Looking to buy an HD TV - any recommendations?

Nick Moss · Post by **Nick Moss** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:18 pm

I have just spent an hour in Currys looking blankly at TVs, there is a bewildering range available. LCD v Plasma, 100 Hz, 720/1080p resolution, 32"/37"/42", different makes etc. etc.

I watch a lot of motorsport, football and cricket, but no kids TV, a few films, the usial boys' stuff. I am tempted by the new Panasonic Viera LCD, but should I really looking at Plasma/ Any advice or discussion sought. Looking to spend up to £750ish on a 37" TV

Helen · Post by **Helen** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:31 pm

just been all through this and ended up at the Sony Centre who were really really helpful and also had some really good discount on offer.

left4dead · Post by **left4dead** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:32 pm

Nick, I'm years out of date with TV technology but whatever you decide upon I would recommend buying it through John Lewis' online service. They'll deliver for free AND throw in a FIVE year guarantee.

Lose yourself here:

http://www.johnlewis.com/Technology/Tel ... egory.aspx

butzsi · Post by **butzsi** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:53 pm

Hi Nick,

Go for 1080p (the full HD standard)and 100 Hz. LCD are ok below 42"(and getting better) but plasma such as Pioneer 43", and 50" are simply stunning when using an HD source such as Sky HD or a Blu-ray Disc player. Pioneer recently announced that they are not producing TVs any longer so I would recommend buying a used one if new are no longer available. Second hand plasma tv sets go for next to nothing compared to their original price and can be a bargain - I sold a Pioneer 43" last year for about 10% of new price after just 3 years use . Also LCD sets run cool , plasma screens give off a fair amount of heat.

You are welcome to a demo if you are up this way....

Chris

mycar · Post by **mycar** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:53 pm

If you can find a Sony Bravia that fits the bill.... buy that one.

Cheers, Mike.

shambly · Post by **shambly** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 6:06 pm

If you are watching mainly standard definition source material, then it is Plasma everytime for me.... it is much kinder to the dreadful compression artifacts present on freeview and to a slightly lesser extent Sky.

If you mainly watch HD-DVD / Bluray / SkyHD then consider LCD..

(I have all of the above and still wouldn't give up my plasma)

I have an older Panasonic 42" plasma but the father-in-law and boss have both recently bought 37" Panasonic plasmas and been blown away.

Note with both lcd and plasma (and soon oled) TV it is the better electronics that de-interlace the picture for the panel that you are paying for (along with gizmos such as card readers and better sound) in the higher priced TVs in a manufacturer's line up.

Top Tip: Be sure to test view the TV with the type of source that you mainly watch (freeview, sky non-HD). All of them are going to look great with full-HD content from a stores very expensive HD demo system, or bluray.

Simon
(technology geek)

butzsi · Post by **butzsi** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 6:42 pm

If you are watching mainly standard definition source material

A good point !

If you have not yet experienced Sky HD or any other HD source then view in HD before making your decision - you may find that HD becomes the deciding factor rather than a mere Tv.

Chris

Highfield · Post by **Highfield** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 6:47 pm

Panasonic Viera LCD 37" LCD with Sky HD from John Lewis is great

Ian

richkaz · Post by **richkaz** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:09 pm

In a word LG.
I spent lots of time looking in stores and online about 18 months ago. The picture quality seems pretty similar on most LCD screens BUT THE SOUND VARIES ENORMOUSLY !
If your not going to combine it with a home cinema system and favour clever front and rear projection speakers with Bose like quality go to a store that allows you to turn up the volume and try every make.
I read that LG use the same speakers in 32 & 37 " models as they use on the bigger screens they make. I went to John Lewis and they were very helpful. The clarity and depth of sound combined with a very realistic surround sound system used by the LG beat all the others by a mile. Blimey you should hear Le Mans on it

Even the remote control is simple and logically designed.

TheEasyLife · Post by **TheEasyLife** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:43 pm

I replaced a 24" widescreen sony CRT TV with a 40" Sony 1080P LCD last year with basic Yamaha Surround sound system, decent Bluray player, Virgin HD and a HD network media player for all that downloaded content (HD TV shows from the US).

In my mind it was pointless for me watching standard definition tv and movies/DVD's on a 1080p tv when the tv could do so much more. Same principle as for Audio: garbage in, garbage out. Apart from having minimal HD channel content on Virgin, I love this setup and am mesmerised by the detail I can now see on films and Hd tv programmes that my small CRT couldn't show. So much clearer and also much better for playing the Wii on too!

Ensure you have enough HDMI sockets on your TV or your amp if you plan to move to HD sources in the future, DVD, Bluray, SKy/Virgin etc. Most decent A/V Amps have HDMI inputs these days. I have 3 HDMI sources but only 2 on the TV so I have to keep changing inputs on the TV and the amp in order to watch different sources which is a minor niggle but I didin't plan on buying a bluray player nor a media player when I bought the tv and amp. Plan ahead!

If I was to do it again, I'd get a better Amp with more HDMI inputs. The Sony TV and Bluray player are great. I was already with Virgin/NTL for years so they did a reasonable deal for their HD service, I'll probably go with Sky in the future but get recommended by a friend so that they get something out of it.

Just my tuppence.

Cheers

James

Highfield · Post by **Highfield** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:36 am

Nick

Add a Yamaha YSP900/1100 for a brilliant sound from one box - I kept my original Mission (200 ?) sub for added bass - easy setup and all on one simple stand in the corner of the room (no option on central placing due to fireplace) - great picture and sound.

Only thing I haven't done yet is upgrade my DVD player, but TBH we don't watch many of those so no real rush for that.

Ian

IanMcLeod · Post by **IanMcLeod** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 10:11 am

Went through this 6 months ago and ended up with the Panasonic Viera 42" Plasma TH-42PZ81B. Went for the one with the built in FreeSat receiver as we don't want Sky. Really pleased with it. Like others bought from John Lewis as 5 year guarantee and competitive price.

Ian.

hunter · Post by **hunter** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 11:57 am

I recently bought a 32" sony bravia with a 3 year guarantee from play.com ......bargain price of £349 delivered

Gary71 · Post by **Gary71** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 1:04 pm

I went for a Sony Bravia as well, however I took a stupid short term view and bought it cheaper at Amazon than John Lewis to save £150, but only got a 1 year warranty.

I'm now trying to negotiate a goodwill payment out of Sony as it went pop after 14 months and needs a new panel at a cost of £450...

i.e it's written off.

Get the 5 year warranty

Nick Moss · Post by **Nick Moss** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 1:46 pm

I have just been told by Sky that there is a 3 month wait for availability of the equipment. That's crazy! Why are they promoting the product so hard (it seems every other word in the monthly Sky magazine is HDTV) when they can't fulfill? It certainly leaves me plenty of time to make a decision!