55 | $14.44
MONSTER 6M L 19.68' - COM | $39.99 | $25.62 | $14.37
MONSTER 4M TRS-TRS CABLE | $34.99 | $20.72 | $14.27
MONSTER 4M XLRM-XLRF CABL | $34.99 | $20.72 | $14.27
"MONSTER 6' STRAIGHT 1/4"" " | $34.99 | $20.72 | $14.27
MONSTER 13FT HDMI-HDMI CA | $99.97 | $85.74 | $14.23
MONSTER SIRIUS ANTENNA EX | $44.97 | $31 | $13.97
"MONSTER 2M 1/4"" SEND/RETU" | $44.99 | $31.09 | $13.9
MONSTER PRINTER HIGH SPEE | $39.99 | $26.45 | $13.54
MONSTER KEYBOARD 12' -1/4 | $39.99 | $26.45 | $13.54
MONSTER 30' PRECISION XLR | $39.99 | $26.45 | $13.54
"MONSTER 8"" ANGLED 1/4"" PL" | $29.99 | $16.52 | $13.47
"MONSTER 2M STEREO 1/4"" PL" | $29.99 | $16.52 | $13.47
MONSTER GAMELINK 350 S-VI | $49.99 | $36.55 | $13.44
MONSTER GAMELINK 400 COMP | $49.99 | $36.55 | $13.44
MONSTER 3FT AUDIO W/RCA | $26.99 | $13.65 | $13.34
MONSTER 2 HIGH RES VID CA | $34.99 | $22.43 | $12.56
"MONSTER DJ CABLE 4M 1/4""-" | $29.99 | $17.76 | $12.23
MONSTER DJ CABLE 4M RCA-R | $29.99 | $17.76 | $12.23
MONSTER 4M ANGLED RCA-RCA | $29.99 | $17.76 | $12.23
"MONSTER 8"" ANGLED 1/4"" PL" | $29.99 | $17.76 | $12.23
MONSTER 1000 SPEAKER CABL | $29.99 | $17.76 | $12.23
MONSTER GAMELINK 300 S-VI | $44.99 | $32.9 | $12.09
"MONSTER 2M 1/4""-RCA " | $24.99 | $13.52 | $11.47
"MONSTER 2M RCA-1/4"" " | $24.99 | $13.52 | $11.47
MONSTER STUDIOLINK 2M 1/4 | $24.99 | $13.52 | $11.47
"MONSTER 1M STEREO 1/4"" PL" | $24.99 | $13.52 | $11.47
MONSTER 500 SPEAKER CABLE | $24.99 | $13.52 | $11.47
MONSTER LCD POWER PROTECT | $29.99 | $18.78 | $11.21
MONSTER 2M L 6.56' | $29.99 | $19.2 | $10.79
MONSTER GAMELINK 300 S-VI | $39.99 | $29.25 | $10.74
MONSTER 2M TRS-TRS CABLE | $24.99 | $14.79 | $10.2
MONSTER 12' 5 PIN DIN | $24.99 | $14.79 | $10.2
MONSTER PRINTER HIGH SPEE | $29.99 | $19.82 | $10.17
"MONSTER 4M RCA-1/4"" CABLE" | $29.99 | $19.82 | $10.17
MONSTER 100 SPEAKER CABLE | $29.99 | $19.82 | $10.17
MONSTER STUDIOLINK 1M 1/4 | $19.99 | $10.54 | $9.45
MONSTER STUDIOLINK 1M RCA | $19.99 | $10.54 | $9.45
MONSTER STUDIOLINK 1M RCA | $19.99 | $10.54 | $9.45
MONSTER GAMELINK 200 A/V | $34.99 | $25.58 | $9.41
MONSTER MALE DVI-FEM HDMI | $29.97 | $21.06 | $8.91
MONSTER 2M XLRM-XLRF CABL | $24.99 | $16.51 | $8.48
MONSTER 2M XLR CONNECTORS | $24.99 | $16.51 | $8.48
"MONSTER 21' STRAIGHT 1/4""" | $24.99 | $16.51 | $8.48
MONSTER 15' PRECISION XLR | $24.99 | $16.51 | $8.48
"MONSTER 2M RCA-1/4"" CABLE" | $19.99 | $11.83 | $8.16
MONSTER DJ CABLE 2M RCA-R | $19.99 | $11.83 | $8.16
MONSTER 1M TRS-TRS-CABLE | $19.99 | $11.83 | $8.16
MONSTER STUDIOLINK 2M RCA | $19.99 | $11.83 | $8.16
"MONSTER 8"" 1/4"" PLUG " | $19.99 | $11.83 | $8.16
MONSTER GAMELINK 200 PS2 | $29.99 | $21.92 | $8.07
MONSTER LIGHTWAVE 100 FIB | $29.99 | $21.92 | $8.07
MONSTER OUTLETS TO GO | $19.99 | $11.97 | $8.02
MONSTER SIRIUS CAR ANTENN | $39.99 | $32.13 | $7.86
MONSTER ICARPLAY 200 | $49.99 | $42.46 | $7.53
MONSTER 10' PRECISION XLR | $21.99 | $14.53 | $7.46
