Advice sought: 26ish" LCD TV

[wilbo]

We moved into our recently finished extension (bedroom) recently and after all the furniture was installed and the TV setup - Mrs Wilbo says - 'ooh. that TV is too large for that cabinet now - should we look at getting a flat screen TV for the wall?' YES!

So - after pointing out that we *need* something about the 23-26" screen size and covering cost issues while I still had her keen interest - I am now on the look out for such an item.

So looking at 23-26 inch widescreen.
must be LCD - dont want plasma - too wasteful powerwise.
Must be HD ready
ideally would like freeview integrated.

tried looking around for reviews etc and it looks like Samsung have a very good 26" model that fits the bill. Happy to be told otherwise or offered alternatives.

So - I throw it out to you - those 'in the know'.

Any Ideas?

Happy new year btw..

[gwilson]

Had a conversation at work couple of weeks back about this, one of our avionic "managers" (loosely used). Was looking for an LCD HD ready screen, he spent weeks researching it and after speaking to a sales guy, he found out all LCD screens are made by either Samsung or LG. They have the patents, all other manufacturers buy their screens then customise them ie ambi-light, speakers, card slots, etc etc.

So a samsung is the way I'd go. I have a 32" phillips plasma at the moment but will go LCD HD ready as the picture quality is starting to go on my screen. Depenedent on size of room, how far from screen you are gonna be depends on the optimum size of the screen. My lounge is quite narrow and a 32" is brilliant. There are guides as to what size screen to get.

Gareth

[gingerstu]

I bought the Samsung one. Its ace, the picture is excellent. Only thing I would say is the sound is a little pants. But it has plenty of connections points at the back so I whacked on some external speakers.

Job's a goodun.

[Ivon]

Originally Posted by gwilson

Had a conversation at work couple of weeks back about this, one of our avionic "managers" (loosely used). Was looking for an LCD HD ready screen, he spent weeks researching it and after speaking to a sales guy, he found out all LCD screens are made by either Samsung or LG. They have the patents, all other manufacturers buy their screens then customise them ie ambi-light, speakers, card slots, etc etc.

So a samsung is the way I'd go. I have a 32" phillips plasma at the moment but will go LCD HD ready as the picture quality is starting to go on my screen. Depenedent on size of room, how far from screen you are gonna be depends on the optimum size of the screen. My lounge is quite narrow and a 32" is brilliant. There are guides as to what size screen to get.

Gareth

They have the patents for certain LCD's not all LCD's are the same. In my chemistry department at Hull University we produced the first LCD's and have done work on them ever since, the money we get from it may explain why were always in the top three chemistry departments in the UK. The department is at the fore front of development and they are only going to get better and better, some of the picture quality is out of this world but won't be released for some time as company's have to recoup costs but LCD is the way forward.

[Simon TW]

HD ready is confusing, there are different types. If your old enoughto remember when video was first out there were many different systems ie beta max, video 2000 and VHS. VHS became the standard.

I don't know much about it though my son told me about the different HD systems after i bought a Sony.

I did look at Samsung but the screen resoultion on the sony was much higher 1,300 ish as compared to 1000ish.

[applepie]

my mate has the samsung one and it looked pretty good to me. so sounds like a good bet to me.

there are different standards for HD, and its not helped with all the bullshit marketing crap companies are putting out.

the main bits are:

resolution and no. frames per sec
progressiver or interlaced denoted by (p) or (i)

in simplistic terms, (i) looks better but (p) handles motion smoother.

there are a few main standards 720p, 768p, 1080i, 1080p

to be frank, at small screen sizes it is unlikely for you to notice any difference getting higher resolutions.

so dont be sold by the technical specifications at smaller (below ~40") sizes. larger resolution does not necessary equate with better visible quality, technially better yes, real life? unlikely.

[BigHairyAl]

Another vote for Samsung here.

I've the 32" LCD, and 'tis a cracking TV - picture as good as you can expect a flat panel to be, and the housing looks the bees knees - I'm not fond of those boring box shaped Sony & Panasonic models.

Sound isn't maaarvellous, but if you're just after a bedroom telly, probably not too much of a worry.

Just me 'tuppence.

[Mike P]

I have done a load of research for myself and came up with these two models

Sony ... KDL-26S2010 ... £650 and/or Panasonic TX-26LXD60 .. £592

Used reviews, word of mouth and Which.

[wilbo]

Originally Posted by Mike P

I have done a load of research for myself and came up with these two models

Sony ... KDL-26S2010 ... £650 and/or Panasonic TX-26LXD60 .. £592

Used reviews, word of mouth and Which.

Oh ar$eholes.

I had the KDL-26S2010 (around 560) and the Samsung LE26R74BD - at around 499.

now you tell me I need to start looking at a Panasonic as well..



thanks!

[MattS]

Originally Posted by Simon TW

HD ready is confusing, there are different types.

...and God help you if you want to actually watch HD content. Just been wading through the HDCP (rights management) stuff and tis truelly scary. Will be sticking with my big ol CRT for another year.