Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - 21" Flat Screens?
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rshack
03-22-08, 03:27 PM
[B]Any thoughts or suggestions for 21 or 23in flat screen tv/s. [B] Just want to put tv in unfinished basement for occasional use, about 1 hr/day. Like to get cable box for same, do they still sell them on Ebay, or is it better to just rent from cable co.
With new HD coming out next year its hard finding small TV for under $400-500, and those are the off brands built by elfs, wonder if they last two yrs?
Thanks for any thoughts or ideas! :coffee:
With new HD coming out next year its hard finding small TV for under $400-500, and those are the off brands built by elfs, wonder if they last two yrs?
Thanks for any thoughts or ideas! :coffee:
Rick Johnston
03-23-08, 04:43 AM
Are you talking about standard-def or HD?
You really shouldn't buy a standard-def TV. The only SD TVs I've seen on the market recently are international models that come directly from India or China. If something goes wrong, getting it serviced will be a real challenge. You might find a used SD set locally that has some life left in it. A friend of mine just sold his three-year-old 27" SD set for $50.
If you're talkin' HD, stay away from the cheepo off brands. They're basically junk. And you're right -- there isn't much to choose from for under $400.
The rumors are that both Time Warner and Cox will require a new set-top box in order to continue to receive standard cable next year. This (probably) means that existing analog cable boxes won't work in the digital future.
You really shouldn't buy a standard-def TV. The only SD TVs I've seen on the market recently are international models that come directly from India or China. If something goes wrong, getting it serviced will be a real challenge. You might find a used SD set locally that has some life left in it. A friend of mine just sold his three-year-old 27" SD set for $50.
If you're talkin' HD, stay away from the cheepo off brands. They're basically junk. And you're right -- there isn't much to choose from for under $400.
The rumors are that both Time Warner and Cox will require a new set-top box in order to continue to receive standard cable next year. This (probably) means that existing analog cable boxes won't work in the digital future.
classicsat
03-23-08, 01:07 PM
At 21", any set you get will be a 720p display resolution (it will accept a 1080i signal though).
Right now, there are no straight cable boxes for sale in the USA not of dubious origin, or otherwise openly usable by an end user.
The only legitimately consumer purchasable and provider ready hardware is cablecard devices, which for now are only a few high end sets, and Tivo Series3/TiVo HD DVRs. Otherwise cable boxes need to come from the provider.
Right now, there are no straight cable boxes for sale in the USA not of dubious origin, or otherwise openly usable by an end user.
The only legitimately consumer purchasable and provider ready hardware is cablecard devices, which for now are only a few high end sets, and Tivo Series3/TiVo HD DVRs. Otherwise cable boxes need to come from the provider.