Got news for you: NO manufacturer, nor engineer, is going to say that modern TV's will last anything beyond 3 years. So get over that one. I know, it is hard; I'm still having a hard time getting over it, as well. However, some do last close to 5 years, with some luck, of which you have not had, the good kind, anyway.
However a good brand and good model, better than entry level, has a better chance (still some luck) of lasting more than 3 years. Yes, some cheap, entry levels could somehow make it to 5 years as well. If you can get 5 years out of it in normal use, than you have exceeded what is expected from today's electronics and should consider it a triumph. These are not the days of 1980's CRT that would last DECADES. Those day were long gone a long time ago. I still have a Sony I use from 1983 and, in particular, a JVC from 1992 that has been and still is heavily used every single day, although they both look like they could go any day now, they both keep on ticking. We really dread the day they die because we really don't need nor want an additional flat screen TV. The old CRT's serve their purpose perfectly.
However, I fell you pain. The 3 year average really stinks, even it we do mange to make it last 5 years, that is really far too soon to have to buy a new TV, especially if it is the main, fancy, high-end model, expensive HDTV. My brother is having sob stories regarding the lamps on his DLP, and man, he is upset about it, but they do watch a lot of TV and the kids play Guitar Hero, etc. In other words, they run that lamp almost all the time. He is going on 2 years with it.
I'm with you on this, it is just unfortunate that the realities are just the opposite. Best of luck to you, and yes PLASMA HDTV's are very affordable right now and with big screens and under $1,000. Try Target or Wal Mart for your budget, but please do research on a model you are interested in buying to save yourself heartache.
I bought a 27" RCA CRT in 1990 and it lasted me 13 years, with great PQ. When it finally gave out in 2003 I bought a 27" Sony CRT. It lasted 5 years and was almost double what I paid for the RCA.
Ghpr13
