I am looking for a small TV (<= 20") for the kids to use with their new PS2, so I can claim our main 32" Sharp back. I have been looking at the 16" Samsung TX-R1635 and the 20" Magnavox 20MT4405 among others. I would like to stay below $200, including an extended warranty. Any comments or suggestions?

Thanks, Red.

I'd say go to wal-mart and buy http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5273237

Thanks for the suggestion. I had some concerns about the LCD response time fro games (16 ms) and the scaling to 768 lines. The PS2 will at least give a clean signal for scaling. Also when I add shipping and the extended warranty, I will be over my target price point.

Thanks, Red.

My advice would be to go with whichever brand name CRT is on sale that week. Component video is a plus if you have the component adapter for the PSII.


Which store is closet or most convienent to you?

Here a couple just to start, I don't think you will see a HUGE difference from TV to TV in that size/price range.

Best Buy has the Samsung TXR2035 for $175.95 ($190 w/ tax). (Flat Tube 20 inch w/ component input)

Walmart has an RCA 20F420T. I got that one for my Mom when her little bedroom TV died. It's got a nice picture for $115.00. (Flat Tube, No component video.)

Go with a standard def CRT. For games, don't go below 20 inches. Flat tube (not flat screen) would be nice, and the PS2 over component does look great- not sure if the kids would notice though.

The Sammy in the above post looks pretty good to me.

S-Video is a huge improvement if you have been using regular yellow cable until now. For the kids if u want to save a buck or two and maybe buy them the S-Video cable don't worry about component

Thanks for all the comments. I will definitely make sure the set has component or S-video input capability. Locally we have Target, Walmart, Sears and Best Buy (Circuit City is a little further). I checked the local Best Buy on Monday and the CRT selection was very limited. They only had 4 boxed sets in the 20" and under range (2 Toshiba 20AF45 and 2 Insignia DVD combos). They still had some other models on display (mostly Insignia) but no stock (I even asked). No sign of any smaller sets with digital tuners. I could order on-line but I would rather see the set first and avoid shipping charges.

Regards, Red.

Myself, If you don't need an ATSC Tuner, I would go with one of the cheaper 24" Flat Tube sets because there not that much more but the picture is soooo much bigger especially if they have been using a 32" set a 20" or smaller set is really going to look small.

If you don't mind a 27", check out the Orion TVD2710 CRT SDTV at Wal-Mart for only $150 right now. Orion is made by Toshiba. Your kids will love the 27" size and the picture quality looks pretty good. It has component input.

Thanks to all the suggestions. While looking around, I came across a tuner box that allows a TV signal to be displayed on a computer monitor. Since I had an old CRT monitor already, I gave it a try as a low cost alternative. I had to take the monitor cover off and adjust the color, as everything was green at first. After tweaking, it actually looks pretty good and probably has a finer dot pitch than a TV of the same size (14").

Being a CRT, I was able to use 640x480 resolution, so no scaling and just a conversion to 480p. We may get a larger TV in the future but this set up seems to be keeping the kids happy for the moment.

Thanks again, Red.