Insignia NS-LCD42HD (NSLCD42HD) Review – 42-inch LCD HDTV
Originally Reviewed on November 13th, 2007The Insignia NS-LCD42HD is a 42 inch, Full-HD LCD flat panel. It falls in line with Insignia’s NS-LCD line except for one key feature, the 1080p resolution which is the highest possible resolution available. Many television channels don’t broadcast in 1080p yet but other high definition sources like HD DVD, Blu-Ray and PlayStation 3 will be displayed at their full capabilities. The Insignia NSLCD42HD is a very simple looking HDTV with a charcoal gray and black exterior. The speakers are rear mounted on the NS-LCD42HD which reduces the width of widescreen HDTV’s. At under $1100, the NSLCD42HD is one of the cheaper Full HD (1080p) flat panels on the market today.
Insignia NS-LCD42HD Features & Specifications Review
- Screen Type: LCD flat panel
- Screen Size: 42 inch
- Resolution: 1080p (1920 x 1080)
- Dimensions: 31.1 inches high, 41.4 inches wide, 9.7 inches deep, 62.7 lbs.
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 widescreen
- Contrast Ratio: 1200:1
- Brightness: 500 cd/m2
- Comb Filter: Yes
- HDMI Input: 2
- DVI Input: 0
- S-Video Input: 1
- Component Inputs: 2
- Composite Inputs: 2
- PC Compatible: Yes
A review of the Insignia NS-LCD42HD shows that it is packed with features. Insignia has a very similar 42 inch LCD HDTV that we previously reviewed (NS-LCD42 review) and is $200 less but missing the 1080p resolution. The contrast ratio has also been improved to create a sharper and bright image. If you’re looking for a Full HD flat panel at a very reasonable price, we recommend checking out the NSLCD42HD.
HDTVUniverse.com gives the NS-LCD42HD 8/10 stars!
Alyson Walters's reviewOctober 18, 2009
Re: Insignia 42″ – Model #NS-lLCD42HD
We enjoyed our Insignia tv, but we definitely expected it to last for longer than 14 months. It was not abused or mistreated. It simply quit working while we were watching television. After seeing an overall generally positive review. I believe we got a “lemon”.
Don Carroll's reviewNovember 20, 2009
I have the same problem as Alyson Walters’ complaint.
We purchased an Insignia 42″ and it is in repair status (for the 2nd time) as we speak. The TV unit is only 20 months old. (Fortunately I have a 4-year warranty.)
The repair guys came over once to fix it. Seemed like there was a loose plug on one of the boards. They snapped it back into place and it worked for another 2 weeks. Now it’s broken again. Same problem as before…no picture.
One night the picture just went black. They’re telling me that it is the Inverter board that’s gone bad and needs to be replaced.
I am not happy.
Don Carroll's reviewDecember 28, 2009
I am still having problems with my Insignia NS-LCD42HD that I purchase in March 2008. (No picture on the TV. Screen went black.) This problem started in October 2009 and was initially addressed by BestBuy on October 28, 2009 via a subcontractor for GeekSquad.
October 28, 2009 – It appears that the Inverter Boards had a lose plug. A GeekSquad subcontractor inserted the plug back into it’s proper place and the set worked well for 2 weeks. Then the picture went black again. I called again.
Nov. 17, 2009 – I called Geek Squad and the subcontractor was called for the repair again. Then when I called them to confirm the appointment date (and took off of work), the subcontractor called me and said that they didn’t need to come over and that he absolutely was sure it was the Inverter Boards that needed replacing. He ordered them on November 18, 2009.
