Widescreen
22 June 2001, 01:54 PM
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OK, 800 quid to spend on a widescreen TV.
Think 28 inch is most likely in this price range, and want something with flat screen, stand, not bothered about NICAM as that can be done better externally.
100Hz - is it really a benefit? Worth the money?
Is the size right, or do we want 32inch?
Think 28 inch is most likely in this price range, and want something with flat screen, stand, not bothered about NICAM as that can be done better externally.
100Hz - is it really a benefit? Worth the money?
Is the size right, or do we want 32inch?
22 June 2001, 02:08 PM
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Depends on the size of your room, 28" is fine for a bedroom, but seems a bit lost in anything bigger, IMHO. I'd go for a 32", should be OK in your price range as long as you shop around a bit.
100Hz has pros & cons, I wouldn't bother personally, esp. as light guns for games consoles don't work with them, doh!
As you are going to be using it as a monitor, the best thing to do is to have a wander around any local av retailers and see whether the picture is what you like or not, I've got a JVC one, their pictures are not the most detailed in the world, but is nice a relaxed warm image, ideal as I spend a lot of time with it on while I am doing other things.
Sony & Panasonic are generally regarded in a good light, I always use
100Hz has pros & cons, I wouldn't bother personally, esp. as light guns for games consoles don't work with them, doh!
As you are going to be using it as a monitor, the best thing to do is to have a wander around any local av retailers and see whether the picture is what you like or not, I've got a JVC one, their pictures are not the most detailed in the world, but is nice a relaxed warm image, ideal as I spend a lot of time with it on while I am doing other things.
Sony & Panasonic are generally regarded in a good light, I always use
22 June 2001, 02:32 PM
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Chiark,
We got a Sony KV-32FX20U last December for £1200. This is a brilliant TV for the relatively low price.It is 50MHz but we notice no difference over the 100MHz sets we looked at in the shop. It is nicam which I tend to use for normal TV programmes, and I switch to my surround amp for Sky films and DVDs. It seemed huge at the time (it is 32") but we are now used to it and it seems normal so I would go for a 32" over a 28" if you can really afford to (but bare in mind that all these TVs weigh an absolute ton and need 2 blokes to shift them around. They also come in a box about 3 times the size of the TV so have to be shifted around in the back of a van).
If you can pick one of these Sonys up they maybe in the £800 range as I am sure there are newer models out now.
There is a review on
We got a Sony KV-32FX20U last December for £1200. This is a brilliant TV for the relatively low price.It is 50MHz but we notice no difference over the 100MHz sets we looked at in the shop. It is nicam which I tend to use for normal TV programmes, and I switch to my surround amp for Sky films and DVDs. It seemed huge at the time (it is 32") but we are now used to it and it seems normal so I would go for a 32" over a 28" if you can really afford to (but bare in mind that all these TVs weigh an absolute ton and need 2 blokes to shift them around. They also come in a box about 3 times the size of the TV so have to be shifted around in the back of a van).
If you can pick one of these Sonys up they maybe in the £800 range as I am sure there are newer models out now.
There is a review on
22 June 2001, 03:03 PM
#5
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Ta muchly, looks like 32 is the way to go.
So 100Hz isn't that essential. How about integrated digital tuner? Reception is a bit dodgy in our area....
(fx: rubs hands at prospect of spending Wife's money
)
So 100Hz isn't that essential. How about integrated digital tuner? Reception is a bit dodgy in our area....
(fx: rubs hands at prospect of spending Wife's money
)
22 June 2001, 03:12 PM
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3 Things to consider with the integrated digital tuner:
1). Can you receive a signal, I can't
2). Do you want something else that can go wrong inside your TV?
3). Would you be better off buying a normal TV, and a pre-pay digital box / sky / cable / whatever.
BTW I've just got NTL, but the signal is a lot less stable than the sky digital my parents have got.
