Question for the experts: These Flat Screen TV's

[VectraMan]

I quite fancy one of these LCD's, as they don't look quite so shiny plastic... http://www.johnlewis.com/230500549/P...erm=KDL32E4000

HTH

That does look good. Samsungs are cheaper, and whilst I'm sure that Sony made the best CRTs, I'm not sure it follows for LCDs.

Look for 1080p, because there are pleanty of "HD" TVs that are only 1388x768 and not 1920x1080 as it should be. It seems the reasonably priced reasonably sized 1080p screens have only come out recently, and all the chavs who bought flat screens early are now stuck with half-HD. Not that it really matters if you only watch Big Brother and 'Enders.

[milanbenes]

VectraMan,

'whilst I'm sure that Sony made the best CRTs, I'm not sure it follows for LCDs',

that's my worry


Milan.

[Tensai]

...it has a built in decoder....

I *knew* there was something I'd forgotten.

[ASB]

I *knew* there was something I'd forgotten.

Not sure it's that important actually. From my perspective I hate having loads of boxes, but if I went, for example, Freesat I'd need one (though there are some starting to appear with built in decoders).

I guess if you are only really going to have one source then a built in decoder offers the advantage of less clutter, but other than that it probably doesn't matter.

[sasguru]

thanks for the feedback ASB


you see Sas, not so difficult is it, read ASB's reply a few times and start trying to formulate and compose sentences with similar content and expression

could well help your career too

Milan.

you see Milan, not so difficult is it, try using the search facility on forums like this and umpteen other websites to get the basic info you need.

could well help your career too.

HTH

[voodooflux]

So, whatever you device, try and play a selection of media through it first. Also watch some things that move quickly.

Sound advice, particurlarly for LCD panels - try and choose some test media where there is a lot of panning, and perhaps some fast moving sport. Some people are more senstive to motion blur and judder than others, and for me the effect is very pronounced and steared me towards plasma (which also tends to have a better contrast ratio than LCD).

[LittlestHobbo]

I bought a cheapish 40" Samsung using the same ratio I use for buying booze "largest volume/cheapest price", definatly check how fast action shots look, mine lacks clarity at times.

I'd say I ended up with a rather cheap Chardonnay.

[VectraMan]

Not sure it's that important actually. From my perspective I hate having loads of boxes, but if I went, for example, Freesat I'd need one (though there are some starting to appear with built in decoders).

I guess if you are only really going to have one source then a built in decoder offers the advantage of less clutter, but other than that it probably doesn't matter.

Freeview decoder is no use at all to me. Freesat might be, but I don't think I could give up using a PVR so I'd still want an external box anyway.

External boxes can easily be changed, anything built in you're pretty much stuck with.

[BoredBloke]

When I bought the ones for our house I got a magazine called what LCD or Plasma (or something like that) they had loads of TV's in there and gave a brief write up on all the leading models. I went for LCD for both as they use a lot less power than a plasma and their picture quality is on a par with a plasma. We have a 42 inch Sharp in the lounge. As that is the main TV that does 1080p - that looks great when you put a hi def feed through it. The one in the bedroom is a 37inch LG one. I bought this because it was about the time when the wife was having her transplant and figured she'd be spending an extended amount of time up there. This one hardly gets used but it is pretty good.

I got both of ours through empire direct because I managed to track down a 10% off code via the net. I also got another small amount knocked off by using quidco. They also sell an extra 2 year warranty for £20. Anything you buy from them for the next 12 months automatically gets this extended warranty.

[voodooflux]

I went for LCD for both as they use a lot less power than a plasma and their picture quality is on a par with a plasma.

Out of interest was that conclusion on picture quality something that you reached after a demo, or something that the magazine suggested?

I got both of ours through empire direct because I managed to track down a 10% off code via the net. I also got another small amount knocked off by using quidco. They also sell an extra 2 year warranty for £20. Anything you buy from them for the next 12 months automatically gets this extended warranty.

We got John Lewis to match the Empire Direct price for our Pioneer plasma - ended up saving almost £1000 and got the JL 5 year warranty.