by Patricia Mangum Buying a TV can be overwhelming when you begin to see just how many different options are going to be thrown your way. All shapes and sizes, thousands of different features, and then multiple brand names to choose from. You need to have a certain amount of TV knowledge in order to make the right choice. Like the difference between analog and HDTV. You may run into questions like ‘do you need, or do you want, an S-video input’? What about some RCA jacks, do you think you’ll

No doubt in an effort to get everyone to stay indoors all summer, Costco is selling a 40-inch 1080p LCD TV for just $499 after a $100 instant discount that runs until July 5th. The TV is a Proscan brand with a 1920×1080 resolution, 2000:1 contrast ratio, 550 cd/m2 brightness, and three HDMI inputs. You also get three component inputs, an S-Video input, two standard AV inputs, and there’s a VGA input for good measure. Shipping adds $30 but perhaps you’d be able to find this in your local store.

Sony Bravia L Series KDL 22L4000 22 Inch 720p LCD HDTV

Introducing the BRAVIA L series – legendary Sony quality and unmistakable value. The HDMI connection means this TV can connect to the latest HDMI-enabled sources. Add to that a component input, and a PC input, and you have many ways to get HD quality entertainment to your TV. With a fast panel response time, and a beautiful gloss black color with chrome accents, now everyone can enjoy video entertainment no matter where they’re sitting and what they’re watching. Vivid, Standard, and Custom Picture Modes ATSC, NTSC, QAM Tuner 3D Comb Filter CineMotion Reverse 3 – 2 Pulldown Technology Audio Power Output – 5W + 5W Digital Amplifier Dolby Digital for ATSC broadcast Dynamic, Standard, Clear Voice(TM) Audio Modes Energy Star Compliant Inputs and Outputs – AC-In (Rear), RF Connection Input (Rear), 2x Composite Video Inputs (1 Side/1 Rear), S-Video Input (Rear), 2x Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Inputs (Rear), HDMI Connection Input (Rear), HDMI Connection with Analog Audio In (Rear), PC Video Input (Rear, D-Sub), PC Audio Input (Rear, Stereo Mini), 5x Analog Audio Inputs (1 Side/4 Rear), Audio Out (Rear), Digital Audio Output Optical Digital Output (Rear), and Headphone Out (Side) Dimensions – 551 x 392 x 76mm / 551 x 430 x 214mm with pedestal Weight – 6.3kg / 7.3kg with pedestal

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Sony Bravia 22 inch
The display menu cannot be read from 10 ft away (my Chair), The bar across the top is disconcerting, even tho it disappears n seconds. The directions are not clear to me. I doubt it will last the 23 years my previous Sony lasted! However, the tV fits my apt, the color is great, and I am adapting to it. Sooner or later I will figure out the instructions.

3 Stars A little disappointed
I bought this TV about a week ago. The price is down and I always believe in Sony Tv. But after I have tried it, I found the color is not that accurate and is over saturated. Faces on TV are redder than they should be, no matter how I adjust it. I am thinking of returning it now and change to Samsung.

4 Stars Good HDTV for a small space
I bought this HDTV to use in my home office so I can watch local news and cable news channels while I am working. It connected easily to my cable system (Comcast in Seattle). The automatic set up routine found all of the unscrambled channels that Comcast offers. Comcast users should note that Comcast has its channel line up set up so that the only HD channels one can receive without a Comcast set top box or a CableCard are your local HD Channels.

The picture is very good and the sound is quite acceptable.

3 Stars More than a little disappointed
I purchased this model in end Dec 2008. Main reasons of purchase were the profile is good looking, and it’s a Sony TV set. However, besides agreeing with the previous reviewer’s comment about color inaccuracy, I also found these cons:

. The display is darker than desired – it’s not possible to set it bright enough without making it over-saturated.

. The tuner is noiser than expected – my low-cost USB Tuner used on a three-year old PC has less noise.

. The viewing angles are diappointingly narrow, especially the horizontal one.

. More clearer picture is desire – at times it will look like a very old analog TV set — not sure if that’s because of the particular TV programs themselves.

I had been using Sony analog TV’s for many years, and they were very good. I’m disappointed on this Sony LCD TV especially it’s more expensive than other brands of the same size.

4 Stars size consideration
I bought this 22” one today to replace my old 20” analog one. I am generally happy so far with the quick setup, also the clear audio due to the front-facing speakers. However I realized that in order to view 4:3 programming without cropping and distortion, the picture is smaller than the one on my old 20” TV. Upon some calculation I can now share this conversion formulae with you: if you are looking to buy a HDTV (widescreen TV) to replace your analog one (squarish TV), and want to maintain the SAME image size of 4:3 programming contents on your new widescreen TV as on your old squarish one, WITHOUT distortion and cropping, then the size of the HDTV (its diagonal screen dimension) should be 1.224 times that of the analog TV. For instance, to replace my old 20” analog TV and keep the same image size for 4:3 contents, I would have to buy a 1.224×20=24.477” one. Of course there is no such size, but you get the idea: buy one bigger than 24”! This formulae works regardless of the size of the original TV.

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Sony Bravia M Series KDL 19M4000 L 19 Inch 720p LCD HDTV White with Blue Accent

This Sony BRAVIA M-Series HDTV delivers great picture quality at an attractive value, and it’s casual design and bold, fun color makes it ideal for your kitchen, bedroom, or dorm. It includes an ATSC tuner to access HD channels, while MPEG noise reduction and fast panel response help produce crisp, clear images. Analog Audio Input(s) (Total) – 4 (3 Rear/1 Side) Audio Out – 1 (Rear) Composite Video Input(s) – 2 (1 Side/1 Rear) Digital Audio Output(s) – 1 (Rear) Optical Digital Output HDMI Connection(s) (Total) – 1 (Rear) S-Video Input(s) – 1 (Side) Dimensions (Approx.) – 19 1/8 x 15 3/4 x 6 1/2 with pedestal; 19 1/8 x 15 7/8 x 3 3/8 without pedestal Weight (Approx.) – 17.2 lbs. with pedestal; 15.2 lbs. without pedestal

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Great Buy !
Just purchased one of these at Costco for $249.00. Will set up and advise on the quality. This is to be used in a kitchen.

