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Review : Magnavox 15-inch LCD Monitor TV
Yesterday I took a bit of a gamble and spent four hundred bucks on a LCD TV. I have been contemplating it for some time. I know that they can be quite expensive and most consumers do not know what exactly they are.
I purchased a Magnavox 15-inch 15MF200V LCD Monitor TV. I know that the brand name Magnavox does not instill thoughts of quality but I figured that it was probably a re-branded product made in China like all the rest of the high-tech gadget market. I dare you to show me an equivalent product that is 100% made in America. It is the New World Order I swear to God.
I had first fallen in love with a 17-inch wide-screen LCD monitor TV by Gateway that I saw at Best Buy but the company discontinued making LCD TVs that size and they only had the display model left. There was an similar LCD monitor TV made by Dell that got good reviews but after shipping and tax the $730 was a little too much. So I started to consider the Magnavox LCD Monitor TV that I saw at a several other retailers. I read some positive reviews on Amazon.com and other websites before making up my mind that it will do what I want it to do and I could get it without having to break a wad out of savings or buying into some shaky long term payment plan. After looking at some of the models available in my area and doing some research online I weighed my options. Having made up my mind went straight to my local Fred Meyers and came back with the TV like I was trotting off to get a carton of milk. My Girlfriend Kymberly thought it was a bit random. I am weird like that.
So far I am pretty damn impressed with it. I did not have to break the bank and DVDs, video games, VHS and TV all looks pretty slick. I first got hooked on watching movies on my Laptop PC LCD screen. My eyes are slightly near sighted so I would benefit more from a smaller LCD TV closer on my coffee table rather than a larger one over on the wall or across the room. The 15-inch screen really does not feel small at all and it dished out a good viewing experience without taking up a lot of space. The monitor has a built in resolution of 1024 X 768 but it's graphic chips handle standard TV resolutions just fine. I could hook up a PC or my laptop to this baby if I wanted to. The monitor has built in stereo speakers and can take a standard video jack, two audio input sources, Coaxial cable, S-Video and a normal Analog VGA PC cable. I don't see a point for me personally in investing in HDTV equipment when the technology is still in flux.
The buttons are located on the top of the TV Monitor and it comes with a pretty nice remote. My only real issue is that there is an external AC adapter ( like the Gamecube )but it can use a standard jack and it only takes up one space on a power strip. When switching from TV to monitor mode or Video Game mode you need to press two buttons. One to switch the Video input and another for the audio input. I guess you could listen to the TV news while playing PS2 but I doubt I will be doing that on a daily basis. Besides I get most of my daily news from Google News and the Daily Show with John Stewart. John Stewart looks good on it by the way. The design of the unit looks futuristic but the sweeping stand feels a bit retro. Anywhoozle it is currently sitting on top of my PS2 on my coffee table. It is totally silent had looks damn good up close.
I had to tweak the colors setting a bit to get to a setting optimum for games. Racing games like Wipeout Fusion look glorious on it and 3d fighting games look damn sexy. 2D games actually look pretty good one it considering the resolution smoothing and there are no ghosting. Guilty Gear X2 looks orgasmic on it. It has a pretty good viewing angle but I would not want to entertain the entire Boston Philharmonic Orchestra on just one monitor. I got it for watching DVDs, games and some TV for one or two players and sometimes some cats. I know it is not the absolute cutting edge and that I will loose Akihabara street cred by even owning the thing but I wanted to ween myself from the CRT for good. At least I did not have to pawn my teeth fillings to get it.
Jake at September 28, 2004 
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Comments
Oh I found out that the audio switches with the video at one button press and it was designed and built in Taiwan.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at September 28, 2004 07:35 PM
How is this working with the cat's favorite napping area being the top of the television? Seems like a disaster waiting to happen!
Posted by: Mici at September 30, 2004 06:50 PM
everyday can be a disaster with these cats
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at September 30, 2004 09:24 PM
Hi Jake and thanks for taking a look at this. I am an adolescent father of two girls, 11&13. I am also a novice pc geek.I am trying to abide by all the new laws concerning burning cd's,but it's getting pretty fucking expensive.I know theres other ways to get free music, I am just a little stressed for time to try the trial and error thing.You can get the music to play on your pc,so I am thinking there is a way to record and burn maybe? Help me out here. I am looking for short cuts. Ps. Is it possible for two computers to work off of one cable connection and can you both work on line at the same time.Would a router work with this.Hope you can help, Keith
Posted by: Keith Desroche at October 13, 2004 01:12 PM
1. download and learn Apple iTunes. It is free.
2. yes you need a router.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at October 13, 2004 10:41 PM