Question:
Any ideas about which makes are the best and where I can get the cheapest?
LCD TV's, are, in my opinion a waste of money. You can buy an LCD computer monitor and a TV tuner box for about half the price of a 15" LCD TV, and about a quarter of the price of an 18" LCD TV.
So, actually, in answer to your question, I don't know, but most online computer stores will sell you a 15" LCD monitor for less than £300. Pay a tiny bit extra and you will get some built in speakers.
There are a small number of small 4x3 models. Sharp do a number of sizes between 10 and 20 inch. LG make a 15 inch one. There are others.
There are also a small number of 16x9 ones. Panasonic do a 15 and a 22 (and versions of these with a built in DVD player). Samsung do a 17 inch one. Sharp do (or used to) a 28 inch one.
The Sharp items are prohibitively expensive compared to the others. I've seen:
LG 15 4x3 at about £600.
Panasonic 15 16x9 at about £1200
Panasonic 22 16x9 at about £2400
Samsung 17 16x9 at about £1500.
These are all high street shop prices (look in John Lewis).
I tend to agree that they are overpriced, compared to the cost of computer monitors (plus a tuner to VGA box). But, having it all in one, remote-controllable, unit is a huge convenience.
One bit of buying advice: Buy from a retailer who will let you check your set out before you pay for it. All LCD screen manufacturers have a tolerance policy on dead pixels which is greater than zero. Meaning, if you get up to, say, 5 bright pixels, it is within tolerance and not replaceable. Pixels very rarely fail in use so, buy one that you can personally check before you take it away. Don't be tempted by cheap web offers unless you are SURE that the e-tailer in question has a no quibble refund or replacement policy. Safest to buy from a high street store with stock (even if it costs a little more).
Answers:
LCD TV's, are, in my opinion a waste of money. You can buy an LCD computer monitor and a TV tuner box for about half the price of a 15" LCD TV, and about a quarter of the price of an 18" LCD TV.
So, actually, in answer to your question, I don't know, but most online computer stores will sell you a 15" LCD monitor for less than £300. Pay a tiny bit extra and you will get some built in speakers.
Answers:
There are a small number of small 4x3 models. Sharp do a number of sizes between 10 and 20 inch. LG make a 15 inch one. There are others.
There are also a small number of 16x9 ones. Panasonic do a 15 and a 22 (and versions of these with a built in DVD player). Samsung do a 17 inch one. Sharp do (or used to) a 28 inch one.
The Sharp items are prohibitively expensive compared to the others. I've seen:
LG 15 4x3 at about £600.
Panasonic 15 16x9 at about £1200
Panasonic 22 16x9 at about £2400
Samsung 17 16x9 at about £1500.
These are all high street shop prices (look in John Lewis).
I tend to agree that they are overpriced, compared to the cost of computer monitors (plus a tuner to VGA box). But, having it all in one, remote-controllable, unit is a huge convenience.
One bit of buying advice: Buy from a retailer who will let you check your set out before you pay for it. All LCD screen manufacturers have a tolerance policy on dead pixels which is greater than zero. Meaning, if you get up to, say, 5 bright pixels, it is within tolerance and not replaceable. Pixels very rarely fail in use so, buy one that you can personally check before you take it away. Don't be tempted by cheap web offers unless you are SURE that the e-tailer in question has a no quibble refund or replacement policy. Safest to buy from a high street store with stock (even if it costs a little more).
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