26" LCD TV Help

[Pegun]

I'm looking to get a new LCD and from what I've seen the best bet on my budget (~$500) is an LCD TV about 26". I've looked at the following three online, the Insignia in store after reading the reviews (mostly positive), and even got the chance to hook up my laptop to the insignia which displays the video quite well.

So out of the following, what would you guys/gals recommend?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...oduct&id=1194052042561
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...oduct&id=1194052042226
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...oduct&id=1202649422582

I'll be mainly using it as a TV but I would like to use it as a monitor as well so i can just switch between the sources or do something with a dual screen.

 

[kalrith]

I've found that TVs smaller than 32" are quite overpriced. For $550 you can get this 32" TV, which is 51% larger than the 26" screen according to tvcalculator.com. I can't speak as to the quality of this TV, but as far as size goes, I wouldn't look at anything smaller than 32".

 

[cheapherk]

I bought this Vizio 32" Plasma HDTV from Walmart and it is freakin' wonderful! From what I understand, it is the smallest plasma TV. Also has 3 HDMI ports and supports up to 1080i (although you wouldn't know it from looking at Walmart's spec sheet).

I HIGHLY recommend it.

Link to the TV on Vizio's site.

 

[Captante]

Both Dynex & Insignia are Best Buy house brands & arn't very good quality, plus as kalrith stated 26-inch LCD's are seriously overpriced vs comparable 32-inch models ... I suggest being patient until you find a decent sale price on a recognizable name-brand 32 instead.

 

[Pegun]

I found a Vizio and a Panasonic at BJ's last night that were 549, so that would be similar to the ones above in terms of price. The nice thing about Insignia is that it's made by LG most of the time (One of my friend's worked at best buy). I'll continue looking into sales and that vizio as well.

 

[Oyeve]

I picked up a Samsung LN32A330 from Amazon (before the NYC tax thing) with a Citibank rewards coupon. Got it for just under 600 bucks. I agree, anything under 32" is losing $$$. For a little more than 500 you can get 32". Just dont get Olevia, they went bankrupt.