Which HDTV?

[funke_munke]

OK, I'm behind the times. I haven't owned a TV for about eight years now, but my girlfriends mother has offered to buy us a HDTV to go with the ps3 she just picked up. So, in my desperate bid to free up PC time for the imminent arrival of Deus Ex, I need some help picking a tv! The tv will be dedicated to the ps3 and maybe the odd session with my PC but that's it. I have no desire to view tv or pay a tv license etc, and neither does she.

So here's what I need at a minimum:

32"
1080p
2 HDMI
£300 or under.

There are so many to choose from and I really have no clue where to start!

Also, is it possible to plug pc speakers (with the green connector) into any tv with an adapter? Or straight into the ps3? I have no idea about this either - I would obviously prefer to use our own logitech speakers, which aren't exactly great but are definitely better than a rubbish tinny speaker on a tv.

Help a noob!

[Dareos]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-LE32...3763111&sr=1-1

slightly over budget but LED

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-UE32...3763200&sr=1-4

and the LG equivalent LCD

http://www.amazon.co.uk/LG-32LK450U-...3763334&sr=1-1

I am a samsung fan, some aren't, but these days I think you get a lot more for your money than you do with any other brand, and I prefer them to Sony, Tosh etc in the TV market (laptop market i'd still take Tosh).

Only pulled these from Amazon mate, do some price checks and see what you come up with

[Sheva]

I'm in a very similar position. There seems to be a whole lot off choice in that sort of range.

Personally, I think I am going to wait until there is a spectacular offer on HotUKdeals and then just buy whatever it happens to be.

AFAIK, you can just plug the green cable into the headphones adaptor of your TV. Otherwise you can buy a converter for a few £ that converts the green cable into the Red and White things (RCA I think its called)

[funke_munke]

Cheers guys, I'll have a look at those tv's and thanks Sheva for the audio input info, big help! Anyone else got any ideas? Does an LED backlight make much difference, apart from power consumption?

[chris_argyle]

The LED backlit sets generally get a cleaner white light most noticeable at the top end of the spectrum, where as LCD's tend to have a warmer tint (more pronounced on older sets and dependent on the quality of the backlight used).

In your position I would visit a Currys or equivalent and have a look at TV's roughly in your price range. One of the things to look out for is how dark the blacks look as you will find some sets are pretty bad for light bleed.

And yes, you can just plug the PC speakers into the headphone jack

[Skinleech]

Just an FYI, you note that you don't want to pay a TV License as you don't want to watch TV -AFAIK owning a TV, or a device capable of receiving a TV signal means you need to pay the license fee, whether you actually use it for TV or not.

[funke_munke]

Just an FYI, you note that you don't want to pay a TV License as you don't want to watch TV -AFAIK owning a TV, or a device capable of receiving a TV signal means you need to pay the license fee, whether you actually use it for TV or not.

No, you only need to pay the fee if you recieve live TV. Otherwise everyone with an internet connection would have to pay out ! To be honest, I don't even know where the aerial is in my flat, or if I even have one... Not interested. Thanks for the comments though guys, went for the LED Samsung after, it's on it's way!

[peterb]

No, you only need to pay the fee if you recieve live TV. snip--->

And watching streaming TV as it is being broadcast is live TV - for which you need a licence. Watching stuff on iplayer does not (at the moment).

[Dareos]

Aweome mate, let me know what you think of it, i'm hanging off buying mine till the last minute as I want a bargain unfortunately they keep dropping offers instead of adding them on for my TV

[funke_munke]

And watching streaming TV as it is being broadcast is live TV - for which you need a licence. Watching stuff on iplayer does not (at the moment).

Yeah that's what I meant! Sorry if I didn't clarify properly . Still, no license! More and more I view TV to be a massive time sink.

It should be here tomorrow or Thursday Dareos; I'll let you know.

[360bhp]

I've had Samsung and LG HD TVs. LG wins every time. Mins has every port you could ever need. The USB port comes in handy too when unlocked.. Plays divx and xvid using an external HDD

[funke_munke]

Aweome mate, let me know what you think of it, i'm hanging off buying mine till the last minute as I want a bargain unfortunately they keep dropping offers instead of adding them on for my TV

It's a really good TV - but it seems to have risen in price on Amazon again. I wish I had a decent camera or way of showing you, but you'll have to take my word. Streamed HD content straight from a memory stick without issue. Colours are very vibrant. Built in speaker is pants, but they always are! Bit of hissing when Logitech speakers are plugged in through the headphone port but I have no optical speakers unfortunately. Haven't had a chance to plug the Ps3 in yet though . It's also VERY slim.

Thanks for the help guys, over the moon and glad we spent out that little bit extra!