HDTV for XBox 360? (£350-400ish)

ozy · 20 Feb 2006 at 20:43

Hi,

I've decided to purchase an XBox 360 for my bedroom, and i'm looking for a suitable HDTV to compliment it. Whilst I know a fair bit about computers, I'm fairly clueless when it comes to TVs so any advice on this would be appreciated. My budget is around the £300-400 mark (for the TV).

Thanks,

Chris (ozy)

Abyss · 20 Feb 2006 at 21:26

sorry to put a spanner in the works, but I really don't think you'll get a HDTV worth having for £300-400.

You will either have to go for a 16:9 CRT with component and run it on standard definition, or save up to around the £600 mark and go for something like the Samsung LE26R41.

What sort of room size do you have, and how much space do you have available?

ozy · 20 Feb 2006 at 21:56

Thanks for the reply.

Space really isn't a massive consideration (currently have a 28" behemoth sitting on my desk), however, I would deem my current tv overly big for my needs (from my pillow to the tv is only about 3 meters).

With this in mind, a 26" HDTV, while nice, would not be necessery if there were smaller HDTVs available in around my budget (something around 20" may well be be satisfactory).

I've also thought about using a widescreen TFT as a makeshift TV, but I don't know the feasability of having it running both as a TV and off the XBox also.

Regards,

Chris (ozy)

soundwave · 20 Feb 2006 at 22:59

Well for the money you've said you could lay your hands on one of JVC's HD ready CRT's

I've got the 32" HV32P37S & it's fantatsic

Only cost me £380 delivered (Think the 28" runs in at around £350 delivered) it has...
3 scarts (2 RGB)
1 S Video
1 Component
2 Audio outputs (1 for component & 1 normal)

But the biggest bonus is that it's 1080i compatible over component so will run your 360 nicely.

My main reason for going with the CRT over an LCD/Plama set was that I want to see how the HD sets go over the next couple of years.
I didnt want to pay WAY over the odds now only to find out that next year we get a new rush of better HD ready sets for similair money to the entry level sets available at the moment.

HTH

Neil

ozy · 20 Feb 2006 at 23:21

Hey soundwave, that looks like a pretty good option although I think the 28" version would be a better bet (whats the model number btw?). What quality difference would you see between an "HD ready" TV like that, and an actual HDTV when it comes to the XBox360? much at all?

Just one other question, what exactly is the difference between an "HD Ready" TV, and one that isn't? Surely its either high definition, or its not?

Cheers

Chris (ozy)

soundwave · 21 Feb 2006 at 10:25

Chris,

The model number for the 28" set is HV28P37S

Basically there isnt any real difference between this & any of the other HD sets currently doing the rounds except that this will only output a HD image at 1080i whereas other HD ready sets you can find on LCD or Plasma will also show a 720p picture

Also the biggest difference between these CRT's & the LCD/Plasma HD Sets is that they dont have any HDMi inputs which means that they arent completley future proof because when Sky HD goes live the boxes Sky will supply are rumoured to only have HDMi connections, but as I wont be getting Sky HD anytime soon it didnt worry me too much

HD Ready also only refers to the fact that the TV is capable of accepting a HD signal from a High Def source (DVD, Sky Box, X-box 360 etc.)

Neil

Abyss · 21 Feb 2006 at 19:59

To try and answer a few questions asked:

HD ready means it will output at High definition

HD compatible means it will accept high definition but will output at standard definition, or it may require an add on module (i think).

The High definition available on most CRT tvs is through component only, so will not support HDCP encryption. This is little (if at all) used at the moment, but will be used in the future to encrypt programs etc, and if you don't have it, you won't be able to use a lot of the future high definition products.

I sure I remember reading somewhere that a high definition TV must be at least 26" in size. If this is true you will not find a tv smaller than 26" that is HD. To be honest though if you are looking at around 20" you will barely notice a difference between HD and SD. Why not just upgrade your pc monitor to a 20" widescreen TFT and use the vga input for the xbox? The Belina on ocuk is only £330.

Personally I would suggest trying to save for a larger size if its possible though. What Hifi reccommends 28-32" for a 2.5-3m distance, and 36-42" for a 3-4m distance. My tv is exactly 2.5m from where I view it and its a 32" widescreen.

ozy · 21 Feb 2006 at 20:10

Thanks for answering those questions Neil/Abyss, to be honest I think i'm sold on the idea of paying as much as £600 - as i really cant be doing with lugging a 28" CRT up the stairs

Seriously though, while both options are tempting, I think i'm going to go for the Samsung LE26R41 you mentioned before, as I can buy it over a 12 month period from another site (unless anyone else has any other suggestions for a £600 HDTV). As for size, I would like to think 26" would be enough, the 28" CRT I currently have seems more than big enough :eek:

.

Thanks again for all your help everyone!

Chris

gord · 22 Feb 2006 at 01:32

ozy said:
Thanks for answering those questions Neil/Abyss, to be honest I think i'm sold on the idea of paying as much as £600 - as i really cant be doing with lugging a 28" CRT up the stairs

Seriously though, while both options are tempting, I think i'm going to go for the Samsung LE26R41 you mentioned before, as I can buy it over a 12 month period from another site (unless anyone else has any other suggestions for a £600 HDTV). As for size, I would like to think 26" would be enough, the 28" CRT I currently have seems more than big enough .

Thanks again for all your help everyone!

Chris

Theres the extremely popular and highly rated LG 26LX2R. If you ever think you might hook it up to your Pc, this is the baby you want. I havnt got mine yet, its on my wishlist.. but search for the model on this forum.. plenty of good stuff about it.