Returning LCD-Looking for a Tube TV

Hglenn · 12-04-2006, 10:55 AM

Purchased a 19" ASTAR LCD Hi-Def ready TV this past weekend at 6th ave electronics. Paid $270 inc tax. I was looking for something relatively low cost, as this is a set for the bedroom (already have a Panasonic 34" wide-screen HD in the living room).
I had fairly low expectations for a no name brand with a low price. Well sorry to say this set is not a keeper. Finding that the colors appear washed out, and the picture is shadowy. I tweaked the settings as best I could, but nothing really seems to help. Also the audio from the speakers is tiny, the remotes button's stick and Cablevision remote can not be programmed to work with the TV.

I think I'm going to purchase a regular tube TV to hold me/us over for the next few years. Can anyone recommend a decent
19" - 24" CRT tube TV . I know there's still a few out there: Toshiba, Sharp, etc DO not need DVD or VHS player included in the set. Thanks

Bigloww · 12-04-2006, 11:16 AM

I assume a SD CRT is what you are looking for. 24'' or less HD CRT, not any that I know of, and definately not for around $300. I think Sony still makes the best CRT's in the buisness (HD or SD). Here is a 24'' SD Sony at CC for $299.

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony-...oductDetail.do

Here is a refurbed 30'' Phillips HD ready set for $350. Just an option if HD was what you were looking for.
http://www.outlet.philips.com/b2c_re...72&shop=OUTLET

They also have a NEW 30'' CRT HDTV w/built in tuner onsale for $449. All with free shipping.

Hglenn · 12-04-2006, 12:00 PM

Correct, yes a SD CRT. Thanks.

bf360 · 12-04-2006, 07:11 PM

yes def a sony, i have a 24inch and i bought it two years ago and still looks awesome, def recomend and they can be found relatively cheap

BrianO · 12-04-2006, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bf360

yes def a sony, i have a 24inch and i bought it two years ago and still looks awesome, def recomend and they can be found relatively cheap

That 24" CRT Sony Wega (KV-24FS120) and the smaller 20" Sony (KV-20FS120) are analogue sets, not SD digital set. Both have excellent picture quality but they will be discontinued in the USA by March 1, 2007. If you wait until March, Sony will probably replace them with 24" and 20" CRT sets with ATSC tuners, as they have already done with their larger analogue CRT sets (27", 32", 36").

JVC still produces the 20" analogue I'Art CRT set (AV-20F476) with a picture about as good as the Sony at about the same price as the 20" Sony. This set too will be discontinued by March. Whether or not JVC replaces it with a model with an ATSC tuner is uncertain. (Like Sony JVC stilll produces 27" and 32" I'Art CRT sets with ATSC tuners.)

Note: All of the sets mentioned are flat screen CRT's

stchman · 12-05-2006, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hglenn

Correct, yes a SD CRT. Thanks.

Don't waste your time/money on a regular TV. I have seen 32" LCD flat panels for about $700 and they are HD with built in ATSC tuners.

Hglenn · 12-06-2006, 08:16 AM

Yes I know - I hate to spend money on a regular set...but $700 is out of my range. I really didnt want to spend more than about $250 - $300 tops. Maybe I should just stick with the 15 year old 20" RCA until the thing finally dies and hope prices drop further in the next few months.

360kid · 12-06-2006, 08:41 AM

Here is a fantastic TV, I've heard many good things about Best Buy's Insignia brand.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....1&type=product

27" Digital Flat Tube
480i
ATSC and NTSC tuners (future proofed)
Component Input
S Video
A/V's

At $305 it seems to be a very good deal. I'm also sure that if you do some bargain hunting you can find a similar set for a bit cheaper as well. Also buy from a store unless free shipping is offered. Otherwise the Shipping costs will be enourmous for these heavy beasts. Just make sure whatever you buy has the Component inputs, that way even though you don't have HDTV atleast you can still get the best connections for what you do have. Component inputs for an XBOX even on a standard Def tv is worlds better than S Video or composite A/V's.

stchman · 12-06-2006, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hglenn

Yes I know - I hate to spend money on a regular set...but $700 is out of my range. I really didnt want to spend more than about $250 - $300 tops. Maybe I should just stick with the 15 year old 20" RCA until the thing finally dies and hope prices drop further in the next few months.

Take the money you are going to spend on an SD TV and save it for an HDTV.

