Need a TV - help please

[Adcadet]

hey crew -
my wife and I need a new TV. Something that turns off when you hit the power button. Something with a fully-functioning remote. Something that's not dying. Something that hasn't been dying since 1983.

We have an entertainment center and have room for a TV 27" wide and 25" tall. Looks like this would fit most 27" TV's. We would LOVE Tivo. We get basic cable (local plus a few cable channels; we also have cable internet). And I hear there's this thing called HDTV. We have DVD players in our laptops, and might get a set-top DVD player in the future. We have no external speakers. We would like to spend $400 or s0 (preferably less). What can we do? Recommendations?

 

[blakerwry]

Guide plus is a nice feature in a TV. Additionally make sure it has enough inputs in the back for your devices (game consoles, DVD, etc). I'd spec 2 sets of inputs at a minimum. Component video is nice but S-video would suffice.

Personally, i'd goto a couple stores and pick what looks best in your price range.

 

[Pradeep]

HDTV is a no-go at $400. I would say go to CC/BB and have a look at their range. Flat-screen is nice to avoid too many reflections/distortions. Perhaps a measuring tape to be sure that it will fit the entertainment center.

Tivo/Replay is great, once you've tasted it there's no going back.

 

[Will Rickards]

I would say panasonic because I have one and generally like panasonic electronic equipment. Checking the circuitcity website, they are all wider than 27", more like 30".

 

[Adcadet]

from looking at BB's website (gotta support the local guys) it looks like most of their 27" TV's will fit.

 

[Adcadet]

what about using an HDTV to play DVD's? Does it result in a better picture than a standard TV?

 

[Mercutio]

It depends. Some titles look a lot better on HDTVs with progressive scan DVD players. Others don't. I saw a lot more problems with 3:2 pulldown - basically bad film-to-DVD transfers than I noticed on my first actual TV (which I bought maybe 2 years ago).

Also. DVD=Shrink DVDs don't look as good. On regular TVs you can't tell. On an HDTV you certainly can.

I have a 32" JVC sitting in my garage. I thought it was a great TV, but I don't use it any more 'cause I've got some things now that are a little better.