What HD TV?

[Nick Kay]

OK, I'm looking to buy a new TV:
1. I'd like full HD
2. Its going to be wall-mounted
3. In a conservatory
4. Likely size 40"/42"
5. 5.1 stereo (can't afford 7.1)

The questions:
1. LCD or Plasma
2. PS3 or Blu-ray player or wait?
4. What make/model
5. Any other suggestions/ideas?

Thanks

[gwilson]

My brother just got a panasonic 42" from here

Digital Direct | Great Offers On Widescreen TVs, DVD Players & Hi-Fi

[Beau Nidle]

Panasonic Viera Plasma,PS3.

It's the dog's and PS3 gives you the best of both worlds - good gaming and quality Blu-ray.

[Leg Of Salmon]

I think this is what you're looking for...

[AirAssisted]

Originally Posted by Nick Kay

OK, I'm looking to buy a new TV:
1. I'd like full HD
2. Its going to be wall-mounted
3. In a conservatory
4. Likely size 40"/42"
5. 5.1 stereo (can't afford 7.1)

The questions:
1. LCD or Plasma
2. PS3 or Blu-ray player or wait?
3. What make/model
4. Any other suggestions/ideas?

Thanks

1.LCD every time - plasma less reliable and suffers from 'burn' over time
2. Technology is moving at a super fast rate just now, I'd get a blue-ray or wait - don't forget all those very important high end cables to get the most from it!
3. Samsung - ours is very nice indeed.
4. Less than 3 weeks after buying our newly launched series 5 LCD, the series 6 is launched ...

[big_si]

Grab yourself this mag...

What Video and Widescreen TV

I bought it yesterday. The jargon buster pages near the back was good for understanding the pros and cons of both Plasma and LCD.

LCD good for high contrast in fairly bright areas, Plasma better for darker rooms.
As Ian said, is screenburn risk from Plasma, not so for LCD.
Action / fast gaming is generally better on Plasmas as LCD can suffer from a delay in rapidly changing scenes.
Plasma cheaper for LARGE screens... the price crossover seems to be about 43 inch at the moment though.

Can't remember the others...

Also yesterday's Gadget show did a good review of some TVs (although larger than I think you're looking for)


Basic message from both was don't get caught up on which technology is better as both are about the same at the moment, buy either and you'll be pleased with the picture. Main way to choose... Pick your budget and go and look at which one you like most. Try before you buy.


I've decided on a Plasma for the summerhouse (darker movie watching room) and a LCD for the living room...

... Just need to find the money to pay for them both now!


Hope that helps a little.

Si

[MartinJ]

Originally Posted by Nick Kay

OK, I'm looking to buy a new TV:
1. I'd like full HD
2. Its going to be wall-mounted
3. In a conservatory
4. Likely size 40"/42"
5. 5.1 stereo (can't afford 7.1)

The questions:
1. LCD or Plasma
2. PS3 or Blu-ray player or wait?
4. What make/model
5. Any other suggestions/ideas?

Thanks

Scout around online for TV reviews. From my personal opinion:

1. Go LCD not plasma....plasmas are much more power hungry and generate more heat (about twice the power consumption of LCDs). Plasmas used to have a shorter life span but if you look at the quoted lifes nowadays if you manage to get to its limits then you certainly have no time left to dive!

2. I got the PS3. You can play games AND watch blu-rays. It's not the prettiest box on the planet but it is a mighty fine blu-ray player.....and they also upgrade the firmware of it fairly often to add not only gaming features but blu-ray features too. You need to buy an extra remote for the PS3 (well yo udont but its awful driving it from the controller). Good news is its only £14 and its a really nice BD controller. Its even bluetooth so you dont need to thro it at the dog when its laying in front of the PS3. Sony are also bringing out PlayTV this year - which is an add-on to the PS3 to turn it into a full hi-def freeview PVR!

3. What happened to 3??? :-)

4. I went for Sony as it got the best reviews (all be it at the Sony price tag). I think Sony and Samsung use the same panels if I remember correctly - suplied by Samsung but its the driving electronics that mak a difference too....remember the old LCDs that ooked awful with fast moving pictures....). I am really pleased with my Bravia from Sony

5. If you want the latest spec (my Sony TV and the PS3 both do it) go for 1080p/24. 24 refers to 24hertz - the native frequency used when film makers make the films. Players/tvs that dont support it have to do nifty tricks to synch it to 50/60Hz depending if you are in the UK/US.....have a look online (wikipedia or the like) for a description if you want to find out more

I have a separate surround sound amp and speakers so cant comment on that one!

[johnoh]

check out AVForums Home

gr8 offers & info...

[MartinJ]

Forgot....overall I think the BEST tv of all is still one of the Pioneer plasmas which gets top marks but they are expensive power hungry beasts......but they are REALLY nice! I looked at one several years ago when you could only get about about 32" as Plasma....now the LCDs are taking over

Oh and dont be too fooled by shop displays unless you can get the remote and tweak the settings yourself....al the TVs have nice in built presets which are really bright and dynamic and garish and give you the wow factor in the shop....as soon as you get home you tone them right down to ive you a more realistic colour!!!!!

[Adrian Kelland]

Originally Posted by MartinJ

Forgot....overall I think the BEST tv of all is still one of the Pioneer plasmas which gets top marks but they are expensive power hungry beasts......but they are REALLY nice! I looked at one several years ago when you could only get about about 32" as Plasma....now the LCDs are taking over

Oh and dont be too fooled by shop displays unless you can get the remote and tweak the settings yourself....al the TVs have nice in built presets which are really bright and dynamic and garish and give you the wow factor in the shop....as soon as you get home you tone them right down to ive you a more realistic colour!!!!!

Might need everything turned up high. Conservatories aren't known for their low light levels and sound qualities.