Cheap HD tv or maybe monitor?

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land sea air

land sea air

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landseaair
Well with my PS3 purchase looming large (hopefully I'll be getting one in the next couple of weeks) and the fact that I'm moving out of my parents house [/mooching:nervous: ] I've decided I should look into getting a TV for our 2 bedroom apartment (me my woman and two of our friends would all be using it in the main living space). Since I'm getting a PS3 and it seems to be the way of the world now anyways, I think I want to make it an inexpensive (hopefully not an oxymoron) HD tv or monitor. heres what I'm looking for:
-low price- 500$ is around the max I'm willing to go, used is fine if its within the price range and a good model
-I don't know that I would want a monitor as I can't see myself sitting close to one to play video games... so I guess I'm looking at the 25-32" range
-flat screen is not important since its usually more expensive
-I definitely want 720p (better than 1080i in most respects right?) and 480p/i is also needed
-HDMI is preferred but not necessary as long as theres good component hookup
-beyond that I don't really need many bells and whistles as I probably won't use them.
Any advice would be much appreciated!!!
 
If I were in your shoes I'd be looking for floor demos from a store. Maybe keep an eye on eBay for somebody unloading and old set after an upgrade.
You're probably gonna be stuck with component, even on a used set, in your price range, but there's nothing wrong with component connections, just lots more wires, and standard DVD players won't upscale to HD on component. (Which to me is not a deal-breaker in any way, shape, or form.)
 
thanks I haven't even thought of floor models so I'll look into that, one TV I did find that had HDMI looked promising, is there anything about HDMI I need to know as far as owning a PS3?
 
wfooshee
You're probably gonna be stuck with component, even on a used set, in your price range, but there's nothing wrong with component connections, just lots more wires, and standard DVD players won't upscale to HD on component. (Which to me is not a deal-breaker in any way, shape, or form.)
Click to expand...
Actually DVD players can and many do upscale SD to HD resolutions via component. It is even possible to transmit a 1080p signal via component, although this is rarely ever supported by players or displays.

However, there are several advanatges to HDMI over component that improve picture quality, and even many inexpensive TV's now come with HDMI.



land sea air
Well with my PS3 purchase looming large (hopefully I'll be getting one in the next couple of weeks) and the fact that I'm moving out of my parents house [/mooching:nervous: ] I've decided I should look into getting a TV for our 2 bedroom apartment (me my woman and two of our friends would all be using it in the main living space). Since I'm getting a PS3 and it seems to be the way of the world now anyways, I think I want to make it an inexpensive (hopefully not an oxymoron) HD tv or monitor. heres what I'm looking for:
-low price- 500$ is around the max I'm willing to go, used is fine if its within the price range and a good model
-I don't know that I would want a monitor as I can't see myself sitting close to one to play video games... so I guess I'm looking at the 25-32" range
-flat screen is not important since its usually more expensive
-I definitely want 720p (better than 1080i in most respects right?) and 480p/i is also needed
-HDMI is preferred but not necessary as long as theres good component hookup
-beyond that I don't really need many bells and whistles as I probably won't use them.
Any advice would be much appreciated!!!
Click to expand...
Check out Vizio's VX32L. It's a 32" WXGA (1366x768) LCD HDTV with 2 HDMI inputs.

Costco recently had it on sale for $500, and you can find them many places online for less than $700, which is Costco's regular price.

