Slaughter Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 Right, so I'm buying an LCD TV. I'll go for 32 inches, and I'll have it connected to my Dell XPS M1210 Media Center Notebook most of the time. I'll watch movies, play games and watch a little TV on it. In general I'll use it as a monitor for my media center notebook. Sound is of no interest, as I'll never use the TV speakers anyway, but picture quality and update speed (for playing PC games) as well as "dark areas" watching movies are. Any good review sites? Sites where people vote? Recommended TVs? Oh, my budget is plus minus 10 000 NOK (1 554$, 784£). Last question, what's the difference between VGA out and S-Video? I mean, if the TV has no VGA input, can I just as well manage with TV out using S-Video? (referring to the Panasonic below that get really good tests but has no VGA) These are the models I looked at so far Sharp Aquos LC32GD8Ehttps://reviews.cnet.co.uk/televisions/0,39...49284390,00.htmhttps://www.trustedreviews.com/tvs/review/2...-32in-LCD-TV/p1 LG 32LC2Dhttps://reviews.cnet.co.uk/televisions/0,39...49281775,00.htmhttps://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-bin/di...p?reviewid=6976https://www.hdtvorg.co.uk/best_buy/lcd/lcd5.htmhttps://www.kelkoo.se/b/a/sbs/100311823/16725190.htmlhttps://www.hdtvsolutions.com/LG_Electronics-32LC2D.htm Sony Bravia KDL-32V2000https://reviews.cnet.co.uk/televisions/0,39...49283492,00.htmhttps://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=61818 (https://www.lyris-lite.net/kdl32v2000_review6.html)https://www.t3.co.uk/reviews/entertainment/...hd_ready_lcd_tvhttps://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=320020https://www.kelkoo.se/b/a/sbs/100311823/16365771.htmlhttps://idg.dittpris.se/prices/cid_1_gid_30..._651_pid_120102 Panasonic Viera TX-32LXD60 (no PC input...the stupidity...)https://reviews.cnet.co.uk/televisions/0,39...49284219,00.htmhttps://www.trustedreviews.com/tvs/review/2...-32in-LCD-TV/p1https://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-bin/di...p?reviewid=6759https://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-bin/di...p?reviewid=6911 Samsung LE32R74BDhttps://reviews.cnet.co.uk/televisions/0,39...49276715,00.htm (not x at the end of model number)https://www.trustedreviews.com/tvs/review/2...-32in-LCD-TV/p1https://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-bin/di...p?reviewid=6782https://www.kelkoo.se/b/a/sbs/100311823/16885018.html Samsung LE32R41BDhttps://reviews.cnet.co.uk/televisions/0,39...39193435,00.htmhttps://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-bin/di...p?reviewid=6284https://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-bin/di...p?reviewid=6355 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matri Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 S-Video is Super Video, as opposed to regular Video. I'm guessing the differences are as similar as between Analogue and Digital for my LCD monitor. I have noticed S-Video has much crisper pictures than regular Video. I dunno. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bomb Bloke Posted January 23, 2007 Share Posted January 23, 2007 S-Video is a bit like an all in one composite cable - It transmits audio as well as video, whereas the standard VGA cable is for video only. The quality is higher then composite, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NKF Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 I've had a Sony Bravia for a while. My bank balance hates me for it, but it was my best cash investment of 2006. My only problem with it is when it tries to display bright primary colours. Red (#FF0000, for example) in particular seems to give a strange stippling effect. But you probably won't notice this much except in computer games with bright primary colours. Fast flashing images (like getting hit in an arcade-like platformer game and you're flashing in temporary invulnerability) may have a bit of trouble though. Not too many modern games do this, thankfully, so you should be fine. Otherwise, it's very good for general DVD, VHS, console gaming and standard TV use. I haven't tested it with my laptop or PC as of yet, but the X-Box and PS2 play very well on it. The sheer number of connector types on the back is a plus. svga, S-video, RCA, s-video, composite video, etc. I've got up to four separate devices hooked up without having to resort to my signal switchbox. I have headphones plugged into the headphone jack on the side, but there are auxilliary output connectors and so on. Lots of options there. It does seem to be missing something that a conventional TV offers, but I'm very happy with it. Still, have a look at what's out there. Far better TVs will have come onto the market by now. - NKF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zombie Posted January 24, 2007 Share Posted January 24, 2007 Last question, what's the difference between VGA out and S-Video? I mean, if the TV has no VGA input, can I just as well manage with TV out using S-Video? (referring to the Panasonic below that get really good tests but has no VGA)VGA is carried on the typical RCA patch cord and it has a combined video signal (chrominance and luminance). You will see less and less of this type of output/imput as today's technology improves due to the higher quality digital sources (HDTV, DVD's etc). S-Video transmits the chrominance and luminance portions of a video signal separately leading to less color bleeding. Composite video is similar to VGA in that it also has a combined video signal, but it has better picture quality. Component video is a 3 cable connection which breaks video into three sources: one luminence and two separate signals for chrominance. This is probably the best type of video connection as there is little to no chance of color bleeding. There are two different types of component video connections: normal (for use with most video interconnects), and high-bandwidth (for use with HDTV and progressive scan DVD's). Try to get a LCD TV with the latter type as it will handle most everything without batting an eye or a loss of picture quality. So in-order from lowest to highest video quality, it would look like this:VGAComposite VideoS-VideoComponent VideoThe only time where a VGA output/input would be helpful is when your A/V components lack the other types of connections. Otherwise you have to resort