In Reply to: 32" Monitors posted by Sondek on June 26, 2002 at 12:25:21:
I prefer the Tos' tubes, myself. Specifically the invar shadow mask tube they use the their flat screen models. The 32inch flat screen (non-hi def), 32af41, is currently $799 at best buy and hhgregg. A little out of your range, but when you see a set of this calliber, you might be tempted to stretch your budget!! Too bad you missed the 10% sale at best buy last weekend! Then it would have only costed $720. Wow.Personally I perfer these sets to most of the Sony Trinitrons (VVegas). The colors are more vivid and "film-like" if you will. And the color silver, really looks like silver. I would say the Tos' is a bit on the "cool" side. It definitely feels neutral. Contrast that with the VVega, which I find too "warm." (or hot?) But to me it appears "washed out." But don't get me wrong, the VVega is a fine set. In fact is it fantastic. The Tos' just does it for me. Also, when A/B'ing VHS and broadcast TV signals (we spent a better part of a day doing this at a best buy after last christmas), I found the Tos' to be more forgiving of less quality signals (boradcast TV and VHS) than the Sonys. Though on DVD, both are close to equal. So if you or your friend does a significant amount of viewing from lesser quality sources. That is a consideration. At least is was for us.
Also as for more affordable TVs... The regular Tos sets aren't bad, but they aren't remarkable either (unlike their big brothers!). The JVC "D"-series used to be a strong contender here (at least a few years ago they were. Especially then the Sonys were soooo expensive (27inch for $1k type expensive). The D300 and D301 series were great. Though when the D302 came out at Circuit City, I didn't like it as much. As if the quality of the picture went down. So you might want to visually examine them. I also saw a Sharp (not sure on the model) at Sams Club that was pretty good. I think the 32 was well within your budget.
Though, it if were me, I'd stretch to get one of the better Tos' sets. They really are that good - for only a little more money.
Also, most of the samsung sets seems to use sony tubes (contrast with samsunbg computer monitors that use mitsubishi tubes), but cost a little less than the sonys. So that, might be in his budget, too.
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Follow Ups
- Toshiba - Aroc 13:39:57 06/26/02 (4)
- Paid $600 for my Panny - Dalancroft 15:43:41 06/26/02 (3)
- 2nd the motion on the Panny.... my 32" has been great! (NT) - SamM 18:53:40 06/26/02 (0)
- I have not seen the panasonic. - Aroc 18:19:19 06/26/02 (1)
- Model number for Panny - Dalancroft 16:11:30 06/27/02 (0)