MONSTER 1M XLR CONNECTROS | $24.99 | $17.78 | $7.21
MONSTER 1M L 3.28' | $19.99 | $12.79 | $7.2
MONSTER LCD SCREEN CLEAN | $19.99 | $12.95 | $7.04
MONSTER HTS850 SUR | $67 | $59.97 | $7.03
"MONSTER DJ CABLE 2M 1/4""-" | $19.99 | $13.2 | $6.79
MONSTER 2M ANGLED RCA-RCA | $19.99 | $13.2 | $6.79
MONSTER 1M XLRM-XLRF CABL | $19.99 | $13.2 | $6.79
"MONSTER 8"" ANGLED 1/4"" " | $19.99 | $13.2 | $6.79
"MONSTER 12' STRAIGHT 1/4""" | $19.99 | $13.2 | $6.79
MONSTER 100 SPEAKER CABLE | $19.99 | $13.2 | $6.79
MONSTER 6' 5 PIN DIN | $19.99 | $13.23 | $6.76
MONSTER STUDIOLINK 1M 1/4 | $19.99 | $13.31 | $6.68
MONSTER 2M S-VID | $26.97 | $20.45 | $6.52
MONSTER DJ CABLE 1M RCA-R | $14.99 | $8.87 | $6.12
MONSTER 1M ANGLED RCA-RCA | $14.99 | $8.87 | $6.12
MONSTER 3' 5 PIN DIN | $14.99 | $8.87 | $6.12
MONSTER PLX12 AC POWER CO | $19.97 | $14.03 | $5.94
MONSTER GAMELINK STD 100 | $19.99 | $14.6 | $5.39
MONSTER GAMELINK STD 100 | $19.99 | $14.6 | $5.39
MONSTER GAMELINK X-LINK E | $19.99 | $14.6 | $5.39
MONSTER GAMELINK STD 100 | $19.99 | $14.6 | $5.39
MONSTER 7' USB | $12.97 | $7.83 | $5.14
MONSTER DJ CABLE 1M RCA-1 | $14.99 | $9.9 | $5.09
"MONSTER DL CABLE 1M 1/4""-" | $14.99 | $9.9 | $5.09
MONSTER 7' USB CABLE | $19.99 | $14.97 | $5.02
MONSTER 6FT HDMI-DVI CABL | $69.97 | $65.08 | $4.89
MONSTER ICLEAN SCREEN CLE | $14.99 | $10.5 | $4.49
"MONSTER 3' STRAIGHT 1/4"" " | $12.99 | $8.58 | $4.41
MONSTER GC COMPOSITE CABL | $19.97 | $15.82 | $4.15
"MONSTER 8"" STRAIGHT 1/4"" " | $9.99 | $6.59 | $3.4
MONS AUDIO W/RCA | $19.97 | $16.73 | $3.24
MONSTER MINI-AV | $19.97 | $17.91 | $2.06
MONSTER PATOL 49MH | $19.57 | $17.97 | $1.6
MONSTER PATROL 27M | $19.02 | $17.97 | $1.05
MONS 1M COMPONENT | $29.97 | $28.94 | $1.03
MONSTER IEZ CLICK | $9.97 | $9.97 | $0
MONSTER DVI400 2 M DVI CA | $29.97 | $29.97 | $0
MONS 1M OPT CABLE | $19.97 | $19.97 | $0
MONS 2M COMPONENT | $29.97 | $29.97 | $0
MONSTER SNOWBOARD (D) | $0.97 | $0.97 | $0
MONSTER PATROL (D) | $19.97 | $19.97 | $0
MONSTER TRUCK SPEED BOOST | $0.97 | $0.97 | $0
MONSTER TRUCK TIRE/WHEEL | $0.97 | $4.09 | $-3.12
MONSTER PWR PS2 | $4.97 | $9.82 | $-4.85
MONS 1M DIG COAX | $8.97 | $22.32 | $-13.35
MONSTER 360 COMPONENT AV | $29.97 | $43.88 | $-13.91
MONSTER 360 VGA VIDEO CAB | $9.97 | $29.97 | $-20
MONSTER SIRIUS RADIO/TV C | $29.97 | $52 | $-22.03
MONSTER ICASE TRAVEL PACK | $6.97 | $42.16 | $-35.19
MONSTER MP AVS2000 | $1499.99 | $909.12 | $590.87
MONSTER MP HTS7000 | $1299.99 | $787.9 | $512.09
MONSTER MP HTS5100 | $699.99 | $453.5 | $246.49
MONSTER MP HTS3600 | $499.99 | $355.27 | $144.72
MONSTER BLACK TILT MOUNT- | $249.99 | $152.43 | $97.56
MONSTER SILVER TILT MOUNT | $249.99 | $152.43 | $97.56
MONSTER HTS2600 SURGE | $349.99 | $253.43 | $96.56
MONSTER MP HTFS500 SURGE | $299.99 | $211 | $88.99
MONSTER FLAT BLK MOUNT-60 | $199.99 | $121.94 | $78.05
MONSTER FLAT SLV MOUNT-60 | $199.99 | $121.94 | $78.05
MONSTER BLK TLIT MNT-37IN | $179.99 | $109.74 | $70.25

