Week 33, 2003<\/p>\n
Q: \u00a0 \u00a0 In your most recent column, you said, “Visit your retailer and have them connect the projection HDTV you are considering to a satellite service delivering analog channels.” How do I do that? \u00a0Aren’t all satellite channels digital? \u00a0That’s what the ads say. \u00a0Which ones are not?<\/p>\n
-Gordon Walter, Iowa<\/p>\n
A: \u00a0 Here is an easy explanation: \u00a0 NTSC= old transmission system= analog channels. \u00a0On cable, this would be ESPN, CNN, Comedy Central, etc. \u00a0The channels start out as analog, just like regular cable. \u00a0The delivery system is digital. \u00a0The analog signals are converted to a digital bitstream for transmission, and converted back to analog NTSC at the satellite\/digital cable box.<\/p>\n
ATSC=new transmission system=HDTV channels. \u00a0ATSC signals are all digital. \u00a0 In my column, I generally say “HDTV” rather than “ATSC” because few people are familiar with what ATSC means, and the new system is largely referred to as HDTV by the general public. So, when you watch CNN through a digital satellite dish (or digital cable) you are watching an analog NTSC channel. \u00a0It is only the method of delivery that is digital. Digital cable is usually a hybrid system with some of the channels delivered as traditional analog cable, and the rest of them converted to digital for transmission. \u00a0This is why satellite companies use “all digital” in their advertising pitches.<\/p>\n
Q: \u00a0 \u00a0 I am trying to ascertain the quality of Advent’s new line of TVs. \u00a0I saw one of your columns where a customer has a warranty service issue with Best Buy concerning Advent’s 20″ flat screen TV. I was told by a Best Buy sales rep that Advent is an RCA product. \u00a0He was not sure if that meant that it was off-brand marketed by RCA, (i.e., licensed to sell Advent) or that RCA actually produced and marketed the product. \u00a0I also noted that RCA has the worst service\/repair rating among all major brands as reported by consumerreports.org. \u00a0Any advice or information you could provide would be helpful. \u00a0I am contemplating purchasing Advent’s 32″ HDTV.<\/p>\n
\u00a0-Jon English, Norman, OK<\/p>\n
A: \u00a0 RCA is part of the French-owned Thomson Group. \u00a0 Advent televisions are manufactured by Chinese manufacturer Prima Technologies. \u00a0 Prima is not a Thomson company, so Advent is not a Thomson brand. \u00a0 Thomson television brands sold in the USA are RCA, RCA Scenium, and General Electric.<\/p>\n
Over the past few months I have received several emails telling the same sad story: the Advent television breaks, and Best Buy refuses to help the customer unless they have Best Buy’s warranty. \u00a0 \u00a0 Until the customers escalated the problem to a member of the media (myself) they could get no help at all from Best Buy or Advent, even when their television should have been repaired under the manufacturer’s warranty. \u00a0 I have received no complaints at all regarding any other manufacturers and retailers.<\/p>\n
Based on my experience the past few months regarding the Advent\/Best Buy situation, my advice to you is to look for a different TV, and to buy it from another retailer. \u00a0 With so many companies competing for your business, there is no reason to accept shoddy products or poor service.<\/p>\n
Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic all make excellent televisions and have an established service network. \u00a0 Wherever you decide to buy, be sure to ask about warranty repair policies and procedures in case something goes wrong during the warranty period. \u00a0 \u00a0 My own experience has been that locally owned, independent retailers do the best job servicing their customers. \u00a0 You may want to include a few of them on your shopping list. \u00a0 Among large chains, Sears has their own service department and provides warranty service on televisions they sell.<\/p>\n