Need "TV for Gaming" Advice

**l Maximus l** · 06-06-2003

Originally posted by Lynxfx-XBA
And flat is always better than concaved. :wink: Just run a geometry test pattern and you will see why.

Yes, flat is technically better, however, for the money for a quality flat screen, one might as well as save a few more bucks and go with HDTV instead. Know what I mean, dewd!?

**bretman1234** · 06-08-2003

I finally got enough dough to buy that TV from walmart that was posted earlier. Should I pull the trigger? Does anyone see any better deals around?
Thanks

**bretman1234** · 06-08-2003

bump

**VenoM** · 06-08-2003

Originally posted by bretman1234
I finally got enough dough to buy that TV from walmart that was posted earlier. Should I pull the trigger? Does anyone see any better deals around?
Thanks

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...%3A3996%3A4560

theres another i have my eye on...about 54 bucks extra (compared to the apex 27in at walmart) its a flat screen 27in and has component video inputs

its a new one added to the tv's at wallmarts

**LynxFX** · 06-08-2003

Originally posted by Maximus-XBA

Yes, flat is technically better, however, for the money for a quality flat screen, one might as well as save a few more bucks and go with HDTV instead. Know what I mean, dewd!?

Just so I know we are on the same page, I'm talking flat as in picture tube flat, and not flat panel or plasma. I think we are talking the same but just wanted to make sure.

But going to a flat screen isn't much more as the $189 tv he found above proves. Going to HDTV however, jumps the price a bit more than a few more bucks, as the cheapest HDTV is running around $700, give or take.

**0101010** · 06-08-2003

I was in the same boat as you, and I got the 24" Apex from Circuit City for $169. I think it's a bit cheaper now, and it has S-video input. It's not the best, but it's good for gaming. I love it.

**Tim** · 06-09-2003

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the input! Today is my birthday and my wife surprised be with a new TV in the bonus room (ain't marriage great!) She got me the Apex 20" flat tube with component and S-Video inputs. (I wonder if she was looking through my TV research file)

I'll let you know tomorrow how it looks!!

**ARONO129** · 06-09-2003

A 20" TV is a good size. I bought a 20" Samsung. Awesome picture. I prefer it to my 32" RCA (7 years old) but still good.

**Brutus** · 06-09-2003

Do you guys realize the worth of an APEX anything?! Have you seen like the quality of any of there other products!? I still remain a huge sceptic of the APEX brands of products.

Mine was cheaper than their's too! Its a GE 32" with S-video, and Picture in picture! How is it cheaper you may ask. Because I bought it used! Get the most for your money!

I went to my local pawn shop and seen it priced at $225. I haggled them all the way down to $100, even! I stole it from them. And it came with a pimp @$$ RCA remote with a light up screen which works perfectly with the dvd-playback kit and my home theater system. It makes me more than happy, and I'm glad that I passed up the 20" APEX because even I checked em' out.

The GE is also just a '96. Not to shabby I say for the performance and most importantly, the price!

So if your looking for the best at the best price and on a budget that sucks, go down to your local Sunset Strip!

**VenoM** · 06-11-2003

well...just got me a new tube today

got this one

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...%3A3996%3A4560

i love it, the best thing about it is i only really paid 92 bucks for it

gonna play some wolfy in a little bit to test run it

it has component video inputs ....what should i get for better picture.... is this the cable i should get http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=801331
im no tv expert so help me out guys....what should i get in order to use the component video inputs which is the best vid quality?...i know hdtv is but whats the best besides hdtv?

**prakeem** · 06-12-2003

I bought an Apex 20 inch TV from best buy for my Xbox. So far, no problems, and it works great!

**bigbcstunna** · 06-12-2003

ok what you are going to want to go for is a daewoo 20" flat screen with componet video then go get some monster cables and this equals an amzeing picture with great sound!
best buy soud have a daewoo tv.

**bretman1234** · 06-12-2003

Here is my TV:
http://www.sears.com/sr/product/summ...id=05747331000

it is awesome for xbox, and its got a great remote too. In sears, they had a bunch of these set up with xbox's attached showing us that its THE tv for xbox.