to switchers to get everything connected properly. There are also a multitude of other types of video interconnects:Coaxial: normal F-type connector for use with antennasDVI (Digital Visual Interface) jack: is a multi-pin connection which moves high def digital signals from the HDTV tuner, DVD, and some computer displays to the TV. It is a pure digital connection where the signal is encrypted to prevent recording.HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) jack: basically the same as the DVI except it can also handle 7.1 sound too.i.LINK port (aka IEEE 1394 or FireWire): provides a fast digital connection between camcorders and computers. Some TV's have this port for ease of connecting a camcorder or HD recorders.RGB (D-Sub 15-pin) jack: (looks the same as the connections found on VGA type computer monitors), used for high def content, it splits the color into three (red, green & blue) but handles video in analog. Personally, I like the Sony BRAVIA line of LCD's, they are today's new Trinitron. In the end, write down the specs of all the TV's you list and compare them. If you're after a lot of interconnects go with a TV that have them. Or do you want a superior viewing angle? How about features such as PIP or split screen? Or automatic light level adjustment (instead of manual). Or a high Dynamic Contrast Ratio (how dark 'black' shows up on the screen)? Or a built-in HDTV tuner? Do a little research and pick a TV which suits your uses. That's what I always do with A/V equipment and it works well. - Zombie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slaughter Posted January 24, 2007 Author Share Posted January 24, 2007 Thanks for the heads-up guys! I'll keep this in mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ki-tat Chung Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Come to Hong Kong. Prices will make your jaws drop. Seriously. Of course, you then have the deilema of acutally buying the plane tickets, as well as lugging a 42" beast back, but that's besides the point. Oh yea, 60gb PS3's go for 3780HKD, which equates to around 485USD, 375 Euro or 347GBP. =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slaughter Posted January 29, 2007 Author Share Posted January 29, 2007 I believe you Ki-tat! Though as you mention, there are certain logistics problems... @Zombie: I've been doing some research of my own, and concluded that VGA is a significantly better connection than s-video. Guess it might have more to do with not using the correct naming, but this article and several other sources suggest 15 pins are better than 4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bomb Bloke Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 I know that only three pins in a VGA cable are used for colors. You can rip some of 'em out and it still works fine. Other times, removing a single pin removes all trace of one of the RGB values. No, I'm not in the habit of savaging cables, but some friends have been known to be a little imprecise when shoving them into sockets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zombie Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 I believe you Ki-tat! Though as you mention, there are certain logistics problems... @Zombie: I've been doing some research of my own, and concluded that VGA is a significantly better connection than s-video. Guess it might have more to do with not using the correct naming, but this article and several other sources suggest 15 pins are better than 4.Yeah, I must be thinking of something else. VGA = RGB which has better color than S-Video. - Zombie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slaughter Posted January 30, 2007 Author Share Posted January 30, 2007 @BB: The other cables are often used for sync signals as I understood it, so even if you can manage without it is not recommended @Zombie: It is true that VGA is a low resolution signal and so on. But the VGA connection can also transports SVGA and the higher quality signals, thus making it a good connection. So you were right in that VGA isn't too hot, but the VGA connector is still a fine and important one . I just couldn't figure why the reviewers were so unhappy with no VGA connector on the Panasonic TV when there were s-video if the s-video connector had a better quality signal... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zombie Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Well, if you are going to be using the TV primarily as a computer monitor or gaming console, I'd suggest looking for a LCD TV that has an appropriate connector for your computer. The higher the quality, the better. The digital connections are great, but they have encrypted signals. (I think this is only true if the signal is pure digital. Analog signals shouldn't be encrypted). Encryption really isn't much of a problem unless you want to record the signal in digital. I sometimes connect my laptop to a 27'' CRT via an S-Video connection and the resolution isn't the best in the world. It's fine for oldie games like X-COM but for today's high-powered games a better connection is almost a necessity. - Zombie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Samsung LE32R74BD al the way! My folks just bought the 26 inch version if this last month and it's brilliant! Too bad I don't live there any more. There's more connectors in the back than you can shake a stick at, so you could technically hook up through a normal PC cable (the blue one, not the white digital one), an s-video cable (if your PC has a socket too) or a normal AV set of cables (again dependant on your PC). The picture quality is great unless you're watching TV through a digital tuner, so DVD's and games are spot on. However and issues with the digital tuner are solved by not sitting so ruddy close! The issues with the digital tuner are the same issues you'd get with a normal TV and a set-top-box - the picture just isn't transmitted at HD yet so there's nothing you can do, and the rest of the features on the set more than make up for it. To top it off, Samsung's remote control, whilst a bit large, can take over as remote for your DVD player, VCR and Satellite tuner so you can sit there and relax with just one set of buttons to rule them all If you've got the extra money though, you may as well go for the Samsung LE32R41BD to get HD capabilities. The only difference you'll notice