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[Jak140]

Has anyone seen or owned one of the TVs? I'm thinking of buying one, but want to hear some more opinions before picking one.

Right now I'm leaning towards the Magnavox; I'm having trouble deciding since I'm worried about quality issues, but don't want to spend more than $600. I'm also having trouble finding detailed reviews for the Magnavox.

Samsung 27" EDTV (TX-P2745FP):
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sams.../sem/rpsm/oid/89306/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Magnavox 27" HDTV Monitor (27MS5402):
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Magn.../sem/rpsm/oid/91329/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Panasonic HDTV Monitor (CT-27HL14):
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Pana.../sem/rpsm/oid/90895/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Thanks!

 

[Shogmaster]

Has anyone seen or owned one of the TVs? I'm thinking of buying one, but want to hear some more opinions before picking one.

Right now I'm leaning towards the Magnavox; I'm having trouble deciding since I'm worried about quality issues, but don't want to spend more than $600. I'm also having trouble finding detailed reviews for the Magnavox.

Samsung 27" EDTV (TX-P2745FP):
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sams.../sem/rpsm/oid/89306/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Magnavox 27" HDTV Monitor (27MS5402):
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Magn.../sem/rpsm/oid/91329/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Panasonic HDTV Monitor (CT-27HL14):
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Pana.../sem/rpsm/oid/90895/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Thanks!

None of those sets are "HDTV". They are all EDTV sets.

Go for the cheapest is my suggestion.

 

[sasimirobot]

Last thing you want to do is jump into a buy. Check out the Cnet reviews and maybe HighDefForum.com.

From what I see the Panasonic HDTV Monitor (CT-27HL14) looks like it has some good feautures [Progressive-scan line-doubler, horizontal/vertical edge correction, progressive-scan cinema scan—3:2 pulldown, surround sound, front A/V input, 181-channel NTSC tuner, Game Guard, QuickScan ]

But I would still do more research before you buy.

 

[Jak140]

None of those sets are "HDTV". They are all EDTV sets.

Go for the cheapest is my suggestion.

Is there some reason the other two are labelled as HDTV?

Last thing you want to do is jump into a buy. Check out the Cnet reviews and maybe HighDefForum.com.

From what I see the Panasonic HDTV Monitor (CT-27HL14) looks like it has some good feautures [Progressive-scan line-doubler, horizontal/vertical edge correction, progressive-scan cinema scan—3:2 pulldown, surround sound, front A/V input, 181-channel NTSC tuner, Game Guard, QuickScan ]

But I would still do more research before you buy.

I've been trying to do some research, but I have a deadline to buy by tommorow night. (I won a $1000 gift card for circuit city and want to take advantage of their current rebate program which ends tommorrow where you get a $125 gift card for spending a $1000)

The Panasonic does seem pretty good, but some of the reviews complain that it makes a loud buzzing sound :/.

I might buy this Samsung instead of using the extra money to get a Nintendo DS, but I haven't decided yet.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sams.../sem/rpsm/oid/91175/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do


Also I should mention that I don't have access to an HDTV signal right now, so as long as it plays DVDs in progressive scan I'm happy.

 

[Jak140]

Anyone else able to help? Thanks

 

[cubicle47b]

Get the 32" Panasonic instead (the HL44) if you have a thousand dollar gift card.

 

[All Hail C-Webb]

The 420 line from Sony probably has the best 27 inch HDTV monitor.
If Sony is too expensive for you, Samsungs TXN line is the next best option.

 

[dark10x]

None of those sets are "HDTV". They are all EDTV sets.

Go for the cheapest is my suggestion.

Wait, EDTV suggests that the set is limited to 480p only, right? What makes something HDTV? If it supports 1080i and everything, I don't see why it would still be classified as an EDTV.

 

[Shogmaster]

Wait, EDTV suggests that the set is limited to 480p only, right? What makes something HDTV? If it supports 1080i and everything, I don't see why it would still be classified as an EDTV.

I don't consider the ability to downconvert 1080i signals to 480P, HDTV, but that's what they are doing.

To me, you must be able to do 720P natively to be considered true "HDTV".

 

[Jak140]

So right now these are my best choices?

