View Full Version : Good small gaming tvs?
chadtower
09-17-2003, 09:50 AM
Okay, since my gaming TV doesn't seem to be compatible with half the systems I have hooked up to it, I'm going to have to replace it. The space it's in is only big enough for maybe a 19" tv... I'd be surprised if I could fit a 24" tv in there. Anyone have any specific recommendations?
christianscott27
09-17-2003, 10:05 AM
http://www.sears.com/data/product_images/electronics/large/05723160000-dlv.jpg
jonjandran
09-17-2003, 10:15 AM
LOL LOL LOL LOL
christianscott27 you made my day. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. Thanks !!!!
jonjandran
09-17-2003, 10:20 AM
Okay, since my gaming TV doesn't seem to be compatible with half the systems I have hooked up to it, I'm going to have to replace it. The space it's in is only big enough for maybe a 19" tv... I'd be surprised if I could fit a 24" tv in there. Anyone have any specific recommendations?
I don't know what others might think, but if you want a nice CHEAP television , the Apex at Wal-Mart is nice looking , has a lot of RCA and S-Video hook-ups , and is as inexpensive as they come. I've got 2 of the 27 inch for my Game Room and they are awesome . Each one has 4 different RCA Video inputs. :o
And the video quality is as good as all I've seen . The only prob is that it's not a flat screen , but that has never bothered me. I actually think flat screens look odd ( like the screen is convexed or curved in ) . Gives me a headache looking at them.
chadtower
09-17-2003, 10:21 AM
Heh... wouldn't fit into the space, though. I've noticed that Apex seems to make some decent feature tvs inexpensively... anyone have experience there?
If only there were damn pawn shops around here.
jonjandran
09-17-2003, 10:26 AM
Thanks for jogging my memory Chadtower. I had put Advent in my post above but I meant Apex. I changed it .
And like I said , they are Great for gaming.
sisko
09-17-2003, 10:37 AM
Heh... wouldn't fit into the space, though. I've noticed that Apex seems to make some decent feature tvs inexpensively... anyone have experience there?
If only there were damn pawn shops around here.
I would suggest staying away from the Apex brand in general. All of their products are cheap, but for a reason. I've seen way too many of these come back at the electronics store to suggest that anybody buy one.
While we're at it, I also suggest avoiding Sylvania, RCA, and GE TV's at all costs because they all have about an 80% return rate.
Panasonic makes a fairly decent 20" tv:
http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?storeId=11251&catalogId=11005&itemId=64600&catGroupId=11262&modelNo=CT-20SL13&surfModel=CT-20SL13
S-video and component inputs! Also a flat screen, and 3 line digital comb filter for a pretty sharp picture
chadtower
09-17-2003, 10:38 AM
Cool, so the Apex tvs are decent. I'm not looking for mega top of the line or anything, cost is more important here since it's going into my basement. I'll probably hold out to see what I can find at yard sales the rest of the fall and if I don't find anything usable then I'll buy an Apex.
jonjandran
09-17-2003, 11:09 AM
I just did a search on Google for Apex. And all the reviews and info on Apex Televisions give it 4-5 stars.
Most of the reviews said that the T.V's are of good quality and they are very reliable.
Like I said that is what the reviews said. I really couldn't find anything bad about the T.V's.
sisko
09-17-2003, 11:18 AM
The main reason any Apex TV's came back was because they flat out didn't work right out of the box (red flag!). If you get one that works, then I guess you'll be all right, but I still don't recommend it.
Also, I noticed that you said you said your TV isn't compatable but thats about it. Can you be more elaborate?
There may be another more cost effective solution than rather going out and buying a new TV.
chadtower
09-17-2003, 11:24 AM
Also, I noticed that you said you said your TV isn't compatable but thats about it. Can you be more elaborate?
There may be another more cost effective solution than rather going out and buying a new TV.
My current gaming TV is an ancient Zenith that, while it has a damn good picture for a TV that is probably 40 years old, doesn't have a vertical hold control. There is a known incompatibility between the Genesis and this type of Zenith TV. When I try to use a Genesis with it, the screen rolls and there's no way to change it. This does not happen with most systems, but I have also seen reference that any Sony system will do the same (I have not verified it yet).
Just last night I tested out my Laseractive and Sega pack with it. The laserdiscs played just fine but both a Genesis cart and Sega CD had the same rolling problem that I verified with both a Genesis I and a Genesis II a few weeks back. I have also use a Dreamcast, a Saturn, and an NES on this tv without problem.
