Recommend me a good budget HDTV.

MaskedJackal · #1 07-16-2009, 12:37 PM

Ideally, I'd like to spend 400 bucks. The TV would be used for games, movies and an external monitor.

I was/am considering this Hannes G $240 24.6" monitor, but am also now considering this Toshiba $400 32" HDTV. The TV has a significantly larger screen and a cable input (so I could use my Super Nintendo), as well as many more input options, but also has a much lower resolution than the Hannes. What's really the decider here is whether or not I could pull off playing 4-player splitscreen with my Xbox 360. I have hunch the Hanns would be a tad small.

Or, should I pick something else entirely? I realize I neglected to have that option on the poll, d'oh.

Thanks in advance for any help.

hover · #2 07-16-2009, 02:41 PM

toshiba, no question. OR, browse Craiglist and find a used one, cheap. Does the Hannes even have a tv tuner?

MaskedJackal · #3 07-16-2009, 02:43 PM

This is mostly going to be used as a monitor for my Xbox 360 and laptop (movies).

hover · #4 07-16-2009, 02:47 PM

Well then , get the Hannes, and a subscription to Boxee or Hulu and yer set...just run the laptop thru the monitor...but you already knew that.

MaskedJackal · #5 07-16-2009, 02:50 PM

The issue isn't TV functionality, it's size-for-the-buck. See my first post.

hover · #6 07-16-2009, 02:54 PM

I realize that and I DID read the post....I was just making suggestions for making it more versatile.

Sartori · #7 07-16-2009, 03:07 PM

We won't get a new TV until our old one breaks. Sometimes we wonder if it ever will, given that it's been going strong since 1982.

SoonerMatt · #8 07-16-2009, 03:12 PM

I have a 37" Toshiba and am not disappointed at all. The screen is absolutely GORGEOUS and I've got connectivity out the tailpipe with it. The only gripe I have is there's about a second gap between channel changes, but it's no big deal.

MJ5150 · #9 07-16-2009, 03:26 PM

Vizio.

-Mike

Relayer71 · #10 07-17-2009, 06:59 PM

Go with the Toshiba.

I never thought much about the brand (normally a Sony TV guy) but earlier this year I picked up a 40" for $799 (which then I got for $650 when within the 30 day return period it went on sale and I went back for the difference!) and was pleasantly surprised.

In the store I was impressed with how it looked just as good if not better than similar Sony and Samsung TVs costing $200 - $400 more.

At home it was a different story - but chalk that up to the lighting in retail stores. Out of the box it didn't look that great but after some tweaking (color and brightness are set WAY too high at the factory) it looks amazing.

MaskedJackal · #11 07-18-2009, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

I realize that and I DID read the post....I was just making suggestions for making it more versatile.

Mah bad.

UPDATE, everyone: After extensive customer review research, I'm thinking the best option for ~500 (upped the budget a bit) would be this Panasonic Viera model. It's gotten overall great reviews on both Newegg and Amazon.

Stumbo · #12 07-18-2009, 01:29 AM

Don't forget to check out the monitors response time to make sure it's fast enough for your games.

MaskedJackal · #13 07-18-2009, 01:46 AM

The Viera has an 8ms response time, but it's meant for all-purpose stuff like console gaming -- it has a "game" color calibration preset.