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sams.../sem/rpsm/oid/91175/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sams.../sem/rpsm/oid/91174/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

So it's the 27" standard TV with a 25" letterbox view versus a 26" widescreen TV with a 21" standard view. Hmmm

I'd consider getting the Sony, but it doesn't qualify for the $125 gift card. :/

EDIT: I should mention that there is no way I'll be able to get an HDTV signal anytime soon, so it might be worth it for me to just go with the cheaper model as long as the progressive scan DVD picture is good.

I guess the Panasonic might still be a good choice as long as the buzzing noise isn't too bad.

 

[dark10x]

I don't consider the ability to downconvert 1080i signals to 480P, HDTV, but that's what they are doing.

To me, you must be able to do 720P natively to be considered true "HDTV".

No, they are not all doing that. I know the Panasonic is not down downconverting the image to 480p.

There are a LOT of sets that aren't HDTV by your standards, then. There are no CRTs with native 720p support. They all upconvert to 1080i...

Are you saying that CRTs can't be HDTVs?

 

[Shogmaster]

No, they are not all doing that. I know the Panasonic is not down downconverting the image to 480p.

There are a LOT of sets that aren't HDTV by your standards, then. There are no CRTs with native 720p support. They all upconvert to 1080i...

Are you saying that CRTs can't be HDTVs?

Bingo. At least not to me.

 

[dark10x]

Bingo. At least not to me.

Well, I disagree.

Of course, I still hate LCDs and Plasma sets...

They have a LONG way to go.

 

[Shogmaster]

Well, I disagree.

Of course, I still hate LCDs and Plasma sets...

They have a LONG way to go.

I have found a happy compromise of DLPs.

 

[dark10x]

I have found a happy compromise of DLPs.

Well that doesn't change the fact that you are still wrong...

720p is ONE of the HDTV resolutions. A display need not support 720p to be qualified for the HDTV standard. That much is fact.

 

[crumbs]

Princeton Graphics and Monovision used to make a crt sets that could do 720p natively. I don't think they are manufactured any more.

 

[Shogmaster]

Well that doesn't change the fact that you are still wrong...

720p is ONE of the HDTV resolutions. A display need not support 720p to be qualified for the HDTV standard. That much is fact.

I never argued that. I said 720P is my personal standard for HD sets.

As for those CRTs, I suppose native 1080i support makes for an accepted definition of a "HDTV" set. But only if the set can do that while doing 16:9. I don't belive any of them qualify.

 

[dark10x]

Princeton Graphics and Monovision used to make a crt sets that could do 720p natively. I don't think they are manufactured any more.

Interesting...

WHY is 720p simply avoided on CRTs these days? I just don't understand...

 

[Shogmaster]

Interesting...

WHY is 720p simply avoided on CRTs these days? I just don't understand...

Enough bandwidth to pump 720P through CRTs is truely rare at the sizes TV sets demand.

 

[dark10x]

I never argued that. I said 720P is my personal standard for HD sets.

As for those CRTs, I suppose native 1080i support makes for an accepted definition of a "HDTV" set. But only if the set can do that while doing 16:9. I don't belive any of them qualify.

Yes, the Panasonic does.

Actually, 1080i displays in 16:9 by default. That's one of the largest flaws with the set, though, 16:9 mode is ONLY available with a 1080i input. 480p is limited to 4:3 only. The clarity difference between the two resolutions is quite massive, however (as expected). It does not downconvert to 480p AND it displays 1080i in 16:9.

Though, my monitor (which supports up to 1920x1440) has no 16:9 support. What would you classify that as? It supports a higher resolution than every TV on the market, but is 4:3 only...

 

[crumbs]

Interesting...

WHY is 720p simply avoided on CRTs these days? I just don't understand...

I don't think there was much demand outside of HTPC users and some gamers. It seems most manufacturers don't spend much money on R&D for crt sets. I guess they would like you to look at the rear projection DLP/LCD sets

 

[Shogmaster]

Yes, the Panasonic does.

Actually, 1080i displays in 16:9 by default. That's one of the largest flaws with the set, though, 16:9 mode is ONLY available with a 1080i input. 480p is limited to 4:3 only...