In the interim, over the next 3 weeks and numerous calls to the Best Buy customer service line, I was told by BestBuy that they would probably be issuing me a replacement voucher. They did not. However, the inverter boards finally came in from BestBuy and the “Insurance” company that covers the warranties for BestBuy. The date is now Dec. 14th
December 15, 2009 – the subcontractor came over, inserted the new inverter boards…and it still didn’t work. Now we are waiting for a “backlight board” for my TV . And I am told that they seem to be having trouble locating one. (When I heard this I dis some checking on the internet. According to CNET Insignia model NS-LCD42HD has been discontinued. (see web page — http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/insignia-ns-lcd42hd/1707-6482_7-32743807.html)
It is now Dec. 28, 2009 and I still do not have a solution to the problem with my TV. I AM NOT HAPPY. My advice is to avoid this brand. Perhaps it is more the fault of BestBuy. It was one of their Customer Service supervisors who told me that the extended warranty doesn’t guaranty product replacement if it’s broken…only product repair. I have this all documented.
I called today and a customer service representative told me that her supervisor said that if they cannot find the part within 48 hours, they will give me a voucher for a replacement TV. I’ll believe it when I see it.
steve's reviewJanuary 03, 2010
the reason it is taking so long to fix your tv is there are no parts avalible for
for this brand of tv. Any parts you get will be from scrap tv’s.
or used if you want to look at this way as well.
now you know what BB does with all those damaged tv’s
in order to sell it this cheap you have to cut out any type of after sales support
parts.. english speaking support.. customer service that has some soul.
good luck
Beth's reviewJanuary 15, 2010
I am completely disgusted with Best Buy/Insignia at this point. I bought this tv in March of 2008 and spent almost $1000 on this set and already this tv is junk!! The screen has a dark jagged spot that is visible when watching tv and movies. It totally distorts the picture and you are instantly drawn to the spot every time you watch the tv. Did not purchase the extended warranty, but it would not have mattered because they discontinued the tv and you can no longer get parts for it. I would not recommend Insignia or Best Buy to anyone as they do not stand behind their products!! Customer service was a complete joke. I was hung up on twice and transferred to every different department with no help from anyone. I am completely dissatisfied with Best Buy/Insignia. Pay a little more for a quality brand that stands behind their products. DO NOT BUY INSIGNIA!!!!!
JP's reviewMarch 28, 2010
Less than a year ago bought an insignia plasma and within a short time it had dark areas of burn in.. I know how to treat plasmas to avoid this, this tv was crazy how fast sections of it darkened. It also has problems with speckles of pixels blinking off an on all over the screen with any source or kind of picture. Of course like everyone else, customer service is a joke. STAY AWAY from this brand if you dont like throwing away money!!
Shelby's reviewApril 12, 2010
I purchased a 42″ LCD 1080p tv on December 2008. I had no problems with the tv until about a week ago. I came home from work one night and I noticed that the little light on the front of the tv was not on so I tried to turn my tv on. Nothing happened. I tried it again, and agian nothing happened. So I called Insignia on the customer support number. I talked to someone and told them what was going on and the man said that he needed to connnect me to the tv repair department which connected me directly to the geek squad. I talked to a geek squad agent and told them what was going on. they told me a couple of things to do to try and get the tv to turn on and again nothing happened. They offered to come to my house and diagnose the tv for $149.99. That was just to diagnose what was wrong with the tv. My thoughts were I already spent over $800 on the tv do i really wanna put that much more money into the tv. So i ended up taking the tv to a tv repairman in my town who found out that the power supply board had went out on my tv. he then called insignia to try to order the part needed to fix the tv. Insignia connected him directly to the best buy parts department. he tried to order the power supply board and they told him that the part was not available. so he called me and told me that there wasnt much he could do because the part was not availble. that was unacceptable to me. i called insignia told them what i needed and they connected me to best buy parts department and they told me that the part was no longer available and that my best option was to get online and buy a tv just like the one i already have for the part. so i called the geek squad and asked them that if the part was not available to me would it be available to them. they said that they could not have even gotten the part. so theree was really nothing that they could do for me. so i then called insignia back to tell them how crummy i thought this whole process was. Now i am waiting to hear back from them.. It is a mess.. I still owe money on the tv. I am so mad– I am out over $800 so far
Brent's reviewMay 19, 2010
I bought this tv August 2008, it worked great until Dec 2009 (that’s 16 mos), funny that they can build sh%*&! to last for 4 months past the expired warranty. Anyway, now while I’m watching it, the picture freezes into a single color and the sound screeches at the highest level, enough to make me jump. The only way to turn it off is to unplug it, it will do this 10 times before it will reset and work again. I also talked to the geek squad and find the service call fee cost to be prohibitive to inspect an Insignia brand tv that I have no faith in. Look elsewhere. If best buy knew this problem was common–I’m sure they do since the product was discontinued, they could have made an attempt to extend the warranties or make exchanges, etc…some day this mentality will affect best buy.
