The Glade 4.0

So, I'm thinking about getting a TV.

I've never bought one before, so I have very, very little idea what's out there and what to look for.

My current setup for watching things is my old PC hooked up to a 24" IPS widescreen monitor. It works well, but I'd like something a bit bigger (32" maybe?) and something that has "newer" connections- mainly HDMI. My monitor is a 2007, so DVI-D, component and composite, but no HDMI.

Preferably, internal speakers would be nice- they don't have to be great, I'm not a huge audiophile- as it's one less cable I have to run, and I'm going for simple.

I haven't decided exactly what all I'm going to connect to it, so a variety of connections would be nice- I might hook in either my old PC or a new mini for streaming- but I also have a Roku, and probably a DVD player of some sort- either a plain vanilla player, or a 360/PS3 with a player in it. Sadly, the DVD drive in my PC died, so I can't play DVDs through it anymore.

(I'm also open to thoughts/proselytizing on the rest of my media setup, I'm still unsure as to what combination of devices best covers all my streaming/physical media bases)

_________________
Darksiege: You are not a god damned vulcan homie.

Budget?

That's a tough one. My budget kinda depends on whether I think it's worth the purchase, more than a hard and fast number.

I don't really notice the difference between 720 and 1080 content, for instance, so paying a premium for a "full" HD TV might not be worth it for me.

I was thinking of paying somewhere from 200-500 for the TV, I guess- I'd been looking at one of the 32" Sony Bravia line for around $360.

_________________
Darksiege: You are not a god damned vulcan homie.

If you get a 32" tv you should be sitting really close to it, keep that in mind.

Yeah, no reason to go past 720p with a 32" set unless you're going to be sitting within 5 feet of it. That Bravia would probably be a good bet in the price range.

Ok, thanks. Wasn't sure if I was missing anything major.

_________________
Darksiege: You are not a god damned vulcan homie.

Check out using 720p as a monitor compared to using 1080p, see if you care enough to justify it.

I'd go with the 1080p myself, if I'd plan on using the monitor capability.

_________________
In time, this too shall pass.

I'd suggest looking at them if you can, in person.

That said..... http://www.walmart.com/ip/Vizio-32-M320VT-MX/16775709 is probably not a bad deal.

I have an older model Vizio, and it has served me very well.

Ok, so I'm reviving this thread.

I've been watching prices looking for some pre-christmas sales, and have found two TVs that I like for nearly identical prices. Anyone have experience with either brand/TV and can shed some light?

A Sony Bravia and a Panasonic Viera.

From what I can tell, the Panasonic is the better buy- an additional HDMI port, and internet ready. But since they're the same price, that makes me a bit suspicious that the build quality or screen will be lacking.

_________________
Darksiege: You are not a god damned vulcan homie.

I'd go with the Sony Bravia. Since it is LED lit, it has a brighter screen and would function better in the daytime.

No,I don't believe it is, Lex.

Don't know what to tell you Nephyr, other than to look at reviews, but they seem pretty similar.

_________________
"Dress cops up as soldiers, give them military equipment, train them in military tactics, tell them they’re fighting a ‘war,’ and the consequences are predictable." —Radley Balko

It says it is LED lit in the technical description.

The Bravia is an LCD with CCFL backlighting...

_________________
In time, this too shall pass.

Well look at this:

http://i.imgur.com/RBiqz.png

Yeah, every spec I've seen shows it being CCFL; that tech sheet at Amazon isn't even consistent with the rest of the description (Lenas put it up). They must have substituted a different model for that specific tech sheet.

_________________
"Dress cops up as soldiers, give them military equipment, train them in military tactics, tell them they’re fighting a ‘war,’ and the consequences are predictable." —Radley Balko

Lex, I understand you were just going off an incorrect Amazon listing, but ... yeah. Still wrong.

I think the BX series TV's are the last few of Sony's offerings that are not LED backlit.

That said, I'd pick it over the Panasonic.

This review disagrees with me:
http://www.televisioninfo.com/content/S ... L32X30.htm

_________________
In time, this too shall pass.

Ok, that's cool. I just didn't know if I was missing any major differences between the two, not having kept up much with them.

You like the Sony better just cause of the rep, Taskiss?

_________________
Darksiege: You are not a god damned vulcan homie.

You might call it that.

I just go to the store and look at TV's, and when I see a really nice picture on one it seems it turns out to be a Sony every time.

_________________
In time, this too shall pass.

That works too.

How much am I going to be hurting myself with 2 HDMI ports vs 3?

I'm assuming 1 for a computer hookup (either an iMac or Mac Mini), and then another for an Xbox/other game system. DVD player can use component, as can my Roku box. Am I missing anything else that might be necessary as I expand?

_________________
Darksiege: You are not a god damned vulcan homie.

Cable/Satellite box? A/V receiver?

_________________
"Dress cops up as soldiers, give them military equipment, train them in military tactics, tell them they’re fighting a ‘war,’ and the consequences are predictable." —Radley Balko

_________________

If you're only gonna have two HDMI ports, it might be best to look into an A/V Receiver that has a few more. I find myself wanting more with 3 on my TV and two on the receiver

I have no receiver, and no cable/sat. Just streaming and DVDs.

_________________
Darksiege: You are not a god damned vulcan homie.