Kross 48cm LCD TV from Woolworths - Thoughts?

I was looking at getting a 48/51cm widescreen LCD TV, but after looking around at the market I get an inkling the prices are about to take a tumble in the next 6 months to a year. The yield on the larger LCD's is getting much better and prices are dropping fairly fast, I figure this will manifest itself into a dramatic price drop in the smaller LCDs perhaps?

Problem is they all seem to have analog tuners, so if you want digital you need an STB for it anyway. Widescreen computer LCD monitors are getting pretty cheap, and you can now get boxes with a tuner in it that converts an LCD computer monitor into a TV, this appears it might be a cheaper way to go to get an analog LCD TV? What about a digital STB with VGA digital output connected to a widescreen computer LCD - any good?, cost effective? Comments...

Dave :)

If you are heading down the computer route why not go all the way and substitute it for the television? HDTV tuners are about the same price as standard set top boxes. DVD recorders and hard drives are a fraction of the price of their consumer equivalents. MythTV software is free and has an on-line program guide that makes video recording easy and (almost) foolproof.

I am enthusiastic about it but I have to confess that setting it up is not for the faint hearted.

One simple reason - location. My computer is in the study, hardly a comfortable or convienient place to watch TV. That's why there is a TV in the kitchen (convenience), and the big TV in the lounge room (comfort, proper surround etc). Also, no dicking around required on the computer to get it all to work etc

If it suits your circumstances, then yes, great idea.

Dave :)

David

A 19 inch LCD monitor you will pick up for the same price. You will need a Digital Set Top Box that is compatable with VGA though the resoultion will be much clearer. And a monitor more multipurpose then a TV.

Regards

David

David wrote:

I just returned a Kross digital video recorder. When it worked it worked quite well, but a few days ago it wouldn't switch on. It's got a DVD inside which I can't get out so I've left it with the store and they're going to chase it up with the manufacturers.

Friday

If you're going for no-name cheap then you may be interested to know that JB Hifi are selling a "Hicon" 51cm TV for $138. While your local stores may not be able to match this price you can probably do a lot better than $399. :)

Thought

like?

Possibly better picture quality too, but if the OP wants an LCD, it's pointless comparing prices to a CRT.

MrT.

The woolies one is an LCD, this JB one would surely be CRT.

For a TV of that size, (and if you are just going to watch TV on it) I would agree - just buy the $138 CRT one, but some people seem to want the LCD units, possibly for where there are issues with the size, quality, resolution etc ?.

It might be worth checking out Ebay for prices on these things, with other things, you often find quite good deals there, if you dont mind online shopping rather than going to a store and bringing the thing home.

Whoops.

(sounds of furious backpedalling)

I didn't see LCD mentioned in the OP. Sorry.