42" TCL L42FHDE30 1080p LCD HDTV $179, 40" Toshiba 40E220U 1080p LCD HDTV $179 + Free Shipping

I got both Toshiba and TCL on Monday, keeping the TCL. The Toshiba has a dead pixel in the lower center which is a bit annoying, not sure if I should contact Amazon about it.

Anyone having trouble registering their TCL on their website? I go to input the model number and the only 42" listed is LE42FHDE5300. I know it's close to this model, but not the same exact model listed on Amazons page.

Do you guys think that Amazon will get this TCL back in stock or were they clearing out this model?

I got the first one, it had a couple dark vertical streaks that were kind of annoying when watching football during a pass or kickoff when the camera would pan quickly. So I exchange it for another one. It has worse vertical streaks PLUS horrific light bleed all over the entire left side. It's even noticeable with regular viewing, not just a dark scene. I knew I should have just kept the first one. I was going to try one more exchange and then just deal with the 3rd one whether it's good or not. But now it's OOS of course.

Quote from mattzane227 : Do you guys think that Amazon will get this TCL back in stock or were they clearing out this model? I got the first one, it had a couple dark vertical streaks that were kind of annoying when watching football during a pass or kickoff when the camera would pan quickly. So I exchange it for another one. It has worse vertical streaks PLUS horrific light bleed all over the entire left side. It's even noticeable with regular viewing, not just a dark scene. I knew I should have just kept the first one. I was going to try one more exchange and then just deal with the 3rd one whether it's good or not. But now it's OOS of course.

Contact amazon (if its OOS still) and they'll replace it with a similar TV. My Toshiba came DOA and I swapped it out for a 40" Philips LED tv since the Toshiba was OOS. I just found 4-5 similar TVs and called Amazon and explained my situation..that I needed it ASAP and I couldn't wait around for it to come back in stock. Amazon rocks.

Since yours was a 42" you may be able to swap it for the 42" Sony they have...don't know of any other 42" brands. If they say "you only paid $200", say that it was a promotion and that doesn't matter, the TV is still worth X amount and you need a replacement ASAP.

Quote from lostdecoy : Anyone having trouble registering their TCL on their website? I go to input the model number and the only 42" listed is LE42FHDE5300. I know it's close to this model, but not the same exact model listed on Amazons page.

TCL customer service told me that it is a new model and they have not updated their website with it yet.

Quote from aliveon2legs : I have a feeling that I can get more for the Insignia if I'm to sell it on eBay, so I'd prefer to keep the TCL if everything else is equal. I'm nervous that it will be more washed out than the Insignia, which was not bad. This is a tough decision, and it's difficult getting good information on either set.

Read my impressions on the previous page. I'd say that it's a pretty washed-out looking display. I don't think a picture would help, unless I could also take a picture of the Insignia under the same conditions. And I don't have an Insignia.

Quote from bigaforlife : Contact amazon (if its OOS still) and they'll replace it with a similar TV. My Toshiba came DOA and I swapped it out for a 40" Philips LED tv since the Toshiba was OOS. I just found 4-5 similar TVs and called Amazon and explained my situation..that I needed it ASAP and I couldn't wait around for it to come back in stock. Amazon rocks. Since yours was a 42" you may be able to swap it for the 42" Sony they have...don't know of any other 42" brands. If they say "you only paid $200", say that it was a promotion and that doesn't matter, the TV is still worth X amount and you need a replacement ASAP.

Nice, I'll try this later tonight. I chatted with amazon last night asking if they'd get the TCL back in stock and if there was anyway I could get my first TV back since it was better. She even called UPS to see if she could get them to redirect it back to my house but no dice. I never asked if I could get a different TV though. Thanks for the info.

EDIT: Their "Big Box Items Department" is supposed to call me about it.

Quote from bigaforlife : Contact amazon (if its OOS still) and they'll replace it with a similar TV. My Toshiba came DOA and I swapped it out for a 40" Philips LED tv since the Toshiba was OOS. I just found 4-5 similar TVs and called Amazon and explained my situation..that I needed it ASAP and I couldn't wait around for it to come back in stock. Amazon rocks. Since yours was a 42" you may be able to swap it for the 42" Sony they have...don't know of any other 42" brands. If they say "you only paid $200", say that it was a promotion and that doesn't matter, the TV is still worth X amount and you need a replacement ASAP.

I have the same problem. They said they'd replace it and then told me it was out of stock. Now, they just want to give me a refund and not replace it with the same or comparable. What should I ask for?

EDIT: They gave me a refund that I didn't ask for. Trying to work me. Not going to work. I will prevail!

EDIT 2: They replaced it with the TCL 42" *LED* LE42FHDE5300 for the same price. Amazon has good reviews on it too.

Make sure to turn the back light down to around 50 as suggested earlier in the thread, it's in the "Expert Settings". By default it's set to around 80, turning it down helps a lot with the washed out look.

1 of my 2 tv's arrived today...perfect condition and my first HDTV, very happy with this purchase. Also got 2x $25 discount on my next purchase from amazon!! Man...really wished i bought more.

Quote from birdwax : Read my impressions on the previous page. I'd say that it's a pretty washed-out looking display. I don't think a picture would help, unless I could also take a picture of the Insignia under the same conditions. And I don't have an Insignia.

I did read your previous post and very much appreciate your insight. You sound much more knowledgeable than a typical user. I am normally very leery of positive user reviews. They can be very comical at times, though. A couple examples that I was recently laughing about with a friend:

'Screen so big it like you at the movies'

'This tv is amazing. Now the whole family can cuddle up on the bed and watch movies'.

So have you tried the previous suggestion of turning the backlight down with any results, or is that essentially the same as turning down the brightness? Have you been able to improve the picture at all since your first post?

doesnt look like this has a ClearQAM tuner . oh well, still not anywhere near a bad tv for the $179 I paid for it.

edit: looks like it does have ClearQAM tuner.

mounted on wall:

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hp...0510_n.jpg

Quote from aliveon2legs : I did read your previous post and very much appreciate your insight. You sound much more knowledgeable than a typical user. I am normally very leery of positive user reviews. They can be very comical at times, though. A couple examples that I was recently laughing about with a friend: 'Screen so big it like you at the movies' 'This tv is amazing. Now the whole family can cuddle up on the bed and watch movies'. So have you tried the previous suggestion of turning the backlight down with any results, or is that essentially the same as turning down the brightness? Have you been able to improve the picture at all since your first post?

Turning down the backlight was the first thing I did. No, it does not really help, though I know what the other user means. The TV just doesn't have enough contrast to deliver any real "depth" to the picture. It isn't really an issue of color inaccuracy, which you might be able to mitigate to some degree by tweaking. The flatness of the image comes from the panel's limitations. I know that some people, not just Amazon customers but also Slickdealers, may be happy with it. This does not make them insane. I'm pleased for them. It all depends on what you're used to. I'm trying to not be overly critical because I paid $190 for it and I realize complaining about it can make me sound like a sourpuss. But it's clear from your concerns that your standards are closer to mine.

Got the TCL Monday, the Insignia 39" Best Buy Tuesday, returned the Insignia unopened Wednesday. I'm waiting for my Cheetah Mount, also waiting for my my inlaws to pick up my old 50" Hitachi LCD projection they bought, which is being replaced by the TCL. I did plug it in just to make sure everything works, looks pretty good...looking forward to getting this all set up.