The Panasonic is rated at 800x600 in PC mode. To do 1080i natively, I'd think you'd need 540 lines vertically. To do 16:9 on 800x600 display, your vertical lines will be 450. Sorry man. That Panasonic ain't a HDTV even by the official standards.

 

[dark10x]

The Panasonic is rated at 800x600 in PC mode. To do 1080i natively, I'd think you'd need 540 lines vertically. To do 16:9 on 800x600 display, your vertical lines will be 450. Sorry man. That Panasonic ain't a HDTV even by the official standards.

800x600 in PC mode? Why are you referring to...

 

[Shogmaster]

800x600 in PC mode? Why are you referring to...

Basically, the set is rated good for 600 vertical lines of resolution. And since it's 4:3 set, that makes for a 800x600 res. As a PC monitor, it's a SVGA (800x600) monitor.

Any more questions?

 

[dark10x]

Basically, the set is rated good for 600 vertical lines of resolution. And since it's 4:3 set, that makes for a 800x600 res. As a PC monitor, it's a SVGA (800x600) monitor.

Any more questions?

Why is it able to display 1024x768 then? If it was limited to 800x600, wouldn't 1024x768 cause screen panning to occur? That's what I'm curious about...

 

[Shogmaster]

Why is it able to display 1024x768 then? If it was limited to 800x600, wouldn't 1024x768 cause screen panning to occur?

It's downsampling. If it was displaying true 1024x768, then you could clearly read text as on a PC. But you'll find that the text is all blurry on that Panasonic while displaying "1024x768".

 

[Apharmd Battler]

Thanks for the info guys, are there any good 'true' HDTV sets out there?

 

[DaCocoBrova]

Now is not the time to go balls-to-the-wall on a display device. Get a projector, quadruple your screen size, enjoy native 720p and save a few G's.

My advice.

 

[Jak140]

Now is not the time to go balls-to-the-wall on a display device. Get a projector, quadruple your screen size, enjoy native 720p and save a few G's.

My advice.

I considered a projector, but I'm worried that I'll end up spending a lot more money when the lamp burns out. Plus there's that whole thing about having to be in the dark in order to watch it.

Right now I'm thinking that I'm going to go with this set and forget about getting the Nintendo DS:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/prod...broadvision.session.new=Yes&BV_UseBVCookie=No

What do you guys think?

 

[Jak140]

Right now I'm thinking that I'm going to go with this set and forget about getting the Nintendo DS:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/prod...broadvision.session.new=Yes&BV_UseBVCookie=No

What do you guys think?

I decided to go ahead and get the 27" Samsung with the built in HDTV tuner. Thanks guys.

 

[Cooper]

I decided to go ahead and get the 27" Samsung with the built in HDTV tuner. Thanks guys.

I hope you enjoy it. I had a previous Samsung TV like this but only HD-ready (no built in tuner). I hooked up an HD tuner for a while, and it did look very nice, although I now find anything below 40" to be a bit small. Out of curiousity, you say you don't have access to an HD signal. Where do you live? Since this one has a built in tuner, it would be pretty easy to connect a small antenna and see what you can pull in.

 

[dark10x]

That Samsung's not too bad, but the image isn't as sharp as it could be.

The Sony and Panasonic 27" sets actually DO have the best image (with Sony's on top) out of the bunch. The Samsung set had a seemingly lower resolution image (pixels were more noticble) and the colors weren't quite as nice.

There is a Zenith set that had a decent picture as well, but I dunno about the reliability of the brand (and the geometry was rather distorted).

Things will look good for you regardless, I suppose. Seeing that these are smaller sets, running at 1080i in 16:9 provides a very sharp picture that looks cleaner than a lot of larger sets.

The built in tuner is nice for that Samsung, though. Of course, that isn't important to me since I never watch TV at all.

 

[DaCocoBrova]

I considered a projector, but I'm worried that I'll end up spending a lot more money when the lamp burns out. Plus there's that whole thing about having to be in the dark in order to watch it.

Just so you know...

Bulbs last for 1000hrs at the least. Also, DLP sets have bulbs that need to be replaced over time as well. Also, the average lumens on projectors these days allows them to be easily viewable even in a sunlit room. A darker environment makes any display device look better.