HDTV and such.

[RDL]

Righteo lads, I'm thinking about selling the 32" Widescreen / Surround sound / DVD player combo in my room and replacing it with a wall mounted HDTV media centre. How much am I realistically looking for to get a decent 32" + HDTV? Is it better to go bigger, or not? 32" is fine but if there is a bargain to be had, I may aswell take advantage. While having a search I came across this. Is it any good?

Basically, what would you recommend? It will be mainly for watching DVDs, and I currently have a 19" TFT, will this be linkable? I will also be adding sound in the form of 5.1 or 7.1 (need to think about it) and a DVD recorder or HDrecorder, and DVD player etc.

Thanks.

Also, my mother has just told me that she wants to buy my brother an LCD TV for his Christmas, and that Somerfield have a good deal on a Panache 26" LCD, Model 26PLD5005. I haven't actually seen the TV myself, but it's coming in at £399.99 and he will likely use it to watch DVDs and play his Xbox on, so does it sound any good?

Cheers.

[directhex]

Originally Posted by RDL

While having a search I came across this. Is it any good?

no, it's not HD.

an HDTV should be able to

1) display an image of at least 720p (1280x720 progressive scan)
2) receive an input of 1080i (1920x1080 interlaced)
3) feature an HDMI connector, or HCMP-compatible DVI connector

that set can't do number 1, it's only 852 x 480

proper HD plasma is *expensive*. try http://www.247electrical.co.uk/epage...w/SAMLE32R41BD for a real 32" HD set

[directhex]

Originally Posted by RDL

Also, my mother has just told me that she wants to buy my brother an LCD TV for his Christmas, and that Somerfield have a good deal on a Panache 26" LCD, Model 26PLD5005. I haven't actually seen the TV myself, but it's coming in at £399.99 and he will likely use it to watch DVDs and play his Xbox on, so does it sound any good?

appears to be a non-existant brand - which means unreliable, chinese-made goods whose warranty phone number will mysteriously not work. i'd spend the extra £200 on a 26" samsung - it's silly buying a new set right now which is used for games but isn't HD

[5lab]

i think, technically, it is actually hd. there are lower resolutoins (480p) that also forfill the hdtv spec, as long as it can display the higher res images through downscaling

you are looking at around £900 for a good 32" hdtv lcd set

[directhex]

480p is SD

"hd ready" compliance DOES stipulate 720p must be displayable without being scaled down - anyone using it otherwise is being misleading

actually, reading further into it, seems YPbPr is also a requirement, alongside HDMI/DVI

[RDL]

Thanks. I'm looking at around a £1000 ish (flexible) budget for the HDTV, then probably another £400-£500 for sound, DVD player etc. So would you recommend the one you linked to Directhex?

+ Cheers, I'l tell her about the TV.

[5lab]

you're right

http://www.eicta.org/files/LicenseAgreement-114600A.pdf

min 720 lines.

[Funkstar]

cheapest iæve seen an HD ready Plasma was at Richer Sounds and it's £1500

http://ws4.richersounds.com/showprod...=HITA-42PD6600

[directhex]

Originally Posted by Funkstar

cheapest iæve seen an HD ready Plasma was at Richer Sounds and it's £1500

http://ws4.richersounds.com/showprod...=HITA-42PD6600

not actually HD ready - 1024x1024 nonsquare (i.e. 852x480) 480p set

if it isn't 1280x720 or higher, it's not HD.

you're looking at a £2000+ 40" at the very cheapest, for HD plasma

[directhex]

Originally Posted by RDL

Thanks. I'm looking at around a £1000 ish (flexible) budget for the HDTV, then probably another £400-£500 for sound, DVD player etc. So would you recommend the one you linked to Directhex?

+ Cheers, I'l tell her about the TV.

i have the 26" version of it, which i'm happy with

[TiG]

RDL, as i sent you here i thought i better respond.

I'm in a similar situation to you, i'm looking for a 32" LCD HDTV with HDMI inputs.

My research has been quite extensive, i've been reading every review i can on PQ, connectivities etc.

Trawling all of http://www.avforums.com/

and taking my own opinion of what is good and what isn't from information gained.

The ones that have come out as good are...

Samsung LE32R41B (~£849)
Toshiba 32WL56 (~£820)
JVC LT32DS6B (~£1000)

(all of these have got 5/5 in What plasma/DVD/hi fi type publications since July 05)

I've found another few that are more expensive..
Hitachi 32LD7200 (~£1250)
Panasonic TX32LXD500 (~£1400)
Sony KDL-V32A12U (~£1400)

I've discounted rightly or wrongly the
Sharp LC32GA6E (~£800)
Hitachi 32LD6600 (~£1000)
LG 32LX2R (~£930)

From feedback or reviews that showed up slight weaknesses.

I'm now going to try and get to see the sammy, tosh and jvc in the flesh and see what they are like.

Hope that helps
TiG

[Funkstar]

Originally Posted by directhex

not actually HD ready - 1024x1024 nonsquare (i.e. 852x480) 480p set

if it isn't 1280x720 or higher, it's not HD.

you're looking at a £2000+ 40" at the very cheapest, for HD plasma

ah, ok, my appologies, i didn't notice that bit. sorry

[RDL]

Thanks very much TiG, very helpful. I'm planning on going into town tomorow and seeing if I can't find some, I'l look out for the ones you recommended and see what they have to say for themselves. What is the real difference between the expensive and cheaper models really, anything noticable in real world performance?

[Nick F]

Originally Posted by RDL

Thanks very much TiG, very helpful. I'm planning on going into town tomorow and seeing if I can't find some, I'l look out for the ones you recommended and see what they have to say for themselves. What is the real difference between the expensive and cheaper models really, anything noticable in real world performance?

There might be a few differences such as image sharpness etc. tbh I doubt you would be able to tell the difference between a screen that costs £800 and one that costs £1500. Just make sure the set has all the connections you need and you will be fine.

[5lab]

well each to their own, but i can cirtainly tell the difference between a good set and a bad one.. hense why i chose to spend £900 on a crt tv a few months back - lcds below £2k still arent coming close..

[TiG]

Originally Posted by 5lab

well each to their own, but i can cirtainly tell the difference between a good set and a bad one.. hense why i chose to spend £900 on a crt tv a few months back - lcds below £2k still arent coming close..

What you mean to say on TV analogue signals LCD's still aren't as good, but on all High Def sources the LCD screens will absolutely kill the CRT.

I'm buying as i intend to run on High Def sources virtually exclusively. same with RDL it seems.

TiG