360kid · 12-06-2006, 03:55 PM

Check these out:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ubCategory=411

The Hyundai, the Soyo, and the Olevia. All 23" and all are HDTV LCD's. These are not spectacular, though I have seen larger Soyo models and the bigger ones were very impressive, so maybe the 23" might do fine. They all should be better that the one you took back, that's for sure.

Plus as you said, you already have a HD Livingroom set and this is just for the bedroom, for a bedroom set this is about as cheap as your going to get for an HDTV.

Browse www.newegg.com some more and check out what you can get for the different price ranges.

chrpai · 12-07-2006, 03:49 AM

Too bad the Panasonic CT-26WX15 is discontinued. I picked one up a year ago for $400. Very nice price point if you can find one.

Maybe you can find one on craigslist or ebay used for cheap.

http://www.hotbuyselectronics.com/it...item_id=110302

I don't know where you live, but I see 3 Samsung TX-P2664WH 26" on eBay `pickup only` near South Hackensack for $250 each.

Hglenn · 12-07-2006, 07:43 AM

Thanks everyone. I wish Panasonic still manufactured the
CT-26WX15. More than I care to spend for a bedroom set, but based on the performance of the 34" I own, I would most likely have gone the additional dollars. Tough call here...thinking maybe to hold off and save up more dinero, or buy a Sony or Toshiba 20". That 15 year old RCA is looking awfully blurry...

BobY · 12-07-2006, 09:35 AM

If you want to buy a new TV, then by all means do so, but if the only issue you have with the RCA is a blurry picture, more than likely the focus can be adjusted.

Some older sets have a focus trimmer accessible from the back that you can adjust yourself, but even those that don't can have their focus or power supply voltages adjusted by a tech.

gerbo · 12-07-2006, 09:44 AM

If you are looking for an inexpensive 19", I have the Polaroid 19" HDTV ready LCD and it has a great picture. I also have their 15" and a 32" and am very happy. Circuit City I believe is the only one that carries them. Maybe Walmart still has them. It is in the price range you mentioned. Has been at CC for $289-$329

finetuned · 12-31-2006, 01:23 PM

Hello,

We wanted a HDTV to fit between both of our computer monitors in the office. Were using a 15" Toshiba Flat Screen. Ended up buying a Samsung Set-top Box from Circuit City. Hooked it to the TV and the outside antenna and it works great. We can move the set-top box to any newer TV's we may get once the Toshiba dies. For now, the picture is very clear, much better than with the Toshiba's built-in tuner. This item was under $300 and can be used on any size monitor/TV.

Oh, we tried 3 different LCD monitors with it and went back to the Toshiba every time.

Regards,
finetuned

P.S. we have a 27" Samsung CRT HDTV in the living room.

12-04-2006, 10:55 AM	#1
Hglenn How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 27	Returning LCD-Looking for a Tube TV Purchased a 19" ASTAR LCD Hi-Def ready TV this past weekend at 6th ave electronics. Paid $270 inc tax. I was looking for something relatively low cost, as this is a set for the bedroom (already have a Panasonic 34" wide-screen HD in the living room). I had fairly low expectations for a no name brand with a low price. Well sorry to say this set is not a keeper. Finding that the colors appear washed out, and the picture is shadowy. I tweaked the settings as best I could, but nothing really seems to help. Also the audio from the speakers is tiny, the remotes button's stick and Cablevision remote can not be programmed to work with the TV. I think I'm going to purchase a regular tube TV to hold me/us over for the next few years. Can anyone recommend a decent 19" - 24" CRT tube TV . I know there's still a few out there: Toshiba, Sharp, etc DO not need DVD or VHS player included in the set. Thanks

12-04-2006, 11:16 AM	#2
Bigloww SHITTER was FULL!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: In a van, down by the river. Posts: 5,573	I assume a SD CRT is what you are looking for. 24'' or less HD CRT, not any that I know of, and definately not for around $300. I think Sony still makes the best CRT's in the buisness (HD or SD). Here is a 24'' SD Sony at CC for $299. http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony-...oductDetail.do Here is a refurbed 30'' Phillips HD ready set for $350. Just an option if HD was what you were looking for. http://www.outlet.philips.com/b2c_re...72&shop=OUTLET They also have a NEW 30'' CRT HDTV w/built in tuner onsale for $449. All with free shipping. Last edited by Bigloww; 12-04-2006 at 11:33 AM.

