They don't make them like they used to

[oraclesmith]

Why would you want to assign a space for polishing Immigrants, they're not objects you know.

But if you get rid of the cabinet they'll be polish refugees.

[Charles Foster Kane]

Hey, we've got a cabinet too. Mahogany of course, with one of those video compartments underneath. Neat.

So you're going to rent out the extra space then - to Polish immigrants?

Why would you want to assign a space for polishing Immigrants, they're not objects you know.

[oraclesmith]

I reckon our old TV on its cabinet is taking up space that costs 300 per year. So getting a flat-screen and mounting it on the wall will be a net gain

Hey, we've got a cabinet too. Mahogany of course, with one of those video compartments underneath. Neat.

So you're going to rent out the extra space then - to Polish immigrants?

[Euro-commuter]

Our Panasonic telly is still going strong after 25 years service - and I'm still trying to dream up an excuse to get rid of it !

I reckon our old TV on its cabinet is taking up space that costs 300 per year. So getting a flat-screen and mounting it on the wall will be a net gain

[gables]

My Panasonic 42 inch plasma has completely packed in after 3 months of light usage.

I remember the days when you actually had to come up with an excuse to buy a replacement for the existing TV/VCR/tape deck, because the old one would still be going strong after 10 years.

Our JVC telly started playing up last year, it needed a wee bang on the side to get the picture going, well it is 15 years old. So, I had a great excuse for something new; so bring on the projector, ceiling mount, screen and PVR. Trouble is the JVC hasn't 'played' up recently in fact it's working really quite well!!

Ho hum, luckily the family like the new system

[kramer]

go sky+ for the full hit.... these things are better all in one go!

[cojak]

My Panasonic 42 inch plasma has completely packed in after 3 months of light usage.

I remember the days when you actually had to come up with an excuse to buy a replacement for the existing TV/VCR/tape deck, because the old one would still be going strong after 10 years.

This fits the Cojak household to a T...

I think I've got hubby to reconsider the whole entertainment package since I was regaling him with the latest db's recorders that cost £200 (including freeview), he thought we might have to upgrade the aerial* and get a bigger telly to go with it...

*I didn't push Sky since it's taken me 3 years to get to this stage...

[oraclesmith]

My Panasonic 42 inch plasma has completely packed in after 3 months of light usage.

I remember the days when you actually had to come up with an excuse to buy a replacement for the existing TV/VCR/tape deck, because the old one would still be going strong after 10 years.

Our Panasonic telly is still going strong after 25 years service - and I'm still trying to dream up an excuse to get rid of it !

[chicane]

RTFM!

Hopefully next time the manual won't be lost in translation from some obscure eastern language to something that has a vague resemblance to English. I promise there was no mention whatsoever of this "feature" in there.

[Charles Foster Kane]

I think I'm going to be forced to take back my words here - after much tinkering, I worked out that the TV had entered some bizarre standby mode, and holding down the on/off button on the remote for about 5 seconds miraculously brought it back to life.

RTFM!

[gingerjedi]

Just for the record, I'm pretty sure all consumer electronics bought in this country have a mandatory 12 month return to base warranty.

Yes they do and I think it covers every country in the EU, the US still has 3 months for electrical items which is a bit tulipe if you ask me.

There was a recent problem where MS Xbox 360's had a unusually high failure rate and people were forced to pay $80 to have them fixed but with many lawsuits in the pipeline and all the bad publicity that would ensue from disgruntled customers MS relented and gave a worldwide 3 year warranty which cost MS an estimated $1 billion.

[chicane]

I think I'm going to be forced to take back my words here - after much tinkering, I worked out that the TV had entered some bizarre standby mode, and holding down the on/off button on the remote for about 5 seconds miraculously brought it back to life. Hopefully that's the end of it.

Just for the record, I'm pretty sure all consumer electronics bought in this country have a mandatory 12 month return to base warranty.

[lilelvis2000]

Please tell me its still on warrenty.

But in general - given the lowering of consumables and gadgets and electronics in price. And our alleged increased spending power (my wife still shops in '70's money) - you should be able to afford a new one every couple of months or so. Hence the lack of reliability.

[Gonzo]

My Panasonic 42 inch plasma has completely packed in after 3 months of light usage.

I remember the days when you actually had to come up with an excuse to buy a replacement for the existing TV/VCR/tape deck, because the old one would still be going strong after 10 years.

Yeah, but stuff becomes obsolete much quicker these days. I have replaced pcs not because they don't work, but because they don't work quick enough anymore. These days we don't buy assets, we just rent services, which is the ethos behind outsourcing, PPP etc.

Which is completely the opposite of the approach my parents have. They have just bought a new TV because the Philips one they used to have packed up. It was 30 years old.

[chicane]

My Panasonic 42 inch plasma has completely packed in after 3 months of light usage.

I remember the days when you actually had to come up with an excuse to buy a replacement for the existing TV/VCR/tape deck, because the old one would still be going strong after 10 years.