Pixel Question for TV Techie Nerds

One dead pixel?  Sounds like it has Sypixelis or maybe HPV (Human Pixelis Virus).  Don't let your kid near it.

Personally, I'd just buy a new one.  They're cheap enough and you can take it back if you want.

I hear on you aging.  I remember watching Bruno Sammartino and Jumpin' Johnny DeFazio on a rabbit ears tv.

If you have a little bit of extra cash I would just go get a new TV. You can get 50" smart TV's with a lot more features, better picture, wireless, no dead pixels for less than 300 these days. 

This is nearly a 15 year old model, its probably quite a bit heavier/larger than a new TV as well. Personally I can't unsee dead pixels. My eyes just get glued to them. While they don't 'spread' per say an older TV that already has one dead is likely to get more in the near future.

Having just given away my used Sony 52" LCD for free (with no dead pixels), why don't you counter offer for $25 and roll the dice. Trust me, the person doesn't want to be stuck with an old, unused TV. You are doing him a favor to take it off his hands.

If you can swing $200-300 for a new one, get the new one.  I 'rescued' my parents old TV (Panasonic Viera) I bought them decades ago, when my mom died last year.  It's too old to stream anything on its own, and too heavy for me to hang on the wall (by myself).  Great picture, but it also acts as a legendary space heater - overheating my bedroom in about 30 minutes.

You will notice the dead pixel without it affecting your viewing, and it won't spread like a virus.  But, like was said earlier, you'll get more - and they are not fixable.  So it comes down to cost - if can swing a couple hundred for a new one, get a new one.

Depends on lots of factors.   Are you replacing a tv you have down there now and how much of an improvement is this?    How long do you want to use it for.   If this one craps out, will you replace it with new anyway?

if you want a 50ish inch tv in your basement for the next 15 years, I would buy new.   If this is just a nice to have and you won’t replace it if it craps out, I would counter offer significantly less.   If a comparable new tv can be had for $300 and it would last you 15 years, you are paying $20 a year.    Assume this one gets you 5 years, why would you pay $20/year for something of inferior quality.

Agreed with getting a new one. 

Figured I'd share a quick story re TVs.

I have a 50 LED from TCL with Roku. My family was watching it last week when they noticed a burning smell. They assumed the 17yo was cooking something fried in the kitchen.

Turns out the LEDs in the lower left corner overheated. Picture started to flicker slightly and bright halo in corner plus MELTED the frame.

It's nearly 6 years old.

I immediately bought a replacement online for $280 figuring I'll upgrade later.

Decided to send photos to TCL of their melting TV, requesting maybe a gift card or something for the trouble. They waived the warranty expiration and are providing a FREE replacement. Now that's customer service!

If you buy it, then decide you don't want it, you may have to pay another fee to recycle it.

what makes you think you'd find a nerd on a college sports message board? good joke op!

You can get a new, modern LED, same size, for under $300.  These things are actually a pain to get rid of.   You could be doing someone a big favor just taking it for free.  IMHO.

with LCD's if there is one pixel that is out, that could lead to the "drip" effect where you will end up with an entire row of pixels going out from top to bottom... which mean that the main board is dying a slow death... but if you are only going to be using it for video games and stuff like that then go for it.

i have an old 42" Sony in my basement from 2005 that came out of a closing blockbuster and i got it in 2012 and that thing still runs like a champ, considering it was on 24/7 in a blockbuster for 5 plus years and then was my main TV from 2015 until 2019...

Only get it if you just need a TV to keep in a guest room or as a secondary TV.

Right now, you shouldn't get anything that isn't 4k. TCL screens are basically dirt cheap and come with a lot of smart features, and you can nab one for around $250-300 on sale.

I don't think there's any concept of pixel failure "spreading" to other pixels. It's not like cancer.

Having said that, at that price point and that feature set, I would just spend a little more and buy a new TV. You can get a brand new 50" 4K TV of a decent and reputable brand (e.g., Vizio or something) for $250-$350 these days, and you'll have a warranty in case of dead pixels.

Paying a 3-figure sum for a 10 year-old TV is dicey, IMHO.

I guess 44 years old.

Taking about Dead Pixels, watch the Brit comedy show called DEAD PIXELS on your new but used cheap and fully functional Sony XBR.