Dan's reviewAugust 23, 2010
I purchased this TV in July 2008. It worked well until last night when ONLY the sound came on, NO picture.
Presley's reviewSeptember 17, 2010
I have an Insignia, NS L37Q-10 A/NS-L42Q-10A, 9 months old, purchased at Best Buy. Sound is not clear, it has a lot of echo to it. I decided to see if anyone else had trouble with the sound. I watch my old 13″ & 19″ T. V.’s to listen to a better speaker. I will check with Best Buy to see if they have any suggestions to bring in a better sound. After reading other reviews I am almost afraid to have any Nerd or Geek guys work on it. I bought it because Consumer magazine had recommended the Insignia for a good buy, telling customers not to overlook the Insignia because it compared favorably with some of the more expensive flat screens.
Presley
Marcus's reviewNovember 05, 2010
Apparently I’m not the only one that had problems with the TV… cept mine burned my house down on Christmas eve last year.
brian's reviewDecember 03, 2010
i purchased my tv in july of 2010 played for six months and heated up and cracked screen due to fan failing and best buy would not replace it and i bought the extended warranty will never buy for best buy again!!!!!!!
Dee's reviewDecember 09, 2010
We have the same problem with our insignia. We bought it several years ago. About a year ago its screen started to blackout. Thinking that it must be due to overheat, we placed a fan behind it, and it seemed to solve the problem. Well in the past week, we have seen several blackouts a day. Just in time for the holidays! Tomorrow my husband will complain to Best Buy. He plans on sticking the TV up their a**. Sorry the TV burned your house down Marcus.
Kerry's reviewDecember 18, 2010
Same exact problem as Brent posted earlier. Bought tv Dec 08. Everything great for 18 months and the picture turns all green/red stripes and the volume screeches loudly. Remote will not respond and off button will not turn off the set, so I have to unplug the tv. After cooling down a few hours, I plugged it in again and watched for about 30 minutes and the same thing happens, picture screams color stripes and volume screeching loudly. I’m afraid to leave it plugged in for fear of a fire. Insignia better do some research! When did $800 tv’s become disposable??? I called Best Buy/Insignia and a repair inspection will be $150 + tax. Cost prohibitive Every tv I’ve had in my life has lasted for years except this Insignia. I also have an Insignia portable cd player that is a piece of crap. Beware of Insignia.
John's reviewDecember 30, 2010
Bought the TV in December 2009, and it worked fine for six months. Then strange sounds and images started to appear, even when the TV was turned off! We took it to BB, and they said it was a “haunted” TV, and suggested we contact get spiritual help. Our church found a priest in Philadelphia that performs exorcisms on TV and he is scheduled to visit next week.
Shawn's reviewJanuary 26, 2011
Just dont know….I purchased my insigna LCD back in 2009 and paid up front a total of about 900 dollars for this television. Until about september in noticed my tv was flickering from time to time. Well everntually the flickering gotten worst and more continual. Then the volume would go out on different channels making it a task just to watch tv at this point. I didnt purchase a extended warrety do to the fact on how they kept boosting the tv reviews up stating “this tv was picked top 10 to purschase of 2009″ We never have any returns on this tv. So i left feeling pretty confident. Only to find when I went to return the tv for repairs I see nothing but insigna products being returned!!! wth Any way I returned my tv and they shipped it to alt. for repair. So, they tell me it was the power supply…Which i have read doesnt exist? Im suppose to recieve my tv this friday….Cross your fingers for me!!!
kyle's reviewJanuary 31, 2011
half screen went black at 1 year and 1 month after purchase don’t buy
SEAN's reviewFebruary 28, 2011
I AM LOOKING FOR THE ORIGINAL STAND FOR THIS TV “nslcd42hd”
I TOSSED IT WHEN I TOSSED THE BOX 3 YEARS AGO.
