television

[chhotii]

I have caved in, and opted to arrange for cable TV in the new apartment. Let's see how it affects our lifestyle. So, meanwhile I need a television. I need it by April 30 if the installation of service is going to happen as scheduled.

I don't think it would be worth it to attempt to lug the TV I bought in 1996 from the house to the new apartment. It would require a digital converter of some kind, I think, which I don't have time to figure out. It's deep and bulky and would be awkwardly perched on top of the piece of furniture I have in mind, compared to a flat-screen. The extra electricity it would use might actually outweigh the environmental impact of the manufacture of a newer item.

I think perhaps Rich has an under-utilized spare television at the house which I could take on unlimited loan; but, not sure of that.

At the office we bought a couple of fairly large computer monitors for a project that isn't going to start up for a bit. At least not both computers right away. So maybe I could borrow one, at least long enough to get through the RCN installation, while I decide what I want and/or look for deals. Are television sets and computer monitors interchangeable at this point, in terms of what type of input they require? If both a computer and the cable box connect to a screen using HDMI, what, really, is the difference between a TV and a monitor any more?

Maybe do I need to buy a television set eventually. At least at the point when I need to return the computer monitor to the lab. Any opinions on where to shop for such, or what features to look for?

Comments

[persis.livejournal.com]

Best Buy has a bunch of flat screen options, in a wide variety of sizes. The salespeople seem to be knowledgeable and pleasant to work with, not trying to up sell. Other than that, think of what size you want, and how crisp an image. Just my 2 cents. (I upgraded from our about 14 year old tube TV 2.5 years ago.)

[deguspice.livejournal.com]

I have a 24" LCD computer monitor (VGA) from LG. It has a digital TV turner (ATSC) so you can attach rabbit ears (for local viewing) or hook it up directly to the cable TV system (if the system doesn't require that you use a box). It does Picture-in-Picture, so you can watch a TV program in the corner of the screen while using the computer.

If you're looking for a computer monitor that you can occasionally use as a TV, I'd go to Microcenter in Cambridge and look at the screens in person.

A nice thing about an LCD monitor is that it's light enough that you can easily move it from your computer desk to the coffee table in the living room to watch a movie on the couch.

If you're going to use the monitor as a TV tuner, you'll want to make sure it has audio out (most monitors come with tiny speakers).

And when ever you buy something from a place like Microcenter or Bestbuy, carefully check the tape sealing the box and make sure it's intact and the original tape (I had to return the first monitor because it came with the wrong brand of power supply (my guess is someone bought a laptop and monitor together and then accidentally swapped the power supplies when they returned them)).