I’ve languished over four years with a cheap 13” VCR combo unit in the bedroom, I’d wanted to replace it long ago, but as it was a present of my wife’s it wouldn’t go well for me to dump it in the trash and buy a new one. So I was happy when it bit the big one. Unfortunately, I’d just finished buying a
27” Emerson flat screen TV to replace a living room television that had died a week earlier, and with funds being sucked from every direction, I was pretty much assed out until I spied the
Magnavox 20MS233S 20” TV.
This television has the normal features I’ve come to expect and then some. Cable ready via direct connection to the back of the set or from a cable box. Front A/V input jacks (an extra set on the back would've been nice, but not critical for $100.00 bucks)
The set can be connected to a combination antenna that receives normal (non-cable) broadcast channels. Contrary to popular belief, I had no problem with non-cable reception (I hooked up a VHF/UHF antenna) clarity of picture in this case relies on signal strength (location) and antenna receptivity.
The remote has the normal
number buttons to select channels or to enter menu values (commands),
channel up/down and volume up/down, A
status button (current channel and sleep time left if sleep function is enabled) a last channel button (
A/CH alternate channel) a
SLEEP button,
CC button for close captioning, a mute button, cursor buttons, incidentally these can be used to format from 4:3 (standard) aspect ratio to 4:3 expanded (to eliminate letter boxing) and finally at the bottom of the remote are the
“smart buttons” I love this stuff.
Smart Picture: This button cycles through picture settings that soften, sharpen, or brighten as is required to match the program being viewed. Press the button repeatedly for video control settings of, Personal/Movies/Sports/Weak signal, or Multimedia
Smart Sound: Same thing but for sound with settings of Personal/Voice/Music (the loudest)or theater. The stereo sound is actually pretty decent for such an inexpensive and smaller unit. (compared to my
Emerson 27" TV)
Smart Surf: Up to eight of your favorite channels can be programmed in, then just press the surf button repeatedly to favorite channel hop.
There’s an in depth array of choices with the
Smartlock feature that allows you to block access to channels based on TV or Movie ratings, even allows “unrated or not rated” shows to be blocked if you wish.
What I also enjoy is the
AVL (auto volume leveler) this easy to use feature levels out those loud blaring commercials, I love it.
Picture Quality is very good all around, as to any text issues I suggest a visit to your Optometrist.
For those who are interested (although I feel I've pretty much covered everything) here are the
View Details:
Key Features Screen Type Non-Flat Screen Diagonal Screen Size 20 inch Display Capabilities Aspect Ratio 4:3 Built-in Tuner NTSC Remote Control Remote Control Standard Audio Features Audio Type Stereo Sound Leveler With Audio Leveler Sleep Timer With Sleep Timer Connectors Front Input Connectors Composite x 1 • Audio (RCA) x 1 Headphone Jack With Headphone Jack Screen Text Channel Labels Without Channel Labels Closed Caption on, Mute With Closed Caption On Mute, OSD Languages English • Spanish
Dimensions Width 20.38 in.
Depth 18.75 in.
Height 18.13 in.
Weight 46.2 lb.
Warranty Overall Warranty 1 Year Miscellaneous Product ID 21008443 Cabinet Color Silver Included Accessories Remote Control Batteries
Recommendation:
The lack of rear A/V inputs is disappointing but the TV is in the bedroom and all we use there is a DVD player anyway. There is no S-video hook-up either, but I've yet to have the need for one, so no real loss there. I'm quite happy that there is a headphone jack in the front. All in all I'm pretty damn impressed, and considering all the features and the truly low price this Magnavox gets a
FIVE STAR RATING from this household.
Here are a couple of other helpful reviews in electronics
Vivitar Vivicam 330 Digital Camera
Emerson EWF2703 27" Flat Screen TV
Boston Acoustics 635 pc speakers
Panasonic DVD-L50 portable dvd player
Lenoxx CD-50 Programmable Compact Disc Player