**nycgamer** · 06-12-2003

I would agree that Panasonic is a good brand, and even though a flat screen is "cool" to look at and saves space, you can get a standard TV with a much bigger screen for the same money - and if you're like me, you want a bigger picture for your games.

**MerimacHamwich** · 06-12-2003

Originally posted by VenoM
well...just got me a new tube today got this one

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...%3A3996%3A4560

i love it, the best thing about it is i only really paid 92 bucks for it gonna play some wolfy in a little bit to test run it it has component video inputs ....what should i get for better picture.... is this the cable i should get http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=801331
im no tv expert so help me out guys....what should i get in order to use the component video inputs which is the best vid quality?...i know hdtv is but whats the best besides hdtv?

There is something you should know here. TV's cannot change resolution, well regular tube TV's cannot. Therefor you will always be getting a 480i image. No matter what cables you get you will have that resolution. I was under the impression before that if you used S-Video cables the resolution would up to 480p but now I am pretty sure I was wrong.
Continuing on, the different picture qualities in general you can get are as follows:
480i - regular television.
480p - EDTV (Enhanced Defintion Television), can be attained by using S-Video, Component, or DVI cables. As well as an HDTVready or true HDTV. However, with an HDTV ready television the source of the image will need to be broadcasting in 480p to obtain the 480p resolution.
720p - HDTV, can be attained by using Component or DVI cables. An HDTV Ready or HDTV television is needed. Same broadcasting rules apply.
1080i - HDTV, can be attained the same way as 720p.

However, seeing as you only have a tube television those do not apply to you. What you will be looking for is the best cables for video transfer. The cables will not up your resolution, as I said before, however they can provide better video and audio transfer resulting in better colors due to less intereference from outside sources.

Video Transfer cables, best to worst:
DVI (Not normally found on regular televisions, only on HDTV Ready and HDTV television sets.) - Video Only
Component - Video Only
S-Video - Video Only
RCA - Video and Audio transfer
Coaxial/Cable TV cable - Video and Audio
RF
UHF

I posted more detailed information on why the cables are better in an earlier post in this thread. Look for it.

In your case I would just use RCA or S-Video cables. There really is no need to go Component. You won't notice a huge difference if any at all. The Xbox comes with RCA cables so you won't have to buy the Advanced AV pack like you do with S-Video.

**MixMasta** · 06-12-2003

I have a 65" Mitibushi 1080i Widescreen HDTV, and I have had it for going on 5 years in the fall. My dad bought it when it first came out for about 6,000 + 1,000 for the set box. We used to only get ABC/NBC/UPN/FOX/PBS/CBS, but 2 years ago we picked up the a Mitibushi Direct TV set and replaced our RCA Direct TV with this new HDTV compatible eliptical dish, and now I have some of the other HDTV channels such as ESPN, and Showtime and HBO. The best thing is the TV is practically my own, considering I'm the only one who uses the basement, so It's me, and my Xbox in glorious HDTV gaming. It pays to have parents that buy stuff like TV's, cause damn are they expensive. I don't know why I posted that, just felt like bragging I guess....hmmm, that Apex Flatscreen would go good in my room, for when I move my Xbox up here, right now I currently have a 27" POS Hallmark(wtf,never even heard of this brand!!) and a crappy Pelican RF adapter that makes the sound ****ed up on my Xbox when I play it. Now I just have to find 200 bucks.......

**Tim** · 06-12-2003

I got the TV up and running! Sweet! Picture looks awesome!! I know there has been some sceptisism on the Apex brand, but so far so good! If I have any problems, I will be sure to post them.

**MerimacHamwich** · 06-12-2003

I have a 43" Widescreen HDTV Hitachi. Used to have a 51" but it was too big for the room. You're not the only gamer in Hi-Fi here MixMasta. Add my Panasonic DD 5.1/DTS set up and I am rolling aorund in heaven.

**LynxFX** · 06-12-2003

Originally posted by MerimacHamwich

480p - EDTV (Enhanced Defintion Television), can be attained by using S-Video, Component, or DVI cables.

Just a little correction. You can not get a progressive image using S-Video cables. S-Video is only capable of interlaced images.

Tim, you can find out more information relating to that kind of stuff on my HDTV website: http://hdtv.lynxfx.com/

Enjoy your new tv.