Magnavox HD TV Offers Decent Picture, Sound, Works in Tight Spaces
Written: Jun 27 '08
Product Rating:
Sound:
Ease of Use:
Picture Quality:
Durability:
Pros: Good television for the price, pleasing sound and picture.
Cons: Remote control won't power up television unless main switch is on standby.
The Bottom Line: Newer technology is available, but this Magnavox HD Ready LCD television offers more than sufficient quality and style in small spaces.
MsHooterville's Full Review: Magnavox 15MF605T/17 15 in. TV
Prices on LED televisions have dropped enough that I was able to buy one for my bathroom last year to replace a 13" traditional television that took up too much space.
My bathroom is my Headquarters, and if I could I'd use a remote to control every function in my house from the bathtub so naturally I need a decent television and cordless phone in there.
Most television pictures look pretty good to me, and I'm not hard to please with sound quality, so those of you who are like my husband and my daughter who see and hear things that I don't notice should take my review accordingly. Your criteria might be far more exacting than mine is.
My Criteria: Price, Looks, Space Saving, Good Quality
When shopping for my new television, I wanted the ability to wall mount or sit on the vanity. A remote is essential and so was a neutral color and clean design.
I won this Magnavox model on an eBay auction for $129.00 plus $25 shipping from a seller with good feedback from others who had purchased the same item, and I've been pleased with the quality and operation since November.
My unit was not reconditioned, it was new in the box and sealed. I saw a number of reconditioned units available for sale on eBay and online, but have had unpleasant experiences with them in the past.
Specifications Available Online
Following are the specifications for my television from an Internet store:
LCD Display
Integrated NTSC Tuner
3D Motion Adaptive De-Interlacing
2D Comb Filter
SmartSound
SmartPicture
Component Video Input
Product Specifications
Screen Size : 15 inch
This HD-ready TV is perfect for any room and comes ready for display on a table or wall. You can even use this LCD as a computer monitor for improved display resolution and graphics.
Color : Silver
Inputs : HD Component S Video VGA Composite
Aspect Ratio : 4:3
Brightness : 450 cd/m
Stereo Sound : Yes
Contrast Ratio : 400:1
Resolution : 1024 x 768
Viewing Angle : H/V 130/110 deg
Speaker Output Power : 2 x 3 watts
Panel Response Time : 16 ms
Mine also came with a manual and the remote. Any seller you consider should offer the remote with this television because that's how you control almost every function, even though manual buttons are hidden on the top of the television.
Energy Saving Feature is a Pain
One small drawback is that you can't use the remote to turn on the television. You must leave the main power button in the lower right hand corner on standby (amber light) all the time for the remote to work. When the television is on, the light is green. There is no light at all when it's completely off.
Very Pleased With the Quality
Several years ago I wrote a review about the Sharp Aquos, which is the same size and looks very similar to the Magnavox. Mr. Hooterville spent more than $1,200 for it at the time, which I thought was insane, but he still uses it to this day and loves it. He recently had to buy a new universal remote because the original had been on the fritz for awhile.
To my eyes and ears, the Magnavox looks and sounds every bit as good. If he agrees with me, he won't admit it because I paid a tenth of the price he paid when the LED technology was newer.
The challenge with LED flat panel televisions is viewing angle. When I'm watching the Sharp while working in the kitchen, or my new Magnavox while in the bathtub, the picture quality does darken and at first, I tried to adjust color and contrast from that vantage point without success.
You have to be almost straight on or slight to the left or right to get the full benefit of the crisp, clean and sharp colors.
Sound quality is very good, I definitely notice and appreciate the difference and mono and stereo modes with the Magnavox LCD Display.
If You Need a New TV and See This Deal, Buy
There are now newer units with higher tech features than this Magnavox HD Ready LCD unit, but for the lower prices you can find for this one online, this is a steal and will provide satisfying viewing wherever you want to watch your favorite programs.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
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