Help with buying new tv please?

[caz500]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and have found it very interesting. I wonder if someone can help me with this please? I have a virgin media V+ box in my kitchen with a small flat screen television attached and I use a transmitter to send the signal to my living room tv so that I can watch freeview programmes in there and pause, rewind live tv, watch catch up tv etc. (although the menu pages never appear on the living room tv). The problem is, I need to get a new tv for the living room, I would ideally like a 32 inch flat screen, looking in the shops most of them now have integrated freeview and I 've been thinking I don't really need this 'cos I've got the V+ box, can anyone advise what sort of tv they think I should be looking for please. I only have limited budget say £400 - £500. Thanks a lot.

Confused -

[autolycus]

Even though i have a twin tuner pvr i still find the built-in freeview on the TV useful occassionally, for example, when i''m recording two programmes on the pvr. And as you say, it's hard to find a tv without it anyway these days.



If you don't get enough help here, there are other forums - eg digitalspy and avforums - which might be more specialised in this area - tho' the amount of info can be a bit overwhelming.

[dremble wedge]

My 9 month old 32inch flatscreen has integrated digital TV, but the reception is poor so I still use an old Freeview box where the reception is excellent.



I'm as a child in such matters but I would have thought it'd difficult to buy a new TV without the Freeview gubbins inside these days?

[caz500]

Thanks very much for your replies

Would I just set the new tv up and then switch the transmitter from the V+ cable box on and off as required? I know I sound a bit thick, but all this new technology is a bit mind blowing!!

I've been told Panasonic and Samsung are about the best for picture clarity and sound, would you agree? What do you think is the minimum resolution I should invest in? Thanks.

[mrs_emma_peel]

Which magazine recommends the Panasonic Viera range as the finest LCD televisions on the market today – Sony Bravia are second – Panasonic would probably my choice for my next television.



Which magazine:

The stunning rosta of Best Buys from both 2007 and 2008 is testament to the quality gap Panasonic has put between itself and the rest of the flat-panel TV market. Whether LCD or plasma TVs they are simply streets ahead of the competition. But there have been some cracks showing – bizarrely enough in their top-of-the-range models.



Panasonic currently offers the best LCD and plasma TVs we have ever tested. Admittedly they tend to be pricier than some of the competition but it’s hard to fault most of the models we've tested. They are easier to use and more energy efficient than most other brands and offer a good level of functionality. However, it's picture quality that usually stands Panasonic out from the crowd – be it standard or high definition.



The Panasonic LCD range seem to have the picture quality edge on the plasma TVs at the moment. Interestingly, we've found high standards across their entire LCD range - with the entry level sets scoring just as highly as the top of the range models. For the sake of a few extra sockets and fancy features you could save yourself hundreds of pounds without skimping on the picture.



However, there is cause for some slight concern. Sound quality is sometimes a let-down on entry level models and it is guilty of over-doing its digital processing software - spoiling what otherwise would be decent picture results with a slightly artificial feel.

We’ve spotted this on more than one occasion in its plasma TVs ranges – the entry level PX models (lower screen resolution, smaller price tag) have performed better in our viewing tests than the PZ ranges (higher spec and higher price).



Given that you’re more likely to pay less for a better picture this isn’t necessarily a bad thing – but the one cause for concern is that, as Panasonic introduces features from higher ranges into entry ranges, it loses its edge in superior picture processing.



Having said that, Panasonic continues to be at the cutting edge of flat panel TV technology. It was the first to market with integrated Freesat plasma and LCD TVs and was among the first to include audio description and power saving light sensors as standard. All its 2008 range – be it entry or top-of-the-range now come with memory card slots.



FOR: Picture quality, ergonomics, versatile features, innovation – you name it, Panasonic leads the field

AGAINST: The high-end plasma PZ ranges do not deliver the high quality standard-definition picture we’ve come to expect from Panasonic.

[caz500]

Thanks very much, looks like Panasonic it is then! One more question, hope you aren't getting fed up with me - if my new telly is HD ready, and I send a recorded programme to it via the transmitter from my V+ box will it receve it in HD?

[Freddy]

Many thanks for the info Ms. Peel, am looking for a new one as well. you've saved me a lot of bother and procrastination so Panasonic it will be.



Regards



FReddy

[mallee59]

In case anyone is interested ebuyer have an offer on for 32" Vistron

Vistron 32" HD Ready TV Digital Freeview 1366x768 1500:1 500cd/m2 10ms 16:9 2xHDMI/VGA Gloss Black **Samsung Panel** - Ebuyer

For further assistance on choosing your TV you can call us Monday to Friday 9AM - 7PM on 0872 111 2222

Everything you will need in a TV and more...



