32" lcd for freeview

[Metasoda]

So I was all set to buy a 32" lcd tv (probably sony 32W4500 or equivalent panasonic), when
we went and looked at them in stores along tottenham court road.

Where they were showing freeview it looked absolutely sh*t on any model we saw.
(lots of artifacts and what looks like upscaling issues).

Showing high def and blue ray looked fantastic on both brands.

90% of what we'll use it for is freeview (the other 10% will be xbox360).

Is this a general issue with showing standard def freeview on 1080 lcd's, or
do all the stores on TCR have rubbish freeview reception?

[GheeTsar]

Gernally SD stuff doesn't look that great on 32" and up screens, especially if you've just seen HD on it. The best I've seen to do it are the top end Philips sets with PixelPlus 3, but they certainly used to have issues with reliability. My friend recently bought the Panasonic 32" with integrated FreeSatHD and Freeview and the picture quality on that was really excellent.

[menthel]

Panasonics are known generally for having the best quality freeview tuners built in. It may be worth finding somewhere with the TVs wet up properly- I get the feeling that TCR is not the place to do that in general. I would not go near most of the shops there with a barge pole.

[Metasoda]

Thanks folks!

I would never buy a TV from TCR, but it's an ok place to go an see all the models without having to move about too much

I'll try and find somewhere with the panasonics and more clueful staff to show it off with freeview...

[BobF64]

I bought a Panasonic 32LXD85, and found the Freeview quality to be better than I thought it might be, having seen the crappy in store feeds it shouldnt be a suprise tbh.

One thing a lot of people recommend is that if your primary purpose is SD, 100Hz is useful.

Ok, so its not as good as the CRT it replaced, but I have no complaints about its image quality, and I sit about 1m from the screen most of the time.

[davidcrofter]

Why don't you look at getting the LG 32" Plasma - far superior to LCD for freeview and fine for gaming as long as you don't overdo it too much in the first couple of months.

[Metasoda]

Hmm mmm, yes I was pondering that LG plasma too.
It's a good price.
People do say plasma is better for SD.

I'm just a bit worried about image retention, there are some negative reports out there,
although doesn't sound like it effects everyone.

[Metasoda]

Originally Posted by BobF64

I bought a Panasonic 32LXD85, and found the Freeview quality to be better than I thought it might be, having seen the crappy in store feeds it shouldnt be a suprise tbh.

One thing a lot of people recommend is that if your primary purpose is SD, 100Hz is useful.

Ok, so its not as good as the CRT it replaced, but I have no complaints about its image quality, and I sit about 1m from the screen most of the time.

That's good to know, thanks!

[Bunjiweb]

after a lot of confusing stuff in this thread I would say for definate go with a Panasonic, either the LXD85 or LZD85 if you are using it for blu-ray or gaming.... Sony screens are actually distinctly average when you put them next to a Sony, or the newer Samsungs..

32" plasma... are you having a laugh? newer LCDs are far superior, Plasma is nearly pointless on a screen this size, and Philips? I beg to differ, their screens are blurry and dark, and the build quality is terrible!

If you are using primarily SD sources on a 32" i would go for a 720p screen, 1080p is near pointless on this screensize except for the afformentioned sources. with 1080p the image processor has to work alot harder to make the SD picture any good, but remember alot of it is down to how good the freeview processor is in the first place, The Panasonic's is absolutely excellent, whilst as much as I like the Samsung screens, the freeview tuner is not as good.

Ben

[Metasoda]

Originally Posted by Bunjiweb

after a lot of confusing stuff in this thread I would say for definate go with a Panasonic, either the LXD85 or LZD85 if you are using it for blu-ray or gaming.... Sony screens are actually distinctly average when you put them next to a Sony, or the newer Samsungs..

32" plasma... are you having a laugh? newer LCDs are far superior, Plasma is nearly pointless on a screen this size, and Philips? I beg to differ, their screens are blurry and dark, and the build quality is terrible!

If you are using primarily SD sources on a 32" i would go for a 720p screen, 1080p is near pointless on this screensize except for the afformentioned sources. with 1080p the image processor has to work alot harder to make the SD picture any good, but remember alot of it is down to how good the freeview processor is in the first place, The Panasonic's is absolutely excellent, whilst as much as I like the Samsung screens, the freeview tuner is not as good.

Ben

Cheers,

Pretty much the conclusion I am coming to.
I'd already talked myself out of a plasma, that thought didn't last long after reading about
image retention!

This is an annual conundrum for me, every January I set out to buy a new TV and it all gets too
much and I give up!

This could be the year

[Bunjiweb]

Sorry the above post should read...

"Sony screens are actually distinctly average when you put them next to a Panasonic, or the newer Samsungs.."

[Metasoda]

So I press the big buy button on an Panasonic 32LXD85 and it shows up yesterday.
I have to say, it is awesome!

OK, the freeview quality is not quite up to the Sony Triniton CRT it replaced, but it more than
makes up for it.

Boy is it huge in our room! I kinda wish there was a size in between 26" and 32".

[GheeTsar]

Originally Posted by Metasoda

Boy is it huge in our room! I kinda wish there was a size in between 26" and 32".

I bet you won't think that after a couple of months of using it. I thought exactly the same when I bought a 32" job and now it feels a little on the small side!

[modd1uk]

Originally Posted by GheeTsar

I bet you won't think that after a couple of months of using it. I thought exactly the same when I bought a 32" job and now it feels a little on the small side!

+1, my 32" sammy doesnt cut the mustard now .

[Bunjiweb]

+2,

I thought my 32" Samsung was massive, im now pondering wether to replace it with a 37" next time.... But then I will probably only up-size if I get a HD tv service from Virgin or Sky...

Ben

[Metasoda]

Originally Posted by GheeTsar

I bet you won't think that after a couple of months of using it. I thought exactly the same when I bought a 32" job and now it feels a little on the small side!

I hear ya. It's still wowing us after a couple of days though.

One cute thing: it comes with a little cloth and instructions on "maintaining the shiny parts".
"Notice: This unit has some shiny parts."