Need help deciding what TV to get

[coolred]

Yeah that is a good car at a good price. It is still in the running when I decide to finally buy.

But back to the question at hand, theres been a new development in my search for a TV. I recentlly talked to my Dad and he said he would help me pay for a new TV as part of my christmas gift. So now I need to look into this more. First of all is flat screen or size of the screen more important? I am basically limited to say 27-32" TV's, so I could get either a regular 32" or a 27" flat screen. I think I would prefer the better picture quality of the flat screen, and I think a 27" would be big enough for me, so I think that is the direction I am gonna go. I was looking at Best Buy tonight and I really like the Toshiba 27" flat screen, but i was wondering what other opinions you all have. I also liked the look of one made by Sharp, I think, as well as the sonys, but they are more expensive, but possibly worth it. Heres the probelem, in case you haven't figured it out yet, I don't know a lot about TV's and stuff. I obviously plan to use mine to watch TV, but I also play video games(PS2 and hopefully soon to have an Xbox) and I also have a large collection of DVD's. Right now I watch the DVD's on my PS2, but when I get the money or maybe for christmas I will get a regular DVD player, as well as a set of surround sound speakers. So what i am asking is what should i look for in a TV besides image quality and size? I know the Toshiba and possiblly the others had a component video input. That is used to connect a DVD player to the TV at very high quality right? Is the quality noticable over Svideo though? It also had 2 Svideo inputs and some RCA inputs and outputs. I know the Svideo and RCA inputs can be used to connect DVD players and video games and whatnot, so the more the better. What exactly is the output for? Thanks

 

[RossMAN]

coolred - I thought you would have learned with your 100 car threads.

Since your father is going to help you pay for a new TV, what's your new budget?

Do you have a Costco or Sam's Club near you?

 

[Yzzim]

I've been searching for a tv for about a month or so. Finally settled on the Advent 20" flat screen at BestBuy because of the low cost and clear picture. I'll do my best at answering your questions.

First of all is flat screen or size of the screen more important? I am basically limited to say 27-32" TV's, so I could get either a regular 32" or a 27" flat screen. I think I would prefer the better picture quality of the flat screen, and I think a 27" would be big enough for me, so I think that is the direction I am gonna go.

As they say, quality over quantity. Always go for the better picture and more/better features....even if it means you're going to lose 4". It'll definitely be worth it. My flat screen is amazing, there's not much of a glare and the picture looks so much better because of it.

I was looking at Best Buy tonight and I really like the Toshiba 27" flat screen, but i was wondering what other opinions you all have. I also liked the look of one made by Sharp, I think, as well as the sonys, but they are more expensive, but possibly worth it.

Both Toshiba and Sony produce excellent TVs. Not sure about Sharp.

Heres the probelem, in case you haven't figured it out yet, I don't know a lot about TV's and stuff. I obviously plan to use mine to watch TV

If you watch a lot of television then look for a TV with a digital comb filter. I asked a question on AT a while ago about what the heck a digital comb filter does. What I was told is that it seperates the color/sound from the RF input on the TV (for cable/satillete) and improves the picture quality. I was a bit skeptical when I heard it but when I get my Advent 20" TV (which included a digital comb filter) I was shocked at how clear the picture was. Definitely worth the extra money if you watch a lot of tv...the picture quality is incredible.

but I also play video games(PS2 and hopefully soon to have an Xbox) and I also have a large collection of DVD's. Right now I watch the DVD's on my PS2, but when I get the money or maybe for christmas I will get a regular DVD player, as well as a set of surround sound speakers. So what i am asking is what should i look for in a TV besides image quality and size?

A digital comb filter will ONLY improve the quality of cable/satillete television. It does not improve anything hooked up via RCA inputs, Component inputs, or S-Video.

I know the Toshiba and possiblly the others had a component video input. That is used to connect a DVD player to the TV at very high quality right? Is the quality noticable over Svideo though?

Here's how the quality of inputs go:

Component > S-Video > RCA/Composite inputs

Component input is the best. Many DVD players have Component outputs so use it for a better picture. Not sure about the PS2, but I know the Xbox has component out.

It also had 2 Svideo inputs and some RCA inputs and outputs. I know the Svideo and RCA inputs can be used to connect DVD players and video games and whatnot, so the more the better. What exactly is the output for? Thanks

If the PS2 does not have Component output, then hook it up via S-Video. Stay away from hooking anything up (other than sound) to the RCA/Composite inputs. You might need to hook your VCR up to it, but that should be it. Composite input combines all the colors into one cable and ends up blurring the colors a bit. S-Video and moreover Component are much much much sharper.

