Best HDTV's vs Sharp Aquos(Please need help)?

Question

According to CNET these are the top 5 HDTV's

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-hdtvs/

See here's my problem I don't want a plasma even though technically speaking it's a better fit for me(I’m a movie buff). I prefer an LCD, unfortunately for me CNET's review only includes 1 LCD in the top 5. From what I’ve been reading online Samsung seem to be the best LCD HDTV's out there. http://www.consumersearch.com/www/electronics/lcd-tv/review.html

But my original choice was Sharp Aquos(the 1080p or 1080i models).

simply because it seemed like the perfect HDTV overall, it also included this QAM tuner which had me sold instantly.

http://shop.consumersearch.com/sharp_lc-42d64u/linkin_id-8008764/sf-1/pid-45299080/NM-30/ND-30/VA-5/OP-w101

But then there was the Samsung LN52A650 that CNET recommended, and I thought what if I make the wrong decision.

http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/samsung-ln52a650/4505-6482_7-32887597.html?tag=txt

When it comes down to it there is really one thing that is most important to me than price, image quality, even performance. That is can I use either of the two TV’s I mentioned as a computer monitor?. And would I any kind of upgrades or special cables. Or could I just use the monitor cable that originally comes with the computer?.

Answer 1

The Sharp Aquos is a very heavily marketed tv, but it is unremarkable, and for the price you can get a Sony or Samsung with better features.  Trust the reviews from cnet and consumer reports.  Sony and Samsung make the best LCDs and you can use them all as monitors using the vga input on the back.

I would go with the Samsung 650 for all the features it offer and the price.  It also has a QAM tuner.