Here are it's specs:
  • Panel Type: TFT Active Matrix LCD w/ Anti-Static and hard coated surface
  • Pixel/Dot Pitch: 0.51mm (H) x 0.51mm (V)
  • Resolution: 1366 x 768
  • Lamp: LCD/Panel (PDP)
  • Life: 50000 hours
  • Colors: 8 bit 16.77 Million colors
  • Contrast Ratio: 1200:1
  • Brightness: 500 cd/m2
  • Response Time: 8 ms
  • Viewable Angle: 178° (horizontal and vertical)
  • Signal Compatibility: 480i (SDTV), 480P (EDTV), 720P (HDTV), 1080i (HDTV)
  • Computer: 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1366x768 thru VGA/RGB or 640x480 thru HDMI
  • Progressive Scan Video: thru Component YPbPr, VGA or HDMI
  • 3:2 or 2:2 Reverse Pull-down
  • 3D Comb Filter
  • Tuner: Integrated NTSC/ATSC/QAM HDTV Tuner
  • ATSC with 8VSB & QAM demodulation
  • ATSC with MPEG-2 decoding
  • NTSC Video decoding via RF: Yes, thru Antenna, Cable, or Satellite
  • NTSC Video decoding via Video: Yes, thru CVBS, S-Video, or Component
  • Picture-in-Picture (PIP)
  • Picture-outside-Picture (POP)
  • Closed Caption (CC)
  • V-Chip
  • Zoom
  • Freeze
  • Speakers: Built-in 10W x 2
  • Virtual Surround
  • Power: IEC Connector for direct power line connection
  • Voltage Range90 ~ 240 Vac at 50/60 Hz
  • Power Consumption: 180W average
  • Removable Base
  • Weight: 33 lbs (w/ stand), 29 lbs (w/ out stand)
  • Dimensions: 31.4" W x 23.3" H x 10.4" D (w/ stand), 31.4" W x 22.1" H x 3.9" D (w/ out stand)
Inputs/ Outputs:
  • HDMI w/ HDCP: x2
  • Component: x2
  • S-Video: x1
  • Composite Video: x2
  • RF (F Connector for internal tuner): x1
  • Computer RGB plus Stereo Audio: x1
  • 5.1 SPDIF Digital Optical Audio: x1
  • Analog Stereo Audio for HDMI Inputs: 1
  • Analog Audio out (RCA): 1
  • Service Port: 1
 
Digital-Nitrate
Actually DVD players can and many do upscale SD to HD resolutions via component.
Click to expand...

I'd really like you to point me to one. I'm not saying that as an argument, I'd literally really like you to point me to one; I can't find any. (U.S. market, Region 1) All the upscaling is done via HDMI, with rights management capability. A copy-protected DVD (is there any other kind?) won't upscale on component on any players I've been able to find.
 
wfooshee
I'd really like you to point me to one. I'm not saying that as an argument, I'd literally really like you to point me to one; I can't find any. (U.S. market, Region 1) All the upscaling is done via HDMI, with rights management capability. A copy-protected DVD (is there any other kind?) won't upscale on component on any players I've been able to find.
Click to expand...
There are plenty of upscaling DVD players that output 720p HD via component. There are fewer ones that output 1080i HD via component, and very few that output 1080p HD via component, but here is one that does them all over component:

If you want to find several upscaling DVD players that output 720HD and/or 1080HD over component, try Google. Also, even some upscaling DVD players that prevent upscaling via component can be modified to bypass the CSS-encryption... but there are plenty to choose from that do not need to be modded.

Regardless, HDMI is better than component so the best solution is to buy a display with HDMI and use that instead of component.



Back on topic: Looking at Costco's website, they have two 20" LCD WXGA (1366x768) HDTVs listed for only $300, both with HDMI inputs. Costco also has a 23" WXGA LCD HDTV from Sceptre for only $400 and like the others, has HDMI. They also have two 32" LCD WXGA HDTVs with HDMI for only $600.

Costco rarely has the lowest price, so you should be able to find these same models for even less with some online price searching... but Costco's return policy might come in handy considering these are low cost brands that are not likely to have the same kind of build quality as many of the name brands.
 
I am in the market for Westinghouse LVM-37W3 37" LCD TV. I have been
reading expert reviews and that has been useful to me. It may be help
you too. I had been using PCWorld.com, cnet.com to find reviews.
Yesterday I used PriceGrabber’s expert review tab (http://www.pricegrabber.com/info_expertreviews.php/masterid=18577153)
and found a site (www.smartratings.com) that aggregates expert reviews.
It only covers a few categories but it is pretty neat. Just my $.02.
 
Thanks a lot guys this has been very helpful. Integra do you own a TV like the one you posted? On another note I've heard that cables can actually be had at a reasonable price, anyone know where I might find them?
 
land sea air
On another note I've heard that cables can actually be had at a reasonable price, anyone know where I might find them?
Click to expand...
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=video+cables&hl=en&btnG=Search+Froogle

Personally though, I'd recommend you check out www.monoprice.com - they are one of the largest suppliers of low cost high quality video cables, adapters, switchers, etc.

