26" Vizio TV vs. 24" Gateway Monitor?

[eldonhenley]

OK, so I'm taking the plunge and tossing my 27" Magnavox tube TV. I'm sick of seeing my 16:9 Front Row movies (from my MB) with huge letterboxing and overscan on my 4:3 tv.

I have about a $500 budget, and I'm weighing my options between a Vizio 26" (720p) and a Gateway 24" monitor (1080p+)

http://www.vizio.com/products/detail.aspx?pid=24
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16824113012&CMP=AFC-C8Junction

Vizio = 26", 700:1 contrast, 8ms response, 1366x768 native
-also has HD tuner, remote

Gateway = 24", 1000:1 contrast, 3ms response, 1920x1200 native
-but no HD tuner/remote, no audio in/out/hub

Prices are close enough that they're not a factor, and I've read complaints about both. (Vizio native res won't match 1:1 with MB's 1280x720 via DVI to HDMI)(Gateway has Backlight Bleed issue for some people)

I'm mainly going to be using this as a bedroom TV for Front Row, and occasionally a monitor or TV (w/ SD DirecTV). I don't watch much TV, but i've also never enjoyed HD before, so that could change.

My first instinct is to lean toward the Gateway.

I guess my question is: Which of the two is the lesser evil/more benefits? Which would YOU prefer for a primarily FR machine?

 

[ndhonor]

Well Gateway has always made great monitors. But have a look at the Samsung T260HD 25.5" Widescreen HDTV Monitor. I know that it is 550 at Circuit City but it is a great quality monitor with the HD-tuner built into it. So you get the best of both worlds.

 

[Babooshka]

I'd go with ndhonor and get a Samsung, they are sturdy machines and offer fantastic picture quality.

 

[cuestakid]

I have the gateway and I love it-you can add audio to it but it costs extra. But I am confused on one thing you mentioned-when you say hub what are you referring to?

 

[*Sandy*]

I have the vizio 32 inch and have no problems with it and the picture is much better then most others i have had .

 

[briansolomon]

I know its a little smaller than what you want but the res is a little more pumped up...

http://www.amazon.com/Vizio-VO22L-Black-Flat-Panel/dp/B001BS8Q6U