Getting a new TV, help

Tacks · Post by **Tacks** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 4:21 pm

So I'm in the market now for an HDTV finally. I've had my 27 inch sharp tv for about 10 years now so it's time to upgrade. My budget is $400-475, is it possible to find anything around a 27 inch in that price range? I basically want it for watching sports and my Xbox 360, so whatever would be best for that. Thanks for any suggestions.

I haven't really looked around at all and I don't really understand all the technical jargon. I did see a Sylvania at Kmart for about $450 http://cc.msnscache.com/cache.aspx?q=6822928320637&lang=en-US&mkt=en-US&FORM=CVRE is this one good enough for what I'd need? It's only 720p but how much uses 1080i and will I need it in the future?

Our local Staples also has a floor display of this http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/OLEVIA-27-2-Series-LCD-HDTV-227V/sem/rpsm/oid/163701/catOid/-12867/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do on clearance for $400 though I've never heard of the brand.

Post by **Lyion** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:31 am

I would suggest going just a tad higher and looking for a good 30" TV at a minimum. Honestly, for as long as you'll use it, I would spend what you can to get something really good.

The first thing I'd do is go to Best Buy and actually look at the TVs you are interested in. It's tough to get a good gauge of size, but go to a 27" and then take a look at a 32 and 37" while ignoring the very large ones for perspective.

Most 720p TVs can do 1080i. I would suggest making sure your TV can do 1080i since it's the de facto standard for broadcast TV.

IM me if you want any more info, Taxx, as I'm a bit of a home theater enthusiast.

Post by **Lyion** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:20 am

This is what you need!

Zanchief · Post by **Zanchief** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:44 am

lyion wrote:This is what you need!

That's going to make a sweet paper weight when the colors get burnt into the screen.

Tacks · Post by **Tacks** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:24 am

There is no Best Buy anywhere near here and the circuit city is crap. Basically those 2 I linked are the only ones in the area that even looked like they were in my price range. So my only other option is buying off the internet. It seems when you get up to the 30 inch range that the prices go to 600+ I really don't want to spend that much so I don't know.

Post by **Lyion** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:55 am

Well, what you want to do is just check the TVs out and see which has a picture you like, for HDTV.

I saw this deal on fatwallet, which might interest you:

http://www.fatwallet.com/t/18/722526/

Circuit City has the Olevia 27" LCD HDTV (model 227V) on sale this week:
$449.99 - 10% off TV coupon = $404.99 + tax

YMMV on coupon use - the coupon can only be used in store (B&M)

Olevia 227V at CC (specs and reviews)
10% off coupon (YMMV - I printed the JPEG version in color and cut it out - the store allowed it since it scanned fine)

Can't really beat the price of that, but again I'd highly recommend going a bit bigger if you can afford it. Even if you have a small room, a 32" TV isn't that big and is worth the extra cash.

Tacks · Post by **Tacks** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:58 am

That one you linked is the same one our Staples has for $400.

What I don't get is it says 720p then below says " This TV is compatible with 1080i/720p/480p/480i digital programming."

Tacks · Post by **Tacks** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 11:08 am

Found these also, they would be the very top end of my price range. I'm just worried about the quality and them being able to do what I want with them. I could also hook these up and use them as a computer monitor right?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889179002 comes with free DVD player

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889022023

Post by **Lyion** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 11:16 am

Tacks wrote:That one you linked is the same one our Staples has for $400.

What I don't get is it says 720p then below says " This TV is compatible with 1080i/720p/480p/480i digital programming."

Yeah, it will watch 1080i. The numbers are just the different 'resolutions' similar to a Computer Monitor's resolution. 1080i is a bit different in it's a resolution that is 'interlaced'.

720p = 1280 x 720

That's the highest resolution that TV will use, which is why they list it. It is higher than 1080i, which is lesser.

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 11:45 am

Any chance you could up your budget? The exact TV you're looking for is probably around the 600 range. Also, do you watch a lot of ESPN? If you do, stay away from plasma. The score bar and ESPN logo will eventually burn in if you watch a lot of ESPN on a plasma. LCD all the way. Also, I had a 27 inch crt myself and I switched to a 22 inch LCD wide screen HDTV and it was adequate (because the widescreen makes it bigger obviously) so you might consider a 22-24 inch as well perhaps.

Tacks · Post by **Tacks** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 11:55 am

Wow this seems like a good deal I just saw. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2191145&Tab=11&NoMapp=0

Seems like it has everything people say to look for, HDMI, usb upgrades, widescreen 3d comb. Only thing is, it doesn't come with a tuner but we don't have HD cable here anyways, that won't affect me right, i'd just have to get a tuner at a later time if we upgraded? I think with Comcast they rent you out a box for $5 a month more or something anyways.

I was telling Lyion, if I had to, I could go up to the $650 range but only if it would be the perfect deal.

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 12:19 pm

http://www.amazon.com/Westinghouse-LTV- ... 20&sr=8-46

I have a 42 inch from the same company (so does Lyion I think also) and I love it.

EDIT: Just saw the price on yours. That's pretty good.

Tacks · Post by **Tacks** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 12:24 pm

Unless there's free shipping (didn't see any) that's gonna be too much=/

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 12:48 pm

My TV doesn't have a tuner either. I just pay 5 bucks more to have an HD receiver and they supplied the HDMI cable too.

I've never heard of Olevia but it seems the testimony is pretty good. 499 for a 32 is kinda ridiculous so I don't see why not. Westy's are proven good to me so I always say get a Westy but that deal is pretty killer.

Post by **Lyion** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:02 pm

Yeah, I love my Westinghouse LCD. I'd highly recommend them. I game on mine with my PC and 360 and it's brilliant

Your deal is a good one, Taxx. You won't need a tuner almost anywhere, so that's not a biggie

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:15 pm

1 thing that westy does suck on is ps3. There's a handshake issue with HDMI and it won't display 1080p properly so I have to use it on DVI 1 or it won't work right. When it's on DVI 1 sometimes I get a scrambled display which means I have to change the channel then change it back. Otherwise no probs.

Post by **Lyion** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:17 pm

If you're under warranty, I'd call and have it replaced, Jay. That might just be an issue with the HDMI.

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 4:05 pm

It's a known ps3 and westy incompatibility issue. Basically they're both blaming each other.

Post by **Lyion** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 4:20 pm

I've never used my HDMI, but have never had any issues with mine and I game at 1080p on my 360 and 1920x1080 on my PC.

I'll check AVS Forums and see if anyone else has HDMI issues with Westys.

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 5:30 pm

It's only PS3's. It works fine with everything else. I have my cable box running through HDMI right now.

Tikker · Post by **Tikker** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 11:23 pm

bumpage

if anyone else is searching for a HDTV, the westinghouses just dropped their prices like crazy

47" 1080p for like $1700 canadian right now (that's like half the price of a year ago)

I picked up a 32" for the bedroom for $700