The 32" Vistron making the images more vibrant and clear.



With its slick lines and superb features this TV would be the centre piece of any living room.



Now with High Quality Samsung LCD Panel...

Vistron 32" HD Ready TV Digital Freeview 1366x768 1500:1 500cd/m2 10ms 16:9 2xHDMI/VGA Gloss Black **Samsung Panel**

* Was £399.99

Save £100.99

Now £299.00inc vat

With the info from Which it might be worth ringing their line 'armed' with the right questions, but it looks good

Mallee

[mallee59]

name='caz500']Thanks very much, looks like Panasonic it is then! One more question, hope you aren't getting fed up with me - if my new telly is HD ready, and I send a recorded programme to it via the transmitter from my V+ box will it receve it in HD?

Will depend on the transmitter you are using, really need to see the specs for it relating to the V+ box

You also mentioned not neding Freeview, better to have it in case you need to use the TV on its own aerial

I use Sky+ but no HD

Used to work in CCTV and TV

cheers

mallee

[autolycus]

One other thing i would suggest you consider is an extended guarantee. I've had problems with 2 lcd TVs (sony and sharp) both within 3 years of purchase. If you get a problem with the panel, you often might as well throw the TV away.



John Lewis give a free 5 year guarantee and will price-match locally and nationally subject to conditions. This is the route i took for my last TV - and i believe they have a good range of panasonic if that's the make that you're going for.

[rbrooks2008]

Have they 'upped' the projected life of these new LCD/Plasma screens? Five years was the duration mentioned a couple of years ago, which is minimal when we are talking something that could be costing in four figures.

[mrs_emma_peel]

Glad to be of help, caz500 and Freddy

[autolycus]

name='rbrooks2008']Have they 'upped' the projected life of these new LCD/Plasma screens? Five years was the duration mentioned a couple of years ago, which is minimal when we are talking something that could be costing in four figures.

Good question. I'd be interested in other members' experiences. As i said, i've had 3 years max problem-free with LCD. My last CRT lasted 13 years, and that was an Amstrad

[Bernardo]

Surely due to the phase out of analogue terrestial TV in about 3 years all new TVs now come with the digital tuners as standard unless they are old design unsold?

[ollie]

name='mallee59']In case anyone is interested ebuyer have an offer on for 32" Vistron

Vistron 32" HD Ready TV Digital Freeview 1366x768 1500:1 500cd/m2 10ms 16:9 2xHDMI/VGA Gloss Black **Samsung Panel** - Ebuyer

For further assistance on choosing your TV you can call us Monday to Friday 9AM - 7PM on 0872 111 2222

Everything you will need in a TV and more...



The 32" Vistron making the images more vibrant and clear.



With its slick lines and superb features this TV would be the centre piece of any living room.



Now with High Quality Samsung LCD Panel...

Vistron 32" HD Ready TV Digital Freeview 1366x768 1500:1 500cd/m2 10ms 16:9 2xHDMI/VGA Gloss Black **Samsung Panel**

* Was £399.99

Save £100.99

Now £299.00inc vat

With the info from Which it might be worth ringing their line 'armed' with the right questions, but it looks good

Mallee

Carefull i read a lot of bad reviews and that a lot of these have been sent back ? it stopped me from buying one i wanted a samsung as in this price range they make the best panel but i was 100 quid short and got an lg graded one (few scratches) 5 ***** which review for £300 delivered.



Martin Dawes : LG 32LB75 32" LCD television



cheers Ollie.

[mallee59]

name='ollie']Carefull i read a lot of bad reviews and that a lot of these have been sent back ? it stopped me from buying one i wanted a samsung as in this price range they make the best panel but i was 100 quid short and got an lg graded one (few scratches) 5 ***** which review for £300 delivered.



Martin Dawes : LG 32LB75 32" LCD television



cheers Ollie.

As always its well worth shopping around, plus very good advice about the extended warranty

Mallee.....

[DocRobertPepper]

did you consider putting the V+ box in the living room with the new TV and transmitting to the kitchen TV

[alan gowdy]

Please note that the best HD resolution available is 1080 vertical lines. I think it's false economy to buy an HD set with less than this but currently only a minority of equipment on sale is "full HD" by this measurement. Shop carefully.

[dylan]

I'm considering buying this one:





Panasonic 26" HD Ready LCD TV with built-in Freeview TX-26LXD8 - Tesco.Direct



It has had excellent reviews.



D.

[Bernardo]

We were in Currys this week and made an enquiry on a TV. Astounding advice 'Wait till after Christmas as prices will crash'. If you want one before Sainsbury have a 40" Sony Bravia full HD for £599, claiming £200 off. (Off what I always wonder) But is best price we have seen for a quality product.