Dying TV equals LCD time for Beaker

[dicecca112]

Any suggestions guys?

I have a couple requirements

20-32" only, I have a small room, and the TV is only about 8ft from me, so that limits size

I have a DVD, Xbox360 and Roku Box. DVD can use Composite or RCA, 360 Uses RCA, and Roku can use HDMI/Composite/RCA
So I need inputs to handle them all (not necessarily Inputs for each, but 1 Set of Comp/RCA/HDMI)
I need Audio output as well, so I can plug in the stereo.

Don't need 1080, no HD signal here, so 720 will do fine.

Want to keep it between 400-700

Suggestions please.

[vicaphit]

Do not buy Polaroid. Their warrantee system works, but it was a pain, and an unneeded hassle. You could probably get a 26" Samsung in your price range.

Quick Newegg search found this:

Samsung 26" 720p - $521.99
or
Samsung 32" 720p - $624.99

[Skippman]

As you can see from my other thread I'm somewhat of a home theater nut. I second the Samsung recommendation as they have the best LCD's right now due to thier LED technology. You never mention what AVR (Audio/Video Receiver) you're using and what it can switch as this will make a huge determination in what I recommend. If it's capable of switching HDMI and Component that will make everything easier.

As much as I dislike Crutchfield this 32" appears to be a good value at $499.99. It lacks composite inputs though which, based on the gear you're using, shouldn't be a problem. The only thing I don't know about it is whether it can do 24FPS lock up which is important for BluRay playback which may or may not be important to you in the future.

[hnzw_rui]

There's also the Samsung 32" LN32A450. Hmm, I thought the Xbox360 had HDMI? Oh, yeah, by any chance, did you mean component when you mentioned RCA? RCA is just what the connectors are called and both composite and component video uses the same connectors.

[Skippman]

There's also the Samsung 32" LN32A450. Hmm, I thought the Xbox360 had HDMI? Oh, yeah, by any chance, did you mean component when you mentioned RCA? RCA is just what the connectors are called and both composite and component video uses the same connectors.

Only the Elite has HDMI if I remember correctly which is why I swapped mine out about a year ago.

[dicecca112]

There's also the Samsung 32" LN32A450. Hmm, I thought the Xbox360 had HDMI? Oh, yeah, by any chance, did you mean component when you mentioned RCA? RCA is just what the connectors are called and both composite and component video uses the same connectors.

Correct, I need composite and Component. Here is what I have, plus there are 3 on the side (red yellow, white)

IMG_0139.JPG (312.76 KiB) Viewed 6979 times

And yes only the elite has HDMI, I have an arcade with a 20GB HDD. Only HDMI would be my Roku Box. And as for receiver, possibly a Onkyo if I get what I want for Christmas, but right now its just a panasonic 10yo 2.0 System, that uses RCA cables (red and white)

[Skippman]

So if I'm counting right here's what we have.

HDMI
Roku box = HDMI

COMPONENT
X-360
DVD

So then the Samsung LN32A300 I linked to earlier will indeed work. Here's a picture of the back



As you can see it's got 2 sets of component inputs, 2 HDMI inputs, stereo RCA audio out, and TOS/LINK audio out for when you upgrade in the future. It also has a VGA connector and a 1/8" mini jack for PC audio.

[Apoptosis]

Just remember from my TV thread... Buy a TV on a credit card that doubles your warranty. It's free and as you saw in my plasma TV nightmare thread you do get a check back for any service done on the TV or replacement of it up the the price you paid on it.

[dicecca112]

Thanks for the advice Nate, is that something standard on credit cards, or is that something I have to ask the CC Company to add?

[Apoptosis]

Thanks for the advice Nate, is that something standard on credit cards, or is that something I have to ask the CC Company to add?

For visa and mastercard it should be standard on all gold and platinum cards.

For American Express is should be standard.

The warranty applies to everything such as... couches, cell phones, televisions, car parts, computers and so on.... If your video card blows up you just need to get a shop to say it's blown up and they will send you a check in the mail... #1 reason to use a CC if you ask me.

[dicecca112]

Thanks for the advice Nate, is that something standard on credit cards, or is that something I have to ask the CC Company to add?

For visa and mastercard it should be standard on all gold and platinum cards.

For American Express is should be standard.

The warranty applies to everything such as... couches, cell phones, televisions, car parts, computers and so on.... If your video card blows up you just need to get a shop to say it's blown up and they will send you a check in the mail... #1 reason to use a CC if you ask me.

HAHAHA, right I have a Gold or Platinum Card, right. Guess its extended warranty time. Probably won't buy till after Thanksgiving, or later, depends if I find a deal, the TV works right now, its just dying a slow death

[Apoptosis]

Just call the credit card company when you get some free time and see if it is offered on your card. My first card was a gold card, so it's not tough to get one.

[dicecca112]

pfft call, that's so 90s, I email my friend But I will look into it, if I'm spending all that money, I would like to know I'm covered

[dicecca112]

haha, I was just doing some research and apparently my 360 has an HDMI, its an Arcade that I bought 2 months ago, apparently all since 07 have them. Who Knew?

This is what Newegg is recommending, which is what basically I am looking for. I'm planning on going out after thanksgiving, probably the weekend (may try black friday)
http://educations.newegg.com/category/4 ... able05.gif

[vicaphit]

I'm planning on going out after thanksgiving, probably the weekend (may try black friday)

Good luck, let us know you made it home alright.

[dicecca112]

Went out this afternoon, ended up splurging a bit, didn't need a new receiver but bought it anyway. Bought a 32in 73 20p LCD Samsung, and a Sony Receiver with HDMI Pass through. HDMI Xbox360 looks amazing, and FYI don't get NFS:Undercover if you don't have HDMI, it looks like crap. I was dead set on the Sony Bravia, but the Samsung just look better and it was the same price. I intend to watch some DVDs that looked crappy on the old TV to see what it looks like. No HDMI on the DVD Player, but it does have Component. Thanks for all the recommendations guys.

See below

IMG_0140.JPG

(2.94 MiB) Downloaded 11 times

[Skippman]

Nicely done mate. Looks good. Is your DVD a progressive scan capable one? If so I recommend you turn it on as it will make a large diffrence. If not, I think the X-Box is actually capable of outputing in progressive scan and MAY... emphasis on MAY... give you a better picture.

[dicecca112]

Nicely done mate. Looks good. Is your DVD a progressive scan capable one? If so I recommend you turn it on as it will make a large diffrence. If not, I think the X-Box is actually capable of outputing in progressive scan and MAY... emphasis on MAY... give you a better picture.

Yup progressive scan, I'll test both the Xbox and the DVD