Hi-Def TVs Cost Drops 40%, Quality Up

Ben Popken — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:00:00 EST

Looking to upgrade to a hi-def TV? Now is the time, says Consumer Reports. Price are down as much as 40% and quality is up. They tested a whole bunch of TVs and rated as Best Buys the Sony Bravia KDL-46S3000 $1900 46-inch and Toshiba Regza 42HL67 $1,150 42 inch LCD TVs. Based on their surveys, repair rates have been very low, and so they still recommend skipping the extended warranty.

TV Stars [Consumer Reports]

Thieves Steal 42" Plasma TV From Mall During Shopping Hours

Chris Walters — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:42:36 EST

Those post-holiday TV sales just aren't enough for some people, because somehow, a 42" plasma set used for display in a retail store in Albany, Georgia, was stolen from the counter during business hours. The employee who was working at the time had possibly the least helpful eyewitness testimony ever:

I realized that it was gone when my boss came in and said the monitor was gone. And I said the monitor was gone. So I just jumped up and saw that the monitor was gone. That was pretty much it.

So, it seems as if the monitor may be gone.

"TV stolen in during peak shopping hour" [WALB.com]
(Photo: Getty)

Where To Save On Flat-Screen LCD TVs This Year

Ben Popken — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 08:58:12 EST

Once again, patient shoppers will be rewarded with holiday price-drops on flat-screen LCDs, but the discount won't be as steep as last year; 17% vs. 34%. WSJ says the deal-hungry should confine their searches in the 40,46, and 52 inch size categories. 42 and 47 inch won't see much in the way of discounts as they're mainly produced by budget TV makers who will find it difficult to cut their prices much more. They predict larger discounts on the 1080p than the 720p models as well. C'mon dad, you know the Heat Miser just isn't the same if he's not in high-def.

The Picture Gets Fuzzy For TV Deals [WSJ via Consumer World Blog]
(Photo: Getty)

The Best And Worst Tech Gadgets Of The Year

Chris Walters — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 18:15:12 EST

It begins—the year end "best of" lists! If you're gearing up for the gift buying frenzy that will begin on Friday, here's a quick slideshow of some of the most inspiring and least impressive electronics in the marketplace right now.

