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SpaceMonkey · Sep 23, 2006, 06:24 PM

I guess the title speaks for itself. I'm looking for a 27", standard-definition, regular big ol' direct-view tv, and after reading reviews online nothiing is really jumping out at me. Sony seems to be the standby, but it is a tad pricier than other brands. Any suggestions?

awaspaas · Sep 23, 2006, 06:32 PM

Picture quality on a 27" SDTV will not vary much from brand to brand, unless you start to consider one of the flat-CRT types, like a Sony Wega. The flat screens tend to reduce glare and have less distortion than a standard curved tube. You'd be best to see one in person though. Try Best Buy or Circuit City.

brassplayersrock² · Sep 23, 2006, 06:37 PM

becareful of circuit city, I had a tv delivered to my house by them and I open the box after they left and the screen was cracked, so i go over and tell them and they say that since i didnt inspect the tv before the delivery people left that it wasnt their problem.

Scifience · Sep 23, 2006, 06:49 PM

Why not get an LCD TV? Something like this: SonyStyle.com | 26" BRAVIA™ S-Series Digital LCD HDTV

But if you really want to go with a SD CRT, get a flat-screen Sony WEGA, such as this one: SonyStyle.com | 27" FD Trinitron® WEGA® Digital TV

hookem2oo7 · Sep 23, 2006, 06:55 PM

Welcome to RCA Television. Digital TV for every Room & Budget.

i have that one, nothing spectacular, but it can do 720p and 1080i, so i guess it does its job...

indigoimac · Sep 23, 2006, 07:53 PM

The WEGA is by far the best SD TV I have ever seen, I have one as do many friends of mine and an uncle, it's just a great tv, though the built-in analog tuner did break after a couple years on mine. Downscaled HD over SVideo looks great, even better than DVD over the component. This revelation has forced me to put off an HD set. Color accuracy is fantastic on this line if you calibrate it, though at this point, if you can afford HD I'd go for that.

Weezer · Sep 23, 2006, 09:54 PM

Outpost.com�|�VIEWSONIC

pretty hot deal, 32 inch HDTV $500, refurb though

Railroader · Sep 23, 2006, 10:27 PM

I bought a 27" WEGA in 1998 because I wanted something good to tide me over until HD came out stronger. Now I am so happy with it I am satisfied with it enough that I am going to wait to buy HD for a few more years.

It wasn't cheap at the time, I have no idea what they're like now.

SpaceMonkey · Sep 24, 2006, 12:02 AM

Originally Posted by Scifience

Why not get an LCD TV? Something like this: SonyStyle.com | 26" BRAVIA™ S-Series Digital LCD HDTV

But if you really want to go with a SD CRT, get a flat-screen Sony WEGA, such as this one: SonyStyle.com | 27" FD Trinitron® WEGA® Digital TV

LCD is out, because I need wide viewing angles -- the room set-up is kind of weird.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. Just to clarify, I am looking for a flat-CRT type.

rickey939 · Sep 24, 2006, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by Weezer

Outpost.com�|�VIEWSONIC

pretty hot deal, 32 inch HDTV $500, refurb though

Is that a good quality TV though for the price?

SpaceMonkey · Sep 24, 2006, 05:17 PM

Well, I ended up just getting the Sony WEGA today, but the 24", not the 27". $300 from Circuit City. I'm quite satisfied so far, minus the pummeling the Giants are currently taking from the Seahawks.

Basically, I just needed something to tide me over for a while, because I am in very transitional/fluid rental market now in DC, so I'm not feeling ready to spring for HD yet.

Railroader · Sep 24, 2006, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey

Well, I ended up just getting the Sony WEGA today, but the 24", not the 27". $300 from Circuit City. I'm quite satisfied so far, minus the pummeling the Giants are currently taking from the Seahawks.

Basically, I just needed something to tide me over for a while, because I am in very transitional/fluid rental market now in DC, so I'm not feeling ready to spring for HD yet.

Excellent price. My 27" cost over $1k in 1998.

The 24" will look sharper and certainly be easier to move than the 27".

hadocon · Sep 24, 2006, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey

LCD is out, because I need wide viewing angles -- the room set-up is kind of weird.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. Just to clarify, I am looking for a flat-CRT type.

Check the viewing angles on Sony's Bravia's - I used to be CRT and Plasma all the way, but after checking out the Bravia's I bought one... There is _no_ color distortion or viewing angle issues with these LCDs.

UNTeMac · Sep 24, 2006, 07:45 PM

I've heard plasma's are horribly power hungry and run hot...anyone have experience?

scottiB · Sep 25, 2006, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey

Well, I ended up just getting the Sony WEGA today, but the 24", not the 27". $300 from Circuit City. I'm quite satisfied so far, minus the pummeling the Giants are currently taking from the Seahawks.

Basically, I just needed something to tide me over for a while, because I am in very transitional/fluid rental market now in DC, so I'm not feeling ready to spring for HD yet.

I have the 24" WEGA that I purchased in 1998 for $650. Still love it, though I do have a 26" HD LCD in the bedroom.

That said, if I were in a fluid rental market, the last thing I would care to do is move the that TV. I've moved three times since I've bought it, and I wish it were an LCD every time.

SpaceMonkey · Sep 25, 2006, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by scottiB

I have the 24" WEGA that I purchased in 1998 for $650. Still love it, though I do have a 26" HD LCD in the bedroom.

That said, if I were in a fluid rental market, the last thing I would care to do is move the that TV. I've moved three times since I've bought it, and I wish it were an LCD every time.

Haha. True enough. My thinking was more that I would have to pay a lot more for an equal sized LCD. I was able to bring it home from the store without too much trouble, but it did leave me with some motivation to work out more.