[Skythe]

Hey everyone, I was wondering what HDTV I should get. I would be using it as an all around TV, mostly for gaming(XBOX, PS2, Cube), tv and some DVDs. I'm looking for a 27" - 32 " range, looking for a price around $600. It would be great to have a nice screen for split-screen gaming as well. The Sanyo was what I wanted, but after hearing about the shoddy component inputs, i'm weary.

 

[PikminZeez]

Do you want a widescreen set or a standard set?

 

[Skythe]

well, there's the coolness of the widescreen =p. Also, its pretty beneficial for gaming. So widescreen, but if they are too expensive, regular is ok.

 

[PikminZeez]

Philips makes a 26" widescreen HDTV for $599.99.

 

[PikminZeez]

I'm in the same situation as you. I want a new HDTV for gaming. Do you have AOL or AIM? You can IM me at Nep321. I'm on right now. It will be easier to talk.

 

[matrixrok10]

I thought most games, even the new ones are 4:3 ?

 

[Skythe]

Well, I know that XBox supports widescreen.

 

[matrixrok10]

From what I read, most XBox games aren't 16:9. Just because Xbox supports it, doesn't mean all games are capable of 16:9.

 

[Skythe]

Ok, so uh, any advice on a tv?

 

[Greg Black]

I would definitely get a 4:3 TV for gaming. 16:9 still looks nice, in fact, if you get a 36" 4:3, you would get a 16:9 widescreen image about the same size as you would on a 34" widescreen TV.


I went with the JVC 36DF74 HDTV and it looks fantastic. I have my Xbox and GC hooked up through the component inputs. Completely blows away the already good quality I had with my 32" JVC D-Series.

 

[PikminZeez]

Considering how you don't have much money, and you want something around $600, I would recommend either a 27" 4:3 or a 26" 16:9, depending on your choice of aspect ratio. There is the Philips 26" widescreen for $600, or for a little more, the Sony 27" standard set for $750. In this 27" set, a widescreen letterbox would be 24". It's a tough decision on whether to go widescreen or not, and I am still deciding on this myself. While some games support widescreen, most games do not. I would bet, however, that next generation game consoles would have most games supporting widescreen. Xbox 2 comes out in one year, and PS3 and Nintendo's Revolution come out in 2 years. So, you might want to prepare for the future, which isn't that far away. I have asked a GameSpot editor what it's like to play 4:3 games on a 16:9 TV, and he said that it is barely distracting. Just pretend that the black bars are part of the edge of the TV.

 

[totalownership]

Most of the more popular games support 16:9 don't they? The Tom Clancey's the ESPN sports and such. I could be wrong. That's why I'm here. I plan on getting something and it HAS to make my ESPN Sports on Xbox and my NFL on Fox look outstanding.

 

[Nylok]

does ps2 look bad on an HDTV?

 

[Hiloboy]

i'm new to gaming but my friend loaned me his xbox so I could try it on my sony 34xbr960 and most of the demos (demo disc from xbox magazine) I tried support widescreen. The only game I bought was the new star wars one and it supports widescreen and is much better when playing in split screen mode than on a 4:3. The split screen uses the whole screen .

 

[Nylok]

How does the Ps2 (using component video, s-video or composite video) look on the Sanyo? Does it look good?

 

[Nylok]

bump

 

[psycho]

anyone consider the toshiba 26hf84, i know i want one for my room, it would be perfect for gaming and HTPC

 

[DeathCom]

Id say go Widescreen for gaming, no question really.


Last year I got myself a XBR910, and Ive played a lot of Xbox, PS2, some Gamecube, and even have my PC hooked into this set.


Xbox is by far the most Widescreen friendly of the systems. Contrary to what you heard, nearly ALL games support a form of widescreen. All the best games certainly do. Some games (though few) support some real HDTV resolutions like 720p (Soul Calibur II & X-Men Legends for example). Component video is the only way to go, nearly all games support 480p as well.


PS2 has a few games that support widescreen, though not many. However, playing games with Sony's "Widezoom" mode is good enough for most applications. Some games may have the very edges cropped thus causing you to miss some score details and such. If thats the case, can always just use the 4:3 modes that are as clear as any 4:3 set out there. The component video is crisp on PS2, but you will REALLY begin to notice how nice 480p Xbox games are. Only a few PS2 games do 480p, and some of those arent even widescreen. PS2 will look ok on a HDTV, but may actually appear sharper via traditional sets. (this is because sets like the XBR910/960 dont display interlaced images like an old NTSC set. They always use their line doublers. This can result in a slight blurr for fast moving objects, or a blockier look. Remember how everyone complained about 1st gen PS2 titles being all aliased and blocky like? This problem is to an extent amplified via the line doublers in HDTV sets) Component video will give you much more vivid color over S-video.


Gamecube. Sadly I cant fully review Gamecube. I dont have the ultra rare component cables for the system. However, very few games are HDTV friendly, though more support 480p than on PS2.


Anyway, the REAL reason to go HDTV now is because the next generation of consoles is right around the corner. Xbox 2 may happen as early as next fall, PS3 less than a year after. All the upcoming systems will fully support HDTV, games will have mandatory widescreen modes (like they somewhat already do on Xbox). However, not every game will be 720p or 1080i but probably around 98% of them will still support widescreen 480p at least.


And finally, widescreen is the only way to go for movies. Its the shape of things to come. No reason to put it off with another 4:3 set in this day and age.


-DeathCom

 

[KidPanama]

Quote:

Originally posted by Nylok does ps2 look bad on an HDTV?

No, not exactly. It really depends on which game you choose to display. It's no secret that the PS2 has the worst image quality when compared to the two other next generation consoles (Xbox and Gamecube). However, this does not mean that all PS2 games look bad. The sharp games look better, and the low resolution games like KillZone and GTA: San Andreas can look horrid at times. The PS2 is also the only system this gen that supports odd resolutions like 320x240 (ICO) and 640x240 (many first gen games like Ridge Racer V). The good news is that many newer PS2 games feature progressive scan (480p) support. Games like Mortal Kombat: Deception, Rachet and Clank: UYA, Jak 3, and Burnout 3, all support progressive scan as well as 16:9 support. These are the games you may wish to test out your new HDTV with. Also be sure to check this website, for all the latest news on which new games support 480p (and up in the Xbox's case):

HDTV Game Database



Assuming you have an Xbox as well, I didn't read all the posts in this thread, I recommend games like DOA3 and DOA: Ultimate, as well of a slew of other games that support 720p, and even 1080i in some cases. They are absolutely pristine, and feature image quality that easily wipes the floor with anything seen on the PS2 and Gamecube.

 

[Geise]

I friggin' hate people who buy games based on what resolutions they support...they miss the point entirely...