hdtvs and gaming

[RCM]

Yeah Im just not feeling up to paying $400+ for a box to fix up my older game systems...

You don't have to pay $400 or $500, but it really is worth it. There are a ton of upscaling devices for cheaper, and if you don't notice the lag or can deal with it, there are a lot of options.

[kainemaxwell]

Ok so any tv recommendations then? *shrug

[Gentlegamer]

There's also the issue of lag, which I found unbearable with my NES, SNES, and Genesis connected via composite to my Vizio.

Reportedly, there are LCD TVs with game modes that are much better about the lag. Your mileage may vary.

I kept my old 27in SDTV for my retro systems, connected with s-video or less.

I use unofficial component video cables for PS2 and Xbox on the Vizio, and they work great.

[sheath]

I picked up a Toshiba 40" LCD a couple of years ago. It has a "game mode" that almost completely eliminates input lag, but the TV only lags when it's doing its 120hz upscale thing called Clearframe I think. I'll have to do a video sometime with my CRT and LCD running the same game to see if there is still any lag with game mode on, but it doesn't feel like it. This set doesn't have S-Video either, so I've bought an RGB to Component converter, and an RGB to HDMI 720p upscaler. One works better for some systems than others, and one works better on the CRT I have hooked up and the HDMI works better on the LCD.

That said, I also have the Composite and S-Video cables hooked up for all of the systems that normally used them and I found a decent compromise for the S-Video problem. Radio Shack sells an S-Video/Composite distribution amplifier that will take Composite or S-Video signals and output both amplified and in really nice fidelity. Through this thing S-Video downconverted to Composite on my Toshiba still looks great and better than Composite output on that system does. It also enhances Composite signals very nicely whether you use the S-Video or Composite output, and that makes things a lot better for me since I've got most of my systems going through at least two Switcher boxes.

[kainemaxwell]

Ok, im stuck on what tv to get. Thinking of getting the Seiki SC-402TT 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV - Black cause its a good price and has s-video. Or I can get a more mordern one and get a new switch box (which I planned to anyhow) with component, s-video, etc, and jack everything through there if there's only one set of plugs (and dvd player). Any other suggestions on tvs, or ones with a "game mode"?

[Zing]

If you seek a TV for the systems you mention in the OP (snes, n64, etc), basically anything PS2 or earlier, then you shouldn't be getting an LCD. Just find a good, used Sony CRT.

[kainemaxwell]

Looking for something that would look decently mainly for PS2 (and up when the time comes), n64 and dreamcast. Other systems I can deal with later. Ok let's make this simple for some people, what's a good 40" lcd that has a game mode option.