LCD HDTV Help

dr0be

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Sep 28, 2006
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I've recently determined my next electronic investment will be a LCD HDTV, its always something Ive wanted but never got around to. I went to Best Buy today and looked around to get some ideas and I have a few questions.

First off, I am looking for one that I can play my 360 and PS3 (future purchase) all on, and possible watch TV (not 100% needed). Heres where the questions begin...

1) Should I get a TV with HDMI ports for the 360/PS3? Or is component video just as good. I ask because it seems the more HDMI ports the more money the TV costs. What would be the best choice for quality wise between the two?

2) Does component or HDMI carry an audio signal? Or would the audio have to be through an optical audio cord like the 360 uses?

3) What resolution would my computer run on? Right now I have a LG 20.1" Widescreen and run on 1680x1050. Would my computer just run on the LCD TVs native resolution?

I know that contrast ratio and refresh rate matter when choosing a TV/Monitor, but I'm not really educated in TV specs (hence me posting here! :D). I did some browsing around on Newegg and so far this one looks to be the best one with component and HDMI ports.

If anyone could suggest some LCD HDTVs that can run my 360 and PS3 (and maybe cable TV) that would look nice (good contrast ratio/RR?) for around the price of $500-700 USD I would greatly appreciate it.

*EDIT* It doesnt HAVE to run my computer (VGA input), I really only want it for 360/PS3. Id actually prefer it not, since my current monitor is nice.
 

MustISO

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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HDMI can carry audio signals. Component does not. Which is better can depend on a few factors. With my TV and HD receiver, component is better. The XBOX 360 comes with component cables so you can use the XBOX with component and HDMI with PS3. If you get the 360 elite, that has HDMI.
 

dr0be

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Sep 28, 2006
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When you say HDMI do carry audio, is it in the form on a separate cord? Or is the video and audio in the same cord. If its separate what type of cord is it? Standard red/white RCA?

I ask because my speakers aren't TV speakers, they're PC speakers and I use a front/rear/center to red/white RCA adapter (As seen here). The adapter works great with my 360 so I figured if both the PS3 and 360 would run on red/white RCA audio I could just switch the cords out depending on which I'm playing, since so far I've read build-in LCD HDTV speakers are crappy.
 

MustISO

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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An HDMI cable can carry audio and video. You can also use a different cable to carry the audio if you need to.
 

dr0be

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Sep 28, 2006
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Can a console be carried by HDMI video and RCA audio? Or does it have to be optical audio if HDMI video? Both audio for the 360 and PS3 have to be able to be RCA (red/white)
 

dr0be

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Sep 28, 2006
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Alright, after some more searching I'm looking between 2 Samsung 26". They basically have everything I want. They both have...

- 26"
- 8ms Refresh Rate
- 1366 x 768 res
- 2 HDMI back inputs
- 1 PC back input (If I do plan on hooking my PC up to it)
- 2 Component(Y/Pb/Pr) back inputs

They both have the exact same specs except one has a 5000:1 ratio rather than a 4000:1, and the 5000:1 is $100 more ($800)... Is that extra $100 worth it? Would there be a huge substantial difference if they we're side by side?

So I could have my PS3 and 360 on Component Video, have their RCA audio running to my speakers, and my PC on VGA if I wanted. They both have good reviews on amazon.com and newegg.com.

*edit* The 2 TV's are Samsung LN-T2642H and Samsung LN-T2653H
 

Tweak155

Lifer
Sep 23, 2003
11,449
264
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Thats pretty good contrast for an LCD. I'm personally looking at 50" + lcd's as right now I have a 42" with similar specs to what you listed. It is a Westinghouse and cost 999.99$. If you really need all that contrast, thats a pretty good line up but keep something in mind, PS3 will do 1080P resolution. Component video is analog whereas HDMI is digital video. Basically the HDMI will have better video spec-wise but as someone mentioned earlier, some tv sets just do better analog. Component in the long run will not get you 1080p resolution, which XBox will eventually support (supposedly) and the PS3 already does. Just some FYI's. There are some 37" LCD sets that have gone for about 800$ with 1080P. Hope I didn't get you thinking too much :)
 

dr0be

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Sep 28, 2006
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I really don't want some thing more than about 26, 27 inches, just because of the fact theres no where to put it (I'm only 18, don't own my own house). I've been playing my 360 on my 20.1" LCD Monitor with a VGA cable, which runs on 780p, and it looks great, so I'm not particularly tempted enough to buy a 1080p res TV (plus I dont want to spend that much money).
 

kalrith

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2005
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Here's another option: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...824116084&Tpk=VX2835WM

It's a 28" WS monitor that runs at 1920x1200 resolution and is in your price range. It has HDMI with HDCP, which could be important for your 360/PS3. Since it has 1200 vertical pixels, it might put thin black bars at the top and bottom while feeding it a 1080p picture (1920x1080 res). If that is so, the picture size would probably still be comprable to the 26" TV.
 

tatteredpotato

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2006
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Originally posted by: dr0be
I really don't want some thing more than about 26, 27 inches, just because of the fact theres no where to put it (I'm only 18, don't own my own house). I've been playing my 360 on my 20.1" LCD Monitor with a VGA cable, which runs on 780p, and it looks great, so I'm not particularly tempted enough to buy a 1080p res TV (plus I dont want to spend that much money).

I'm in the same boat, except I got the 37" 1080p Westinghouse for 800. Also if you don't have an Elite, the 360 will output 1080p over VGA (it's what I'm doing now).