Hdtv Expert Wanted!

Hi, I am looking to buy an HDTV. I would like this television to connect to my computer(specs in signature) via HDMI port. Below I have a list of what I am looking for and questions about what is the best way to go...

I am a college student with low cash. A couple hundred makes a large dent so I am hoping to find one in the $200-$400 range.

Screen Size: 26-30inch

Type: LCD

What company has the best offer? (retailers or online??)

Is the HDMI port the best way to go?

What is a reasonable price?

I do want high quality sound and picture.
-Is it worth getting a high contrast ratio?
-1080i, 740p, what is this? Which one is better?
-I don't want a tv that goes black when viewing at an angle.
-Resolution? whats best for a 26er?
-Aspect Ratio

If anyone has any other suggestions please do tell. Reputation points are given.

 

sorrry i dont know if u can get a full HD in this price range...however u might get a 720p one....and yes HDMI is the best way to go
basically 1080i is a higher resolution than 720p
aspect ratio i think 16:9 is the best as then u wont get black borders in DVDs s stuff

sorry if i wasn't much help but thats all i know

 

1920X1080 is the resolution or 1280X720, i=interlaced p=progressive p being preferred as each line is drawn with i every other line is drawn.

 

Yes, high contrast ratio is a good thing to have in any display.
1080i/720p is what you will find in the TV's you are looking for, most offer both modes.
Resolution, you will pretty much find 1366x768.
Most LCD TV's have good viewing angles, you shouldn't have this problem. LCD monitors however, tend to exhibit this if using cheaper TN panels.
Vizio is a brand to look for. However, you really should go look at them in person to see for yourself, this is not like buying a CPU or hard drive.
HDMI is good in that it is a single cable for audio/video for most items, not sure if it works that way for laptops though.
I can't help much with the retailer as I don't know the retailers in the USA (I assume you're from there, no info provided)

 

HDMI is the best way to go, high definition! Its very nice and clear using it as an external monitor and also as a TV

Check out the same one i have... Samsung 32" High def widescreen LCD 8000:1 Contrast ratio. It doesnt support full 1080 HD but the colors are very vibrant.

 

I'd get your TV from amazon. I had a great experience buying my Samsung from them. Free shipping, no tax, and when they delivered it the guy helped set up the tv & checked for damage.

My favorite companies are Samsung, Sharp, Sony, and Toshiba (Regza line). For a 26" TV, you should expect to pay around 580+ for a good one. I suggest either raising more funds or getting a smaller screen.

HDMI port is one of the best ways to connect to your laptop to your PC. Remember to get the cheapest cables you can find.

In general, the higher the contrast ratio the better. This makes the blacks blacker and the whites whiter. It is key to avoiding a washed out picture.

720p is better for the reason already given.

LCDs shouldn't have bad viewing angles.

720p is the best resolution for sub 40" screens unless 1080p is available. However, you don't notice a difference between 720p and 1080p unless you're sitting really close of the screen is 40"+.

16x9 or widescreen is the aspect ratio to get.

 

Yes, but for ease of use, for what you're doing, HDCP-compliant DVI will offer the same picture quality.

Unfortunately depends on features.
You can get a Sharp Aquos 26" and 32" 1080P LCD for under $1,000 which are good 'reasonable' prices, but obviously above what you want to pay.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...m_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-LCD+TV-_-Sharp-_-89101108

For what you're looking to pay then 720P (probably 1366x768 as mentioned) is likely going to be what you're going to get (they don't make 1080i LCDs, but LCDs can display this picture either in 1080P format or dithering/interpolating to another resolution).

Not really possible with your requirements, but how about 'good quality'?

Yes, but be sure it's not just a marketing BS # like most response times (GWG instead of BWB). Some people publish high contrast ratios, but they's pushed the whites way out and the blacks still suck. Oooh high contrast ratio, but it doesn't mean much if the black is grey compared to the one that has 95% the PR contrast ratio but actually has dark blacks. Also have super dark blacks and super hot whites, but very little gradient steps in between you might have an incredible contrast ratio, but a terrible overall picture. Best to see these screens in action. IMO the two toughest tests are a dark action scene in a movie with intense light injected into dark scenes, and then a hockey game. Thess stress the two extremes well, and also gives you an idea of that realistic response time of BWB and WBW.

It's 720P, but as mentioned your LCD will likely be 768P based on most of them, so either it will hardware upscale an image to fit or interpolate/stretch the image across pixels. But always best to display in native resolution if you can. The benefits of each depend on the situation, 720P is usually better for motion, like sports and action movies, 1080i is usually better for a little more static slower scenes like dramas and travel/vista scene where resolution is king. However 1080P is the best of both worlds. Now something to remember, most recorded HD content is 1080P, most broadcast HD content is 720P/1080i.

If you're sitting far away and still want to see text, then 1366x768 is a good choice because otherwise text would be small due to small pixel pitch, but if you're close for text/computer work the 1920x1080/1200 would be a better computer resolution, and from far away the difference won't matter as much, but once again it depends on the content you're viewing. Watching ABC & Fox HD is 720P, CBC & NBC and CBC are 1080i.

16:9 is better for movies (1920x1080 / 1366x768 / 1280x720), but 16:10 is typical more for WS computers/apps (1920x1200 / 1680x1050 / 1280x800). But both can be adapted for the other as long as you're hooked up to a pretty solid computer.

Have you looked at dedicated LCD computer monitors that can also do TV, that may be another choice depending on prices in your area. Many older screens go on sale from time to time, so it's best to check both the PC and TV side of the LCD equation.

 

i don't know if this is a independent crysis i'm having, but my M15X seems to only connect to SOME HDTVs, not all... so make sure your connection works before you buy !! :-D

check out my post here

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=240333

 

Actually a few users have had problems getting HDTV's to completely work with their notebook not just the M15x. The good well know brands seem to be the most compatible (eg. Sony Bravia)

Some even think HDCP might be issue http://www.digitalconnection.com/FAQ/HDTV_12.asp

 

My advice is to go to the store and check the picture quality. Some you will see the pixels on the screen up close while others are more smoother. Of course the higher the price the more features are included. HDMI is a must for HDTV for it will carry both sound and video. And make sure it has a TV tuner, some are purchased separately.

 

Even better, bring your notebook to the store and test it out on every HDTV. Thats if the store lets you, most likely they will if they wanna make $$

 

Just something to consider for your price range and requirements;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824155056

 

Why is a tv tuner important to have in an HDTV??

 

If you don't have a tuner, you will have to get an external tuner or a cable box in order to watch TV broadcast. The tuner is what brakes the signal from the cable/satalite/antenna in to different channels so you can actually watch it on your TV.