OT - Cheap HD TV/Monitor?

Jim H wrote on 10/30/2008, 9:20 AM

I'm wondering if anyone has come upon any great deals on small LCD TVs that could double as a reasonable external monitor? I really just want a decent, smaller TV for my office but wouldn't mind being able to preview vegas videos directly from my PC seeing that none of my current PC monitors does full HD. Thanks.

Comments

craftech wrote on 10/30/2008, 9:44 AM

What is the price range Jim? And what is a small screen? 26 inch?

John

Jim H wrote on 10/30/2008, 7:03 PM

I'm thinking 19" and around $300?

craftech wrote on 10/31/2008, 10:48 AM

Let me research it Jim.
I am assuming that reading text is not an important issue?

John

Jay Gladwell wrote on 10/31/2008, 10:52 AM

Jim, you're gonna be very hard pressed to find anything within those parameters, not if you want to see a half-way decent image. I know, I'm trying the same thing myself.

Jim H wrote on 11/1/2008, 12:02 PM

Not interested in text... I really just want a reasonable TV in my office that I'll able to preview HD video on.

Avanti wrote on 11/1/2008, 5:15 PM

i'm guessing you don't have an AJA or Blackmagic card to output HD

http://www.avantibiz.com

craftech wrote on 11/1/2008, 5:40 PM

OK Jim, here is what I found. You could go the route of an LCD monitor and a TV tuner card for your PC, but you will likely end up with a TN panel which will limit your off axis viewing. You probably don't want limited angles for viewing.

In terms of an LCD TV keep in mind that they are 16:10 and not 16:9 which will involve a slight stretch of the image to fill the screen or black bars at the ends for certain viewing. In terms of 19" LCD TVs in that price range the best I found were:

1. SAMSUNG 19" 720p LCD HDTV - LN19A450. Additional reviews on Amazon.com.

2. TOSHIBA 19" 720p LCD HDTV 19AV500U . Additional reviews on Amazon.com.

Don't forget Black Friday deals and weekly sales. Example: Sixth Avenue Electronics.

John

Jay Gladwell wrote on 11/1/2008, 6:21 PM

I would strongly urge you to NOT buy a Samsung monitor. I have one and I am terribly disappointed in it. Vowed to never by another.

craftech wrote on 11/1/2008, 6:54 PM

I would strongly urge you to NOT buy a Samsung monitor. I have one and I am terribly disappointed in it. Vowed to never by another.
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It's a TV Jay.

John

Jim H wrote on 11/2/2008, 12:38 AM

Thanks for the info John... I put in a price alert on the Toshiba..we'll see what Black Friday has to offer. So far $268 at Buy.com.

craftech wrote on 11/2/2008, 6:16 AM

Jim,

Here is a link to an additional 5% off at Buy.com Expires tomorrow 11/3/08. Not sure if it will work with the price you have as that price of $268 is through Sixth Avenue Electronics and not directly from Buy.com. The tems for the coupon state: "Buy.com coupons may not be used in Premier Partner Stores". Stick it in the shopping cart and see what happens.

Worldwide Electronics is a vendor in New Jersey that I have ordered from many times. They are Beach Camera AKA BuyDig.com. They have the television for $264.95 with free shipping. Tax only if you live in California or New Jersey.

John