Review of Insignia 27' Television Set

I recently purchased an Insignia 27" television when I moved in to my new apartment. Okay, honestly, my mother bought it for me as a housewarming gift, but "someone" still purchased it, right?

When I first brought the television home and turned it on, I was thrilled, because for the last ten years, I'd had a 19" set with a picture that was too dark, no matter what I did to adjust it. Having such a big screen and such bright color was so exciting to me.

Unfortunately, within an hour of having the television on, it began to make a high pitched ringing noise that would not stop unless I turned it off and left it off for several hours. Because of the size of the television, and the fact that Best Buy would not pick it up for me without a charge, I dealt with the awful sound for two days hoping it would go away with some use. But, the noise continued any time the television was on for more than an hour.

We did finally exchange it for a new television, and I went with the same one so that I would not have to pay a higher price. The one I have now is great, so the ringing must have been an isolated incident. I have a bad habit of leaving my television on continuously, and I have never again heard the ringing sound, even after the TV has been on all day and night.

For my purposes, the Insignia is perfect. The picture is crystal clear and crisp, the color is bright and rich, and the sound is clear and distinct. The television serves every purpose that I had in mind for it, and most importantly, it is easy to figure out how to hook up other devices to it. I easily managed to hook up both the dvd player and the digital cable box without incident, and for someone as technically challenged as me, that's saying something.

I think, other than the issue with the first television, the only real negative thing I have to say is not about the TV itself, but about the local Best Buy that I purchased it from.

Insignia is Best Buy's brand of electronics, so you can't buy it anywhere else, and I have never had good luck with service at Best Buy. I always get a good price, which is why I keep going back, but the customer service leaves much to be desired.

When I called the store to tell them about the problem with the first television, they were not helpful and took no responsibility. The store is literally five minutes away from my house, yet they would not waive or even reduce the delivery fee. I live alone and am not a big person and had no other way of getting the television back to the store and then the new one back to my house except for them to pick up and deliver. So, not only did I have a defective television set, but I had to pay an extra $50 to get the new one. But, it all did worked out in the end, and I am very happy with my purchase.

This is not an HDTV or a flat screen, so likely it will not appeal to the more technically savvy or someone looking for an addition to a home theater, but for someone who just wants a nice sized television with a good picture and good sound, I recommend it.

Cost - $189 + tax