Toshiba 27" TV Model 27A33

[shmokes]

I wanted to let everyone know that I recently ordered a Toshiba 27" TV (model 27A33) for my cab.  I'm hoping that someone else has used this and can tell me if it was a good idea.  The obvious important questions are:

1- Does it power on automatically after it loses power?

2- Does it remember video modes after losing power?

If anyone answers these questions negatively I still have time to cancel my order, especially if it's the bit about remembering video modes, as I could probably hack the power button.

Otherwise I'll let you all know how it turns out.  It's very inexpensive considering the features it has.  It's like $270, I think and you can order it from www.sears.com for pickup at any Sears store, so no shipping.  The TV has Component video inputs (which would be great, except that I think I will be tied to S-video by my ACT-labs guns).  It also has the smallest dimensions of any 27" TV I've seen, and I've been checking out dozens of them to find something that would fit in my cab.  It's actually smaller than many 25" TV's.  It looks like it will work out well for me and I've got another Toshiba TV that remembers video modes so I'm hoping all their models do (though the other I have is a 40" widescreen HDTV so they're not exactly in the same class).

Anyway, I'll let you all know if it has arcade cabinet friendly features.  If so, it would make a very attractive option for anyone who's budget won't allow for a D9200.  It even has one thing the  D9200 hasn't: dual light gun support!

[bionicbadger]

I have a similar model toshiba 27" (that I got used for $200 Canadian) in my cabinet .  They change the letter depending on what year's model it is.  The dimensions are good for an arcade cab and you dont have to 'hack' the TV case, since it is just under 27" wide including the case.

It does remember the last power state and input mode when unplugged, so no worries there.

I have picture in picture on mine, but haven't used it... Maybe I can watch TV in the small picture...
 

[shmokes]

Yeah, I plan to use picture in picture to play one game of pacman and another game of ms. pacman at the same time...

Seriously that makes me very optimistic.  I figured chances were very high that it would remember the last video state, but I wasn't too hopeful on power.  

Thanks.

[said7]

Well in general Toshiba makes really good tv's.

Have a great 50 inch, just beware of the pip frame. If it is colored it will burn the screen if you leave it on for too long.

You should be happy with it

[shmokes]

I got the TV and it's perfect.  The dimensions are:

Height - 22"
Width - 25 3/5"
Depth - 19 2/3"

That's really really small for a 27" TV.  It's also surprisingly light.  I have a 27" Zenith that's a few years old and it probably weighs close to twice what this TV weighs.

Anyway, now to the important stuff.  If it loses power while turned on it will come back on automatically when power is restored.  Perfect.

It also remembers what it was doing last so it will stay on S-video when it comes back on.  And speaking of Video, in case anyone is interested, as mentioned in my previous post it has component, s-video, and composite inputs.  From what I've heard a good TV with component inputs really approaches the picture of a WG D9200.  

It was only $270, no shipping.  Every indication is that I will be very happy with this as my monitor.  It'll be a while before my cab is finished and I can actually do real world (MAME) tests, but I will let everybody know how it goes, pics and all.

[Justin]

Post some pics when you're done.  That is incredibly small (Width) for a 27" TV.    Some people have a hard time finding a 25" that small.

[Generic Eric]

Its the speakers ya know.   Everybody(manufactures at least) seem to want to put the speakers on the sides anymore.  I don't like it myself.  They tv ends up taking more space.

I remember my mom had a Curtis Mathis years ago (mid 80s when Curtis Mathis was the bees knees, not the current Curtis Mathis that you see er...saw in KMart)  Anyways, about the tv itself.  It had a set of detachable speakers (that hooked to the tv like speakers hook to a reciever) in addition to speakers internal to the tv.  I'd like to see a tv like that nowadays.   Might make a fair canidate for a cabinet display.