best LCD tv?

[john landrum]

O.K. well we are going to be cruising again after starting a family(2.5yo & 2.5mo) and we did not have a tv on board for use underway when it was just us . but would like one now. not for cable but for movies,educational shows etc. I understand that some have the ability to double as a monitor for your p.c. and or use d.c. voltage any thoughts on your best/worse would be welcome we are looking at 19-29" thanks

[David M]

If you want it to work as a computer monitor then you have to get a computer monitor....this is how it used to be. Historically, computer monitors will work as TV's but not the other way around...although this definition is becoming blurred with there becoming so many LCD TV's. It used to be that TV did not have the same same sharpness as computer monitors. Was you need to make sure is that it is first intended to be a computer monitor. Fortunately, in your size range, monitors are very inexpensive. Make sure the monitor you buy has the right ports for connecting to a TV or for connecting to a TV tuner in your PC or for connecting to an external TV tuner. Switching between your computer and your TV tuner will be a simple matter of selecting which port you choose to use on your monitor. Most monitors have a button right of the front for doing this.

The more resolution you have and the better smaller your dot pitch the more detail and the clearer will be your picture. Also look for brightness and contrast as secondary factors to consider. In general, the larger the monitor you get the more pixels that can be squeezed onto a screen which means the more resolution you can get which will make you happier if you get a high definition player. In that case try to find a monitor with a HDMI IN port. Some monitors now even have built in tuners..which makes them a TV? See how the definition is getting blurred?

This 20" Samsung HD capable monitor does have a TV tuner. I'm kind of partial to Samsungs TV's and now their monitors.
http://pages.samsung.com/us/revoluti...tor+with+tuner

[speciald@ocens.]

Televisions of all sizes with component, HDMI, and VGA inputs are available. I have a wide screen Phillips in the aft cabin with this capability. I also have an Insigna monitor that will accept component as well as VGA input. They make the same monitor with a digital tuner. Go to a store like Best Buy and look at the back of the sets to see what plugs are there.

[easterly]

Target had a marine TV the last time I looked. It was 50% les than the cost of the same TV from many Marine stores.

[Chuck Baier]

Our Toshiba has a connection on the back of the set to plug into our computer. Many models have this now so buying a monitor to use as a TV is not necessary anymore.