| Another Opinion - The High Cost of Saving Money | ||
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By Terry Paullin Correspondent Posted on February 12, 2008 Category: Marketplace |
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Look, I'll admit it. I like to find a bargain as much as the next guy. When I walk into "DVDs 'R US", I always slide by the "previously viewed" bin first. When I travel, Budget Inn is high on my list. But experience has taught me that there are times when spending MORE is the smart thing to do in the name of economy. Recently, in the quest to find material to be contrary about (that's my mission here - had you guessed?), I found a significant number of posts on various websites focused on where to find the absolute rock bottom price for this or that piece of A/V gear. It's not unusual to find a subsequent post a week or two later looking for help on how to "fix" that same item.
Here's the thing. I appreciate that everyone has a budget, but there is some price point, below which, you would be better off to save your money until you can get something that has a reasonable "performance" return on your investment. I walk into potential clients homes all the time who are "disappointed" with that Home Theater-in-a-box that Sparky sold them down at Circuit Barn. Sadly, nothing can be saved from that pile. It either goes to Aunt Martha or ends up on E-Bay for 25 cents on the dollar.
When I spec a system for a client, I always get a sense for what the total budget is. Then, after backing out installation and calibration fees, I try to keep all the individual components at about the same quality level. In other words, on a scale of 1 to 10, I wouldn't pair a "4" DVD player with a "9" video display. Neither should you, but I've seen $8,000+ displays reviewed with sub-$100 DVD players. One couldn't possibly tell a thing about the video quality of the display, as any artifacts seen are likely generated by the player. Consequently, I'm advocating you keep relative quality levels in mind as you build your systems. Yes, there will always be a "weak link", and that's the piece you will probably target as your next up-grade from time to time, but don't let things get too far out of balance or you will never get the value returned on your most expensive component, as in the 4/9 scenario described above.
It is an extremely competitive world out there in our favorite sector and every manufacturer wants an unfair share of your discretionary income. This is good news in that it generally means we get what we pay for. No one should be surprised then, that we currently have to deal with a rash of problems with the sub-$300 High Definition DVD players that have just flooded the market in an attempt to gain share.
This readership is undoubtedly more knowledgeable about A/V value vs. performance than the hundreds of thousands who will be out shopping as the 02/09 transition draws near. They need your help. Remember, friends don't let friends buy anything that says "lifestyle" on the box.
Posted by Terry Paullin, February 12, 2008 09:16 AM
Reader Commentary Feb 12, 10:31am So, Terry. You are hyping alleged quality issues with Toshiba HD-A3's for $150 while ignoring problems with expensive $500+ Samsung Blu-Ray players? All the high def optical players have typical earlier adopter issues There's nothing wrong with cheap Feb 12, 11:07am Dollars paid does not always equate to quality and performance received. High end mfgr name does not always guarantee high end quality. Discussion groups and reviews on the Internet prove this out time and time again. The best retailer / installer u Feb 12, 5:29pm So, Terry. You are hyping alleged quality issues with Toshiba HD-A3's for $150 while ignoring problems with expensive $500+ Samsung Blu-Ray players? All the high def optical players have typical earlier adopter issues.... As Feb 13, 4:49am You make a good point. What I find is that people, generally, do not do any research before buying. I do way too much. It will take me 8 months to decide on spending $3,000 on an HDTV. Maybe 3 months on a $500 Blu-Ray or HD-DVD player. That's why I ended Feb 13, 5:23am Guy, thanks for your input. You are definitely erring on the right side - that is, doing too much homework. The only thing wrong with that is you are missing out on the benefits of whatever it is you are doing homework on. On the other hand, the item is l Feb 13, 6:06am I really do wish you would do that article on the Forums. I think I learn a lot in most of them. It's frustrating because you really can't tell who knows their stuff. I hope you point out one glaring fact about those Forums: People always recommend what " Feb 13, 8:18am There's nothing wrong with cheaper mass market stuff. Those cheap $50 Chinese-made and branded DVD players have fewer issues with homemade and self-authored DVD's than many of the $300+ mainstream DVD players. Not every one Feb 13, 9:04am I agree with you to a point. I have seen the "great deal" which never quite adds up. A computer with too little harddrive, memory, or a slow CPU. A TV which doesn't have enough inputs is one of my favorite examples. A friend of mine (didn't talk to me Feb 13, 11:12am On talk radio first time callers say “long time listener, 1st time caller” Ill say “long time reader, 1st time poster” Im a lurker but as an avad reader of this place I have a bone to pick with you. Recently, in the quest to fin Feb 13, 11:26am Thanks for the tip. I'll have to check it out. I like these fast articles, too. Terry Paullin writes some great, insightful articles for the magazines I read, and I think it's just fantastic that an author will take the time to respond. I can't tell you h More on Marketplace
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About Terry PaullinAfter 25+ years as a Silicon Valley Executive, most recently as President and C.O.O. of Crosscheck, Mr. Paullin decided to follow his passion to the emerging Home Theatre industry. In 1994 he formed Front Row Cinema to design, build and calibrate Home Theatres for private residences. Nearly 600 theatres later, he remains engaged in the Industry in the following ways.Builds dedicated (single purpose) Home Theatres and “Theatre Environments” (rooms used for other purposes as well). Teaches Imaging Science and other courses for the Imaging Science Foundation. Mr. Paullin has taught CEDIA accredited classes to the installation community at both AVAD and ADI. Consults to Industry on the topic of Imaging Science (Pioneer, Optima, In-Focus and several others under non-disclosure). Mr. Paullin has served on the Board of two companies and the Advisory committee of two others. Has written articles/product reviews for major industry publications, including Widescreen Review, The Perfect Vision, The Ultimate Guide to A/V, WIRED magazine and CEPro and has maintained a monthly column (One Installer’s Opinion) in Widescreen Review for the past eight years. Mr. Paullin has a B.S.E.E. degree from Long Beach State University Performs ISF monitor calibrations for private individuals. Mr. Paullin also maintains 3 theatres in his home for testing, comparison, performance verification, and reference viewing. |
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