4 Stars Sony Bravia
Good little TV. Great picture. My only problem is trying to figure out how to set it on a table.

5 Stars Sony Bravia
We purchased this 19″ Sony Bravia Television to replace an old analog television in the bedroom of our 5th Wheel RV (mounts in a swing out cabinet). The picture and sound are great and passed our expectations but the best part is that the installation was a perfect fit with no pedestals to deal with. All we have to do is un-snap 2 clips and it becomes portable again and we can take it anywhere. We highly recommend it.

3 Stars Just OK
This Bravia replaced a Sharp Aquos counter top model which developed a shadow on the screen after about two years of use. It is larger (about 4″) picture wise than the Sharp and was the largest set I could find that would stand on the counter and fit under an overhead cabinet. It runs off a Direct TV, non-HDTV signal.

Factory preset picture settings were just awful with a very dark picture and odd glossy flesh tones. I tried to adjust the picture a number of times but finally realized I was trying to get the colors and resolution I was used to on the Sharp, which the Bravia apparently won’t do. If my set had true factory picture presets I can guarantee anyone else buying this set will be spending a lot of time trying to adjust the picture.

In addition, unless you are viewing the set from directly in front and at set level the picture washes out excessively which is annoying since a kitchen set is usually viewed from a number of angles.

I would definitely recommend viewing and comparing this set in a store before purchasing. I will probably be looking for a replacement set and relegate this one to a guest bedroom.

3 Stars Some real answers
I have yet to make my purchase of this product but I intend to make an informed decision. I would be using this TV at university to play my PS3 and X Box 360 pro using HDMI outputs. Also I would probably be bringing it to and from different places for system link games. Which is why the handle seems a good thing for me. All of the reviews for this product do not tackle the HD capabilities of this device… How does a Blu Ray, not upscaled DVD look, or how about gaming, can anyone help?

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Sharp Aquos LC26D43U 26 LCD HDTV

Featuring the next generation of Sharp’s proprietary Advanced Super View/Black TFT Panel, the Sharp LC-26D43U provides high brightness (450 cd/m2), 1200:1 native (6000:1 dynamic) contrast ratio, 6 ms Quick Shoot response time, and wide viewing angles (176-degrees horizontal and vertical). The built-in ATSC – QAM – NTSC tuner receives over-the-air standard and HD signals, as well as unencrypted standard and digital cable signals. This model features a sleek piano black cabinet and includes a table stand that easily removes for optional wall mounting applications. Dual HDMI, HD component video, and D-sub 15-pin PC inputs complement the LC-26D43U. Stereo reception system – MTS Connections – 2 HDMI Input, 2 HD Component Input, 1x 15-pin RGB D-Sub (PC) Input, 1x 4-pin DIN S-Video Input, 2x RCA Composite Video Input (A/V), 4x RCA Audio Inputs L/R and Digital Audio Outputs

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great 26″ LCD Flatscreen
Great product, excellent picture, easy to install. I really like the HDMI connections. Connects easily to Direct TV receiver. I would reccomened to anyone.

5 Stars After four weeks, I have not received this TV. No report sent!
The TV is probably great, but I wouldn’t know, as I haven’t received it yet.

3 Stars Sharp Aquos 26″
Received TV quickly. Plugged TV in and setup was easy. After 5 days we had to unplug the TV and when we plugged the TV back up the TV no longer worked. There was no picture and no sound. Strangest thing I’ve ever seen. Seemed unbelievable.

Brought the TV in for service and the whole board controlling video and audio sound was burnt out and had to be replaced.

After only having the TV for 5 days I thought Sharp should have taken the TV back.

Sound is satisfactory. Remote control is easy to use. Non HD channel’s clarity is decent but can’t be stretched to fit so there is a black border around the picture. But that does not diminish your picture watching.

Basically, we are happy with the set.

I’d recommend the TV to a friend.

3 Stars Returned This TV
I do not know how I did it but this TV did not have the one feature I needed on it. (I will not debate where that issue lies)

Although it was stated at the time of order the TV was in stock and would ship in 2-3 days it did not ship for 9 days after the order. The cross country shipping took longer than expected.

The TV arrived with a plastic shrink wrap over the manufacturers standard packing like you would get if you bought it at a retail store. That does not seem to be a safe way to ship an LCD via UPS ground but it appears to have made the voyage in proper working order.

The LCD TV had been opened and the box had some sort of stickers or labels removed after being cut off the cardboard.

My return was processed after being threatened with a 20% restocking fee and told if it was not in “as new” condition the refund was not going to be given. Nowhere was that mentioned when I checked the “stores” policy. The only information given about a restocking fee was if an item was returned with out an RMA which I was given.

When all was done the refund was given and no restocking fee was applied. This is the last time I will order something such as a LCD TV online. I would rather pay $50 more with a local big box retailer and take it home the same day, be able to return it without shelling out big $$ shipping to return.

2 Stars Pricey for what you get, poor picture quality
Very disappointed in the picture quality, even after using an HDMI cable.

Colors very bland and washed out, picture not very clear. Absolutely nothing outstanding about this expensive TV. Even less than mediocre. Small size screens are usually a lot clearer, but not this one.

Was looking to buy a 46″ & 52″ for my other rooms, went with Samsung for both.

Wow, what a difference!

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