RCA D52W19 52 in. TV

If you're reading this you may realize eventually this is as much a venting session as much as it is a review. And it would not surprise me at all to know this model has been replaced by a newer, fancier if equally unreliable model. But moving on... To start this off I need to be clear about the fact this TV was bought at WalMart. I've read many stories online and spoken to quite a few people about the quality of products bought at WalMart. If you have not heard the stories or read the scathing testimonials and blogs, do a little research. You will pay more from an electronics retailer, but you will also be offered the option of an extended warranty, which you won't get at WalMart. I never buy extended warranties, but I've never bought a $1500 TV either, and since I bought at WalMart, I didn't get the option. Thomson/RCA will sell you an extended warranty but only right before the manufacturer warranty is about to expire (1 yr. parts/labor-2 yr. picture tube). A year later I didn't have the money for the warranty, so I was on my own. Less than 3 years after purchacing this TV I have a $1500 paperweight in my family room. Some estimates I've gotten so far, without anybody actually looking at the TV, only the repair shops estimating from what they've seen come through their door, have been between $300-$500 plus $60-$90 for in home service. It's a 52" widescreen remember, and I don't have a truck. Of course these are only estimates sight unseen and could be much more or much less. My real problem here is this TV didn't make it to the 3 year mark. That is rediculous. It is also the most costly piece of consumer electronics I've bought, with my income tax refund no less, and now I will be spending a chunk of my next income tax refund on repairing it. I've been round and round with Thomson/RCA about this and they won't do a thing. They tell me it's my responsibility. I told them it will be a cold day before I buy another RCA product, be it $15 or $1500. They don't care. This TV replaced a Quasar console TV that I got off somebody's trash pile FOR FREE and was 30+ years old. Still worked too, but I had my income tax check and wanted something nice. Something new. Something my 6 year old could play XBOX on, which I bought the following year for Christmas, and have a big screen for unmatched gameplay. Huh! What a joke. So in conclusion, be very cautious about buying an expensive TV from a discount store or be prepared to pay the consequences should they arise. One repair shop I told this story to told me 90-95% of his electronics repairs are from electronics purchaced at WalMart. Read the blogs, do research and don't expect the manufacturer to lift a finger 1 day after the warranty expires. Good luck.