Bayridge, I just went to Costco website and they are still offering the Sceptre 37" for sale. It is shown on the webpage to have 1920x1080 resolution. On the webpage they are offering a $200 off rebate for a total price of $1300.
If you got an email for $500 off, then that would be a better deal since they don't seem to have Sceptres that have LOWER resolution. Don't even recall Sceptre making a HDTV lately with only 1366 resolution.
I just got my Sceptre 37" on Friday, September 8, 2006. I am having similar problems to
yours. The HDMI connection is seriously on the fritz. I had limited success getting it to
display the picture from my DVD player, and that was only after jiggling the plug a bit that
I briefly noticed some activity (colors flashing, etc). The resolution in the top left corner
kept changing from 480 to 720 to 1080 finally resting on a red screen with 480 in the
corner. Another time it stopped at a blue screen with 1080. At one point when it worked
the DVI source showed picture albeit it was extremely red.
I have been completely unsuccessful getting my Mac to work via the HDMI to DVI cable. I
assume the same problem as above. I am also having difficulty getting the S-Video inputs
to work. I found another thread with debugging information. Hold down the volume
buttons on the TV. The date listed is 06/06/01. I'm assuming this is the manufacture date
(June 1, 2006). Perhaps this is a 3rd or 4th run of these monitors and we are now seeing
quality control issues or are we just lucky enough to get lemons?
I still want this TV, but I want it to work. I don't want to have to pay shipping to send it
back to Sceptre. I may just try returning it to Costco and have them send me a new one.
Fortunately they do have a good return policy although I did purchase it with my AMEX for
backup.
Is anyone else having similar problems? Any thoughts?
I turned my 37inch sceptre on yesterday for the first time and the only thing that comes on is the power light. I purchased it in August and received it two weeks ago. I plan on taking it to the nearest Costco tomorrow. But, before I do I was wondering if anyone else had this problem.
I have had my Sceptre 37" for about a year now. It too was purchased from Costco.
The problems that I have with it:
The aspect ratios suck. Half the time they simple don't work and will add more black bars to something othen than what it sould be doing and taking away the extra black bars.
The remote blows and is non-traditional. Universal remotes can not control the volume any many can not change the imput source. I guess I could spend 100 dollars on a harmony remote to learn this crappy remotes functionality but that should not be necessary to just ajust volume.
Firmware meltdown. At least twice the tv (it really is more of a display than a TV) has lost some or all of its functionality only to come back randomly a few days later (ability to turn off, turn the volume up or down, change input, etc from the remote or the poorly placed buttons on the monitor.)
Dead pixels. It does not have any now, but it has had a few pop up the remain all blue for about a week or so and then go away and sometimes come back.
When watching properly formated HD-content on the proper setting the "display" looks great, and at the time of purchase it was a great bargin. Now I simply want to return it and get something else.
Does anyone know what Costco's return policy for TV's that are 11 months old? I know Costco has tradionaly had a very liberal policy with returns but I also know that they have cracked down with some forms of electronics. I am wondering if TV's is one of them because of the whole superbowl effect?
healimon,
First, I must be one of the lucky ones with Sceptre. I have had a great experience with my first generation 37" 1080p which I bought a year and a half ago from Costco. The HDTV picture with Dish Network is nothing short of breathtaking, and I have had no problems and no reason to replace it. I have used the Avia DVD to calibrate the picture.
I also have a Westinghouse 27" 720p. It was very reasonably priced, has an excellent picture (not as detailed as the Sceptre, but still superb) and on Newegg.com user reviews of Westinghouse screens have been quite positive. Westinghouse might be a good alternative for you.
If price is no object, I think the eighth-generation Sony (XBR3) and Sharp (Aquos) LCD screens are great for LCDs. Sharp has excellent customer support. For rear projection, I would go with a later build of Sony's SXRD model. Finally the new Pioneer 1080p plasma I saw at BestBuy/Magnolia with a BluRay input might be the best high definition picture I have ever seen.
I have found the AVS Forum (avsforum.com) a great source of user experience and information.
Originally posted by indiprod:healimon,
First, I must be one of the lucky ones with Sceptre. I have had a great experience with my first generation 37" 1080p which I bought a year and a half ago from Costco. The HDTV picture with Dish Network is nothing short of breathtaking, and I have had no problems and no reason to replace it. I have used the Avia DVD to calibrate the picture.
I also have a Westinghouse 27" 720p. It was very reasonably priced, has an excellent picture (not as detailed as the Sceptre, but still superb) and on Newegg.com user reviews of Westinghouse screens have been quite positive. Westinghouse might be a good alternative for you.
If price is no object, I think the eighth-generation Sony (XBR3) and Sharp (Aquos) LCD screens are great for LCDs. Sharp has excellent customer support. For rear projection, I would go with a later build of Sony's SXRD model. Finally the new Pioneer 1080p plasma I saw at BestBuy/Magnolia with a BluRay input might be the best high definition picture I have ever seen.
I have found the AVS Forum (avsforum.com) a great source of user experience and information.