12-07-2006, 03:49 AM	#11
chrpai High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 552	Too bad the Panasonic CT-26WX15 is discontinued. I picked one up a year ago for $400. Very nice price point if you can find one. Maybe you can find one on craigslist or ebay used for cheap. http://www.hotbuyselectronics.com/it...item_id=110302 I don't know where you live, but I see 3 Samsung TX-P2664WH 26" on eBay `pickup only` near South Hackensack for $250 each. Last edited by chrpai; 12-07-2006 at 03:53 AM.

12-31-2006, 01:23 PM	#15
finetuned What is HD? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North Central Florida Posts: 1	our solution Hello, We wanted a HDTV to fit between both of our computer monitors in the office. Were using a 15" Toshiba Flat Screen. Ended up buying a Samsung Set-top Box from Circuit City. Hooked it to the TV and the outside antenna and it works great. We can move the set-top box to any newer TV's we may get once the Toshiba dies. For now, the picture is very clear, much better than with the Toshiba's built-in tuner. This item was under $300 and can be used on any size monitor/TV. Oh, we tried 3 different LCD monitors with it and went back to the Toshiba every time. Regards, finetuned P.S. we have a 27" Samsung CRT HDTV in the living room.

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12-04-2006, 12:00 PM	#3
Hglenn How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 27	Correct, yes a SD CRT. Thanks.

12-04-2006, 07:11 PM	#4
bf360 Bring it on Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Jersey Posts: 133	yes def a sony, i have a 24inch and i bought it two years ago and still looks awesome, def recomend and they can be found relatively cheap

12-06-2006, 08:16 AM	#7
Hglenn How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 27	Yes I know - I hate to spend money on a regular set...but $700 is out of my range. I really didnt want to spend more than about $250 - $300 tops. Maybe I should just stick with the 15 year old 20" RCA until the thing finally dies and hope prices drop further in the next few months.

12-06-2006, 08:41 AM	#8
360kid Life Is Expensive Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 841	Here is a fantastic TV, I've heard many good things about Best Buy's Insignia brand. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....1&type=product 27" Digital Flat Tube 480i ATSC and NTSC tuners (future proofed) Component Input S Video A/V's At $305 it seems to be a very good deal. I'm also sure that if you do some bargain hunting you can find a similar set for a bit cheaper as well. Also buy from a store unless free shipping is offered. Otherwise the Shipping costs will be enourmous for these heavy beasts. Just make sure whatever you buy has the Component inputs, that way even though you don't have HDTV atleast you can still get the best connections for what you do have. Component inputs for an XBOX even on a standard Def tv is worlds better than S Video or composite A/V's.

12-06-2006, 03:55 PM	#10
360kid Life Is Expensive Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 841	Check these out: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ubCategory=411 The Hyundai, the Soyo, and the Olevia. All 23" and all are HDTV LCD's. These are not spectacular, though I have seen larger Soyo models and the bigger ones were very impressive, so maybe the 23" might do fine. They all should be better that the one you took back, that's for sure. Plus as you said, you already have a HD Livingroom set and this is just for the bedroom, for a bedroom set this is about as cheap as your going to get for an HDTV. Browse www.newegg.com some more and check out what you can get for the different price ranges.

12-07-2006, 07:43 AM	#12
Hglenn How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 27	Thanks everyone. I wish Panasonic still manufactured the CT-26WX15. More than I care to spend for a bedroom set, but based on the performance of the 34" I own, I would most likely have gone the additional dollars. Tough call here...thinking maybe to hold off and save up more dinero, or buy a Sony or Toshiba 20". That 15 year old RCA is looking awfully blurry...

12-07-2006, 09:35 AM	#13
BobY What's all this, then?... Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,197	If you want to buy a new TV, then by all means do so, but if the only issue you have with the RCA is a blurry picture, more than likely the focus can be adjusted. Some older sets have a focus trimmer accessible from the back that you can adjust yourself, but even those that don't can have their focus or power supply voltages adjusted by a tech.

12-07-2006, 09:44 AM	#14
gerbo High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 60	If you are looking for an inexpensive 19", I have the Polaroid 19" HDTV ready LCD and it has a great picture. I also have their 15" and a 32" and am very happy. Circuit City I believe is the only one that carries them. Maybe Walmart still has them. It is in the price range you mentioned. Has been at CC for $289-$329