[htlearner]

I am a newly registered member of avsforum. For the past two days I have been reading the many helpful comments about LCD TVs.


I am interested in a smaller LCD tv in the 23" to 27" size. This will be set up in the bedroom. From what I have seen in store displays and online reviews, I should be able to get a 26-27" display at a good price. We don't have digital cable, so I am interested in a tv that has a good image for standard cable, what is called Standard Definition I think. The viewing distance is about 8-9 feet.


I am a caregiver at home and want to buy this tv for a Christmas present. For now, it will be used mostly for standard cable/standard definition use, but I also want to have pc input/computer monitor capability. This unit will replace a 19" CRT tv of 1980's vintage. It will probably be used mostly for watching cable tv shows. What concerns me is that LCDs (and plasmas) don't seem to have very good standard cable 4:3 display.


I don't want to buy another CRT. They are too big and too heavy. I could move an LCD (with the help of my cart if necessary.


So that's my dilemma, and I'd appreciate any advice you can provide. I'd like to keep the cost in the $1200-$1500 range.


I've read about and in some cases seen these models:

Maxent MX-27-2

Westinghouse W32701

Syntax Olevia LT27HV

Syntax Olevia LT3030HV

Sceptre X27SV-Naga III

Sceptre X30SV-Naga III

Insignia I-LC26Q1

Samsung LT-P227W

LG RU-23LZ21


I haven't seen the Syntax or the Sceptre models. Of course, I've also looked at Sharp Aquos (always impressed me), Sony, and JVC models in the stores, but I don't have those model numbers available as I write. Those models tend to get very expensive in sizes above 20".


I listed the Syntax and Sceptre 30" models because they are cost efficient. I can probably squeeze in a 30" model, but the 27" size is ideal for the space I'll use.


I've read in the forums here about the positive and negative views of most of these models. Then I come back to the question of what LCD in the 22-27" will provide a good standard cable 4:3 picture.

 

[cb glover]

hi, i have recently bough a 27 inch Westinghouse LCD and i am very happy with it. i use it as my primary monitor and secondary HDTV. since you wont be using HD. i would consider a SD LCD. they are less expensive and would do a good job. any picture even antenna looks better on LCD. if your going to make that kind of investment in a high tech TV, i would go ahead and get satellite TV.

 

[htlearner]

cb glover, thanks for your suggestions.


I think my first message may have made me sound like a cheapskate. I admit that I am trying to find something that is not too expensive. My long term plan is to add a 42" plasma, probably Panasonic, to our HT system in the den. This year I upgraded the receiver, subwoofer, and furniture in that system. The LCD for the bedroom is not our primary viewing system. For the bedroom I want a good, clear, SD picture on LCD. I prefer something larger than 20" although the price increases significantly in the 23" and 26/27" models.

 

[Island]

You may want to look at Toshiba 23HLV84. It is a TV/DVD combo which I feel could be a nice addition for a bedroom. This is something that I'm looking into with the same purpose. The TV is a 23"HD unit that, if I'm correct, supports all computer needs as well. I know, that your primary concern is analog cable, but who knows, soon we may all be forced to go to digital. It can be had at (or just above) the top of your budget. Even if it goes few $ above, you are still getting a "free" DVD that doesn't take any room.

Here is the link to Toshiba site: http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/televisi...?model=23HLV84

 

[cb glover]

hi again. some nice responses. the Toshiba is 2,300.00. i was at best buys today and noticed the Westinghouse 27 in., i own, is now 1,299.00. it has VGA{computer} component and s -vidio and composit vidio inputs and has a great picture. 720 native resolution. your coax. cable will go into your vcr and out put composit to the LCD for a great picture. cb sky blue

 

[exNSX]

If you are only watching analog SD and no DVD, get a 20" 4:3 640x480. I don't think they are made any bigger than that. There are many to choose from including Panasonic, Sharp, and Toshiba (which I have).


It will cost much less and give you a better, more consistent picture than a high resolution 16:9 set.


It would, however, be just about useless as a computer monitor.


