HDTV Monitor - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

billege · 08-23-2003, 09:53 PM

I almost thought this belonged in the Titled Entertainment section, but...this isn't about the shows on TV, it's about the HARDWARE.

If anyone knows hardware, it's a bunch of computer ninjas.

Here's the deal:

My parents are wonderful. I love them very much.
They have two 27" TVs right now. One, a Toshiba, in the living room and one (generic 27") in their bedroom.

The 'shiba is fairly old, and is crapping out. Pretty soon it will die. When it does, they're going to pull the one out of the bedroom and use it. They can't afford to buy the pimp HDTV monitor Dad wants right now.

One of the reasons they problably don't have the cheese to squeese for TVs, is they have been so generous with my finace and I. See, I'm getting married soon, and my parents (and hers) keep paying for things; we've been blessed with wonderful parents. (Sept. 20th, less than one month away!)

Since my parents can't buy a big, bad TV, I want to buy them an HDTV monitor for Christmas.

I have a job where I can work three (12 hr) OT shifts and make about $550 extra (after taxes).
I figure three or four extra shifts is a couple lost weekends, and they are well worth that.
Also, my soon-to-be-wife said she'd kick in a bit, my sister and her finace are going to help, and my grandparents are too.

I figure the budget will be a rock solid $700-800.

I've found four TVs that fit:

$799 bestbuy.com
Advent 32" Flat-Tube HDTV Monitor
Model: HT3251A

$699 bestbuy.com
Samsung 27" DynaFlat Flat-Tube Stereo HDTV Monitor
Model: TXN2771HF

$799 sears.com
Philips 27 in. HDTV Monitor, Black Matrix Real Flat™ Picture Tube
Mfr. Model #27PT8320

$799 (subtract 10% emp. disc. = $719.10) target.com
Samsung 26" Premier Series DynaFlat HDTV Widescreen Monitor
Model: TXN2670WHF

I'm actually not asking anyone here to pick the best model for me. I got that, thanks. (ME HARDWARE NINJA! or, so methinks)

I am asking for help finding better deals. I can only spend so much time looking at stupid websites for prices and models. If anyone got a good deal on something similar, I'd love a heads up.

Also, I've heard some scary things about the new Advent TVs on the market. Combine that with the fact that BestBuy doesn't like to provide repairs for under warrenty broken Advents, and I don't like the idea of an Advent, or bestbuy. Anyone know about this?

I do know the new Advents on the market are licensed and really manufatured by a Chinese company called Prima.

I know you guys and dolls have the knowledge. Thanks.

friend_pokey · 08-24-2003, 12:11 AM

if they don't have one, I'd get them a tivo before spending the money on an hdtv. if they watch a lot of tv that is.

however, about a year ago i was able to pick up a fairly nice 27" samsung HDTV monitor for around $600 at costco. so if you have a membership or know someone who does it would be good to look and see what they have there.

i also remember circuit city had a similar 27" zenith model for about the same price, however the samsung was a bit nicer (i think it had more inputs) or something.

i don't know anything about advent, but a 32" tv would be nice compared to 27"

friend_pokey · 08-24-2003, 12:15 AM

i just looked.

circuitcity.com has a "Zenith 27" Flat-screen HDTV Monitor" for $599

so check that out

juanvaldes · 08-24-2003, 12:29 AM

fight the crowds, day after thanksgiving sales. They are worth it. Stretch those dollors to the max.

poof · 08-24-2003, 09:06 AM

I recently bought a Sony from Circuit City after a lot of shopping around and having them match Best Buys price. One place that had nice prices and warranty service was <a href="http://www.4cost.com/index.html">4cost.com</a>. They don't have the models you are set om getting, and that is why I didn't buy there either. You may want to look and see if there is another brand there.

Pretty thoughtful of you two to acknowledge the generousity your parents have shown.

billege · 08-24-2003, 11:58 AM

Well, I'm gonna have to get more generous.

I stopped at Circuit City today, and I found out that if I want a 16:9 ascpect ratio screen, it's going to cost.

Tubes are expensive, but the nice projection screens are about a thousand dollars. The girl said that on Christmas sales that should drop to maybe 899 or so, for a 1199 model.

I'm going to ask my sister and her fiance if they want to / can put about 300 in.

Either way, I now have NO idea what model to get, and I don't know much about what makes one projection screen better than another.

Help.

poof · 08-24-2003, 03:27 PM

Yes, tubes are expensive. I bit the bullet and got the Sony <a href="http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/-/-/-/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=KV36HS510&CategoryName=tv_WEGAShowcase_WEGAShop_36to40TVsWEGAshowcase">36HS510</a>. It is a beautiful picture and runs off composite cables from a Harmon-Kardon AVR and dvd player. Of course it required a new cabinet so you might want to consider how much room they have for the tv.

I want to play with a flight simulator on it, but s-video cables can only be so long.

