JVC AV-27FA44 27" Flat-Screen TV (Silver)
Another Winner from JVC!
Over the past 2 months I've gone through quite a saga trying to find the right 27inch tv for our den.  A clue in researching this tv.  I spent several weeks looking for information on JVC L'Art series televisions on the internet with no luck.  After having several 27 inch direct view televisions in our den on a \\"trial\\" basis, and returning them all for unsatisfactory pictures I decided to try this one even though I hadn't found any reviews on it.  While unboxing this monster I saw why I hadn't seen any reviews on it.  Its not a \\"L'Art\\" series tv, its an \\"I'Art\\" series tv.  Still haven't read any reviews on it, but after firing this thing up I didn't need to read any.  After several weeks of post-season baseball I'm totally satisfied.  The picture is on par with the too expensive for me Sony KV-27FV310 (a very worthy tv if you have the $$$), and all the features I want.  Sound is also as good as it gets short of a home theater system, leveling out those irritating commercials that are louder than the program you're watching.   <br />The setup menu like the name, is a little awkward at first, but becomes very user friendly after use.  The remote control is advertised as being illuminated, but only the 4 major function buttons (volume and channel adjustments) are actually illuminated.  Even so, its easy to use, and has seperate buttons for closed-captioning, sound modes, and video modes, which means you don't have to access a menu to change these settings.  DVD and VCR controls are easily used, and the aspect ratio for DVDs can be changed with the push of a button.  <br />There are some potential negatives to this tv.  Size wise its a large tv for a 27 incher, so measure the space you intend to place it in before you buy.  Also this baby weighs as much as a compact sedan, so if you intend to set it up yourself enlist the help of a good friend with a strong back and bad legal council.  Its heavier than any other 27 inch tv sets I looked at.<br />The other televisions Ilooked at were the Toshiba 27AF43, Panasonic CT-27SL13, Sony KV-27FS100, and Sony KV-27FV310.  After comparing these televisions my choices were narrowed to the JVC, and the KV-27FV310.  The Sony has more features and is great tv, but too much money for me.  The JVC stacks up against it very well, with as good a picture, but not the Sony name.