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.  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.  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(16:9) 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>Another thing to consider is what component hookups you want, andhow to access them.  Games can be connected in front of the tv (as well as in back) but all other component hookups are in back.  This is comparable to the other televisions I considered.<br />The other televisions I looked 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 a 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.