08-23-2003, 09:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
billege Watcher Location: Ohio	HDTV Monitor I almost thought this belonged in the Titled Entertainment section, but...this isn't about the shows on TV, it's about the HARDWARE. If anyone knows hardware, it's a bunch of computer ninjas. Here's the deal: My parents are wonderful. I love them very much. They have two 27" TVs right now. One, a Toshiba, in the living room and one (generic 27") in their bedroom. The 'shiba is fairly old, and is crapping out. Pretty soon it will die. When it does, they're going to pull the one out of the bedroom and use it. They can't afford to buy the pimp HDTV monitor Dad wants right now. One of the reasons they problably don't have the cheese to squeese for TVs, is they have been so generous with my finace and I. See, I'm getting married soon, and my parents (and hers) keep paying for things; we've been blessed with wonderful parents. (Sept. 20th, less than one month away!) Since my parents can't buy a big, bad TV, I want to buy them an HDTV monitor for Christmas. I have a job where I can work three (12 hr) OT shifts and make about $550 extra (after taxes). I figure three or four extra shifts is a couple lost weekends, and they are well worth that. Also, my soon-to-be-wife said she'd kick in a bit, my sister and her finace are going to help, and my grandparents are too. I figure the budget will be a rock solid $700-800. I've found four TVs that fit: $799 bestbuy.com Advent 32" Flat-Tube HDTV Monitor Model: HT3251A $699 bestbuy.com Samsung 27" DynaFlat Flat-Tube Stereo HDTV Monitor Model: TXN2771HF $799 sears.com Philips 27 in. HDTV Monitor, Black Matrix Real Flat™ Picture Tube Mfr. Model #27PT8320 $799 (subtract 10% emp. disc. = $719.10) target.com Samsung 26" Premier Series DynaFlat HDTV Widescreen Monitor Model: TXN2670WHF I'm actually not asking anyone here to pick the best model for me. I got that, thanks. (ME HARDWARE NINJA! or, so methinks) I am asking for help finding better deals. I can only spend so much time looking at stupid websites for prices and models. If anyone got a good deal on something similar, I'd love a heads up. Also, I've heard some scary things about the new Advent TVs on the market. Combine that with the fact that BestBuy doesn't like to provide repairs for under warrenty broken Advents, and I don't like the idea of an Advent, or bestbuy. Anyone know about this? I do know the new Advents on the market are licensed and really manufatured by a Chinese company called Prima. I know you guys and dolls have the knowledge. Thanks. __________________ I can sum up the clash of religion in one sentence: "My Invisible Friend is better than your Invisible Friend."

08-24-2003, 12:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
friend_pokey Upright	.... if they don't have one, I'd get them a tivo before spending the money on an hdtv. if they watch a lot of tv that is. however, about a year ago i was able to pick up a fairly nice 27" samsung HDTV monitor for around $600 at costco. so if you have a membership or know someone who does it would be good to look and see what they have there. i also remember circuit city had a similar 27" zenith model for about the same price, however the samsung was a bit nicer (i think it had more inputs) or something. i don't know anything about advent, but a 32" tv would be nice compared to 27"

08-24-2003, 12:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
friend_pokey Upright	......... i just looked. circuitcity.com has a "Zenith 27" Flat-screen HDTV Monitor" for $599 so check that out

08-24-2003, 11:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
billege Watcher Location: Ohio	Well, I'm gonna have to get more generous. I stopped at Circuit City today, and I found out that if I want a 16:9 ascpect ratio screen, it's going to cost. Tubes are expensive, but the nice projection screens are about a thousand dollars. The girl said that on Christmas sales that should drop to maybe 899 or so, for a 1199 model. I'm going to ask my sister and her fiance if they want to / can put about 300 in. Either way, I now have NO idea what model to get, and I don't know much about what makes one projection screen better than another. Help. __________________ I can sum up the clash of religion in one sentence: "My Invisible Friend is better than your Invisible Friend."

08-24-2003, 12:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
juanvaldes Banned Location: shittown, CA	fight the crowds, day after thanksgiving sales. They are worth it. Stretch those dollors to the max.

08-24-2003, 09:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
poof Psycho	I recently bought a Sony from Circuit City after a lot of shopping around and having them match Best Buys price. One place that had nice prices and warranty service was <a href="http://www.4cost.com/index.html">4cost.com</a>. They don't have the models you are set om getting, and that is why I didn't buy there either. You may want to look and see if there is another brand there. Pretty thoughtful of you two to acknowledge the generousity your parents have shown.

08-24-2003, 03:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
poof Psycho	Yes, tubes are expensive. I bit the bullet and got the Sony <a href="http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/-/-/-/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=KV36HS510&CategoryName=tv_WEGAShowcase_WEGAShop_36to40TVsWEGAshowcase">36HS510</a>. It is a beautiful picture and runs off composite cables from a Harmon-Kardon AVR and dvd player. Of course it required a new cabinet so you might want to consider how much room they have for the tv. I want to play with a flight simulator on it, but s-video cables can only be so long.