Which HDTV?

[el_rasho]

I was going to get a HDTV last Christmas but I crashed my car and so couldnt afford it.

Now Ive been saving up and have a good ?800 to spend on a 40" HDTV :-)

Ive seen this one: http://www.digitaldirectuk.com/produ...=12401#Scene_1

Is it any good? Ideally il be watching Freeview on it and playing Xbox 360. What generation of HDTVs are we on anyway?

[s_kinton]

That link doesn work. You've pasted it from another forum, so its just literally ... in the middle.

It depends on the company as to the generation. I think Pioneer are up to 7 or 8, but Im not sure about the others.

[el_rasho]

Heres the link: http://www.digitaldirectuk.com/produ...oduct_id=12401

[grizzla]

ideally u want something that is 1080p or full HD, that sony has only a 1366*768 res and only does a max of 1080i which doesn't always look to pretty. In cases like these, when buying new equipment i'd recommend that u try ur best to future proof yourself, hence why i suggest going for a 1080p panel. This Sharp TV is 1080p, the screen is "37 so still pretty big. And it is within budget although carriage will ad a little extra.

[el_rasho]

Im not fussed about 1080p, i dont think i'll ever be using it. Im only going to be playing xbox360 and watching HD DVDs on it, 720p is fine for me.

I have seen 1080p and I cant honestly tell the difference between 720p. Something that is very important to me is able to watch Freeview channels. I know HDTVs had trouble displaying terrestrial TV, so can someone recommend one that is good at this?

[Jay]

My Toshiba 37 WLT 66 looks fantastic in both HD and SD. I bought it becasue it was reviewed as one of the best LCD HDTVs for watching SD broadcasts. It also has a freeview tuner built in.

On top of that it has two HDMI slots

Had it for about 7 months now and I love it.

[s_kinton]

I bought my first LCD HDTV on Saturday. I got a 32" Hyundai A321 for £275 it retailed at ~£520 until being discontinued in Apr this year.

It was in the clearance section as it said it had 1 stuck green pixel. I bought it regardless with a view to fixing it with the well know massage or using one of the numerous prgrams out there. I set it up and there is definately no stuck pixell!! Happy days.

[el_rasho]

Im happy for u guys... but Imlooking for a 40 inch TV.

So far the Sony one has got my attention mainly becuase of the connectivity and the brand. I could do with some guidence please.

[grizzla]

one prob with a 40" is that it will make ur freeview pic look pretty poor due to the amount of stretching that will be applied to the picture to fill a 40" screen

[el_rasho]

My friend has a 42" JCV HDTV with built in Freeview and the image is not strethced at all. It looks just fine when sitting back, ony when u come within a couple of feet of the screen does it get pixely.

Rreason I dont want the same TV as him is coz i dont like JVS, I had a VCR of their ages ago and it was terribe!

So I think I'll be OK with a 40".. but I need advise on which one to go for

[s_kinton]

You will be fine with freeview on a 40". My mates got a 42" Pioneer Plasma and freeview looks fine.

Anyhow, the basic criteria for me when choosing a TV would be connectivity, contrast ratio and aesthetics.

Just find the TV in your price range with the most connections (you should look getting one with at least 2x HDMI ports) and the highest contrast ratio. Think about what you mgiht connect now and in the future and make a decision. For me having ports for PC audio was a must and a d-sub connection.

Avforums is a great place to look for user reviews and feedback. Theres pages and pages of info on most HDTVs

[el_rasho]

Thanks, so that Sony one I stated looks fine for me

[s_kinton]

I guess so. You only want 720p, its got 2x HDMI ports. Anything else you might connect that it hasnt got a connector for?

To be honest, you could spend a week looking at TVs. If you like the look of that one, its within your budget and provides you with all the connections etc you need, then I say go for it.

[el_rasho]

Yep its got all connections I need. I was just wondering abou the "generation" thing, I dont want to buy a TV that has old technology. Is this SONY one up to date? In mine I dont need 1080p

[el_rasho]

Well that TV is not on the site anymore!

Maybe they sold out.... Ive seen this one now: http://www.digitaldirectuk.com/produ...=&ffi=#Scene_1

Seems to be an older model

[Syd]

Hi El rasho

A mate has just bought 1 of these after loads and loads of research and I must say it is ACE!!

http://www.digitaldirectuk.com/produ...oduct_id=12738

SD PQ is v good
HD PQ also excellent
Good connectivity

And much better blacks and natural looking colours than all but the very best (2000+) LCD's IMO.