though is when everything switches to HD. Other than that, the slight drop in quality you get with digital transmission is hardly noticeable. Picture quality when playing games or watching DVD's is top-notch. It's got quite a good resolution for linking your PC up on the Samsung ones too so you won't be faced with really low resolution images - as long as your PC can handle a widescreen resolution (if not, you just switch the screen from 16:9 to 4:3 aspect ratio and you're laughing). Sooo.... buy Samsung. If you ignore anything else, it just looks SEXY EDIT: With the connectors available in the back, you should theoretically be able to plug in an XBOX/PS2/Wii alongside your PC and DVD/VCR as you can have up to 3 things hooked up at once. It's possible you may even be able to hook up a camcorder at the same time too if you really wanted to, though don't hold me to that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slaughter Posted January 31, 2007 Author Share Posted January 31, 2007 Hmm, well, I had decided to buy just the R74 Samsung. The Sony was too expensive, and not worth it as I could tell. Then the local store didn't have it available, and the Sharp is quite a bit cheaper and commended for it's performance with analogue sources. Thus I bought it, since both user feedback and reviews were relatively good. Will pick it up tomorrow, so I'll see soon enough if it was a good or bad choice. It certainly isn't as sexy as the Samsung Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 That's a shame. At least you could havbe taken the Samsung to bed with you on those lonely nights... ...or something... :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slaughter Posted February 1, 2007 Author Share Posted February 1, 2007 Maybe I will!!! I just placed my Sharp TV on the table, connected it to the all important PC through VGA, and switched display. And what do you know... IT HAS A MAX PC RESULUTION OF 1024*768!!!! Can you believe the stupidity!?! The TV is 1360*768, and it supports a maximum of 1024*768!!! No widescreen resolutions at all.... I am amazed! Sharp 0 - Stupidity beyond belief 1 I didn't even think to check what resolutions it supported for PC...no review mentioned this...no user input...are they on drugs!?! I thought the Panasonic with no PC input was the stupidest, but I was mistaken! /rant I'm sending this TV back tomorrow, and will order the Samsung R74 online after that. Consider yourself warned! If you'd like to know a little more about the Sharp TV, it is ugly as hell, and the remote is so ugly I laughed out loud seeing it! On the positive side the picture from my PC is really stable and good looking. I see no disturbances like the ones that worried me a little on the Samsung in the store. Still, with no support for the correct aspect and resolution, it's a nogo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Ah, well there's a good explanation for in-store fuzziness on TV's - They're all daisy-chained up together through many, many metres of Scart cables. Also, the stores don't use their best Scart cables on demo TV's The Samsung's resolution is 1360*768 for PC, however you'll have to somehow get your PC to go to that resolution as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slaughter Posted February 11, 2007 Author Share Posted February 11, 2007 Right, so I ended up buying the Sony Bravia KDL-32V2500. Expensive, but supposedly a very good TV. Problem is that I still can't get it to display the correct resolution... The TV supports 1360 x 768 from PC, but my notebook refuses to set that resolution. It's not supposed to be easy to connect your PC to a TV apparently... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 I did say There must be a way of doing it though, otherwise it's just silly. Isn't there some sort of CD-ROM that comes with the TV? Perhaps it has some extra drivers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slaughter Posted February 11, 2007 Author Share Posted February 11, 2007 Yeah, it's possible. Found nothing on the website however, so I'm not too optimistic. I'll find a way, but it is unbelievable that it can be so much trouble... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zombie Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 The TV supports 1360 x 768 from PC, but my notebook refuses to set that resolution. It's not supposed to be easy to connect your PC to a TV apparently...I hate to ask, but is your PC video card capable of displaying that resolution? My display settings in WinXP jump from 800x600 to 1024x768 to 1280x1024 to 1400x1050. 1360x768 isn't a listed option. You may have to buy a new video card so that it supports HDTV resolution, or sadly, you may need to lower your display settings to get it to work. (My PC video card is from circa 2002 and I know for a fact it will not work on HDTV's). No promises on this though. - Zombie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 This may be of some use: https://www.lcd-tv-reviews.com/modules/newb...52&forum=13 Seems to have info on how to set up a custom resolution for several brands of video card etc. Seems at first glance like if you've got an Nvidia card it shouldn't cause too much bother, but you'd think these things would work out of the box Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slaughter Posted February 13, 2007 Author Share Posted February 13, 2007 Thanks Pete! Didn't manage with the utility they mentioned there. Guess what the problem was.... Next step was testing known good VGA cable and notebook. Disconnecting the VGA cable, I discovered something "interesting". Even if it said 15 pin, it only has 14! And guess what pin is missing...yeah, that's right. Number 9! The one that monitors etc. use to send data about themselves back to the device connected. Attaching a proper 15 pin VGA cable, it works great immediately. *sigh* All the trouble I've been through before discovering this... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 Hehe, glad that fixed it. I can now tell my brother not to worry about getting a larger version one of these hooked up to his Media Centre PC. So long as he's got a 15 pin VGA cable it should be fine. I was worrying for a minute there that it might be some weird graphics card restriction! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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