Note theat a 25" widescreen 16:9 set is equivalent to a 20" 4:3 set ( http://www.cavecreations.com/tv2.cgi )

 

[Island]

Quote:

Originally posted by cb glover hi again. some nice responses. the Toshiba is 2,300.00.....

You are talking about MSRP. As I mentioned before, it is available on-line for just a hundred or two $ more than your Westinghouse.

 

[Paul Bigelow]

The Toshiba 23" and 26" can be had for very nice prices these days. In my view the 26" Toshiba LCD is a quite nice TV. The 23" Toshiba can also be found with a built-in DVD player.

 

[ml2316]

syntax 27" is around $1k i believe. 1280x720.

 

[htlearner]

Thanks for your comments. You have given me good ideas to think about.


Let me clarify one point. We don't have cable/sat digital yet, so the cable company's cable connects to our 7 yr old 35" Toshiba TV. This is part of our HT setup. We do watch DVD. I upgraded our receiver to a Yamaha HTR-5790 this year.


The tv I want to get for the bedroom will be connected to the cable company's cable. We don't have a STB.


The local stores have sold out of the Westinghouse, although it is still available online. I'm going to have another look at the Toshiba 26" specs and prices. I'm in great danger at this point, because today I looked at the Sharp Aquos LC-26GA4U. With its recently lowered price, it's tempting. I've long been impressed with Sharp Aquos tv sets. This model has DVI and HDMI. I'd have to give up the VGA PC input, but this is a preference rather than a top item on my list. Much to think about here.

 

[davebytes]

The Syntax units are pretty good. As with most HD sets without high-end scalers (i.e., Faroudja), SD content is so-so, mostly depending on the quality of your signal (mine is coming through two splitters, plus again out of the cable STB). My guess is a larger Toshiba or Sharp model will have better scaler tech in general, but you pay a bit more. The 27 and 30 should basically be really close in image quality overall.


I second the 'spend less and get a SD LCD' direction, if you really aren't planning on taking advantage of the higher resolution. If you DO want to take advantage at some point (HD STB -> DVI), then any HD model could be a good buy... many deals right now.


The Westinghouse is probably comparable to the Syntax and Sceptre, from what I've seen in stores (been trying to get a review unit out here, no such luck as yet) -- so if the Syntax is cheaper, you can probably save your money.


Also, is your DVD player progressive scan? I thought I saw some ultra-cheap LCDs that don't actually have component input -- just fyi.


-d

 

[htlearner]

davebytes, thanks for your comments. Your comments about the Syntax, Scepter, and Westinghouse are very helpful. In the lower price range, these three cost about the same (a $100 to $200) difference. The Sceptre is the least expensive right now with a special offer from a warehouse store. [Actually, the cost will be about the same with free shipping on some models.] The Sharp is particularly interesting to me if I go into a higher price range; add $700-800 and the Sharp is very tempting.


I want to buy now for a particular use, but I want to buy for the future also. I want to buy a widescreen model. This is a tv that will be used for more than 2-3 years and may be moved to another room in the house in the future. When I put together our HT for the den, I made only one mistake. Speaker prices amazed me. I bought a less expensive (not cheap) set of speakers, and the upgrade choices have worked reasonably well but the process has been a bother. I don't want to make a "speaker" type mistake for the bedroom tv.


I do have progressive scan DVD. At present I have a Philips DVDR 985 and a Zenith XBV-342 DVD/VCR combo connected to our HT. I plan to connect the Zenith to the bedroom tv or buy another (progressive scan) DVD to connect to it.


By the way, I saw a 20" Syntax model at Staples yesterday. It looked good, but store displays are typically fair or worse.


One problem is that I am hesitant to buy a tv through mail order, although I make many other types of purchases online. I would appreciate any comments about buying an lcd tv online.

 

[QZ1]

Quote:

Originally posted by Paul Bigelow The Toshiba 23" and 26" can be had for very nice prices these days. In my view the 26" Toshiba LCD is a quite nice TV. The 23" Toshiba can also be found with a built-in DVD player.

How would you compare the Toshibas to the Panasonics?

If people think the Toshiba is good enough, I was thinking of getting it because it was less.