TV Selection help 27"/32" (1 Viewer)

[Greer_R]

I am starting my research on 27/32" TV's. And I have started to stumble a bit, from what I have read, 16:9 squeeze actually stretches the video horizontally to make use of the full screen, is this correct? my roommate says his 32" JVC (don't know model, it is one of the 2 D series, can't really move the thing right now) does it on the fly without any options. I'm not so sure he isn't really seeing 4:3 or something similar, since I haven't tried one that I know is anamorphic yet.

Anyhow, I'm trying to keep the price between 5 and 600 dollars, my brother has a 27" wega that I like, but I'm not sure if I should go for a 27" with a lot of features (such as 16:9, which I believe I want) or go with a mediocre 32". This is for a medium college apartment, and in a year or so, a small one bedroom apartment. I have seen recomendations for the toshiba/akai model 27". Are there any other suggestions perhaps? or any tips to help me make up my mind?

Thanks,

Greer - patiently waiting on my SR700

 

[Matthew Furtek]

I would recommend the 32A41 by Toshiba... I've got it in the suite of my college apartment and it is NICE. Its an analog direct view (not a flat one).

It doesn't do anamorphic squeeze with a button, but will do it through the Service Menu (see recent thread on this).

Only thing I would caution you with is that the video inputs are somewhat misleading if you are looking for information. Video Modes switch between TV (coax cable input) / Video 1 / Video 2. Component is on Video 2, and I think S-Video is on Video 1. From the looks of it, it seems you can have the Component in on 2 and S-Video in on 1. Also has audio out (I presume this is for the coax).

Another caution is the weight... gotta have 2 people moving it. But man, it is SWEET. I actually think there's going to be a newer model coming out soon.

Matthew Furtek

 

[Greer_R]

what did the 32a41 run you man? an when are you done with finals (I'm from NOVA as well)...

-Greer

 

[Saurav]

16:9 squeeze actually stretches the video horizontally to make use of the full screen, is this correct?

I think it compresses the scan lines vertically, which is different from stretching it horizontally. Basically, instead of having the 600 (or whatever) lines filling up the whole 4:3 space and only using 400 lines to display the widescreen image, it compresses the lines vertically so that you now use all 600 to display the image.

 

[Roel_S]

I just recently bought the Flat screen Samsung TXL2791F which performs the 16:9 on a touch of a button. This TV is really really great. The picture is very clear specially if you are running it through your digital cable/DSS system. Sound is very good as well. Check the other posts regarding this TV on this area.

 

[Matthew Furtek]

I bought mine last August from Best Buy, got it one one of their customer appreciation weekends for 10% off of the $550 price. It also came with a free swivel chair, I had been eyeing it for awhile, and it was just the perfect time to get it.

One more thing about the service menu anamorphic squeeze, it ain't so bad to do the service menu chanages, as long as you copy down all the default values before changing things.

I think the ability to do squeeze with touch of a button adds a lot to the price.

My finals are done next Thursday, the 9th. I've still got a bunch of stuff to do and last classes are tommorrow. Professors that backload work till the end are horrible. Are you in Engineering at Tech? I'm not all gung ho about my school like some crazy people are...

Matthew Furtek