Hope that helps. That's the knowledge I required from a month of listening to what people had to say and doing a little research on my own.

 

[coolred]

Well after having seen the picture quality in the Store(knowing it is probablly slightly degraded due to the split signal going to many TVs) and now finding out I can get it with free shipping for $434.99, 20 bucks cheaper then in store, I think I am about to make the purchase online. I have read several reviews and the only complaint I have heard in more then one review was of the little door on the front covering the AV inouts falling off. So all in all the Toshiba 27AF42 seems to be one of the best 27" flat screens and for that price with free shipping I see no reason not to purchase it.

 

[coolred]

One more question. Does best Buy just deliver the item from the closest store themselves or via UPS or something, or do they ship them from a warehouse or whatever? For this TV it says the first available delivery date is the 3rd. Does that mean they will bring it to me on the 3rd, or does that mean that is the first day they can ship it from somewhere, then meaning it could take a week to get to me?

Also as I said they are offering free shipping, and when i go to checkout it gives me several shipping options. Such as Ground, 2nd day, next day and none(in store pick up). When i choose next day and then recalculate the price it switches the mark to none and the price stays the same, does that mean next day shipping is free or is that a bug?

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: coolred
So all in all the Toshiba 27AF42 seems to be one of the best 27" flat screens and for that price with free shipping I see no reason not to purchase it.

Stop right there, Toshiba makes some of the best bang for your buck TV's. I bought a Toshiba 27" TV two years ago, great all around TV set with LOTS of inputs for my ReplayTV, cable/satellite, video games, DVD Player, VCR, etc. and it has a nifty green glow in the dark remote control!

 

[Dragon365]

I'm gonna have to agree, my Toshiba 20 inch flat screen (20AF41) just flat out rocks for watching cable and playing gamecube (gotta get a component cable to replace the standard one though).

 

[coolred]

Yeah this decision was pretty easy. I am about to buy the Toshiba, but I am still trying to figure out the whole delivery thing.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: coolred
Yeah this decision was pretty easy. I am about to buy the Toshiba, but I am still trying to figure out the whole delivery thing.

You know BestBuy.com does have a phone number you can call and ask questions, right?

Wait until tomorrow, call and ask them your questions.

 

[coolred]

Oops, got all excited and forgot about the number. Will give them a try tomorrow. I just wish i could get acess to a vehicle big enough to pick this thing up in store so I don't have to wait. I am impatient. Thanks

 

[coolred]

Few more questions, I began the order process online today and need some help. If I cannot get my questions answered here I will call the number, but I would prefer not to have to disconnect to make a call. Anyway, after looking at the dimensions of the TV, I think I can fit it in my car out of the box, so I have decided to pick it up at a store, but I want to order online cause it is like 20.00 dollars cheaper online. But even when I select no delivery/pick up in store, it still asks for my address and asks me to pick a delivery date, whats up with that? Also does BestBuy.com charge tax, I am assuming they do, but as of yet it has not been added to my order. I purchased the TV for 434.99 and the 4 yea service plan for 59.99 for a total of 494.98. I want to put this order on my best buy card to qualify for the no interest financing till 2004, but I only have a 500.00 credit limit. If they add tax to that total it would surely be more then 500.00

So can i charge it to 2 differant cards or buy the service plan at the actual store seperately or will they not charge me an over the limit fee if its only a few dollars over? Thanks

 

[coolred]

Better yet can I just get the B&M to match the online price? Then I can just buy it all there and pay for the extra that i can't put on my card

 

[coolred]

Now I need help hooking my VCR up to my new TV.

My old TV just required that I run the coax cable into the VCR then out of the VCR into the TV. Change the TV to channel 3 and your ready to record or watch a tape or whatever. Well it appears to me that on this TV, not only do i have to have the coax in the VCR then out and into the TV, I also need to hook the video and audio outs of the VCR into the TV, then change to a video channel to watch tapes. I did that(by the way my VCR is just a mono VCR, no stereo) and I can watch tapes just fine, but when I try to just watch TV through the VCR the channels are pure static. Why is this and how is it possible that the channels are static for the VCR but not for the TV?