so hi, I am new, I paid my 20 bucks about a week ago and have read post after post, i have seen the lists of monitors to get and monitors not to get, but I want to know in your opinion what monitor should i purchase to fit my needs the best. I simply want a projector I could easily attach a dvd player to, connect my computer to and have a second screen if I get bored, and a projector I can watch television on, all without having to use a computer to run everything. In all of the posts I havent found a monitor that jumps out and says hey this is great for these things. Is it cost efficiant and easy to create a projector that uses a computer monitor then adding in the required bits to connect it to a dvd player and watch tv on. Or is it best to just buy the samsung flat screen tv and strip it out and use that, even thou the tv is 430 bucks. Does the tv have everything built in to where i could have all the connections easily accessible on the side of my box, will i have to add hardware to make it similar to the one posted in these forums using the tv. I am just looking for the easiest way to be able to do this, and have the least amount of extra hardware to install, and have a nice quality image that my friends will be jealous of. So in your opinion what would you do if you had to do it all over again from scratch. Thanks for the help, i am sorry if there is a post that step by step helps me choose a monitor, if there is a post i have not yet seen it.

You want component hook ups? (HDTV)

i would like to have everything enclosed in the box, with rca inputs, cable inputs, sounds outputs, and a computer monitor input on the side of the box. would i be able to do this easier with the viewsonic nextvision n6 and a computer monitor, or would i be able to it easier with the flatpanel tv, i understand that the television has all of these inputs built in

Either would be relatively easy but to answer your first question I need to know if you want component inputs. If you do the cost is more.

yes i would like component inputs

Ok your choices are a 15" monitor ($225) and an N6 scan converter ($150) or the Samsung LCD TV (what's the current price? $475?)

the best price i have found for the converter is 170 without shipping costs. and the best price i have found on the samsung tv is 427. the final price for either setup seems to end up in the same range, around 425 bucks or so, give or take 20. is the quality of one setup going to be any higher than the quality of another?

The good thing about the two seperate components is that you have added security. Once you strip your LCD, the warrenty is void and your on your own.

If you get an LCD TV for 425 dollars and mess it up in the process, your out 425 dollars. Whereas if you get a monitor for 230 dollars and mess it up your out 250 dollars and you can still use the 170 dollar N6.

Neither way will save you money upfront but the two seperate components will save you money if you mess up. Also, the quality of the LCD panel will be the same or better (depends on the monitor).

Also, be sure your LCD TV has ALL of the great features the N6 does (Like HD ready hookups, PIP, etc). This will give you the difference between 2 seperate or all in one.

You could also spend a little more on the monitor and get one with VGA and DVI in for even better quality (309 for a BenQ 597) then you'll have the best hookup for HD. To get that in a LCD TV you would have to spend at least 700 dollars for it and that makes this project alittle bit harder to swallow.

One more good thing about separate components is upgradability. You can upgrade your LCD later, cheaper than having one component. Same thing with the N6.

Thanks,
Zendance

Thanks Zendance, I had forgotten that part. That is a very nice plus.

Rorshach mentioned that the N5 has component and is cheaper.

The N5's component inputs aren't HD inputs though, just progressive, therefore you don't have the option of HD later on.

i appreciate all of the feedback from yall (im from texas), this makes the 20 dollars spent on the design an even better bargain. I dont want anyone to feel I didnt listen to your feedback, but today i purchased a samsung flat screen tv on ebay, the reason i purchased it is that it is the exact monitor that tryn2havefun used in his build, and i got the monitor for 320 bucks, 338 shipped, it came out to be quite a bargain. I originally went on ebay and typed in lcd to look for a monitor after reading what everyone said and didnt see to many great buys, then i got the idea to search for the tv, found one and felt it would be a fair deal. Hope everything works out in the long run, the way i see it, if i find a better deal on an lcd before i crack open the monitor then i could sell the tv back on ebay again. that or i have a cool tv for my bathroom http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=3089292129 is the auction

That's a great price, good deal.

That is an awesome price... Wheres the catch? Good find foamcows. That beats getting them separate.

yah im worried about there being a catch also, but hey i had to take a chance, ill keep ya up to date on the setup, would anyone get anything out of a video teardown of one of the monitors, not just pictures? maybe that could be my contribution to the forum

one worry that just shot into my head, what if this is the B model and not the X, is the ffc issue really bad? i have seen posts saying it has a toshiba screen and it wont work, but i havent seen any posts that describe more in detail what sucks about the toshiba screen.