Buying Haier HLT71 7-Inch Handheld LCD TV

I bought this TV unit to place on my desk next to my computer screen (22" LCD) while I play, game, and do homework. It picked up all 80 of the Cable Stations provided by Time Warner to my school. It even picked up the 3 Local Stations (NBC, FOX, and CBS) that also provide Digital signals through basic cable. The 3 digital stations (in addition to their standard counterparts) are shown at 480p (max resolution for device) with perfect audio quality. It even picked up the QAM Encrypted channels between 75-130. It shows them as 75-3, 75-4, etc. I have not gotten them to work, but this is because the Cable Company does not offer them to our University.

The TV by default Zooms (crops) 4:3 programs fullscreen (16:9) on the device. It actually stretches the video, but the screen is so small that you won't notice the additional width of people or objects. (With horizontal sidebars your talking maybe 1/2" on either side of the TV). The Digital channels (QAM and ATSC either over cable or air) are shown only in the native (at 480p) aspect ratios (you can't change them like you can the rest of the channels). The cropping\zooming will become less of an issue as more programs are shown at 16:9 even over standard definition cable.

Did I mention this LCD TV works as a PC Monitor!!! If your TV offers a S-video or Composite (Yellow color cable) out (which most modern graphics cards have, or a 99cent adapter for a laptop S-video port) you can treat this LCD TV as a second monitor for your computer or laptop. Its only 640x480, but that is plenty of room to put your Buddy List, Twitter Feed, Email Client, etc. I keep iTunes in the window so that I can play with my music while I'm playing a game, or writing a paper. Just note that the refresh rate on this TV\monitor is only 30hz (so visible flicker when displaying text)

I have had success hooking this device up to a N64, DVD Player, My Computer (via a S-video to Y-composite adapter), and my Zune. About the Zune, because the Zune 8 GB Digital Media Player (Black) does not have speakers, simply plug in your Video\Audio cable from your Zune to this device and you have a portable display (3x larger) with stereo sound with a good 1hr and half of battery charge. I'm debating bringing my Battery Backup system (860VA) to the beach with my lounge chair, which would give me 40 minutes of N64 playing while hooked up to this device.

The only thing to note is that I have not had success with over-the-air signals. However, my campus is on the ocean (literally) and about 5 miles from town, I plan on bringing the included telescoping antennae

The Device is the size of a picture frame, with a pop out holder in the back.

I was going to buy a iPod Touch but chose this instead, way worth it as I have a Kindle, Netbook, Smartphone, and Zune (which does everything a Touch\iPhone can).

To Manufacturer: Change your remote, the volume buttons are awkwardly placed horizontally on the bottom, and the channel up\down ones are located randomly to the side. --- Possibly include a screen protector, or look into the feasibility of a glass screen (any finger of the screen severely moves the LCD "liquid" around, and I will but don't like keeping it in my cargo short's pocket (nothing to crack, but rather puncture).Get more detail about Haier HLT71 7-Inch Handheld LCD TV.