LCD Televisions

[BillyPilgrim]

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[RickM]

I can't help with the resolustion question but my LCD TV observations have been that viewing from any angle other than straight on is almost always less than desirable.

I believe they rate this viewing angle ability. Called Field of Vision or something along those lines.

[cegerer]

I know little about the specs, but I'm viewing my Samsung SyncMaster 170MP right now - combo TFT LCD flat panel computer monitor & TV. I love it and the picture quality is excellent.

http://tomshardware.bizrate.com/,mss__cat_id--416,prod_id--7394198,rf--wgg.html

[island911]

Originally posted by BillyPilgrim
. . .But I’d really like to get a 19-21 inch LCD monitor with 1600 x 1200 native resolution, s-video/composite inputs and PiP, use it as a second computer monitor (next to my 21” CRT), and be able to watch TV/play PS2 on it when not using it as a computer monitor. My concern is that full screen TV is going to look terrible on 1600x1200, . . .

I have just what you describe (a Dell FP2000).

In addition to s-video/composite inputs, it has DVI & D-Sub(RGB) inputs. There are quite a few HD tuners that have D-Sub(RGB) output; though, I have yet to plug HD into the monitor.

The main concern with running non-naitive resolution is (generally) when you're in cmptr-mode, with text up on the screen. (fuzzy reading at times) Otherwise, the TV signal looks fine, DVD's, under S-Video look great.

The big downside to using the monitor as a TV is that the power switch (sleep/suspend mode) isn't supported by s-video or composite. (only DVI & RGB in sig's) So, what that means is you have to turn off the screen seperately (no remote). PiP, while computing away, is kind cool, though.

[Harlan Chinn]

Sharp puts out a decent LCD TV with respectable quality picture. The 20" model I saw at Costco sold for $999.00. Great for the bedroom on a night stand or catilevered off of the wall on a telescoping wall bracket.

[island911]

I saw that one too. Looks good. . .a built-in tuner, as well!

Do you know its resolution?

[Eric Coffey]

Just a side note:

I could be wrong, but you should be able to run in exactly half the native resolution (if the monitor supports it) with no image quality loss, just the lower resolution. All other settings have to "guess" at what looks right, hence the fuzziness.

[Harlan Chinn]

We are talking LCD Televisions...
Costco is selling the Sharp Aquos LC-20B4U-S.
Here is the link to the features page:
http://www.sharp-usa.com/products/ModelDetailedSpecs/0,1161,1195-,00.html

480x640 isn't bad, I have compared the Sharp Aquos picture side by side to that of their competitors and for LCD televisions IMO, the Aquos were the better quality.
LCD faults when there is fast moving action and the LCD's can't regenerate fast enough and you get an inherit blurring of the scene. This wasn't too bad on the latest Aquos series.
I was recently at the local Fry's mega electronics store and was looking at some of the new Mac's. In architecture we will always use PC's for CAD, but I was amazed at the ability of the G-series Mac and it's wide monitor screen (24x16) screen to display several video movie image windows similtaneously with very smooth results.

As for the Sharp Aquos, I may make a day trip to the local Costco in Oregon to pickup a couple of the 20"LCD soon.

If you want a nice LCD Computer monitor, The ViewSonic VX700 at Best Buy for $649.00 is a good one for the money.

[RickM]

Quote: "If you want a nice LCD Computer monitor, The ViewSonic VX700 at Best Buy for $649.00 is a good one for the money."

Harlin,

Has Viewsonic improved their qulaity? They were rated pretty low and side-by-side comparisons proved the reviews right. This was last year. Samsung seemed to have the best pic and apparently is the supplier to many other brands.

[Harlan Chinn]

My cousin who is an options trader just bought five of these for his office, I was quite impressed with the resolution and detail. The price is attractive.