Like any "best of" list, we take issues with some of the selections (iPhone is best smartphone? orly?) but the list at least provides a "big picture" overview of where you can find the quality electronics.

"Slide Show: The Biggest Bang for Your Holiday Buck" [BusinessWeek]
(Photo: Nokia N95)

FCC Fines Radio Shack For Selling Analog TVs With No Consumer Warning

Meg Marco — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 11:59:28 EDT

The FCC is serious when they say they want retailers to warn consumers about purchasing analog TVs. This week they've announced fines against Radio Shack, HH Gregg, FYE, Fred Meyer Stores, Ultimate Electronics, and Boscov's for selling TVs without a warning label.

The consumer alert rule states that retailers have to post a warning like this one from Kmart's website:

CONSUMER ALERT: This television receiver has only an analog broadcast tuner and will require a converter box after February 17, 2009, to receive over-the-air broadcasts with an antenna because of the Nation's transition to digital broadcasting. Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products. For more information, call the Federal CommunicationsCommission at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322) or visit the Commission's digital television website at: www.dtv.gov.

The FCC supposedly has undercover agents working in stores and surfing the web to make sure stores aren't selling obsolete TVs to hapless rabbit-ear using folks. Meanwhile, Best Buy has stopped selling analog TVs outright.

Retailers vs. FCC: fines for warning-free analog TVs as ban draws near [Ars Technica]
(Photo:cmorran123)

Best Buy Emails To Let You Know They Won't Be Honoring A Mistake In Their Ad

Meg Marco — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 19:38:36 EDT

Several of our readers received this email from Best Buy, explaining that they won't be honoring a mistake in the upcoming September 23, 2007 Best Buy ad.

Stores aren't usually required to honor typographical errors in advertisements, but we're not sure if accidentally advertising the wrong product (rather than accidentally printing $2.00 instead of $200, for example) qualifies. It seems Best Buy might not be sure either. The solution is rebate!

Praise and adulation to the first person who finds an applicable law. In the meantime, here's some information on false advertising from the FTC. And here's a guide to "bait" advertising. Learning is fun.

Frequentlt Asked Advertising Questions:A Guide for Small Business [FTC]
Guides Against Bait Advertising[FTC]

HOW TO: Give Your TV "Ambilight" Using Cheap Lights From IKEA

Meg Marco — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 14:15:06 EST

Like the idea of Phillips Ambilight, but don't want to shell out the cash? You can make a less fancy, but passable, version of the effect using cheap lights from IKEA. From Instructables:

I love those Philips Amiblight HDTVs - you know, the ones with the rear backlight that projects colours onto the wall behind the TV? Not only does it look pretty, but if you're gaming or watching a film in low-light conditions then the backlight reduces eye strain.
I do suffer from eye strain. Mainly because I watch DVDs or game with only a lamp on. After an hour I'll start to get a headache. Problem is that the lights in my living room are too bright.

The solution is called TRETTIOEN and it consists of 4 LED light strips that you can attach to the back of your plain old non-Ambilight TV for a similar effect. It looks cool, helps your eyes (allegedly) and costs around 50 bucks. —MEGHANN MARCO

Give your HDTV the Philips Ambilight effect on the cheap [Instructables]

Man Tries To Sell Fake LCD TVs Made of Wood To Police

Meg Marco — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 12:44:36 EST

Buying an LCD TV from a strange man on the street is not a good idea, but it's a better idea than selling a fake LCD TV made of wood to a couple police officers, as one Indiana man found out. What went wrong?

First, the suspect asked 6 strangers (who all turned out to be plain clothes cops), if they'd like to buy some LCD TVs that he had in his trunk.

The cops agreed to take a look at the merchandise, one of them, Officer Keith Gluekert, said that he would look at the "merchandise" after grabbing his coat.

After retrieving the coat, the oh-so-observant suspected noticed the word "police" on it, and asked if the men were cops.

