32" and 20" Displays For A Bar

[Alex2507]

I've been asked to reccomend something for a guy looking to get four 20" and two 32" displays for a bar. A resolution of 720p will be fine. I'm pretty sure the 20 inchers can go up in size a little to accommodate a 16:9 display.

The deal is that he will only pay with cash so it has to be from a local B&M store. I am looking for recommendations for one brand over another and specific models.

I've got until Monday to come up with something intelligent to say.

 

[jostenmeat]

This is interesting, Alex. Do you guys truly understand how tiny 20" is at 16:9?

Anyways, stay away from Dynex with a 10 ft pole. I've read that having firewire and USB cards come DOA.

I've never seen a Sharp LCD that I did not absolutely detest. I presume with so many displays, at a bar, that this will be for sports. Every Sharp I've seen is just horrendous with motion, and its very detectable from great distances (or tiny viewing angles). Just my experiences...

However, I don't even know what choices there are. I doubt any plasmas are made that small, but I would just at least stick with a brand name.

Then haggle for a large package discount.

 

[Jack Hammer]

I've been asked to reccomend something for a guy looking to get four 20" and two 32" displays for a bar. A resolution of 720p will be fine. I'm pretty sure the 20 inchers can go up in size a little to accommodate a 16:9 display.

The deal is that he will only pay with cash so it has to be from a local B&M store. I am looking for recommendations for one brand over another and specific models.

I've got until Monday to come up with something intelligent to say.

I'd tell him to look at some 37" to 42" tv's. The 20", and even 32", looks ok sized up close, but if you put it in a bar they're gonna look tiny from 10-20'+ away. The 20's will likely be too small in the long run and he may not be happy. Factor in the price difference of not that much more to get a 37" and I think it'll be a better fit. That said, if it's in a bar (I understood you to mean a commercial bar, not someones home bar) I'd really go with a name brand with reliability. Those sets will be on 8-12 hours a day or so you want something that won't crap out after a year. Tell him he doesn't have to buy all six at once, do a couple now and some more later.

Jack

 

[Alex2507]

Thanks guys. I think Jimmy (owner) has space constraints for the 32" TV's. Based on another thread in here I came up with this:

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/sony-bravia-kdl-32l4000/4505-6482_7-32957413.html

The crazy thing is that the 20" Sonys are not much cheaper.
They are meant for individual tables so the size might be alright but it's what he wants. He asked me to help him pick something in those sizes. I'll give him what I can come up with and a strong recommendation to go as large as possible. He might be after 4:3 in the 20's ... we'll see.

If he actually takes my advice I'll be surprised. So far most people listen to the salesman.

"I sleep better with the extended warranty".
I want to tell them that I sleep better with money in my pocket or a better product.

 

[bandphan]

What is the source for the displays? Is the signal going to be modulated rf?

 

[Alex2507]

What is the source for the displays?

The TV's will be fed by a Comcast HD STB and the 20" TV's will serve double duty from cable and KENO. I'm not sure what the feed is for that yet.

Is the signal going to be modulated rf?

English please? J/K
I'm not 100% about what you are asking me but you're question is making me wonder about the inputs. I did look at the spec's for the Sony but now have to look again.

 

[bandphan]

The TV's will be fed by a Comcast HD STB and the 20" TV's will serve double duty from cable and KENO. I'm not sure what the feed is for that yet. 1 box per display?



English please? J/K
I'm not 100% about what you are asking me but you're question is making me wonder about the inputs. I did look at the spec's for the Sony but now have to look again.

Alot of commercial installations using "settop boxes" modulate the box into the catv wiring on to an open channel (88,89, ect..)and with atsc tuners used to pick up local hd. Some less expensive displays do not handle the modulated signal well.
The 32 sony you linked works well in this type of setup and ive used them before.

 

[Alex2507]

It sounds like the displays would still be able to show different channels which is good. Do you have any suggestions for his ~20" displays?

 

[bandphan]

It sounds like the displays would still be able to show different channels which is good. Do you have any suggestions for his ~20" displays?

Think disposable. At that size its tuff, as mentioned, there are not many that are "above average", into the 23" range. Ive used sammys t220hd for under 360 retail, 22" , built in turner.

 

[Alex2507]

Thanks bandphan. I'm having to do some reading on wikipedia to understand this but now that I think about it a modulated signal will on say channel 88 will be the same on all the displays. He will need multiple boxes. So far this isn't a job but a little friendly advice.