The LCD acquisition project

[StarPhoenix]

I am hoping to buy myself a small [25 inches or less] LCD TV soon [within the next two months] on a budget of
up to R4000.

It will be replacing my PC monitor and television set.

What do I need to know about making such a purchase in order to avoid making an expensive mistake?
Which specifications are important and which are pure marketing hype?

thank you

[DarkStar]

Personally, I would get a 23" normal PC screen and then throw in a TV-Tuner card into the PC.

Two problems solved, with change left over.

[naughty]

yep agree totally with Darkstar

the Samsung P2770 is around R2999 at PC zone and its a bit bigger ie its 27" - its got an HDMI input and it also has a native res of 1920x 1080 - you can get a decent tuner for around 300 bucks but you dont even need it if you are operating from your DSTV unit - in that instance all you need is one of these to give you an audio/video connection into your usb slot



if you have an HD decoder for your DSTV then you can use a direct HDMI connection

theres many ways to playback TV from a PC monitor without needing too many additions to your PC or even to your setup

for me its ideal cos i have the extraview setup - so the HD stuff is on the big TV in the lounge and then i have the other decoder in my room to split up the extraview into my room and my brothers room - so i can watch 3 and record 3 simultaneously - if you dont have extraview its still easier to use the PC monitor as a monitor since it works better on the pc than a tv set whilst it also doubles up decently as a tv set

the 23,6" and 24" monitors are all around between R1500 and R1800 nowadays whilst a 26" TV with the tuner built in (normally analog with crappy reception) is around R4k so there is no way you should be buying the TV - an internal tv tuner card for a pc starts at R300 and an external one (which can also work standalone ie without a PC can be had starting from around R1000

right now im using a 22" monitor but plans are afoot to get the 27" P2770 cos TV looks so much better when its on a bigger screen - heres a pic of my setup



even though that doesnt show the TV in operation - ive got the DSTV working off the monitor and some great speakers and a complete surround setup with a home theatre reciever - all i need now is the Blu-Ray burner in the PC and the PC is a complete multimedia/TV unit as well

[StarPhoenix]

Thank you for your responses, naughty and DarkStar

I probably should have mentioned that the reason I am looking at an LCD TV rather than a monitor is that
I want to be able to plug my consoles [Xbox 360, Wii, PS2] into it.

That is quite a set of speakers you have there. Has your roof been specially reinforced?

[Moses]

The Xbox can connect directly via HDMI. The Wii and PS2 can connect via a cheap tuner, or that USB thing naughty posted.
I don't think it is necessary to get an LCD TV.

[Prime]

Just Dont go for a cheap/bottom of the range tv tuner card. At the very least, it must support the up and coming digital standards. Those cost about 600 bucks upwards. This should avoid needing a set top box when the sabc finally gets its head out its bottom.

Some tv cards will actually take video inputs. It might be worth looking for one of those.

[StarPhoenix]

Thank, Moses [and welcome back].

I have read that there is some lag when connecting a console to a PC monitor by way of a TV card,
but I shall try it on my old Hauppage WinTV PVR 150 and see how noticeable it is.

Prime, would I be right in assuming that any combination analogue/digital TV cards I might find for sale in South Africa
will support whatever standard is being rolled out in this country?

Thank you

[StarPhoenix]

After some fiddling with my TV card's settings I managed to get a signal from my Nintendo Wii this evening.
Onscreen pointer movement is a bit jump, but that may be because I have not recalibrated my Wiimote and sensor bar.

I'll be getting my PS2 back this weekend and will test its output then.

I think that I shall leave getting a DVB-T Digital TV card until the SABC announces that it is ready to begin broadcasting using a digital signal.

Well, that sorts that out.


Is it worth getting an LED monitor now, or have they been overhyped?

Thanks once again for saving me from myself.

[D3PART3D]

Does this not mean you would have to have your pc on whenever you use either console?

[StarPhoenix]

Does this not mean you would have to have your pc on whenever you use either console?

Yes, unless I opted for an external tv-tuner box.

I have narrowed my choices down to either a Samsung 2494HS or a P2450H
They both have HDMI connectors and while the 2494HS has speakers, the P2450 has the lower response time and
higher contrast ratio and goes for R200 more.

I have settled for this one and shall be placing my order next week provided that Webantics' supplier has stock. [Unless there is something better I could be getting for this price or less.]

PC Zone , unfortunately, does not ship to places outside of Durban.