think ive narrowed it down to these...

[determined]

in my search for lcd hdtvs i think ive narrowed it down to these 2...

Sony Bravia
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7683312&type=product&id=1134703573276&DC...oc=MSYmmmmmmmj

Samsung
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7682527&type=product&productCategoryId=p...=1134703182017

which of the 2 would u guys recommend for the following use..

xbox 360
watching tv
use as a computer monitor
and it also needs home theater/surround sound input capabilites

if u would recommend something else feel free to share, thx for the input

peace

[neomaine]

Just put my money done on a Sceptre 42" LCD HDTV (true 1080p) for $1599 (plus $50 membership...) at costco.com....no shipping charges.

Been researching LCD HDTVs for quite awhile now. Coupled with having two Sceptre 19" monitors at home for a year or so, I went for it. The only thing it didn't have that I was looking for was a CableCard slot should I want to go back to cable from satelite and not need a cablebox. Oh, well. The media box (just one cable going to the TV!) has 2 HDMI/DVI (HDCP), 1 component, 1 vga, an s-video and a couple of components.

Here's a link: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11098479&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=

- Xbox360.
I've got one too. The max output is 720p. Everything else is upcoverted internally. Personally, I plan on keeping the 360 at 720p and let the TV do the scalling if necessary.

- Watching TV.
You'll need a satellite signal (always digital anyway) or get lucky with a VERY clean cable signal. All HDTVs have a hard time with standard def signals. LCDs in particular have a hard time with SDTV with ANY kind of signal noise. Though this may be moderately better depending on the brand.

- Computer monitor.
I didn't check with your two, but I'd assume they have a VGA input or you wouldn't be looking at them. I've seen too many issues (though not always) with connecting via HDMI/DVI from what I've read. Either way, both the TV's your looking at are only 720p. You'll want the virtually DOUBLE amount of pixels is=f your going to be serious about the computer hookup.

- Home theater.
I think you meant OUTPUT capabilities. I know its got a passive sub output. THe built in speakers a rather ordinary as is common. Not sure if that's what you're looking for. I plan on getting seperate speakers at some point. Not sure about the surround hookup through a seperate a/v receiver. You'll have to compare that yourself.

I'm not trying to sell you the Sceptre, but prices are diving right now and 1080p is here. The bang for the buck on this set finally hit my sweet spot. I'd look for something similar.

My other suggestion would be, if you're going the cable box or satelite route, would be to look at HD monitors, those sets w/o the tv tuners. The tv tuners are really on there if you'll be hooking up directly to cable (the Sceptre does do QAM so will accept all UNencrypted digital cable channels w/o a cable box) or an OTA antenna.