Raedon
09-17-2003, 11:49 AM
walmart has this Sanyo 20" flat for an ok price. has S-Video and a front AV onput.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2178148&cat=3996&type=19&dept=3944&path=0%3A3944%3A3996
If you don't mind the mono speaker then circuit city has this Apex 20" for 99.99 (though it was $79.99 last month)
http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.jsp?c=1&b=g&catoid=-11482&qp=0&bookmark=bookmark_0&oid=72759
Best Buy has a nice KLH 24" mono for $159.. It has 3 A/V inputs which is nice! (all rear though and only 1 s-video)
sisko
09-17-2003, 11:52 AM
My current gaming TV is an ancient Zenith that, while it has a damn good picture for a TV that is probably 40 years old, doesn't have a vertical hold control. There is a known incompatibility between the Genesis and this type of Zenith TV. When I try to use a Genesis with it, the screen rolls and there's no way to change it. This does not happen with most systems, but I have also seen reference that any Sony system will do the same (I have not verified it yet).
Just last night I tested out my Laseractive and Sega pack with it. The laserdiscs played just fine but both a Genesis cart and Sega CD had the same rolling problem that I verified with both a Genesis I and a Genesis II a few weeks back. I have also use a Dreamcast, a Saturn, and an NES on this tv without problem.
Yeah, V Hold is a bitch. Sorry but I can't think of anything that would work as a permanent solution to that particular problem :/
nesuser2
09-17-2003, 12:02 PM
i bought a (RCA)27 inch trueflat at walmart for $300 big ones, and i'm happy as can be, cable sucks on it but the inputs look great......my cable here sucks anyways LOL
chadtower
09-17-2003, 12:06 PM
Not enough space in that spot. The current TV sits on what is actually a microwave cart and is probably about 5' high. Right above the tv, mounted from the ceiling, is a large speaker and old GE vacuum tube stereo that absolutely rocks the basement. So there's only so much clearance between the top of the microwave cart (the tv needs to be high since I also watch it while training from many feet away). I estimate that anything above around 19" is too big. I'm going to have to take an exact measurement for anything I consider, I guess.
Raedon
09-17-2003, 12:08 PM
just go to a pawn shop and get a 13" for 30 bucks.
chadtower
09-17-2003, 12:11 PM
Alas, there are very, very few pawn shops in Massachusetts.
SoulBlazer
09-17-2003, 12:40 PM
I've had a Sylvania 19 inch TV for over two years now -- used to be my primary gaming TV, now it's in my bedroom and used for TV watching. Never had a problem with it. :/
The Manimal
09-17-2003, 02:39 PM
Get a Samsung DynaFlat.
They don't have geometric problems like Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, etc...
If screen size is not an issue, may I suggest a Samsung 13" GXTV. You can see mine in the "Game Rooms" section; it's the dark gray box on the desk. The speakers fold out on both sides of the screen & there's a built-in woofer on the back. There are several input/output jacks, & even special parameters available, such as separate A/V settings to maximize gaming. It also has a lighted remote.
I got mine a few years back for $300; they're probly much cheaper now.
ApolloBoy
09-17-2003, 10:21 PM
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00001Z3JB.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
I use a 9" Sony KV-9PT60. It's a little on the small side, but I use it for my...
Atari 2600 Jr.
Atari 7800
NES
SMS
Genesis
nesuser2
09-17-2003, 11:01 PM
If screen size is not an issue, may I suggest a Samsung 13" GXTV. You can see mine in the "Game Rooms" section; it's the dark gray box on the desk. The speakers fold out on both sides of the screen & there's a built-in woofer on the back. There are several input/output jacks, & even special parameters available, such as separate A/V settings to maximize gaming. It also has a lighted remote.
I got mine a few years back for $300; they're probly much cheaper now.
an added bit, not that i know a whole lot.......but last i checked they didn't come down a whole lot in prices. they were less than $300 but not a lot cheaper. and i absolutely loved those things when they came out. i may have to look for one as well.
chadtower
09-18-2003, 08:56 AM
For now, I took the 12" tv from my study and put it in the gaming setup. Audio for the setup doesn't matter as the sound isn't even routed to the tv, only the video. The sound goes to the tube receiver above the tv. I'll keep an eye out for something acceptible for the rest of yard sale season, and if I can't find anything that way, I'll break down and probably buy an Apex.
BTW, did the measurement, the tv can be up to 20" from bottom to top of the casing.