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

I need a new TV for the bedroom, I do not need bells and whistles, picture would be first of importance.

I am not fixed at 25"-27", I could consider smaller. (Actually, my wife would prefer a smaller TV, but you know us guys, we want to go for the bigger version!)

I went to Circuit City last night planning to purchase a Panasonic, I have heard good things on their longevity. I was specifically going there for the CT-27G6, $289. I left with a JVC AV-27D302, $349. The JVC showed much more detail IMO and all the Panasonics I looked at seemed dark, the JVC simply seemed to have the better picture, except it was a bit grainy. I thought, maybe foolishly, it was just a store issue.

The one I brought home seems to be a bit grainy as well. There seems to be a flaw in the picture, so I am planning on returning it, but I am not ruling out exchanging it for the same TV.

I was just seeking the collective wisdom of this forum.

Thanks
brianmgrarcom
kotta's avatar
kotta
649 posts
 
In my opinion I would stick with the JVC. Exchange it. If
the same grain appears there's the possibility it's in your line. Also, the smaller the picture tube, the less noticable
will such things be. If you're accustomed to viewing a 13/19
or 20" set (you don't mention your previous T.V. size), then
you move up in size to a 27" you will notice more imperfect-
ions. bill
james22's avatar
james22
2 posts
 
I have the 27" JVC D-series and I like it very much. I prefer it to the Panasonic and Sony in the same price range.
brianmgrarcom OP
1,317 posts
 
We have played around with our connections, purchased better ones, and the grainyness is gone. But that isn't why I was going to return it; at times there is a "line" down the screen on the far left.

Now that we have a better connection, I am VERY impressed with the picture, to say the least!

On another fourm though, someone gave me the following Consumer reports ratngs for picture:
****
5 Stars (Excellent), 4 Stars (VeryGood), 3 Stars (Good), 2 Stars (Fair), 1 Star (Poor). YW=1 year labor warranty.
1. Sony 27SF13....5 Stars....$600
2. Sony 27FV17....5 Stars...$800
3. Toshiba 27AF61...5 Stars...$650 (YW)
4. Sony 27FS17....5 Stars....$700
5. Sony 27S66.....5 Stars....$450
6. Sharp 27R-FS1....4 Stars...$500 (YW)
7. RCAF27689...4 Stars.....$430
8. JVC 27F802....4 Stars....$750 (YW)
9. Samsung TXK2768....4 Stars...$350
10. Panasonic 27SX31...4 Stars...$700
11. Philips 27PT71B....4 Stars....$450
12. Samsung TXL2767....4 Stars...$300
13. JVC 27D502.....4 Stars...$400 (YW)
14. JVC 27D302...4 Stars...$350 (YW)
15. Toshiba 27A51/A41....4 Stars...$350 (YW)
16. Sharp 27R-S480...4 Stars...$350 (YW)
17. Sanyo DS27800.....3 Stars....$290
18. Zenith 27A24T....3 Stars...$300
19. Panasonic 27D11/D21...3 Stars...$300
As you can see from above report, Panasonic came in dead last and Sony 27S66 (basically S44 model without 2 PIP tuner and less inputs) was the only non-flat TV that receievd "Excellent" picture rating.
****

I would have to see the picture on some of these others, as I say, the picture on the JVC is incredibally good.
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
1. Sony 27SF13....5 Stars....$600

That's my Sony! Plain Vanilla 27" WEGA--and a Swans M1 and RPG Pro Foam panel to either side...you can get it for much less and interest free for a year.
twl
3,251 posts
 
For $300, I recommend the Magnavox P27s55. It is 27", has a flatter screen(not true flat), black matrix,comb filter, 600 line resolution, AND COMPONENT INPUT.(Also, S-video, and Composite). It has an attractive high tech silver cabinet. It's available on Bluelight.com for $299.95 or at your local K-Mart for $319.95.
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