Acer AT3704 LCD TV

I am looking for a new television set for myself, and so far the only one I have found that has all of the features I want is the Acer AT3704 LCD TV (link below). However, I can't find anyplace to purchase on in the U.S. Does anyone know where I might be able to buy one of these, or even if they are available in the U.S.? The specs indicate that it should work with the U.S. signals. Alternatively, any other options for a new TV with the following specs:

VGA, DVI, and HDMI connectors, 16:9 aspect ratio, adjustable color temperature, and PIP would be the minimum. A decent remote control and channel surfing ffeatures would also be nice.

Acer links:
http://global.acer.com/products/lcd_tv/at3704.htm
http://global.acer.com/products/lcd_tv/index.htm


Thanks.

I can't seem to find any US sites either, most UK sites said it supported PAL, but a couple mentioned NTSC too, i also found an australian site that has them, just none in the US.

If you were looking for an alternative, would you want the same size? any preference on resolution? do you want full HD support? (1080 - thus needing 1920 x 1080 res). I'd recommend Samsung as a manufacturer to look at for an alternative, i got myself one recently, very similar to what you require: HD/Widescreen/VGA/DVI/PIP/PBP/Virtual Surround Sound, but unfortunately no HDMI.

This one comes close to what you're after: http://www.samsung.com/Products/TV/L...Specifications

Liam

Another: Here


Liam

Liam:

Thanks for the info. My previous TV set lasted a long time, and I would want the new one to do the same, although I'm not sure the new LCD sets are really designed to last more than a few years. With this in mind however, I'd like to have as many features as possible so it isn't completely obsolete five minutes after I get it home.

I would want 1080 support, although any decent screen size would be OK. I don't really need a large set, and those are expensive anyway. One other nice feature would be a CableCard slot, even though U.S. cable companies are still resisting using these. A remote control that has buttons for the PIP feature without wading through on-screen menus would also be a major plus.

The LG model does not appear to have the PIP feature, but it does have an RS-232 control port and a wored remote control port. Given the choice though, I'd prefer the PIP feature.

The Samsung model does have PIP and a Swap buton on the remote.

I may just get the item in the link below for now and wait for more info on the Acer or a better choice. Any additional ideas or choices wuold be appreciated.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824160141

Pretty sweet looking tv jdc .. can we see pics when you get it?

Hmmm, it forces 1080interpolated from 1280 x 768, mine is 1440 x 900, and i thought i'd be stuck with 720p (Not that it's a bad thing) i'm guessing that it uses DVI?

Thinking about it, mine would be a good alternative, minus the HDMI port, still HD via DVI, and plenty of choice for sending sound seperately. Also has a scart/s-video/component/RCA/headphone socket/VGA, and a 55W front speaker that delivers virtual surround sound, PIP and PBP, 700:1 CR, 16:10 format, and pretty nice size @ 19", also works in every country, and it's a Samsung.:)

http://www.samsung.com/Products/Moni...19DOWSSXAA.asp

Retailers in the US of A: http://www.samsung.com/products/b2c_...ere_to_buy.htm

Liam

Liam:

Thanks for the link to the Samsung 940MW. It looks good as a PC monitor with additional TV capabilities. The PIP works on ly in PC mode though, no watching 2 programs at the same time.

That's true, i'm using it as a secondary monitor via DVI, until the PS3 comes out in November, and then i'll be buying a HDMI adapter to use it with the PS3.

I suppose if you had a TV Card, you could watch another channel in PIP, and a channel on the computer, obviously that would mean it would have to be used as a monitor permanently. PIP also shows any inputs when in PC mode, such as a Sky/Cable STB, or a games console, you can also do PBP which is basically splitscreen.


Liam

Update:

After finding the user manual for the AT3704, it appears that it also only supports PIP with the VGA as one of the sources, so I am still looking for a set with all of its features AND a usable PIP function. Some of the other Acer sets do have a usable PIP function, but they do not have all of the other features.

It looks like Dell has some nice TV's, but with a 16 ms response time.

You could use a Component-to-VGA cable to achieve PIP from a source such as a cable TV set top box....other than that i'm not aware of any T.V's that will allow PIP when using it with one source, would it require dual tuners for this?


Liam

Aha! I found one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=172282

Not the best make, but does what you want it to from the bulleted spec list.


Liam

Liam:

Thanks for the research. I'll have to check out the Syntax Olevia lineup more closely. The reviews on the model you linked are mostly positive, with the remote control and the lack of display settings being the biggest problems. Of course, the model is discontinued now, so I'd have to check out their current lineup.

To clarify the PIP issue, I'd like to be able to watch two (or more) tv pictures at once. However, many of the TV's I have found allow for the main TV tuner as one source and ONLY the computer VGA connector as the second source, some require that the TV tuner source be the secondary one only (small inset picture). My old TV, and any TV with a worthwhile PIP feature allows you to select which two input sources to use - they can be any of the available inputs. You may still need a second tuner, but if you are using a VCR or DVR you have one available that can be connected to one of the video inputs.

Update:

LG does have a comparison chart available on their site. Some of their models do have PIP capability for watching 2 programs at once. Links below:

http://us.lge.com/products/category/list/tv|audio|video_lcd%20flat%20panel.jhtml

http://us.lge.com/products/model/detail/tv|audio|video_lcd%20flat%20panel__37LB1DA.jhtml

Viewsonic also has a similar model that might be almost as good:

http://www.viewsonic.com/products/tv.../lcdtv/n3760w/

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16889116004

I'm a fan of LG for household electronics, and TV's, and a fan of Viewsonic for this monitors, but i'd probably go for the LG (The 37") for the extra HDMI input, and the XD feature.

Would you pay for the first one? I just checked and it has no HDMI port, just a HDCP DVI.

Liam

The LG 37LB1DA has the PIP feature and it should have 2 HDMI ports and a CableCard slot. Unfortunately, I can't seem to download the manual for it from LG's web site. It is a Javascript link and nothing happens when I click on it.

The Viewsonic N3760w also shows an HDMI port, but you need a serial number from one before you can download the manual. Why that is I have no idea.