LCD Television. To buy, or not to buy...

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...and if so, which one? I've been researching this LCD thing for the past few days and it's giving me a headache. Came across these forums and looked around and it seems like people know their stuff here. So hopefully, someone can help me out.

I'm moving out with a couple of room mates next month and my old 25" CRT finally crapped out. So, I need a new TV and want to save on space. I'm in the market for a 17"-20" LCD TV. I plan on mounting it on the wall, mainly so I can watch it from anywhere in my room and so I can flip it (I play a lot of vertically oriented arcade games--i.e., shmups). I mainly want to watch DVDs and play console games on it (weather it be through S-video or component) with the possibility of a little cable TV watching. So that's my criteria. Here's what I'm looking at:

Philips 17PF9945 / 17PF9936
Here are the full specs for both. I like this one because it's a wide screen with HDTV and it has all the hookups I could possibly want. My only question on this one is, in the manual on page 33, it shows the different viewing formats. Now, for games/TV, I'd rather things not be distorted, so I'd go with the 4:3 windowed mode. Then for DVDs, I'm guessing I'd use the widescreen mode? Would that put black bars, yet smaller than in 4:3, on the top and bottom? I'm really not interested in any of the zoom modes as that'll just look bad, right? A bit confused on this point. My only other concerns with this unit are the contrast ratio (350:1) and the response time (25ms).

Panasonic
TC-17LA1 / TC-20LA1
These are a little less money and are only EDTV (480p). They're 4:3 ratio, which isn't a problem. I'm more concerned about 4:3 looking correct than anything. I just figure if what I mentioned above about the modes on the Philips works, then I'd get more screen when watching DVDs. Also, contrast ratio is higher on these (400:1) and they have a fast response time (16ms).

Then there are the huge range of Sharp AQUOS displays, both 4:3 and widescreen. I haven't looked through all of the models in the sizes I'm looking for, but from what I've read about them people seem to like them.

I'm pretty new to all the tech specs on all of this stuff. I've looked at some displays in person, but I really can't tell much by looking at a Finding Nemo DVD playing on a monitor in a store off of god knows what. I want to hook *my* stuff up to it and fiddle with it (wishful thinking, I know). My major concern at this point is the gaming issue. I want something clear with as little ghosting as possible, if any. I'm aware of the short comings of LCD technology, but space is more important for me at the moment. So, my question is, should I even get one of the above displays (or something else), or just not waste my money? I'm willing to drop the money on one, I just want to be very happy with my purchase.

Any suggestions, comments, help, etc., etc. is much appreciated. Thanks for reading my extremely long-winded post.

[ECA]

Also check out samsung.
EDTV, ISNT HDTV...enhanced def TV is Less than High def TV.

Make sure the pice includes the RIGHT box.
Yep, they have to have a tuning box for the TV. And you cant mix and match. The box does all the work.
And if you want to use your comp with it, make sure you CAN.

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I realize that EDTV lies between SD. Anything other than SD is going to be an improvement over anything I've ever owned. Regarding the tuning box, do certain companies make better quality ones? If so, which ones? Most all the televisions I'm looking at seem to already come with the tuners, either standard or as an option.

I did check out the Samsungs since you suggested them. The LTN1785W has all the features I could want. I saw one in Target yesterday and it looked good. Then I saw the same one in two other places and it looked like crap. Plus, I wasn't too satisfied with the view modes on it.

I think I found the TV I'm looking for though. Surprisingly enough, it's made by Polaroid. The one I saw in Best Buy was the LCD-1700. The picture on this set just blew all the others away. Bright, clear, and viewable from almost any angle I could look at it from. It has all the connections I could possibly need and the view modes on it were great (mainly the 16:9 and 4:3 modes, which I'm most concerned about). The only thing I didn't like about it was the casing on it. It's rather large and the buttons are on the front/bottom of the set.

Now, on their website, they have the LCD-1750 which looks like essentially the same set, but with an added 3 line digital comb filter and a sleeker looking casing (buttons are located on the side). I can't find one of these locally, so is it safe to assume it pretty much has the same screen/picture quality as the LCD-1700? Also, does anyone know anything about Polaroid and their televisions weather it be retail experience with them, etc.? Kind of hard to dig up anything as far as opinions on their home A/V stuff.