"Gluekert replied that he was. The suspect then reportedly claimed he wasn't trying to sell anything," but still allowed the officers to examine the contents of his trunk, which yielded the following:

Inside were three packaged items that appeared to be LCD TV sets from Best Buy, but upon further examination, were really large pieces of wood sealed up to look like TVs.
One of the St. Joseph County officers, Neil Hoover, is a part-time employee of Best Buy and immediately recognized that the items were not from the store, despite several labels taped to them with the name of Best Buy, according to police. The so-called labels appeared to be cut out from newspaper circular ads and taped to the packages.

The officer probably didn't need to be an employee of Best Buy to know that the stickers were fake, but it just goes to show you, you shouldn't buy stuff out of some random guy's trunk. Even in the heartland.—MEGHANN MARCO

Block of wood didn't promise to have good reception [South Bend Tribune]

No Big Super Bowl Discounts on HDTVs?

Meg Marco — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 10:38:17 EST

If, for some strange reason, you missed seeing this glorious image last night on an HDTV, you're not going to be happy about this next bit of news: Retailers might be doing away with big Super Bowl discounts on HDTVs. From CNN Money:

"It's simple. No more big sales on flat-panel TVs before Super Bowl," said Cohen [industy analyst], adding that retailers realize that if they heavily promote these items again, they'll have a very difficult time making their same-store sale numbers for January.

Thankfully, regular prices on flat-panel TVs have already dropped significantly.

"In consumers' minds, that drop is substantial enough to buy the TV anyway, even if they don't get more discounts this month," Cohen said. "And retailers don't want to shoot themselves in the foot again by slashing TV prices for the second time."

"The most aggressive promotion that I've seen so far is from Costco (Charts), which is a $250 coupon on a 47-inch TV. Even that isn't a huge bargain."

In short, expect to see some discounts on Super Bowl worthy TVs, but nothing as deep as we saw during the holidays. It may even be better to wait until after the Super Bowl to buy your new set. —MEGHANN MARCO

Retailers punt Super Bowl TV discounts [CNN]

Consumer Reports: HDTV Buying Guide

Meg Marco — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 08:39:29 EST

We love HDTVs and so does Consumer Reports. Yay! Extensive internet research tells us that there is a good chance you are in the market for a HDTV; this information couldn't have come at a better time. CR is a fan of the recent price drops on big HD sets, and, while they like flat screen TVs, the best deal is a real-projection set, "Sleek, thin LCD and plasma flat panels are the hottest TVs out there, but if you're in the market for a truly big-screen high-definition TV, check out rear-projection TVs. These give you the most screen for the money—50, 60, even 70 inches—and some offer top picture quality."

Ohhh, get shopping!—MEGHANN MARCO

Rear-Projection HDTVs: More Screen, Less Green [Consumer Reports]
HD for the holidays [Consumer Reports]

Fix Stuck Pixels

Meg Marco — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 14:37:50 EST

We're a little skeptical about it, but here are a few programs that claim to be able to fix stuck pixels and decrease plasma/LCD burn in. The basic idea is that the program will rejuvenate the pixels by turning them on and off 60 times a second. You can use it on your computer monitor, or hook up your computer to output to any device experiencing these malfunctions.

Has anyone tried these? Do they work?

[JScreenFix]
[StuckSweep]

We know we'd rather try to fix a small burn-in or stuck pixel than try to mail our zillion dollar plasma screen back to the manufacturer.

UPDATE: From Lifehacker (1/2/07) "Keep in mind the difference between a dead pixel and a stuck pixel: A stuck pixel will generally be fixed at red, green, blue, or any combination of those three colors; if a pixel is dead, it shows up as black, and fixing it requires another method altogether."

The News; Myspace Eats Lead

Ben Popken — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 11:12:39 EDT

• Many a senior dance thesis will launch when feminism hits the Orient and all these Asian pixies introducing new gadgets get deconstructed. [NYT] "The New King of Big TV's Is Queen-Size"
• Who knew infomercials boasted so much drama?! [NYT] "Macy's Is Set to Become a Reality TV Star"
• Their malware would have done better to deliver ads for razors and black tshirts, not so much with the deck and patio furniture. [MarketingVox] "Illicit Adware Infects MySpace Users"
• Just make sure your kids eat the lunch, not the box. [ABC] "FDA Warns Lunch Box Makers About Lead"

DirecTV Expects Consumers to Pay to Ride in Black Hole

popkin — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 16:32:54 EST

J.C.'s TV started flashing black every so often, like a very slow and annoying strobe. His phone calls to his cable service provider, DirecTV, earned him several unfulfilled promises but no results.

