LCD for use as a TV?

[siyan]

I recently ordered digital cable for when I move to my new apartment. Now the problem is, I don't acutally have a TV. Having taken a look at prices for low-end (CRT) TVs I was a bit disappointed, so I happened upon the idea of getting a cheap 19/20" LCD, some mediocre 2.1 speaker system, and some kind of composite -> VGA conversion system (standalone, not something that needs to be in a PC).

Wondering if anyone has any advice/recommendations regarding this. I've got a few LCDs in mind, speakers are easy, and the hard part remains the composite -> VGA conversion. The few solutions I've found are all very very pricey (more than the LCD costs).

TIA

 

[Viper GTS]

What set-top box are you using with your digital cable? You'll probably have s-video, component, or DVI (or possibly even all three) to work with, & there are lots of affordable LCD's that will support those.

Viper GTS

 

[siyan]

The set top box is pretty basic; it only has component out and RF out.

I know Dell has a nice 20" LCD with Component and SVideo input, but its slightly higher than the price I want to spent. On the other hand if I could score a Dell coupon..

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: siyan
The set top box is pretty basic; it only has component out and RF out.

I know Dell has a nice 20" LCD with Component and SVideo input, but its slightly higher than the price I want to spent. On the other hand if I could score a Dell coupon..

I find it somewhat hard to believe that it has nothing between component and RF.

Got a model number? Are there any alternate set-top boxes? The 20" Dell has s-video input, but not component IIRC - Only the 24" has component.

There are plenty of decent 27" flat CRT based TV's out there with component input in the price range of the LCD's you're looking at, why would you not go for one of those? Or even a used TV?

To put things in perspective I picked up my 27" HDTV CRT for ~$400 two years ago. I'd take it as a TV any day over a 20" PC monitor.

Viper GTS

 

[siyan]

Whoops, I meant to say RCA out. and RCA input on the Dell 20".

Its a Motorola something or other. The "Standard Receiver" listed here: http://www.cogeco.ca/en/digital_boxes_o.html

I'm leaning towards the LCD since I can use it on my PC if I want and have a dual monitor setup. Flexibility issue. Also I simply prefer LCD to CRT, and its lighter to lug around (I do move a fair bit).