Here is a LINK to their selection of HDMI cables. In most cases with short runs, even 28AWG HDMI cable should perform just as well as even 22AWG. Although for longer runs (15'+), to avoid any possible signal attenuation and intersymbol interference, you may need to consider 24AWG.

Also, it's a very good idea to avoid placing your video cables next to power cords to avoid electromagnetic interference and/or line noise.
 
land sea air
Thanks a lot guys this has been very helpful. Integra do you own a TV like the one you posted? On another note I've heard that cables can actually be had at a reasonable price, anyone know where I might find them?
Click to expand...

No, sorry. I just saw the price and the specs and figured you may be interested. The reviews seem pretty good too.
 
...This may help...

Today I just bought my first HDTV, and it has been a long-time coming.

Okay, I'll admit it. I bought into the whole 'Insignia' brand thing at Best Buy, and well, thus far I'm impressed with the quality. For $549.99 ($150 off, lasts until Sunday), I get a 27" flat-screen HDTV, 16:9 ratio, with 720p native resolution, one HDMI port, two component inputs, ATSC tuner, and of course the other connections that you would expect with any TV that has come out in the past few years.

n78001441_30241567_5515.jpg

n78001441_30241568_5823.jpg

n78001441_30241569_6111.jpg


Is it the best TV out there? No, not by a long-shot. Is it the best TV that I could afford? Pretty much. It does what I wanted it to do, particularly with the 360 and such, and thereby I didn't need anything too fancy.

I think the only thing that I've realized thus far is that the contrast ratio is decent 1000:1, but isn't quite as black as I would like... But it is a common problem with LCDs.

But hey, for $550, I really can't complain too much. The warranty that comes with it is a pretty good one, and Best Buy is normally pretty good about honoring them should anything go wrong.

I'm looking forward to the coming days, weeks, months, and years with this new TV, as I quite like it already.
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16889154001

This is what my roomates, my girlfriend, and I decided on for our new apartment, It has pretty much everything I needed and even though I don't know much about this brand I bought an extended warranty just in case, If i have any questions when I'm setting up I will probably post in here. Since it's Newegg it will probably be here tues. Let me know what you guys thing or have heard of this brand 👍
 
Sounds like a pretty decent TV, although I've never personally heard of the brand. The contrast ratio doesn't seem to be very strong, but outside of that, the specs seem to be pretty decent... More than enough to keep you happy with the 360 or PS3 in most cases.

Hmmm, seems heavy too. I see that it is rated at a little over 37 lbs, which seems really heavy for an LCD TV. I don't think mine weighed that much, but I could be mistaken...
 
Yeah I noticed that too, I would rather have a heavier TV I've never heard of than a light one though, espeacially since I'm not wall mounting and whatever stand I use will most definately be over-built since the PS3 will be on it as well :sly:
 
Its low contrast level is likely going to hurt the black level and shadow detail, although this will likely only be obvious when playing games or movies with a lot of dark images.

However, its 12ms response time could result in a lot of jittering video noise when playing any games or movies with fast moving images. 8ms or less is better.

If possible, it's a really good idea to see these TVs in person, and even better to bring your own DVD player to see how they really look, as there are many different aspects that affect the picture quality that cannot be clearly identified simply on specs alone. I've even taken my PS3 into Costco to compare differences among their 1080p displays.

Definitely do not count on what you see being fed to the TVs in stores as to the real ability of the TVs. The displayed TVs themselves also often need calibrating, which nowadays is not difficult to do in a short amount of time. While not the best choice, any DVD with the THX Optimizer tool will give you a good head start. Better choices would be AVIA or Digital Video Essentials.

At the very least, it’s a good idea to buy it from a retailer that has a good return policy in the event you are not satisfied.
 
Ok so the TV is at the house right now (I'm at work) and I want to play GT4 in its HD (ED?) mode when I get home. Now I know this isn't the gt4 forum but I was wanted to make sure I will be able to do this with only RCA cables
 
land sea air
Ok so the TV is at the house right now (I'm at work) and I want to play GT4 in its HD (ED?) mode when I get home. Now I know this isn't the gt4 forum but I was wanted to make sure I will be able to do this with only RCA cables
Click to expand...
On the PS2, GT4 in 1080i is only supported over component... or HDMI when played on the PS3.
 

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