samkydd

Post removed in case Lady Lois objects.

"...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"

David Brent

For what it's worth I recently had a chat with a highly rated local television technician regarding the plasma or LCD TV argument.
He told me that there are now 2-3 new types of plasma under development. We apparantly won't see them in Australia until around 2007.
He surprised me though when he said that for his money the DLP rear projection TV still has the best quality large screen picture in this country.

Dave.

samkydd

Post removed in case Lady Lois objects

"...the chairman of Littlewoods stores made a Keynote speech!"

Jonathan

Samkydd,

Have you considered a projector? There's just no substitute for seeing a film on a big screen and the quality of modern projectors (even those at around £1000) is absolutely amazing. I changed to an Infocus Screenplay 5700 about a year ago and now watch TV, DVD etc on a 7ft screen. Best of all the screen simply rolls up out of the way when it isn't in use - unlike a TV or plasma which sits there looking ugly even when not being used. You do need to consider the sound system to go with this option but that side of things doesn't have to cost a fortune. Good sound isn't just about action movies - even 'Brief Encounter sounds better through full range speakers rather than some little ones in a TV or plasma set.

As an example why not consider something like:

Yamaha 357 surround amplifier - £139
Mordaunt SHort 914 floorstanding speakers £200
Mordaunt SHort bookshelf speakers for rear channels £100
I presume you already have a reasonable DVD player
Then get yourself an Infocus Screenplay projector, screen and video cable here: Infocus ScreenPlay 4805 - £699 + screen offer, free lead, free bulb warranty, free delivery for £795

Total cost £1200 ish, add a subwoofer and centre channel at a later date but even without these things you will have a home cinema that will bring you closer to a cinema experience than you ever dreamed possible in the home.

Of course if you can spend more then you can buy even better quality gear from the likes of Arcam, Kef, REL etc but I doubt you could better the above for value for money.

If however you are a pensioner and want to watch a lot of daytime TV then do not go the projector route - the bulbs last around 2000-3000 hrs (3 hrs a night for 2-3 years) but do cost £200-£300 and you do have to draw curtains to get the best possible picture. It's not an issue if most of your watching is in the evenings though.

Jonathan Gorse
(Freelance writer for Hi-Fi News magazine)

Harbottle

I’m in the same boat as Sam, my Sony telly is @1994 and still going strong
I am not impressed with either the picture quality and especially the price of plasma and LCD, plus with this new fangled HDTV on the horizon it’s a puzzle which route to follow. If the trusty old box goes to televisual heaven anytime soon. I have been pondering getting a widescreen CRT Panasonic which seem to be quite well regarded and far better value than LCD etc.

foha80

With retail shops changing their stock over to LCD & plasma Tv's,there has never been a better time to buy
large widescreen tv's.The prices are falling,I picked up a 32 inch widscreen phillips TV witrha five year gaurantee at half the price it was 18 month ago.The shops are wanting rid of them because everyone is after large flatscreens.

MarcMorris

Here's my dream TV:

Pioneer Pure Vision Black 50-inch

Maybe one day....

Nucleus Films:
DVD Releasing + Extras Production

MarcMorris

That's the option I was also looking at - but seeing as I'm currently doing up the flat, it's hard to justify the expense. But maybe soon.

Nucleus Films:
DVD Releasing + Extras Production

arty-dave

I saw a demonstration of High Definition TV recently - woweee!!

MarcMorris

Hi def sure does look incredible. How many of you will be dumping your low-def DVDs in favour of Hi-Def re-releases i wonder?

The usual reply is 'well DVD is fine for me' - but once you see a lovely HD transfer, you'll want to upgrade you faveourite films for sure.

Nucleus Films:
DVD Releasing + Extras Production

arty-dave

Is that something to do with your kettle when it gets furred

arty-dave

Blimey! The Christmas Tree didn't last long, did it

mysteriesofedgarwallace

Being old school, at the moment, I still prefer the CRT picture (50Hz, not 100Hz) and see no reason to replace my Sony.
I wouldn't waste my money on a plasma; flawed technology. Not a good long term bet.
I think people get too anal over PQ.
After all, a 5th generation copy of a Betamax to VHS to DVD transfer of a 1983 recording of a B&W film in 4:3 looks cack on anything but a 20" portable.

MarcMorris

Where did you get that idea? If yoy think current DVD technology even approaches the resolution of film, are you in for a surprise when you see an HD DVD release.

Nucleus Films:
DVD Releasing + Extras Production

Steve Crook

There are some definite formats. The trouble is that there isn't just ONE definite format so nobody's sure which way it will go.

Steve