I'm shooting for an LCD T.V. this X-Mas

[Sivart the Sloth Trencher]

My dad's looking around for one and I'm wondering what a good size would be. He's thinking 19" to 21", but I'm thinking 24-28".

Do they all look nice, or are there some sizes better than others and some more horrid than the rest?

[John Mora]

Re: I'm shooting for an LCD T.V. this X-Mas

What's the point of a LCD TV if it's not HD? Weight?

[Sivart the Sloth Trencher]

Re: I'm shooting for an LCD T.V. this X-Mas

My CRT's breaking and I can't find anymore like it new. So I'm shooting for LCD.

[Alzar]

Re: I'm shooting for an LCD T.V. this X-Mas

i have a 52'' tv and i like it

[Sivart the Sloth Trencher]

Re: I'm shooting for an LCD T.V. this X-Mas

A proper response to your question would be component cables and HDMI, Mora. I'm getting a PS3 sometime soon and want to be able to do better than a breaking, ****ty CRT.

[John Mora]

Re: I'm shooting for an LCD T.V. this X-Mas

HDMI doesn't matter on a TV that small. All it'll do is mean you'll be plugging in less cables.

[Sivart the Sloth Trencher]

Re: I'm shooting for an LCD T.V. this X-Mas

Shows you how much I know about LCD and HD.

None. Care to recommend a size? That way I can buy it myself sometime instead of get it for Christmas.

[Perversion]

Re: I'm shooting for an LCD T.V. this X-Mas

Ummmm....Mora's right. On a TV THAT small, the difference between HDMI and component is not going to be noticeable. All TVs that I've ever seen in that size range are only 720p resolution, which negates the PS3 outputting SOME games at 1080p through HDMI.


Really, if you go to CNET's HDTV Buyer's Guide, you'd see that in the size range you are talking about, you really need to be sitting about 3-4 feet away. If this is going to be your main TV for the house, that is WAY too small. If it's for your bedroom, I hope you plan on sitting REALLY close to it.


As for the sizes you mentioned, MOST LCDs that I've seen come in 19", 20", 22", 26" and then 32" sizes.


Also, keep in mind that if you are used to looking at a 19" CRT (for example), you will want to go to AT LEAST a 22", if not a 26" (a MUCH better choice). Reason being, CRTs are 4x3 (semi-square), whereas LCDs are 16x9 (rectangle). So if you go from a 19" CRT to a 19" LCD, it's going to look a LOT smaller to your eyes than you are used to, even though technically, the screen is the same size. If you are used to looking at a 27" CRT, I would go no smaller than a 32", and even that's pushing it.


For the prices of some reasonably sized (in your case, I'd say around 32" would honestly be as small as I'd go) LCDs, you could get a 720p 42" Panasonic plasma for around the same price.


As for brands, I'd go for a Samsung or a Sony myself if you're looking at LCDs (don't get a Sylvania or Proscan or Element or any other second-tier brand, as they only have a 90 day warranty through the manufacturer, whereas the big brands carry a one year warranty). If you NEED (due to price) to get something reaonably sized and reasonably priced, Vizio is not a BAD choice. Not personally what I would choose, but not a bad TV for the price.

If you do decide to go with plasma, really, Panasonic is the only thing you should look at (for the price range I'm guessing you're in).



Bottom line, if it's a bedroom TV, go NO SMALLER than a 26". If it's a main family room-type TV, I'd get a plasma.

[Zeroth]

Re: I'm shooting for an LCD T.V. this X-Mas

I'm going to go with Perv on this.

[Red Dragon]

Re: I'm shooting for an LCD T.V. this X-Mas

19" is about the size of my computer monitor...

So yeah, my regular SDTV is larger than that.

Family room size would be around 30-40" no?

[Perversion]

Re: I'm shooting for an LCD T.V. this X-Mas

I'd say generally speaking, for a main TV in a room where the viewing distance is between 8'-12', a 32" would even be too small. Most people that come into my work to buy TVs generally end up with at least a 40"-42", up to a 46" for their living room, with some (ie-a lot) of people shelling out for a 52". I believe the stat I read for a 52" is, minimum distance is at 7', max distance is at 13'.

I've even had some people coming in to buy a 52" LCD for their master bedroom. Talk about overkill.


Granted, I've got a 65" DLP, and I'm only sitting (right now) at about 11' away, which is really WAY WAY too close. As soon as I finish making all the necessary connections to my setup (I need to get some stuff from ebay/Amazon/etc first), I'll move the TV back, which will put me about 12.5'-13' away. This is probably still a bit too close, but it'll work.


Long story short, especially if you are going to be playing video games on your LCD, I wouldn't even bother with anything less than 26". My buddy was over the other day, and he was playing CoD:WaW on my 32" Sony on his 360, while I played Mirror's Edge on my PS3 on my 65", and he was sitting about 9-10 feet away, and got up to sit on the floor closer to the TV on a few occasions, because at that distance, and at that screen size, it was hard for him to even see the HUD, meters, text, details, etc.


It's your decision, ultimately, with which size you decide upon, but bear in mind that if you go TOO small, you're going to end up sorely disappointed.

[Big Rick Cook]

Re: I'm shooting for an LCD T.V. this X-Mas

I like my 40" LCD.

[The_Real_Crunk]

Re: I'm shooting for an LCD T.V. this X-Mas

32-37"" LCD HDTV's are down to around $600-$700(CANADIAN) now.

[DarkwingChuck]

Re: I'm shooting for an LCD T.V. this X-Mas

Hey, do they even make flat panel standard def tvs?

[John Mora]

Re: I'm shooting for an LCD T.V. this X-Mas

Yeah. They're just small.