Confused buyer looking for LCD 27"-32" recommendation

Hi, all.

I've spent the last couple of days trying to filter through a bunch of
information on LCD TV's, and must admit I'm basically confused -- I
find lots of information on the high-profile brands, virtually no
information the lesser-known brands. Don't know if that's marketing, or
if lower-end really means junk.

Our 19-year-old TV we use in the bedroom gave up the ghost over the
weekend. As I see no point in spending even $400 on another 4:3 tube
tv, I'm looking at getting an HDTV flat panel to replace it.
Constraints:

* It must 33" or less in overall width (ideally closer to 32")
* It must not exceed 26" in height
* No permanently mounted side-speakers - bottom is fine
* Must be capable of 1080i, 1080p not necessary
* Must have an ATSC tuner
* Must have adjustable color temperatures
* Prefer, but don't require, PIP

These constraints all-but eliminate RPTV's and Plasma, leaving me with
LCD as the next-best choice, and it looks like I could go as high as a
32" screen size (with no side-speakers). For a good value, 27" would be
fine.

This TV, certainly a "secondary" viewing source, will be used for
relaxed, typically later-evening viewing of some digital cable tv
shows, OTA HD broadcasts, and a variety of DVD's. While I obviously
want as good a quality picture as possible, it is not going to be in a
theatrical/audio/videophile environment wherein the slightest detail
defect would lead me to moral indignation and violent outrage

Products I've seen so far that seem close to what I'm wanting:

* 26" Polaroid LCD for about $900 IIRC, but I find very little info
positive or negative about their products or who actually makes them.
* Westinghouse 32" (LC32W6) that, at $850 (BestBuy), very appealing,
but other Westinghouse LCD's have been reviewed (very) poorly in other
places
* 26" Akai model at Sams Club, which was *very* negatively reviewed as
a low-end product
* The Sharp AQUOS line in general is very appealing, however, I admit
I am hesitant to drop on the order of $1,200-$1,500 on one of the
better-reviewed brands if something like the Westinghouse might fill
the bill.

I'd appreciate any feedback you might have to offer, including whether
a service policy is essential when buying these units.

Thanks,
-intrepid

Generally you have summed up the market. The ones you mentioned that have
few reviews for the positive are because they probably are
products dumped on the market with very little support or partts
availability. FWIW; stay with the known bands and possibly consider a
service contract if the retailer offers one.
wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi, all.

I've spent the last couple of days trying to filter through a bunch of
information on LCD TV's, and must admit I'm basically confused -- I
find lots of information on the high-profile brands, virtually no
information the lesser-known brands. Don't know if that's marketing, or
if lower-end really means junk.

Our 19-year-old TV we use in the bedroom gave up the ghost over the
weekend. As I see no point in spending even $400 on another 4:3 tube
tv, I'm looking at getting an HDTV flat panel to replace it.
Constraints:

* It must 33" or less in overall width (ideally closer to 32")
* It must not exceed 26" in height
* No permanently mounted side-speakers - bottom is fine
* Must be capable of 1080i, 1080p not necessary
* Must have an ATSC tuner
* Must have adjustable color temperatures
* Prefer, but don't require, PIP

These constraints all-but eliminate RPTV's and Plasma, leaving me with
LCD as the next-best choice, and it looks like I could go as high as a
32" screen size (with no side-speakers). For a good value, 27" would be
fine.

This TV, certainly a "secondary" viewing source, will be used for
relaxed, typically later-evening viewing of some digital cable tv
shows, OTA HD broadcasts, and a variety of DVD's. While I obviously
want as good a quality picture as possible, it is not going to be in a
theatrical/audio/videophile environment wherein the slightest detail
defect would lead me to moral indignation and violent outrage

Products I've seen so far that seem close to what I'm wanting:

* 26" Polaroid LCD for about $900 IIRC, but I find very little info
positive or negative about their products or who actually makes them.
* Westinghouse 32" (LC32W6) that, at $850 (BestBuy), very appealing,
but other Westinghouse LCD's have been reviewed (very) poorly in other
places
* 26" Akai model at Sams Club, which was *very* negatively reviewed as
a low-end product
* The Sharp AQUOS line in general is very appealing, however, I admit
I am hesitant to drop on the order of $1,200-$1,500 on one of the
better-reviewed brands if something like the Westinghouse might fill
the bill.

I'd appreciate any feedback you might have to offer, including whether
a service policy is essential when buying these units.

Thanks,
-intrepid

intrepid_dw wrote:

* 26" Polaroid LCD for about $900 IIRC, but I find very little info
positive or negative about their products or who actually makes them.


You can get the 32" version for that price. I have one and am fairly
pleased with it. I didn't do any research beforehand - just went from store
to store looking at different models and manufacturers side-by-side until I
found something that didn't look sick next to the higher-end stuff and was
in my price range.

There has been quite a bit of discussion about the Polaroid and Westinghouse
models at AVSForum. Some like them; some don't.

These two threads will get you started, and there's more available if you
search:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=704765

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=704663

wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi, all.

* The Sharp AQUOS line in general is very appealing, however, I admit
I am hesitant to drop on the order of $1,200-$1,500 on one of the
better-reviewed brands if something like the Westinghouse might fill
the bill.

I'd appreciate any feedback you might have to offer, including whether
a service policy is essential when buying these units.

Thanks,
-intrepid

Going price on the 26 inch Aquos is about $700 - $800. I think that is with
the side speakers, though.

Tam

"Tam/WB2TT" wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi, all.

* The Sharp AQUOS line in general is very appealing, however, I admit
I am hesitant to drop on the order of $1,200-$1,500 on one of the
better-reviewed brands if something like the Westinghouse might fill
the bill.

I'd appreciate any feedback you might have to offer, including whether
a service policy is essential when buying these units.

Thanks,
-intrepid

Going price on the 26 inch Aquos is about $700 - $800. I think that is
with the side speakers, though.

Tam

Where are they that cheap? At CC and BB they are around $1100-1200.

Chip

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I bought the 26" Sharp Aquos LC-26D6U from BrandSmart in May for $950. I
think it is fantastic, but like you, I am not a videophile. It is 26" wide
by 20" high with bottom speakers attached.

wrote in message
...
"Tam/WB2TT" wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi, all.

* The Sharp AQUOS line in general is very appealing, however, I admit
I am hesitant to drop on the order of $1,200-$1,500 on one of the
better-reviewed brands if something like the Westinghouse might fill
the bill.

I'd appreciate any feedback you might have to offer, including whether
a service policy is essential when buying these units.

Thanks,
-intrepid

Going price on the 26 inch Aquos is about $700 - $800. I think that is
with the side speakers, though.

Tam

Where are they that cheap? At CC and BB they are around $1100-1200.

Chip

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Usenet Newsgroup Service $9.95/Month 30GB

PCMall, which is not exactly discount, has it for 799.99. I have seen it for
less. Check out bhphotovideo, 6th Avenue Electronics, Crutchfield, and J&R
Music World. Also, I think, a place called Vanns. BTW, I paid 1080 for it a
little over a year ago (for my daughter) from BH. 6th Av has stores, but I
think they are all in New Jersey.

Tam

Just saw a J&R ( www.jr.com ) ad it today's paper. They have the 32 inch
Aquos for 1129. So, 1100 for the 26 would be way too much. I think this was
for the model with the ATSC tuner, no CableCard (which usually don't work
anyhow).

Tam