dleedlee

I'm trying to help my dad choose a 19" or 20" LCD TV for the kitchen to replace a 12" tube set. He's looking at the 2nd tier brands, basically. General guidance:

- Under $500
- He recently got digital cable but this one will be using analog cable
- Mainly for sports viewing
- Currently has separate VCR and DVD players connected
- Is QAM tuner standard these days?

He probably prefers to buy from a Best Buy or Circuit City type store instead of online but don't let that affect suggestions. Main reason for the replacement is his eyesight is going and he want's the bigger display size.

Looking at BB and CC, nothing jumps out at me. Reviews on the Vizio have people complain about weak/tinny sound. The Westinghouse seems to have the biggest sound (3.5w) compared to others. I've heard good things about Westinghouse but it might be the larger models.

Westinghouse
LG
Sharp
Toshiba
Samsung
Vizio - circuit city
Vizio - costco - 3W - same model?

pelenor

I bought a 19" insignia brand from Best Buy. It is a Best Buy brand. It is an HDTV with an HDMI connection. I got it for 299 for the bedroom and am loving it.

dleedlee

So, no complaints about the audio?

I like that it seems to have a higher contrast ratio than the others and also has 3W speakers.

...doesn't seem to have a QAM tuner, though.

pelenor

I haven't had any problems with the audio and I have a cable box hooked up to it. And it has many connections: Component, Composite, HDMI, RF. I think it works great as a second tv and for what I got it for, 299, I think it was a steal.

Jason1

20" widescreen = 16" 4:3 viewing area
26" widescreen = 21" 4:3 viewing area

Costco Viewsonic 26" LCD HDTV 2HDMI $499
Costco Vizio 20" LCD HDTV 1HDMI $379
Sam's Club 26" Westinghouse LCD HDTV 2HDMI $483
Circuit City 20" Toshiba LCD HDTV 1HDMI $399
Circuit City 27" Olevia LCD HDTV 1HDMI $399

dleedlee

The 26" widescreen would be way too big. It's going into a corner where the current 12" 4:3 sits. I'm a bit worried even 19" might be tight. And I don't think he will want to wall mount it.

So far, I'm leaning towards the 19" Westinghouse (SK-19H210S) above. What I like:
- 3.5w speakers
- 5ms response time
- contrast ratio is 700:1 or 1000:1 depending on what you read, but seems higher the many which list 500:1
- QAM

Apparently it's a new model so not much history.