[marstetei]

I want to upgrade from the Sony PVM-2950 I currently use primarily to play videogames. I am looking for a direct-view set with a 15-pin VGA input (for the Dreamcast), at least one (preferably two) so-called hi-band component video inputs (for the Playstation 2 and the upcoming Gamecube and X-box; the Playstation 2 can only take advantage of regular component video inputs but I believe the X-box and Gamecube should at least be able to display 1080i; I'll probably need a switchbox to use all three), a couple of S-video and regular audio/video inputs (for the Nintendo 64, Super Nintendo and Pioneer Laseractive), an internal line doubler, a flat picture tube, and a 3-D comb filter. It must at least be able to display 1080i and 640x480 VGA. It could be 4:3 or 16:9. I would appreciate any suggestions/recommendations.

 

[Bytre]

I don't want to go so far as to make a full recommendation, as I'm more of an occasional game player. I have a mitsubishi 55857 which has both HD and VGA inputs. I recently got a dreamcast (now that prices have plummeted and it looks stunning on the big screen.


The VGA input was pretty useless for a computer display, but is great for the DC.


My old Sega Genesis, SNES, and Atari 2600 aren't quite as stunning, but are still entertaining on the set.

 

[billharris4]

Marstetei,

Most of the direct view sets you'll look at don't display true 1080i--they downconvert the signal. I had an RCA MM36100 (4:3 format) that could display 800x600 and had a pretty stunning picture. Curved screen, though. If price is no object, I would highly recommend the Panasonic 42" plasma. I have a PS2 connected through a DVDO line doubler to produce 480p output, and the picture on the plasma is just unbelievable. If you are interested, there is a plasma forum here as well and plenty of discussion concerning the panasonic panels. A note about X-box and Gamecube--all Gamecube games will allegedly produce 480p output. While X-box "supports" HDTV resolutions, the game must be programmed to support it, and to the best of my knowledge, no one has announced such a title yet. Best of luck in your television search.