My girlfriend just moved into a new apartment and she just needs a nice and decent TV, hoping to keep it around $250. Doesn't need to be HD and she may play games now and then. I'm in Southern California, if that helps at all. Any kind of recommendations would be greatly appreciated because we have no idea wtf we're doing.

If you could add another $20, you can pick up this 27 inch Sharp TV (27SC370) for $269. It have digital tuner, Fix/Variable audio output, and best of all one year labor/parts warranty. It will give you better performance and last longer than no name brand TVs.

I have 32 inch version of this TV and pretty happy with it.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7631226&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat95100050007&id=1130986501338

http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/7631/7631226_ra.jpg
http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/7631/7631226_ba.jpg

As I'm reading threads on this board, it seems important to have a digital tuner yet I'm not clear why. Are you able to explain? Also, what's fix/variable audio? Thanks, man.

After February 2009 the broadcast of analog TV signals over the air will cease. TV sets that do not include a digital ATSC tuner will not be able to receive over the air signals after this date. Separate digital tuner boxes will likely be available to allow older sets to still be used with digital over the air broadcasting.

Cable TV, however, is another story. A lot of cable TV is still transmitted using the analog NTSC standard and there is no requirement for the cable companies to stop using this format after 2009. The digital format for cable TV is also different, and an ATSC tuner will not work. To receive digital cable directly a QAM tuner is required but this will only receive non encrypted signals (clear QAM). If the cable company encrypts the digital signal, a set top box will be required anyway.

In terms of TV recommendations, I too have a 32" Sharp (older analog model) and have been very pleased with the performance. I can't comment on the 27SC370 but the 27SC26B model appears to have had some issues with streaking on higher cable channels (see reviews on CC web site). Hope this helps.

Red.

If you're in So-Cal then LA Craigslist is your friend. You can get an awesome used Sony or Toshiba for that price if you look around...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4872541 there you go its a decent tv with digital tuner

Hope somebody has this Sharp, or at least knows the answer. My question is about this tv displaying OTA digital signals. Let me give you an example. If I tune in digital channel 2.1, the picture is distorted meaning that the aspect ratio is off. I guess this is a 16X9 signal trying to fit into a 4X3 tv. Usually when this happens, isn't there just the black bars on top & below the picture? Or, sometimes the picture looks correct, but there are just some parts and the edges are missing. In either case, shouldn't the picture look normal?

With the Sharp in 4X3 mode, the 16X9 signal is not full-screen, nor are there black bars on the top & bottom. It is windowed & not even stretched any edge of the screen. Plus, the picture is distorted. I could switch to "stretch" mode, but that is a hassle & distorts the other regular 4X3 channels.

So my question is, is this normal or is this a defective set? Thanks.

I picked up a Sony 34XBR800 off craigslist for $300, might want to keep your eye on that in your area. Lots of HD CRTs going up with people moving to flat panels.

My question is about this tv displaying OTA digital signals. Let me give you an example. If I tune in digital channel 2.1, the picture is distorted meaning that the aspect ratio is off. I guess this is a 16X9 signal trying to fit into a 4X3 tv. Usually when this happens, isn't there just the black bars on top & below the picture?

I have the 32 inch version so may be I can help.

I usually leave the setting at 4:3 option for OTA digital channels. At this setting, 16:9 HD materials will fill the whole screen with no bars. For SD materials, ther will be bars on either side of screen. You can use the Stretch option to get rid of the side bars.

For those pictures that are windowed in all around side bars, again I leave the setting at 4:3 option.

Thanks for the response. However, I do not believe I explained the picture correctly. Next week when I go over there, I will try to take a few pictures of the distortion & post it here.