Televisions

[Saint Nick]

I would like to get a nice TV for my dorm (viewing distance about 6 feet). I play mostly video games and do not watch very much TV. I will have a PS2, a N64, SNES, and in the future, an XBOX 360 plugged into this TV. My price range is anything up to $350. Having audio outputs is a plus (for a stereo or whatever)! I would also like to know what the difference between component and "regular" inputs are.

Thank you!

UPDATE:

After wanting to buy the Philips that is listed in this thread, I realize I need to spend actually probably less than $150 on a TV. So, with that said, any other suggestions are welcome. I know I can't get much, but like I said, just play games on it. 480i/p, 720i/p, 1080i/p aren't needed.

 

[Saint Nick]

bumperooski...

 

[touchmyichi]

i have a dell 2405fpw in my dorm, i'm thinking of putting in a tv tuner so i could use it as a tv as well.

you could get a 2005fpw if you aren't up for 24 inches yet and put a tuner on, that way you could upgrade your monitor and watch tv through a tuner.

 

[rstrohkirch]

For $399 you can pickup a 27" sanyo HDTV with integrated tuner at walmart. Quality is pretty decent for the price but it's 4:3 so you'll get black bars on certain material if it doesn't have zoom(not sure you'll have to check it out in-store). You can pickup the same brand but 26" widescreen for $499. The models aren't listed on their website so you'll have to go to a store and look in person.

I really don't know of any other HDTV in your price range and if you add in the fact that it has an integrated tuner, nothing even close. Obviously though, I have no clue if you live in a decent size town or if you even have interest in getting OTA HDTV channels.

Also, per your question on component inputs...a quick google lookup would be better for you but in short summary - component inputs are the analog inputs that allow material past 480i(the limits of a standard def TV) on up to HDTV resolutions of 720p, 1080i, etc. They have no use on a standard def TV except the convience of an extra input as Svideo can also do 480i.

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: rstrohkirch
For $399 you can pickup a 27" sanyo HDTV with integrated tuner at walmart. Quality is pretty decent for the price but it's 4:3 so you'll get black bars on certain material if it doesn't have zoom(not sure you'll have to check it out in-store). You can pickup the same brand but 26" widescreen for $499. The models aren't listed on their website so you'll have to go to a store and look in person.

I really don't know of any other HDTV in your price range and if you add in the fact that it has an integrated tuner, nothing even close. Obviously though, I have no clue if you live in a decent size town or if you even have interest in getting OTA HDTV channels.

HDTV would be really nice!!! that is for sure. i am going to check these out. i live in a town of 1 million so yes, we have a few walmarts around thanks for the tip, and in the meantime i'll poke around their website and see if i can find one.

 

[rstrohkirch]

Chances are you'll have a few HDTV over the air stations that you could pickup with standard bunny ears antenna. If this interests you greatly then the Sanyos will be the only TV in your budget as you're looking at $550-600+ on other brands with integrated digital tuners.

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: rstrohkirch
Chances are you'll have a few HDTV over the air stations that you could pickup with standard bunny ears antenna. If this interests you greatly then the Sanyos will be the only TV in your budget as you're looking at $550-600+ on other brands with integrated digital tuners.

Well HDTV isn't absolutely necessary. I will probably go without it anyways, just to save money. I would like a pretty decent 4:3 TV though... since I really am only playing video games.

 

[Captante]

Component video actually does produce a slightly better picture then S-video even on a standard TV.. my 36 inch Toshiba 4:3 TV has component input labeled Colorstream & I compared it to S-video using a DVD player & it did a better job reproducing color, nothing close to my Sony 34 HDTV though.

 

[RonML]

Captante,
Which Toshiba 34 inch CRT TV and which Sony do you have?

 

[fliguy84]

This one

This Widescreen HDTV Monitor features HDMI, 480p Progressive Scan, Active Control 2, EyeFidelity, 2DY/C Digital Comb Filter, Scan Velocity Modulation, and Dolby Virtual Surround.

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: fliguy84
This one

This Widescreen HDTV Monitor features HDMI, 480p Progressive Scan, Active Control 2, EyeFidelity, 2DY/C Digital Comb Filter, Scan Velocity Modulation, and Dolby Virtual Surround.

that is a really nice find dude.. i think i'm going to pick that up.

thank you!!!!

 

[Saint Nick]

well i did some more money planning and i realized i shouldn't buy such an expensive tv... i updated the OP.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: jndietz
well i did some more money planning and i realized i shouldn't buy such an expensive tv... i updated the OP.

For $150 you're probably looking at a 24" generic tv or a 20" from a midrange name brand.

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: jndietz
well i did some more money planning and i realized i shouldn't buy such an expensive tv... i updated the OP.

For $150 you're probably looking at a 24" generic tv or a 20" from a midrange name brand.

Well, I did find this:

Philips 27 in DVD Ready TV

This DVD-Ready TV features component video inputs, Incredible Surround<(>?, 10 Watts audio power, Active Control Plus?, Digital Comb Filter, Scan Velocity Modulation, RealFlat? high-contrast picture tube, QuadraSurf? remote, Dynamic Noise Reduction, S-Video input and Side stereo AV + headphone jacks.

Is that TV crappy or do you think it'll suit my needs?

 

[abs0lut3]

that should suit you fine...

 

[RobsTV]

TV's and PC's are what I do.
This will be my only post in this thread because based on posts over the years, consumers seem to know more than any highly trained certified factory tech, so take my expert advice with a grain of salt.

crappy.
The Phillips sets are breaking down faster than we can fix them.
Pure junk, and definetly a "get what you pay for" TV.
There are mostly junk sets at under $200.
I'm talking units that self destruct in less than 6 months!
Sure, if you buy it at Walmart, you can simply exchange it for another junk one when it breaks.

But, for only a few dollars more, (or a good sale), you can get great quality.
For low cost leader, get a Sharp. It is a set that will last.
JVC will be best for features and A/V quality, while still at a decent price.
Toshiba follows, only because it is slightly worse build quality (and more failures) than both Sharp and JVC.

That is it. Nothing more.

 

[blckgrffn]

Originally posted by: RobsTV
TV's and PC's are what I do.
This will be my only post in this thread because based on posts over the years, consumers seem to know more than any highly trained certified factory tech, so take my expert advice with a grain of salt.

crappy.
The Phillips sets are breaking down faster than we can fix them.
Pure junk, and definetly a "get what you pay for" TV.
There are mostly junk sets at under $200.
I'm talking units that self destruct in less than 6 months!
Sure, if you buy it at Walmart, you can simply exchange it for another junk one when it breaks.

But, for only a few dollars more, (or a good sale), you can get great quality.
For low cost leader, get a Sharp. It is a set that will last.
JVC will be best for features and A/V quality, while still at a decent price.
Toshiba follows, only because it is slightly worse build quality (and more failures) than both Sharp and JVC.

That is it. Nothing more.

I believe this. That philips you have a link to is the best you are going to do at your price point, however. Just remember you might be replacing it in a year or two, which might now be such a bad thing And disposal is easy at college, just take it down the dorm trash room

*I am very happy with my Phillips 27" Faux Flat TV. It looks great... component inputs are a must for all that gaming, especially with the xbox 360 IMHO. Even if you don't get 480p, the color will be much better.

Nat