32"-37" LCD HDTV Choice

[Fushigi]

The 722? I think it allows an additional hard drive to be attached via e.sata.

Yes, the 722. Actually the external drive connects via USB. Brochure (PDF). Up to 750GB is in the notes (PDF again) although I wonder if that's an actual limit or if 750s were the largest available when it was written.

I'm guessing a 750 will at least double the recording time. But of course you can add as many drives as you want. they're used as archives and not as a playback source. You have to move saved shows to them & move them back to the DVR for playback.

There's a one-time $40 activation fee (per DVR, not per external drive) so I won't bother unless I find I need the space.

 

[Stereodude]

A 750GB drive should give you at least another 80hours of HD recording (probably more).

 

[LunarMist]

I'm bringing this one back from the dead. What is the best choice nowadays for a 37" 1080 LCD TV? Is Samsung still a good brand?

 

[Stereodude]

Yes, but why would you limit yourself to such a small TV?

 

[ddrueding]

42" does seem to be around the best bang/buck these days, with sets up to 52" being reasonably priced.

 

[Mercutio]

Yes, but why would you limit yourself to such a small TV?

32" feels just about right for a desktop monitor to me. Also, some people don't want a room that is utterly dominated by a television set. I don't understand those people, but they're out there.

I have a 32" Samsung LED TV. It's a nice display, though I'll admit that I could have gotten away with a much less expensive model. I gave serious thought to a Vizio 32" screen (less than one third the price) and in fact I think I'm probably going to buy one of those for my office.

 

[LunarMist]

There is barely enough room for a 37" short screen TV. The current (dying) TV is 27". I can move one table and cabinet a little closer to the window, but not much.

 

[LunarMist]

32" feels just about right for a desktop monitor to me. Also, some people don't want a room that is utterly dominated by a television set. I don't understand those people, but they're out there.

I have a 32" Samsung LED TV. It's a nice display, though I'll admit that I could have gotten away with a much less expensive model. I gave serious thought to a Vizio 32" screen (less than one third the price) and in fact I think I'm probably going to buy one of those for my office.

Is the LED noticeably different? There are so many models, I don't know what is what. It causes a massive headache.

 

[Mercutio]

It has a higher contrast ratio than my other TVs, but that particular set doesn't have the black level that's supposed to be the big improvement for going LED over LCD.

 

[LunarMist]

Is this a good one?

What is that red "touch of color" used for? Can it be disabled?

 

[Stereodude]

Is this a good one?

What is that red "touch of color" used for? Can it be disabled?

Yes, that's a good one. The "touch of color" is a slight coloring of the dark bezel. If you shine a bright light directly on it you'll see it's reddish. No it can't be disabled. As a point of reference I can't even see it on my Samsung under the normal lighting in the room.

 

[LunarMist]

Oh, I thought it was illuminated by LEDs. I'm accustomed to masking out colored distractions with black gaffers tape, which may be unnecessary in this situation.

It is a problem that there are so many models. Finding a store that has the right one available will be a hassle.