Ive also got a panny PWD7, not HD compatable but fantastic picture quality. True HD tv is not going to be here for about 2 years, then thats only going to be a couple of film channels on sky which you will have to pay extra for. Try AV sales in kent 08707 740730. You could probably get one of these for about £1200, much better than the samsung. Only problem is you would need speakers as it is just a screen, you can get basic ones to go with the screen, but I cant tell you how much of a diffence a decent surround sound set up makes to films, I went with M&K speakers, not the cheapest but amazing sound quality

 

I intend to watch tv through Sky Plus & have seperate surround sound already ! But what put me off the Panasonics is that you have to buy a scart socket adaptor & you can only have one unless you buy a switching box !

All more wires & toomuch hassle for me !

 

If you look at the Vieras theyre the panasonics with all the stuff built in like the tuner/speakers/scarts etc..... a superb set IMO....

 

I certainly wouldn't buy a set that wasn't "HD Ready".

Sky's HD boxes are in full production and the expected start date is 14th February.
Upscaling DVD players are available now, Blu-Ray and HD-DVD are not far off as well as the PS3 and X-Box 360 due soon. All output high def.

The new 6th Generation Pioneer Plasma's have received great reviews in the AV press and are considered to be the best Plasma's on sale, the 436XDE does retail at over £2500 though.
If you are not going to wall mount then have a look at the HD Ready rear pro's.

Cheers
Lee

 

this is the one i have: http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/product_...onomy_id=62-63

interesting reading: http://www.billpinnell.com/2005/10/p...n-pioneer.html

 

Are there any sets with more that one HDMI input? I'm going to upgrade when I get an XBox 360 but don't want to be plugging and unplugging it. Or, is there a switchbox?

 

I believe that it is Samsung; who are a far higher quality manufacturer than Lucky Goldstar, but dont tell Pikey Pete.....


Simon

 

It is indeed Samsung as far as I know.

 

Got it this morning
& so far it looks superb !
Havent fiddled with any settings yet so could get better

 

Word of warning, theyre like a cars engine and need to be "run in" for the first 100 (I think thats right) hours most sets come as default with the brightness and contrast settings maxed out, reduce them to below half if this is the case, Burn in etc might not be very common with todays screens but theyre more sensitive during their early hours of use....

Hope thats of some help too you

 

p.s. get it on the wall and take some piccies for us

 

Further to what Dave's said here; whilst youre running it in avoid channels that have a 'channel identifier' in the corner of the screen: ITV2, SKY1 etc. The reason is that the set is most susceptible to screen burn during these first hours.


Simon

 

I didnt bother avoiding channels on mine to be honest, just didnt leave it on that channel all night long (dont fall asleep with the telly on ) but to be fair Ive not seen any hint of burn in whilst having images left on the screen for hours on end.

 

Plasma screens a principally susceptible to this for the first few hours of use.