Looking for a New Small-ish TV
My now-deceased 19" Zenith from 1987 (passed down from my parents) bought the farm this past week thanks to an electrical surge during a thunderstorm. Everything else in my place is fine, in case you were concerned 
but this was the last straw for the thing. So I'm in the market for a new TV.
The new TV will be going in my living room, but I don't want it to be the focus of the room, i.e., oversized. I don't watch a lot of TV, tohgh I would like a good picture and audio for my DVDs. I'm thinking that my decision might depend somewhat on whether I think more HD programming is coming sooner than later, and whether whatever programming I choose (satellite or cable) will provide that within the next 3-5 years.
Don't LCD TVs seem really overpriced, especially if they're HD-ready (higher res)? If I went with one, I would probably have to go with a small screen size, though the image would be better than analog. I know these stores say that if you're going to be sitting 5-8' (approx. 1.5-2.5m) away from the screen, that a 32" screen is recommended, but that seems like overkill to me. On the other hand, 17" seems a bit on the small side too.
Would it unwise to take a serious look at an old-timey CRT type TV, maybe a "flat" screen model like Wega or something similar? They're deep and heavy and bulky but I can get a bigger screen for the price. Would EDTV resolution be satisfactory for this thing, keep it viable for the next few years?
but this was the last straw for the thing. So I'm in the market for a new TV.The new TV will be going in my living room, but I don't want it to be the focus of the room, i.e., oversized. I don't watch a lot of TV, tohgh I would like a good picture and audio for my DVDs. I'm thinking that my decision might depend somewhat on whether I think more HD programming is coming sooner than later, and whether whatever programming I choose (satellite or cable) will provide that within the next 3-5 years.
Don't LCD TVs seem really overpriced, especially if they're HD-ready (higher res)? If I went with one, I would probably have to go with a small screen size, though the image would be better than analog. I know these stores say that if you're going to be sitting 5-8' (approx. 1.5-2.5m) away from the screen, that a 32" screen is recommended, but that seems like overkill to me. On the other hand, 17" seems a bit on the small side too.
Would it unwise to take a serious look at an old-timey CRT type TV, maybe a "flat" screen model like Wega or something similar? They're deep and heavy and bulky but I can get a bigger screen for the price. Would EDTV resolution be satisfactory for this thing, keep it viable for the next few years?
Comments
That said, I wouldn't consider purchasing any TV for your purposes that wasn't HD capable and had a wide aspect. With HD being offered for an extra $5/month by my cable provider (Comcast), I've been itching for an under 30-inch set--and the CRT models have dropped in price quite a bit.
CRT models can be had for $800 and under. Disadvantages: volume and weight.
Peruse at your local Best Buy, etc., and check 'em out. Make sure it has at least one component video-in (for your DVD player and/or HD input) and an HD tuner (some are purely HD monitors where a separate tuner is needed).
HD is here, really. I'd love to watch the Olympics in HD since it has quite good camera work--perhaps for the Winter '06 games.