Good Cheap HDTV

[Flying Turtle]

The thread on best HDTV is interesting, but no way will I ever spend more than necessary on a new set. Don't watch that much anyway, but I think I'd like something in the 26" class. Target has some good deals on Westinghouse. My uncle has one that looks fine, and I seem to recall Consumer Reports saying they were a decent buy. Any opinions on the more affordable brands or models?

Geoff

 

[qip]

how much you wanna spend? how far will you be from tv for viewing 10ft?

last time i checked a Very good sony 32" xbr6 was around $800

or even lesser sony's run for $5-600 just dont buy westinghouse or crap house brands

 

[2000xlt]

if it $800 then it must be a 60 hz model, i am in the market soon for a tv, now i have $700 set aside each bi-weekley paycheck i set some aside, i still have a ways to go.

 

[Superdave]

you can get a decent 37" LG lcd for 600-800 at Best Buy. I buy TV's from there all the time for the casino i work at. The last one was just a hair over $600 and it's got a great picture. IIRC it's 720p

 

[Flying Turtle]

I'm thinking a 26" will fit just right in the TV cabinet I have now in the bedroom. Using a 20" now, so more size would be nice. Viewing distance is about 8'-9'. I think $450 would be my top price, and would like it less, of course. Waiting is not a problem.

Geoff

 

[LED_astray]

I'm thinking a 26" will fit just right in the TV cabinet I have now in the bedroom. Using a 20" now, so more size would be nice....

For me, that would appear about the same size if you currently have an older 4:3 ratio TV. (I'm sure others are different, but after looking at a lot of TV's I found I consistently judged size by the height of the picture. When going from standard TV size to widescreen you get less height for a given screen diagonal.)

A 20" diagonal 4:3 TV is about 12" tall. A widescreen of 26" picture will be about 12-3/4". Not much difference. (Picture size. Nominally. TV manufacturers round up, & down. YMMV.) (Of course, the widescreen is about 8-1/2" wider too.)

Also, if you're trying to fit a cabinet measure! The depth, bezel width, speakers on sides, back or under the picture, all affect the physical dimensions of a TV. You may have fewer choices than you realize.... (but remember fewer choices can be good, if you like at least one of them! Good luck.

 

[Flying Turtle]

Thanks for the advice, LED_astry. I hadn't really considered the fact that the picture height would not be much different. Don't think I can squeeze a 32" set in that cabinet. I've checked a few (always take a measuring tape) and it's mighty close, but maybe I'll find one and move up another size.

Geoff

 

[greenlight]

a 720i monitor will be sufficient for your needs, and might cost less.

 

[kitelights]

26 isn't worth the money for HD. 32 is pushing it and you really need 37-40 minimum. Look at some HDTVs in the store in different sizes and with different content.

Once you experience HD, if you go too small you'll regret that you didn't get bigger. I also recommend against cheapos like the Westinghouse. They're considered disposable throwaways if anything goes wrong with them.

There's been a major price drop in the market in the last month or two for decent sets.