Polaroid - 32" Flat Screen TV Review

Had our Polaroid 32" flatscreen with built in DVD for about one year and so far; has been working great as our bedroom set.  We picked it since is was simple and offered a no clutter solution on the corner desk.  We don't use the DVD very often, but after playing perhaps its 14th or so disk... mechanism jammed!

 One good part of the TV's design is you remove one screw and the DVD mechanism slides out via a 5" bay (similar to a PC) from the TV itself.  Somebody was thinking!

 If your DVD is jamming, or loading motor runs constantly, our problem was a torsion spring had reversed its range of motion 180 degrees and was hitting the DVD chassis enclosure.  This prevented the disk from seating on the spindle.  Spring is external and drive does not require dissasembly other than a top dust cover to flip the spring back to its correct position with tweezers.  Aside from that simple repair, good to go again.  I don't know how many other drives could be affected in these sets, but very simple issue to repair.

 My only other complaint are the clunky remote control functions.  When a DVD is inserted, you have to pull up the main menu to tell the TV you want to watch the DVD.

Based on the relatively low cost, it is hard to say how long the unit will last.  First part of all flatscreens to be compromised as cost saving measure are parts in the power supply.  First targeted are electrolytic capacitors.  Lower grade electrolytics are what often fail and limit the life of most flatscreens in general.  For about 5-10 dollars, electrolytics can be upgraded to premium level and make most flatscreens last significantly longer than intended.  This is definitely something I will be doing with this set.  Based on other reports of this TV shutting down and/or noise from speakers... sounds like failing electrolytics in the power supply causing loss of regulation.

For us it has been a good set so far.