He finally discovered the service interruptions were caused by a new DirecTV software patch designed to enable interactive features that J.C. has no intention of using. Furthemore, DirecTV wants him to pay to fix the problem they created.

Insult to injury, after the jump.

"I use Direct TV and two and a half weeks ago the television in my bedroom started flashing black, flashing black, flashing black, at random. I tested to make sure it wasn't on my end by resetting the receiver and trying the living room receiver on my bedroom television. I called them and went through the automotive trouble shooting before getting sent to a real person. I explained my situation and the man said this has started happening to a lot of people and he would have my receiver marked to be patched.

After a week of black flashes which seem to time themselves for dramatic moments like when Uncle Junior shot Tony I woke up to find the info bar now flashing constantly. I called to report this new development and ask what was going on. The woman took the information and said she would try to get it fixed. I asked if I could get compensated for my week of problems and they gave me $5 off my bill for the next six of months. This was nice of them.

A week passed with no changes so today I called and asked them to just send me a new receiver. The man said he would but it would cost me $15 in shipping, I asked if they would pay it and after he talked to a supervisor he said he would. He said he couldn't send out a new receiver himself but would put a note that the shipping was free and transfer me to the right department.

The lady I spoke to next took down my information, placed me on hold, and played the love song from Karate Kid Part II for me to enjoy. When she got back she asked some questions and told me that because I owned my receiver and it was out of the 90 day warranty I would have to pay for $150 for new one or sign a one year lease. I said I would prefer not to do either option and asked if they can ensure that they patched my system like the first guy said they would. She then informed me that the reason this all started in the first place was because Direct TV patched everyones receivers to prepare for more interactive stuff I would never use anyways. I asked her "So, you guys come into my house through a phone line, broke something I own with a bad patch, and expect me to have to purchase a new one?" and she said yes. So, I told her I would call back later "after I see what type of prices the Dish Network has and send an email to my favorite consumer blog so they can give you some bad press.

signed,
J. C."

Morning Deals Round Up

consumerist.com — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 07:41:27 EST

• SlickDeals is reporting that the Sony DSC-S40 4.1-megapixel camera is going for a $100, in store only. Yes, that would be a good deal.

• Although potentially a freebie, it's more likely that you'll be winning coupons for Dell televisions by playing the Dell TV Big Game, uh, Game, than winning a free flat-screen TV. [via TechBargains]

• It's no iPod, but if you're more into cheap music listening, Philips' Outlet has the HDD075 2GB Mini Audio Jukebox refurbished for $70 plus shipping.

• If you want to dabble in front projection but don't like putting systems together piece-by-piece, this bundle from Buy.com includes an Optoma MovieTime DV10 DLP projector with a built-in DVD player, a bundled subwoofer, and the high-gain Panoview GreyWolf glass-beaded screen for $1,300, shipped. One could work out a better deal overall, but if you just want to want DVDs on a big screen, all of these components are capable. [via BensBargains]

• JetBlue wants you to get out of the house with their 'Winter Clearance Sale,' including flights to the Bahamas and Dominican Republic for just $80 each way from New York. Fodor's has a list of flights from JFK and Newark, but it looks like it might be easier just to use JetBlue's sale page.

• Today's Woot! The refurbished JVC Compact Mini DV Camcorder (Model GR-D250US) for just $205, shipped. New, these usually go for about $275.

Highlights from DealHack

• Get 10% off and Free Shipping on Any Order of $49+ at Ashford.com
(Plan ahead for Valentine's Day: get a bonus 20% off Jewelry, too.)

Free RAM, Printer, Wacom Tablet & More with New Apple MacBook Pro at MacMall
(New Intel Core Duo-based portables with lots of free ad-ons or cash back.)