CAN ANYONE HELP ME????
Ann's reviewMarch 16, 2011
Purchased Insignia model number NS-42E570A11 march of 2011.
It has 4 HDMI ports. Works well with Blu-ray player. The t.v. has all
the adjustments needed to please any viewer. taste. There is an
adjustment for backlighting, and color, and picture tone. Reliability
is yet to be determined, but the t.v. has great color. 120Hz 1080p.
If it needs repair I will leave a review about it. Ann
Leo's reviewApril 17, 2011
Sean:
i have the stand and the screws for the tv you stated above…. im throwing out my tv because i have the same problems everyone is listing above…. if you want it you can have it.
let me know.
Shantal's reviewJuly 26, 2011
I purchased a 32″ Insignia LCD model number NS-LCD32-09 March of 2008. It is now just a little over two years old and my volume has gone all wacky. You cant turn it down, it stays on max and with the volume bar always up. I called Best Buy and they told me they had no documentation that we bought anything from them. So after 4 hours on the phone I got no where. Insignia will never be a product in my home ever again and Best Buy will never be on my shopping list again. They are a joke. I cant mute the darn thing the screen is beginning to act all weird and I paid to much for this t.v. to only last a little over two years.
Mark's reviewAugust 09, 2011
Insignia TV’s are just plain horrible. They do not last and BBY does not stand behind them. I have a LCD42HD and it lasted 2 years and then the picture went ‘sepia’ on me. What a waste of money.
CHASE's reviewNovember 12, 2011
I don’t know if anyone else is having this problem,but I bought my 42in a few months ago and I know it might sound crazy but I think my picture is based on the temp in the room.Let me explain.How some t.v.s might freeze up sometimes I have come to noticed if it is too cool in the room or too hot in the room is constantly does alittle freeze here and there but whenever i set thee temp just right in the room it will not do it all for the rest of the day.I had my air and fan on earlier and it started to do it again and like always i turned the air down alittle and the fan off and withim minutes it stopped.Has anyone else had this type of problem?
Teresa's reviewNovember 21, 2011
DO NOT BUY THIS TV!!!!! I bought my 42 inch from Best Buy in July 2010. In June 2011 my son told me the TV flickers when you turn it on. Sure enough, one day when I was not working I turned on the TV and the screen was flickering away. I called Best Buy, luckily the TV was still under warranty. They sent out a sub-contractor to repair the TV. A man and his son show up look at the TV for two minutes and determine it is the inverters. Three weeks later they show up to replace the inverters. It is not November and guess what? Yes!! The screen is flickering worse than before the repair!!!!!!!! I called the sub-contractor, and they told me I have to call Best Buy. I called Best Buy and they told me to call Geek Squad. I finally got ahold of Geek Squad and they tell me the repair is only under warranty for 30 DAYS!!!! And if I want the repair person to come back out I will have to pay $160.00 for a diagnostic visit and then pay for the parts. I can’t believe that I paid $700 for a TV that didn’t even last a year and I told this to Geek Squad. I am going to Best Buy and complain and insist that they replace the lemon TV that I bought.
A.Escobed's reviewJanuary 06, 2012
Same problems with my T.V. I purchased it from Best Buy spending approx $800 in 2008. I called Geek Squad and they said we cant repair this TV it will cost you to much money! Why in the world do they sell something that they can’t REPAIR or REPLACE. I called Insignia and “all” they said was I’m sorry!
Alex's reviewFebruary 25, 2012
I was wondering if this flicking issue was a common problem. I bought the 46″ LCD as an open box in 2010 and worked great for awhile. As soon as I hooked up a Marantz receiver the flicking in and out picture was driving me crazy, especially at Super Bowl time! It didn’t happen all the time, I always thought it was a loose HDMI cord that I had running from the receiver to theTV’s HDMI port. LED Time!!