Good deal on LCD TV?

monster and machine · Jun 16th, 2009, 11:18 AM

I am looking for an LCD that only needs to do 720p, and is around 26", a little more would be fine too but not necessary. I was looking at this one.

TV & Video: Televisions: Toshiba 26" 720p LCD HDTV** (26AV502R) | Best Buy Canada Web Store

I don't know much about TVs, so I was wondering if you guys could tell me if this is a good buy, or if I can find a better buy/brand or whatever. Thanks.

screature · Jun 16th, 2009, 11:37 AM

The specs are OK and Toshiba makes good televisions but for only $50 more the Samsung 26" LCD HDTV** (LN26B460) has much better specs with a 30000:1 contrast ratio (as opposed to 5000:1) and the viewing angles are better at 170/160 as opposed to 160/150. Viewing angles are really important if you are going to have more than 1 or 2 people watching at the same time (horizontal) and if you intend to elevate the TV (vertical).

If it were me I would spend the $50 extra and buy the Samsung.

In general Samsung and Sharp are making some of the best LCD TVs for the money right now.

monster and machine · Jun 16th, 2009, 11:45 AM

Awesome. Those are exactly the kind of details I know need to be known, but I don't know haha. Thanks.

Another quick question, I am a huge gamer, but have never gamed in HD. Is all I would need to hook up my xbox 360 or PS3 to this an HDMI cable? Will it automatically be in HD?

HowEver · Jun 16th, 2009, 11:48 AM

Dell just started another "Days of Deals" promotion. Nothing today, but would be worth waiting for 8 days as these are very competitive.

10 Days of Deals Dell - Computers, laptops, LCDs, TVs

screature · Jun 16th, 2009, 01:06 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by monster and machine
	Awesome. Those are exactly the kind of details I know need to be known, but I don't know haha. Thanks. Another quick question, I am a huge gamer, but have never gamed in HD. Is all I would need to hook up my xbox 360 or PS3 to this an HDMI cable? Will it automatically be in HD?

Depends on the Xbox (I don't know about PS3) early versions of Xbox have no HDMI output only component so you would be going into the RGB ports if this is your case, but as long as the game offers HD aspect ratio, yes then you are g2g.

Clockwork · Jun 16th, 2009, 01:18 PM

pS3 only uses HDMI for HD (has the old red, white and yellow connections as well) and as already mentioned unless it is the old style xbox 360 than it should have HDMI port and all you need is the cable in that case for the Xbox 360. The non-HDMI version of the xbox 360 are prone to RROD (red ring of death and have heat issues). If it is an older Xbox 360 it comes with the old style HD cables that you can use and they work the same as HDMI except you need to plug in the audio as well as the video (red, yellow, blue, cable).

As for TV's I agree either Samsung or Sharp (I have a Sharp and they are great). LG make decent HD tv as well.

SINC · Jun 16th, 2009, 01:44 PM

I just ordered the Samsung 40" HVTV for our motor home and expect it any day now. (Got it free through reward points.)

I also ordered one of these (it arrives in four days) so I can get Bell HDTV anywhere I might be:

Vu Qube VQ2000 Vu Cube Portable Satellite Dish

JumboJones · Jun 16th, 2009, 01:48 PM

I've owned the 26" Insignia for over a year now, no complaints, it's a great deal for the money.

TV & Video: Televisions: Insignia 26" LCD HDTV** (NS-LCD26-09CA) | Best Buy Canada Web Store

SINC · Jun 16th, 2009, 02:12 PM

I have a 15" Insignia HDTV with a built-in DVD player in the bedroom of the motor home and it too is a great picture. Picked it up for $189 as an open box special at Future Shop two years ago.

monster and machine · Jun 17th, 2009, 09:58 AM

Thanks for all your replies, they really helped.

So I got there and I saw a 32" Sony Bravia that had the same contrast ratio and all that for only 100 dollars more. I figured paying the extra to go from 26" to 32" is probably worth it since I am a gamer so I just did it. I am very happy with it. Fallout 3 looks like a brand new game going from my CRT hahaha.