Modern television sets are butt-ugly

[Steerpike]

I've always had a liking for 'old' (mostly American) tv sets, of say 35 years ago or older. Such designs and models have never been sold here, but they are often lovely to look at, creatively designed.

Lately I see people posting photos of their audio/video spaces - mostly tastefully decorated & nicely furnished rooms.... and there defiling the whole thing is this hideous behemoth piece of silver painted plastic!

Am I just too old fashioned in my tastes to be integrated with the world of LCD?

[Jeb-D.]

That pretty much applies to any mass-market consumer electronics. Cheap plastic construction. As long as it functions, keeping production cost low, is priority #1.

I think a lot of it has to do with back in the day, buying a stereo or TV was viewed more like purchasing a car or piece of furniture. People valued a good build quality as well as functionality. Now electronic goods are viewed more disposable. Things change so rapidly, whatever you get will be "obsolete" a few years down the road.

In fact, going on jogs through my neighborhood I often see TV sets that can't be more than a decade old, on the curb with a sign that says "please take, works ok"


At least, that's the majority of US consumers. Seems like the Japanese and parts of Europe still appreciate a good HiFi. Just my .02

By the way, I think the style you refer to is mid-century-modern and/or art deco. There is a lot of furniture with similar style.

[Jeb-D.]

Check this out:
http://www.swedx.se/image/download/x...v-sp-front.jpg
Kind of interesting. Not feeling the speaker grille cutouts, but other than that, looks pretty nice for a modern set.

Check this out too:
http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/0...anel-puts.html
Not a bad idea.