27" TVs

[kspiff]

I'm considering picking up a 27" s-video TV for my next cabinet (just to get the purchase out of the way).. anybody have any recommendations (preferably something which is currently cheap [@$200-250]/on sale with a major chain)?

I'm looking for the standard goodies: auto-on when power is detected (for an easy one-button power solution), something that remembers the last setting (so it will start up in s-video mode), preferably something with a black bezel.  Comb filtering and other niceties would be a plus, and a shallow model would help out in the real estate department..

Currently, I only have eyes for an Apex 27" from Circuit City (the mono type with s-vid and silver casing) which is right @ $200.  I think several BYOACers have now mentioned using a Toshiba 27".. any opinions on either would be nice.

<kspiff sneaks off to put down a pre-reserve on an Act-Labs TV lightgun..>

kspiff

[SirPoonga]

I'm considering picking up a 27" s-video TV for my next cabinet (just to get the purchase out of the way).. anybody have any recommendations (preferably something which is currently cheap [@$200-250]/on sale with a major chain)?

I'm looking for the standard goodies: auto-on when power is detected (for an easy one-button power solution), something that remembers the last setting (so it will start up in s-video mode), preferably something with a black bezel.  Comb filtering and other niceties would be a plus, and a shallow model would help out in the real estate department..

Currently, I only have eyes for an Apex 27" from Circuit City (the mono type with s-vid and silver casing) which is right @ $200.  I think several BYOACers have now mentioned using a Toshiba 27".. any opinions on either would be nice.

<kspiff sneaks off to put down a pre-reserve on an Act-Labs TV lightgun..>

kspiff

I can see why other byoac use toshiba.  I have a 27" toshiba tv in my bedroom.  It's beautiful.  I have my n64 hooked up to it now.

[Generic Eric]

I have the 27" Apex.  I haven't hooked my PC up to it, but I have connected my PS2 to it and I wasn't too impressed.  I would pass the deal up if I had the chance again.  On the other hand, I was happy enough to keep it and use it in the front room.
Does that help any?

[El Pato]

Funny this thread should come up. I am in the process of building a cab and ran across someone in the forum who picked up a JVC AV-27230 from Sam's for $269. I realize this may be beyond your target price range, but it seems to possess all the features you are seeking. Retail is $349

I picked one up last Saturday and am going to try it out this weekend in my cab when I get everything up and running. Early evaluation is ... it is a good buy. 3-line digital comb filter (although this is only relevant if you are going to be viewing RF signals on it).

The Circuit City in my area was selling the discontinued sister model of this unit (AV-27320) for only $239. It has same features except 550 vs. 600 horizontal scan lines and 2-line vs. 3-line comb filter.

Personally, I am trying to use a Radeon HDTV dongle and get Component video out to my JVC and see if that has any gain over using S-video.

From what I have read ... the AV-27230 is good and it has some really compact dimensions.

Good luck in your hunt!

[JLR2000]

I got mine at Sam's Club....Sharp 27" with S-Video in ($249).  The TV stays on S-Video input when power is lost.  I "shorted" the power switch, which is to say that I used a paperclip along the edge of the front power switch to hold it in.  I like this solution because it is temporary, if I ever were to take the TV out it would be unaltered (just pull out the paperclip).  The downside, if any, is that the TV will not accept any remote control signals when "shorted".  Not a problem for me, I have external volume controls, and the channel stays on the s-video input channel.

Good Luck.

[kspiff]

Do the JVC TVs resume when power is restored (IE: unplug it with power on, leave it set for any amount of time then plug it back in, it turns back on by itself)?

If not, both of those still sound good (JVC described in rosier terms, though).. I had forgotten completely to check out Sam's Club..

[JuddWack]

I am also looking for a good deal on a TV.  It doesnt necasarily have to be 27"".  Im looking for 19
minimum, plus I have a $80 gift card to best buy.

[Jungle]

Do the JVC TVs resume when power is restored (IE: unplug it with power on, leave it set for any amount of time then plug it back in, it turns back on by itself)?

I have one of the Sam's Club JVCs.  It does exactly that....when you unplug it and plug it back in it powers on and returns to the last input (in my case S-video).  It also fits into a 27" wide cabinet.

[kspiff]

I went out hunting this morning after work and found the JVC AV-27230 @ Sam's for $269 which seemed really nice, has component in and.. well.. it's black.  

Best Buy had the AV-27320 for $269.. not quite as nice without the 3-line comb filter.. and also the -- I think -- AV-27A33, which had a 3-line comb filter and 600 horizontal scan lines.. but cost $299.

I think I'll actually go get the Sam's deal today since I have confirmation (thank you! ) that it does everything I want.  Too bad that I know I'll have to renew my membership, which will likely cost another $40..  

El Pato: please let me know how the component looks, I was actually thinking of doing the same thing driving back from Sam's.. some here seem to think component is close to SCART and has a rather authentic look.. need to look up the discussion from awhile back..

[eightbit]

The apex tv's are cheap. I think thats about the only good thing thats been said about them here. Do a search in the archive for Apex and go back a few months. Some have complained about the sound and picture quality. Its been reported that they do not power up after a power outage or return to s-video after they are turned on. That I'm sure is model dependant though so YMMV.

[VideoCard]

I own the APEX televison you speak of, I'm not using it for arcade purposes though, i do however have all my game consoles and tivo hooked to it and i have no complaints, you must adjust the colors and stuff though cause the preset looks kinda crappy.   I fined tuned mine and it's got an incredible picture, and everyone thinks it's an expensive tv.   I bought mine a circuit city about... 7-8 months ago or more, can't even remember it was at 199.00  I just have to say it was a smart purchase.  

Take Care

[lightspeed]

Just a word of advice, and this is my IMHO.  

I have a 25" RCA which I am very happy with, but I must say that I find the screen size to be a little too big - I get tired of playing sometimes due to eyestrain - you simply can't see the whole damn screen at once standing so close.    You may want to reconsider a 27" - I think a 24" would be ideal for my cab.

[Wade]

Every time I've gone to Circuit City lately they've had those JVC models (returned or display models) for $199.  Sears is good about putting returned items back out for sale with a nice discount, too.  I think that is the way I'm going to go for now, maybe a real WG 27" down the road when money permits.

Wade

[CitznFish]

FYI Apex TV's will not turn back on if you power them off with your PC (1 button power switch). I read that a few times in another forum today.

[Distortion]

I work at best buy and I've always thought that our best TV's are the toshibas.  The one I got for my cab was the $250 27" TV (I only saved like 12 or 13 bucks with my discount)  The other reason I got it was because the casing was smaller than many other TV's and would be easier to fit into a cabinet.  I was playing M vs. C the other day, and it looks great!  I don't have it in my cab yet cuz I've put myself on financial hold until I get my car insurance paid for the half.  I'm still waiting to get a few tools and some of the wood.