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[OnWarmerMusic]

Having recently moved to Japan (Fukushima-shi; if there's anyone else in Tohoku, give a shout!), I find myself without a proper television for gaming. After a few hours of navigating Amazon.co.jp and a couple of other sites, I was having problems figuring out which inputs were on these TVs. The sites seem reluctant to take that all-important "here's what ports you get" photo, and many of the models don't have Western equivalents. So, I figured I'd ask the J-GAF contingent what they use. Here's what I'm looking for:

Widescreen LCD
Price between $500-$1000
Component, VGA, HDMI inputs

I'm flexible on the size, so whatever fits into that price range is cool. Ideally, I'd like to buy it online, since we're a little short on electronics stores up here in the Fu. Any opinions / links are appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Troidal]

Having recently moved to Japan (Fukushima-shi; if there's anyone else in Tohoku, give a shout!), I find myself without a proper television for gaming. After a few hours of navigating Amazon.co.jp and a couple of other sites, I was having problems figuring out which inputs were on these TVs. The sites seem reluctant to take that all-important "here's what ports you get" photo, and many of the models don't have Western equivalents. So, I figured I'd ask the J-GAF contingent what they use. Here's what I'm looking for:

Widescreen LCD
Price between $500-$1000
Component, VGA, HDMI inputs

I'm flexible on the size, so whatever fits into that price range is cool. Ideally, I'd like to buy it online, since we're a little short on electronics stores up here in the Fu. Any opinions / links are appreciated. Thanks!

That price range could mean tons of options...I think most HDTVs have VGAs too. I would have suggested Samsung, but unfortunately they have pulled out of the market :/

 

[RevenantKioku]

http://kakaku.com/item/20416010552/

This is what I have, and I loves it much.

32", 2 component, 2 HDMI, VGA and a few composite for good measure.

 

[Zoc]

Almost no name-brand HDTVs in Japan have component ports; they all have a Japan-only alternative called "D-tanchi." It works just the same as component, but you'll need new cables for your consoles.

I also recommend a 32-inch LCD from any name brand. They're just the right size for Japanese apartments, and cheap for their size.

 

[RevenantKioku]

Yeah, I don't get these things, someone told me D-terminal is component in a different form? But that's what my TV has.

 

[OnWarmerMusic]

http://kakaku.com/item/20416010552/

That looks awesome, and way bigger than I thought I could get for the price. Thanks!

Almost no name-brand HDTVs in Japan have component ports; they all have a Japan-only alternative called "D-tanchi." It works just the same as component, but you'll need new cables for your consoles.

See, that's exactly what I was trying to figure out. I was looking at PC monitors at the same time, and was able to find a number of those with component in, but for some reason, no TVs. That makes more sense now.

So those D-tanchi cables (for Wii and whatever) are readily available?

 

[Zoc]

Of course, you can get D-terminal cables for every major console, even including the PSP.

Computer monitors and cheapo Chinese-made TVs often do have component ports, actually, I guess because the manufacturers can't be bothered to make different models for Japan. Sony, Hitachi, Toshiba, etc, on the other hand (ie any name you'd recognize), never include component.

 

[Lyte Edge]

Just a heads-up on monitors; I got myself a 20 inch Bravia back around November 2006 for 80,000 (this was on sale!). Great set and great image quality.

But in March I got a new MacBook and a 19 inch monitor from I-O Data, which was around 35,000. The picture is superb (I can "force" 1080p out of it, which my Bravia doesn't offer) and I now use it as my main gaming monitor for my Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. I did some shopping around and found some nice monitors in the 20-22 inch range for good prices as well, from companies like LG and Samsung. 360 will work with anything, and as long as the monitor is HDCP, you can use the PS3 with it as well.

So if you're going to be in Japan for a only a year or a few years, you might just want to save some cash and go with a PC monitor. If I didn't have the Bravia already, I'd be fine with the monitor and a cheap used SDTV for the Wii.

EDIT: D-Terminal cables are widely available for every system. I've seen component cables for sale for the PSP, Xbox 360, and Wii as well.

 

[Brofist]

Yeah definitely check kakaku.com. You can get a 32" Aquos 1080p set for under 100,000 yen. If you don't care about brand you can go Westy 37" 1080p for under 100,000 as well.

 

[MoxManiac]

Wait, Samsung is pulling out of the TV market?

 

[Dibbz]

That price range could mean tons of options...I think most HDTVs have VGAs too. I would have suggested Samsung, but unfortunately they have pulled out of the market :/

Seriously?

 

[Brofist]

He probably means out of the Japanese market, which would make sense. No one buys Samsung products in Japan.

 

[OnWarmerMusic]

He probably means out of the Japanese market, which would make sense. No one buys Samsung products in Japan.

Yeah, I noticed that Amazon was carrying next to nothing in the Samsung category. I had a 20" Sammy back in the States and loved it. 'Tis a shame.

 

[Crazymoogle]

AFAIK D-Terminal and Component both pass the same YPbPr signal, so presumably all you would need is a cable to convert between the two. I haven't seen any obvious cheap places to buy one but they do exist, apparently.

 

[Zoc]

Spent a day crawling Akiba and online looking for a converter, but never found one. Never seen one since, either.

 

[kazuo]

AFAIK D-Terminal and Component both pass the same YPbPr signal, so presumably all you would need is a cable to convert between the two. I haven't seen any obvious cheap places to buy one but they do exist, apparently.

They exist, but the image quality is horrible for some reason. I got one when I purchased my XRGB2+ (came in the box).

When I run my Panasonic XP50 DVD Player or my 360 via component->dterm adapter to the XRGB2+, the output quality makes me want to barf. The image loses all clarity and sharpness, and the colors are washed out. The component->21pin RGB adapter, on the other hand, results in excellent quality through the XRGB2+, exactly what I would get if I ran the DVD player or the 360 to a regular CRT via component.

Don't know what the deal is with it. I know it's not the XRGB cause it looks perfect with the 21pin adapter. Does D-TERM have some sort of weird DRM or something on it? Other than that I don't see why the image quality would be inferior through that cable.

Anyway, since you live in Japan, for most modern consoles you will not have any issues finding D-TERM cables for them. AFAIK Wii, PS2/3, GameCube and I think even the 360 has D-TERM cables available. Older consoles... you're on your own! (PROTIP: Search for Ｄ端子 on Amazon JP and you will find what you need)

Why not just stroll over to Akiba and have a look at what's available? Or go hit up PARTS OFF, I think they usually have used/"junk" LCDs (by "junk" I mean has a tiny scratch on the back of the case somewhere).

Good luck