Sharp LC26P50E and LC-26GA5E

[fourmthree]

Hello, this is my first post so be gentle...

I'm replacing the gaming set up in my room and with the X360 having HD output; the temptation to exploit this has put me in a quandary concerning what LCD to use. I'm caught between the Sharp LC26P50E and the LC-26GA5E or even the Samsung LE26R41B but don't have much idea of what the difference is.

I want some degree of future proofing and all round PQ because Sky will be getting plumbed into the games room from downstairs and I may even find the time to watch the occasional DVD. Naturally I'll be expanding the sound to make use of the surround output from the X360 and the DVD player.

So, I was wondering what my considerations should be. Are LCD's susceptible to input from games consoles? Will I experience any degradation from the signal from this level of use? Are the units I'm looking at any good?

My brother has worked for Linn and Loewe in the past but he can't advise me on this form of input - it's mostly only been traditional input devices and not games consoles.

Thanks for taking the time to read and any advice you can give me is most appreciated!

fourmthree

 

[neilmcl]

Hello and welcome to the forums. The Xbox360 will output games at 720p via a component connection so it's important that any display you look at will be able to handle this OK. This pretty much means that you should be looking at a HD Ready display to get the most from your gaming. Instead of the Sharp LC26P50E, which is a great all rounder and particular good for standard def. TV and DVD, consider the LC26GA6 or the LC26GD7. I would prefer these over the Samsung but that's not to say that the Samsung isn't a good buy also.

 

[fourmthree]

Thanks for the reply.

I thought the Xbox360 will be able to output 1080i also? Those HD ready units are a touch out of my price range - my wife got sick of the 24"CRT in my room and is treating me to something sleek instead. £600 is the ceiling she's (un)officially placed on the spend though...

Is HD really a consideration then? Am I likely to notice the difference?

EDIT:
Actually, I can get the Samsung for £584.50 Samsung LE26R41B (delivered). Is that a good deal?

fourmthree

 

[neilmcl]

Thanks for the reply.

I thought the Xbox360 will be able to output 1080i also? Those HD ready units are a touch out of my price range - my wife got sick of the 24"CRT in my room and is treating me to something sleek instead. £600 is the ceiling she's (un)officially placed on the spend though...

Is HD really a consideration then? Am I likely to notice the difference?

EDIT:
Actually, I can get the Samsung for £584.50 Samsung LE26R41B (delivered). Is that a good deal?

fourmthree

AFAIK the Xbox360 can also output at 1080i but most games will be developed for 720p. If gaming is you're main concern then stick to a HD Ready set like the Samsung or Sharp GA6 but if you want something thats going to get the best out of existing TV and DVD then probably the P50 is the one to go for, it all depends upon your priorities. Do a search on the Samsung to get more info and possibly prices.

 

[mr-monday]

It's questionable whether you'd notice the extra resolution on a 26 incher, so the P50 might fit the bill.

I'd wait for the 360 come out before making your mind up. Boring, I know!

 

[FlyingBig]

The Sharp LCD will scale the 720p image down to its max resolution so it all depends how good the inbuilt scaler is and thinking how good my current xbox looked at 480p on my plasma i don't think a 720p image will look THAT much better? Personally from a distance of 1,2 metres the difference would be hard to detect so for this reason i would consider the Sharp as £800 delivered from Currys for a 32 inch TV that s compatibale with HD is fantastic, now if only i could get one that was free from dead/stuck pixels