Best TV for approx. 300? 25"-"27

You bring up an interesting point Fatparrot. We didn't spend a lot of time with the adjustments in the store either, we were in a bit of a hurry.

The calibration that you speak of, is this something done internal or something they do with the menu controls and maybe some software, say from a DVD player?

(I highly doubt that my wife will agree to spend more money on a brand new TV! I already went higher on the price than planned.)

If your budget will stretch to $500, I'd strongly recommend the Sony WEGA 27" television. I recently bought this TV for our daughter -- Goodguys had an Internet deal for $495, which included sales tax and delivery to your door. For my money, the Sony WEGA 27" is the best TV of its size on the market.

Brianmgrarcom:

What you should do first and foremost when you are evaluating TV's in a store (and especially Best Buy and Circuit City (and thankfully, I didn't buy my TV from either of these places....... I bought my TV from my high end dealer)) is grab the remote (if it is attached to the set) and adjust the picture controls of all of the sets you are considering to buy. I think that in either set, the middle (or might I say...... the neutral settings) should be used in order to make a judgement as to which TV delivers the better overall picture. Also, if you use neutral settings on both sets, that will level the playing field of both sets at the same time (meaning that one set's picture isn't any more superior than the one the next set is delivering). Once you decide on which set you want to buy, then what you should do is spend maybe, an extra $30.00 or so, and get the Joe Kane Video Essentials DVD (I have one right now, and let me tell you, it is an INVALUABLE tool....... I cannot say that enough. It was definitely the best $25.00 or $30.00 I ever spent) and put it into your DVD Player. That way, you can fine tune your set more precisely, and then that way, your new set can deliver the best picture it can capably deliver.

But to disagree slightly with Sdcampbell, I don't think that the Sony is the ABSOLUTE best 27" TV on the market. I say that because when I was shopping for my set, I was looking at a Sony too, and I ended up with a Panasonic. But mind you, I was looking at a higher-end set that what you and your wife are looking at also. So, that may have been a factor as well. Sony is a very good set. But I don't think it is absolutely the best 27" that you can buy. I was looking at a Sony Wega also (I believe it was the their TOL 27" with their flat screen and also loaded with bells and whistles) and I ended up buying a Panasonic SuperFlat (also, in a 27" size and fully loaded with bells and whistles as well
....... and it was their TOL 27" set also. It was their TOL 27" set two years ago), and saving almost $200.00 in the bargain. And to my eyes, the picture quality was just as good.

I trust you'll let us know what you decide on, won't you??

--Charles--

Per your request, I will let you know how this ends up.

I would like to reiterate that this is for the bedroom, hence not wanting to spend double for an awesome 27".

I have an awesome 27" Mitsu in my living room that we purchased just over 10 years ago. This TV has an awesome picture and some bells and whistles that I do not find on TV's today; namely two antenna inputs!

I have talked with another who also has fond words for Panasonic TV's, but advised that the G series has a lousy picture. I would agree with that assessment after last nights outting and I would add that we compared the D series to the G series and it was no better.

Other than the "grainyness" of the JVC, the picture was much better that the G/D series, that said, it is a little more expensive TV too.

Brianmgrarcom:

Actually, I have to disagree with you there too (as far as the features on today's newer sets are concerned). Actually, my TOL 27" Panasonic also has two antenna inputs. If anything at all, I believe my Pany has one feature even 27" Mitsu does NOT even have.

Want to try "component video inputs"???

But anyway, good luck in your search for an affordable TV (and I am sure that even for $300.00, there are some worthy candidates out there).

--Charles--