Expected lifetime of new TV sets

[peverett]

From my experience the best CRT sets were made in the early 1980s. Solid state had just taken over and manufacturers had not figured out how to cheapen the designs yet. My mothers 1980 Sears/Sanyo still works fine except for dirty controls. I enjoy bringing the old tube sets back to life, but do not believe they are as reliable as the solid state ones.

As for the flat screens, I do not have one yet, but I do have a 5 year old LCD monitor that has given absolutely no trouble. I see no reason that flat screens(at least LCD ones) should not last as long as CRTs do.