Recommend a good television

Nostromo · February 17, 2003, 19:26

I want to buy a 20 inch set television with high-end connections (S-video and component). For now, the two main contenders are: the Toshiba 20AF42 and the Sony KV20FS100. They're both 20 inch flat tube sets. Also, they both have good reviews. But the Toshiba is a lot cheaper than the Sony. However, some people have complained that:

Quote:

My one complaint is that the (Toshiba) set gives off an annoying buzz or hum all the time, which isn't as noticeable when the set's speakers are on. I'm trying to figure out whether this is a manufacturer defect and will amend this review when I get a definitive answer.

I would also like to know if its a manufacturer defect... Any suggestions? Thanks!

Provost Harrison · February 17, 2003, 19:52

I'd get something a bit bigger 60" plasmatron is the way forward

Skanky Burns · February 17, 2003, 19:55

I have only had good experiences with sony. My 21" monitor is sony, and it has been great.

Buck Birdseed · February 17, 2003, 20:05

Second-hand! The older the more likely to last long. Honestly!

Provost Harrison · February 17, 2003, 20:08

When I get my next computer I am going to get a 21" monitor. The one that caught my eye was a Sony

Datajack Franit · February 17, 2003, 20:10

A good 42" should be enough

Winston · February 17, 2003, 20:24

The only good television set is a dead television set.

For the past six months I estimate I've watched a total of 10 hours of TV. And three weeks ago I scrapped my TV set and canceled my license. Never been happier.

With today's programming, I'm not missing anything at all.

Nostromo · February 17, 2003, 20:44

Quote:

Originally posted by Winston
The only good television set is a dead television set.

For the past six months I estimate I've watched a total of 10 hours of TV. And three weeks ago I scrapped my TV set and canceled my license. Never been happier.

With today's programming, I'm not missing anything at all.

I'm not watching that much TV either. But I like to rent movies. And I like to play games on my Xbox...

SlowwHand · February 17, 2003, 20:46

Sony, or Panasonic.

Nostromo · February 17, 2003, 20:49

Quote:

Originally posted by Provost Harrison
I'd get something a bit bigger 60" plasmatron is the way forward

Drool... If only I had the money and... the space...

A 24 inch set could barely fit...

Wraith · February 17, 2003, 21:21

Go with Panasonic or Toshiba. Sony sets are good too, but you're paying a lot extra for the name (I also find their RIAA/MPAA stance, among other things, offensive enough to boycott them).
Any of the three will serve you well, so it'll probably mostly be a question of features and price.

Wraith
"Anyone who hates dogs and kids can't be all bad."
-- W. C. Fields

Nostromo · February 17, 2003, 22:20

Quote:

Originally posted by Wraith
Go with Panasonic or Toshiba. Sony sets are good too, but you're paying a lot extra for the name (I also find their RIAA/MPAA stance, among other things, offensive enough to boycott them).
Any of the three will serve you well, so it'll probably mostly be a question of features and price.

Basically, I want a good 20 inch set with high-end connections (S-video and/or component). If it weren't for the noise problem, I would buy the Toshiba. Its 100$ (Canadian) less than similar models from Sony or Panasonic. Of course, the noise problem could well be a manufacturer defect. But I'm not sure... The Toshiba also lacks temperature control. I don't know if its a big deal.

Wraith · February 17, 2003, 23:48

--"Basically, I want a good 20 inch set with high-end connections"

Well, I haven't really researched anything smaller than 32", so I can't help you with specific model numbers. Just some general advice.

Do not buy at Best Buy. They get cut-down models of many televisions. They'll give them the same (or similar) model numbers to the ones you find elsewhere, but have price-cutters like fewer inputs on them.

As far as the Toshiba goes, check it out yourself. Seeing it in person is always a good idea, and you should be able to get some idea of the noise.
Do be wary of the picture quality, however. TVs on the dealer's floor are not calibrated for good image quality, and most dealer's rooms don't lend themselves to it anyway.
Still, even with a 20" you'll be able to ask for a demonstration. Bring a good DVD with you and see how it looks.

Wraith
Nerd Pride. Why do they think "walking encyclopedia" is an insult?

Nostromo · February 18, 2003, 00:57

Quote:

Originally posted by Wraith

As far as the Toshiba goes, check it out yourself. Seeing it in person is always a good idea, and you should be able to get some idea of the noise.
Do be wary of the picture quality, however. TVs on the dealer's floor are not calibrated for good image quality, and most dealer's rooms don't lend themselves to it anyway.
Still, even with a 20" you'll be able to ask for a demonstration. Bring a good DVD with you and see how it looks.

Thanks for the advice. I saw a Toshiba in person on a dealer's large, crowded and noisy room. I heard nothing. I'll try to check it out at a smaller dealer. Just to make sure.

Ted Striker · February 18, 2003, 00:59

Sony makes the best tvs in the world. Go with the Sony.

Nostromo · February 18, 2003, 03:44

Do any of you know where I can find good, reliable reviews for 20 inch TV sets? There's CNET, but they obviously prefer to review TVs larger than 27 inch. There's also audioreview.com, but the reviewers are consumers, not experts. The same thing for epinions.com.