Which HDTV set should I get

hansi · 14-03-2007, 07:17

I currently have an SD TV but am getting a V+ box shortly and want to buy a new HDTV. Should I get one with Freeview built in, or, as I will be connected to the V+ box, do I not need Freeview as well? and just get the basic HDTV?

setch · 14-03-2007, 07:49

Choosing your first HDTV is a big event, so I would suggest that you take your time and make your own decision rather than being swayed by comments from others.

Listen to what others have to say, look at what is available in your price range and if possible go to a decent audio video outlet so that you can see your short listed TV's in action.

Also remember that the price you pay for a particular TV will differ by a few hundred pounds depending on where you buy it.

Can I suggest that you visit:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=91

Here you will find a vast amount of information from some very informed people that should give you the very best start on your quest.

Good luck. Setch

RedDragon · 14-03-2007, 08:01

Check Which magazine or other consumer magazines for reviews then go and check out the quality for yourself in the shop. Be aware though that the hi def pics you see in the shops are usually fed from a hi-def dvd player so ask if you can see the quality from a Sat/cable digi feed, most quality shops will have one available.

awibble · 14-03-2007, 08:24

Also remember that some brands are actually the Same TV sets as other brands.

Toshiba is an expencive brand, and if i remember correctly, there are some lesser known brands that are toshibas with a different badge on them. So that is also worth researching.

However, if you are in any doubt as to if a brand is like above, then buy the brand name you know.

otguk · 14-03-2007, 08:24

Was going to say have a look here http://gadgetshow.five.tv/index.htm

but they didnt really do HD tv as such but it might be worth reading, if only for your added info.

**David F** · 14-03-2007, 08:34

Wait till there is more content. My wallet was ready to dish out when I got V+ but there isnt enough on there to merit the outlay and it looks fine on my SD tv. One thing I have noted is obvious bandwidth problems with on demand too sometimes looking blocky on my 32 in sd tv so imo thats gonna look awful pushed to HD. In 12 to 18 months the technology will have moved on nicely upscaling will be better and more content available. If I were you and I had to buy now id buy a cheapish 32 inch to last a couple of years with the goal of buying a good tv when its worth spending that much cash

**Rob** · 14-03-2007, 09:23

Freeview is not carried over the virgin media system. To receive that you need to connect to a terrestrial (rooftop) aerial. You can do that via the standard RF port on most TVs. Thus you could connect the V+ box via HDMI or Scart lead, with the freeview as a bonus via the RF, getting the best of both worlds, or simply allowing you some future options.

hansi · 14-03-2007, 09:26

Thank you all for your comments. I will bide my time as I have a perfectly good Sony SD set at the moment, and with the V+ Plus box connected, the picture should be better. It's very good anyway right now.

daveetwo · 14-03-2007, 10:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by awibble

Also remember that some brands are actually the Same TV sets as other brands.

Toshiba is an expencive brand, and if i remember correctly, there are some lesser known brands that are toshibas with a different badge on them. So that is also worth researching.

However, if you are in any doubt as to if a brand is like above, then buy the brand name you know.

I thought that toshiba was an expensive brand as well till i called them and they said they would sell direct. I ended up searching the net and got one for just over Â£500 for the 32inch hd model compared with about Â£900 actually shown on thier site. I didnt buy from toshiba but thier price wasnt muich higher than what i paid, only about Â£25 difference.
Really pleased with it as well.

Chris Howell · 14-03-2007, 13:42

I got my Tosh WLT66 32" for Â£550 from an online store.

valor · 14-03-2007, 13:48

IMO Sony Bravia is an excellent piece if kit, also consider Sharp...

gc10360 · 14-03-2007, 13:58

Well, a friend of mine had a sony bravia 40" set, I had a sharp Aquos,
we've both ended up with a Samsung LE40R74BDX, In our opinion a much better picture quality if you can live with slightly tinnier sound.
and if you look on play.com you can get it for Â£779.00 at the moment
(gutted cuz I payed Â£1500 about 8 or so months ago.

handyman · 14-03-2007, 14:17

I'm thinking of this set at the moment. http://www.comet.co.uk/cometbrowse/p....do?sku=321362

I've found it elsewhere for Â£700 so if my money comes it it could be bolted to the wall be the end of the month :-)

Has freeview built in which is ok as we have sky but it does have 2 freeviews in it and can do picture in picture and split screen. Has good contrast as well.

themelon · 14-03-2007, 14:40

I brough back in January an LG 32 Inch TV Which was on Sale, It has built in Freeview and I have found the picture quality with the XD Engine to be excellent. It is bigger than my old SD TV but It would seem even the standard ntl picture quality looks great. I am contemplating getting V+ but am concerned over the extra wiring.

The Freeview tuner seems quite good too as it picks up channels I couldnt get on my old freeview box, apparently it has some kind of built in booster? looking through the settings.

Overall I would recommend the LG Sets, I guess a lot revolves around the reliability.

The last few SD Sets I have had broke within 3 years. 1 Panasonic, 1 Sony and One Asda ownbrand Schneider (which lasted the longest umm)

gc10360 · 14-03-2007, 14:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by handyman

I'm thinking of this set at the moment. http://www.comet.co.uk/cometbrowse/p....do?sku=321362

I've found it elsewhere for Â£700 so if my money comes it it could be bolted to the wall be the end of the month :-)

Has freeview built in which is ok as we have sky but it does have 2 freeviews in it and can do picture in picture and split screen. Has good contrast as well.

just be careful, plasmas are very good if you buy the correct set, you need to look at resolution as a lot of hd plasmas are 1024 * 768 and so can't do native 720p (obviously the closer the res to 1280*720 the better)
look for sets with a resolution of 1280 * 720 or 1366 * 768 unless you want to go for a 1080p set which are more expensive.

also plasma's (cheaper ones) can suffer from screen burn when there are static images on screen (e.g channel logo's in corners of screen) although this is less common now you need to look into this before you buy.