26"/27" TV recommendations, and dvd players

[IRG]

I need a new budget TV for my living room. Currently, our main living area, has no TV, just a 2 channel audio system (Roksan gear, Energy C-3 speakers). We have a small HT in our basement, which will get redone in a year or so. But for now, I need another tv so the kids don't fight, and so I can watch some football this year.

Here are the parameters:

1. Can't be real big. Probably 27" will be the max, according to the wife. Anything bigger overpowers this small room. Also, it is a real pain to even find a place to put it. I would love to find a matching small TV stand that is simmple and elegant. Sites for this?

2. Flat screen, and silver case preferred.

3. Budget of about $400, less is even better.

4. HDTV probably not needed, Comments on this??

5. Will be used with both digital cable box (Time Warner) and a dvd player.

6. I want component cable hookups for the DVD player, and at least S video for the cable box.

7. My choice of stores is basically Best Buy (I've actually been fairly impressed with their service, great selection, and decent staff, which I know is not what eveyone else has found) and Sears (I have the smallest Sears in the country; selection is not good, and the store is usually in chaos, and the staff is poor - however I have a Sears account, and like their return policy, although BB seeems just as good here. Sears will price match though, which could be an advantage.

8. I also need a budget dvd player, prefer to not spend over $100.

Here are a few models I have looked at recently, and would like any input.

Toshiba 27 AF44 $349 - seems very well reviewed, probably my top choice for now.
Sony KV27FS120 $399 (less at Sears) also a good model, but reliability issues?
Sharp 27F641 $329 - seems like a good set, but not much cheaper than the Toshiba
Philips 27PT6441 $299 - reliability? Good price, seems like a decent set otherwise
Philips 26PW6341 $399 on sale at BB. The wife likes this set, and is the only widescreen model on my list. Thoughts on this?

Darkhorse contenders are 2 hdtv models:
Panasonic ct27HL14 at $549 (over my budget)
Advent HT 2751A at $449 which is tempting.

As for dvd players, I'm not sure what/who to consider. I have a Sony now which has been a champ, so I will consider them again. The Sony DVP-NS575P at $84 or the DVP-NS725P at $109. Others are the Samsung DVD-P241 at $56, th Philips DVP-642 at $75 and the Toshiba SD-3960 at $65. I would like to able to play digital photos on this, and of course good quality sound and video is also important. Suggest others please.

I also have questions on 2 channel audio vs 5.1 set ups, but I will post that separately.

Thanks for any and all responses! Igor

[uncooked]

If i were you i would not go HDTV on such a small tv, and most likely you would have to buy a new hdtv cable box which can be pricey.

As for the stand im not sure if there are alot for 27" tv's its more of a 32" or 36" thing, but im sure there are some.

then as i dvd player just for looks i would match up the brands, so if you get a sony tv, get a sony dvd player, becuase it looks awsome, and the silver would be the same colour on both, different brands use slightly different colours. And you wont notice a difference in dvd players on a 32" or less tv.


we'll see what other people have to comment, this is just my way of thinking.

[IRG]

If i were you i would not go HDTV on such a small tv, and most likely you would have to buy a new hdtv cable box which can be pricey.

As for the stand im not sure if there are alot for 27" tv's its more of a 32" or 36" thing, but im sure there are some.

then as i dvd player just for looks i would match up the brands, so if you get a sony tv, get a sony dvd player, becuase it looks awsome, and the silver would be the same colour on both, different brands use slightly different colours. And you wont notice a difference in dvd players on a 32" or less tv.


we'll see what other people have to comment, this is just my way of thinking.

I was thinking the same thing - if I go with the Toshiba TV, stick with the Toshiba dvd player. I wish I could find a nice cabinet - that has become the hardest thing to find. Crutchfield has a decent cabinet for a 27" Sony Wega, for $150, not sure what the shipping would cost, probably too much. I may look at Kmart or Target too. Thanks for your response.

[uncooked]

go look at the store and play around with them and see what one you like the best, feature and picture quality wise. I always like to pick a name brand and stick with it whenever i can. they just seem to "like" each other better. well they were designed together so they should.

[markw]

Hey Ian,

I'll go along with the Tosh recommendation as well. Good rep for quality and picture. I don't have a Tosh TV (out pf my price range at purchase time) but I've got an ole Tosh DVD/CD changer, for which I paid the princely sum of $100 for two years ago and it does just fine.

As far as the comopnent inputs on the TV, if you fine 'em fine, but I wouldn't lose any sleep if they don't. With thisw size screen S-video is more than adequate. Now, if you were talking about a larger screen or HDTV, well...

As far as cabinetry, be creative. Check out Wal Mart, Target, or any place that sells knock down furniture. I found just about the perfect stand for my 32" TV, HT reciever, DVD changer and VHS @ K-Mart for $44 a few years ago.

enjoy...

[IRG]

Hey Ian,

I'll go along with the Tosh recommendation as well. Good rep for quality and picture. I don't have a Tosh TV (out pf my price range at purchase time) but I've got an ole Tosh DVD/CD changer, for which I paid the princely sum of $100 for two years ago and it does just fine.

As far as the comopnent inputs on the TV, if you fine 'em fine, but I wouldn't lose any sleep if they don't. With thisw size screen S-video is more than adequate. Now, if you were talking about a larger screen or HDTV, well...

As far as cabinetry, be creative. Check out Wal Mart, Target, or any place that sells knock down furniture. I found just about the perfect stand for my 32" TV, HT reciever, DVD changer and VHS @ K-Mart for $44 a few years ago.

enjoy...

Hey Mark,
Good to hear from you. I went looking at the TVs again today. Will probably get the Toshiba, and Sears will beat BB's price, and 0% financing, which never hurts.

Now I need to decide whether to keep my audio side 2 channel, and or go with a few more channels. Room layout is a factor here. It is just a terrible room to lay out anything logically. I looked at Target for stands today, but it seems like everything is geared towards big TVs, so I'm not sure yet what I want. It seems the simpler the design, the more $ they are. Take care.