Remanufactured Magnavox 26MF605W/17 26"-Inch Widescreen HD-Ready LCD TV
Great PC Monitor, High Definition TV, Cool Factor, & Price!
We initially purchased the Magnavox 26 in. 26MF605W HDTV monitor with the intention of using it solely as a large PC monitor.  The 26 in. monitor was to replace my 17 in. flat screen LCD monitor in our bed room.  We bought it in August 2005 from Sears for $850 on sale, which was a great bargin at the time.   <br /> <br />Performing as a PC monitor, the display offers beautiful resolution and clearity.  When I first pluged everything in I didn't know if I could keep it, because of the brightness.  After adjusting the brightness setting in PC mode all the way to 0, however, every thing was fine.  I'm so spoiled having my 26 in. flat screen monitor at home that I feel like I should also have one at work.  It is hard to imagine how we got along with our 17 in. in the past.  It is everything I hoped for in a monitor, and more.     <br /> <br />After having the monitor for about a month I discovered that it had HDTV capability as well, and figured I'd explore maximizing all of its talents.  The eyes of my understanding were enlighted, and I was introduced to the wonder, awe inspiring world of high definition television!  I never imagined that TV could be so colorful, bright, rich, sharp, and just a joy to watch until that day, September 9, 2005 when the Comcast guy came over and hooked me up!   <br /> <br />The high definition inputs can be provided to the TV in only (2) ways; through the composite, (red green, blue), video cables, which I use, and/or through a DVI cable, (analog and digital format).  In addition to these (2) input modes and the PC, VGA input mode it also has (3) AV inputs, (2) S video inputs, a Coaxial input, and a separate non high definition composite input, along the side and bottom of the TV.  You'll never run out of inputs!  The TV also has picture in picture mode, which is only active when you are in PC mode, so if you have the coaxial cable connected to an antenna or cable TV you can watch TV while using it as a PC monitor.       <br /> <br />Withthe great performance of the device, you have to also mention the cool factor.  Its really thin and big in all the right places, (sexy)!  Its really cool to have the monitor on your desktop, and you still have space for other things, (keyboard, mouse, lamp, telephone).  The flat screen frames nicely on a wall also, but I don't think I'll ever do that. <br /> <br />There are some draw backs however, or opportunities for improvement.  While the TV displays stunning high definition content, the standard definition progamming seems to lag in picture quality in comparison to my standard definition, (regular), TV.  From reading around, however, and talking to sales men, this is pretty typical of most high definition TVs.  Also, turning the monitor on after cutting it off is a little tricky.  You cannot use the remote control to turn the monitor off when in PC input mode.  You have to go over and push the button.  Same way, you can't turn it back on with the remote control after its off, (in PC mode).  You can use the remote to turn it on when in HDTV or any of the other modes, but sometimes it takes a while for the monitor to warm up after it has been off for a while, (say over night). I end up turning it on and off a couple of times before it gets fire and ready to go.  I typically hear the sound before I the picture comes on.  The sound quailty is good, and adequate, but I wouldn't say its spectacular.  For my bedroom, I'm not really looking to blast anything, however, so this isn't a real big issue for me.  Most people who have a HDTV hook it up to a home theater system so they can enjoy the sourround sound associated with high def. broad casts, and maybe I'll do the same one day.  On top of that, the only other thing is that the TV does not have a built in HDTV tuner, which doesn't allow you to watch over the air broadcasts in stunning high definition without a separte HDTV tuner, high definition cable set top box, or High definition stalite reciever.  But the monitor doesn't advertise itself as having that either it only states its a HDTV monitor.   <br /> <br />All things considered, its an excellent product, I'd buy another one, but my current Standard Definition TV in my living room is performing just fine.  The TV performed equally if not even more impressively as a High Definition TV as it does a PC monitor.  The many inputs also offer future uses if it interests me some day.  I'm so impressed with the HDTV that I'm thinking of buying the company's 15 in. HDTV or 17 in. monitor so that I can have a smaller TV in addition to the Standard Definition one in my living room.  The 15 in. monitor that Magnavox offers has not faired as well with the customer reviews, however, but the Phillips model has gotten good ratings.   <br /> <br />I will say, this was easily the best purchase I've made in a while and I'm truly satified with the product!