The HDTV Help Thread. Ask questions here!

**Confury** · Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 1099 Location: Lincoln, NE

With help from IRC (namely, Altruit), I have it down to 2 choices. A TV and a monitor.

First Choice
Philips 19" 720p 60Hz LCD HDTV - $169.99
Response time: 5ms
HDMI: 2 In
PC Input: D-Sub (what is this?)
USB: Yes (Do I plug the USB into the Service Terminal?)
Headphone: Yes
Composite A/V: 1 In
Component Video: 1 In
S-Video: 1 In (This also?)
Digital Audio: 1 Coaxial Out

Second Choice
SAMSUNG HD 23" LCD Monitor Built-in Speakers - $159.99
Response time: 5ms
HDMI: 2 (Not sure if both are In or not)
PC Input: D-Sub
USB: Yes
Headphone: No (Not a big deal, but it's a small plus for the first choice)
Component Video: 1 In
S-Video: No

I forgot to mention this in my first post, but I need the TV/Monitor to have Composite jacks for my 360/PS2/Gamebridge. At first I thought what I had was Component (I have the 3 cables that are yellow/red/white), buuuut a quick google search gave me the truth. So I think that means Choice #2 isn't a possibility since I don't think it has Composite inputs (although, I see the red/white audio inputs in the back of the TV on one of the pics, does that mean it does have composite or what?).

So yeah. I'd *like* to get something a bit bigger than 19" but I can deal with it. Any thoughts/answers would be cool =D

EDIT: Also, I'd like to be able to watch TV on the TV/Monitor, obviously. For the 2nd choice, would I be able to plug in the cable from the wall into that DTV Antenna jack? Is that what it's for? /ignorant

**fUNC** · Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 3439 Location: Milwaukee

You're looking at two completely different things. Philips products suck as a whole, but it gives you the luxury of speakers and a TV tuner. You could watch TV on the Samsung, but it would require an external tuner (like a cable box or DTV tuner).

Something like this would give you everything you want, with the added benefit of newer technology and a two-year warranty. Don't shy away from the name- they're just old LG LED TVs with a new label. If $199 is too much, they sell a 19" version for $130.

Also, just as an FYI, I work for Sony now- not Best Buy.
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~Kyle~

Scorehero's #1 Chiefs fan and L4D2 player

**Sarg338** · Joined: 07 Feb 2008 Posts: 5143

**fUNC** · Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 3439 Location: Milwaukee

**Confury** · Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 1099 Location: Lincoln, NE

**Confury** · Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 1099 Location: Lincoln, NE

Sorry for the double post, but while talking to DMA about the TV you suggested fUNC, he mentioned that it being 60Hz would cause some latency problems, and that a 120Hz would solve that issue. Just wondering if that will indeed cause problems for me when playing timing-sensitive games or not. Even if that's true, I'll probably still buy it and test it out (or maybe test it at the store) and if there's lag issues, I'll just return it and look for something with a 120Hz refresh rate.

**fUNC** · Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 3439 Location: Milwaukee

Most TVs do 120Hz via software inside- "refreshing" the original 60Hz or 24p image after it receives it to create the illusion of a more smooth image. It's why any TV that utilizes a "game mode" actually turns the software off- scanning over the original image takes time. If you can find a TV that small that has a pure 120Hz panel, great- but I'd try out those first.
_________________

~Kyle~

Scorehero's #1 Chiefs fan and L4D2 player

**Confury** · Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 1099 Location: Lincoln, NE

Just thought I'd post in here saying that I'm finally going to be buying that TV soon, within the next week or so hopefully (was waiting on a check). The Insignia you linked fUNC is sold out online, but I found a very similar Samsung that has everything the Insignia did for the same exact price.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+22%22+Class+/+LED+/+1080p+/+60Hz+/+HDTV/2809744.p?id=1218353391964&skuId=2809744

So that's looking to be the TV I'll be getting soon. I might just go to Best Buy and see if they have it there, that way I could possibly test out playing a rhythm game on it and seeing if there's any delay.

**directshot999** · Joined: 16 Oct 2007 Posts: 3838 Location: Birmingham, AL

ACER H243H 1080p monitor. 24inches. Cheap price. Great picture... absolutely ZERO lag. None at all.
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**Confury** · Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 1099 Location: Lincoln, NE

Just bought this TV at Fry's: Click me pl0x

Just got done playing RB3 on it to test for lag. When using HDMI, it feels like there's a small amount of it, but when I switched to Composite, it seemed to go away. Wonder if that's actually true or I'm just crazy. Both however don't feel as perfect as my old 19" Emerson SDTV. Maybe it's because I'm not used to the new clearer picture or something. I just can't tell ;_; It has all the connections and stuff I want on it though...

**fUNC** · Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 3439 Location: Milwaukee

Nah, it's not just you. Tube TVs were infinitely better for gaming... you know, assuming you ignore the fact that they weigh a ton and that there were few true widescreen models.
_________________

~Kyle~

Scorehero's #1 Chiefs fan and L4D2 player

**Sarg338** · Joined: 07 Feb 2008 Posts: 5143

Looking to buy a new TV this summer if I do good at the casinos on my 21st. My current one if 26", so I'm looking for something in the 35-42" range with 1080p (Which is most TVs today). Not sure on LED/LCD (Probably LED if the price allows).

One thing I'm not sure on are the companies I've never heard of. I see some 1080p 40" LED-LCD TVs for $450-$500, but from companies I've never heard of (Coby, Proscan) and even a 32" 1080p LED 3D TV for only $350, but from a company named Sceptre. Probably won't get a 3D TV, but that seems REALLY cheap, and I'm not sure if it's because it's only 32" or because it's not a high-end company. Are these companies pretty reliable, or should I stick with the more big name companies (LG, Sony, Samesung, Toshiba, etc.)
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**fUNC** · Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 3439 Location: Milwaukee