1). Can you receive a signal, I can't
2). Do you want something else that can go wrong inside your TV?
3). Would you be better off buying a normal TV, and a pre-pay digital box / sky / cable / whatever.
BTW I've just got NTL, but the signal is a lot less stable than the sky digital my parents have got.
22 June 2001, 04:31 PM
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Chiark old boy!
I can thoroughly recommend Loewe over and above any other brand.
Two main reasons - Sevenoaks in Hull say that on average they get two or 3 Sony's/Panny's back with some fault each month. Loewe!? Never had one back.
Also you get the prestige of having a really high end TV that no one has ever heard of!
Cheers,
Mossman
(Loewe Xelos 32")
I can thoroughly recommend Loewe over and above any other brand.
Two main reasons - Sevenoaks in Hull say that on average they get two or 3 Sony's/Panny's back with some fault each month. Loewe!? Never had one back.
Also you get the prestige of having a really high end TV that no one has ever heard of!
Cheers,
Mossman
(Loewe Xelos 32")
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22 June 2001, 04:42 PM
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Love my Sony KV32FX60 - 32" Super Flat Screen Nicam 100Hz etc.. £890 from Letsbuyit last year.
32" definately the way to go. I would expect with a bit of bargain hunting £800 should get you a good 32" Flat Screen. They wil all have NICAM stereo - but agree - leave the Surround stuff to a proper AV amp setup.
Box wouldn't go through my front door - had to unpack it on the front lawn
Dean
32" definately the way to go. I would expect with a bit of bargain hunting £800 should get you a good 32" Flat Screen. They wil all have NICAM stereo - but agree - leave the Surround stuff to a proper AV amp setup.
Box wouldn't go through my front door - had to unpack it on the front lawn
Dean
22 June 2001, 04:53 PM
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Ive got a Sony 28in 100Hz. Outstanding picture if you have Sky digital but if using standard annologue reception then dont bother with 100Hz. 28in looked too big when first placed in our front room, but now it looks small. Wish I got the 32in. Paid £1000 a year ago, bound to get it for less now.
22 June 2001, 05:06 PM
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Just spotted the kelkoo.com banner add at the bottom.
They reckon a KV32-FX65 can be had for £999,99
Plenty of other 32" models available for aroud the 800 mark. Use the big stores for viewing then take the model numbers and search on the web
They reckon a KV32-FX65 can be had for £999,99
Plenty of other 32" models available for aroud the 800 mark. Use the big stores for viewing then take the model numbers and search on the web
22 June 2001, 05:54 PM
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Try John Lewis - I got a cracking deal on a 36" phillips (beat everyone else, even the net box shifters, plus got a 5 year warranty).
100Hz benefit is debateable. You may like it, you may not and its definitely better on good quality DVD sources.
You'll have a job finding a TV without Nicam: I didn't even want speakers as everything goes throught my A1 but ended up with a pro-logic set anyway.
As for the Digital tuner - can you actually get Ondigital? You may need to change your aerial and co-ax to be able to get the signal cleanly. You'll probably find the IDTV will be more expensive, but you won't have to pay a subscription. I can barely get ondigital but have it purely for the NBA coverage on ITV2...
100Hz benefit is debateable. You may like it, you may not and its definitely better on good quality DVD sources.
You'll have a job finding a TV without Nicam: I didn't even want speakers as everything goes throught my A1 but ended up with a pro-logic set anyway.
As for the Digital tuner - can you actually get Ondigital? You may need to change your aerial and co-ax to be able to get the signal cleanly. You'll probably find the IDTV will be more expensive, but you won't have to pay a subscription. I can barely get ondigital but have it purely for the NBA coverage on ITV2...
22 June 2001, 07:42 PM
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If we're talking of around £1200 I bought a 40" rear projection widescreen from sound & vision in Bolton ,Lancs for £1300 last year.
I've got a 14 foot square room and everybody has said it doesn't look too big for the room. this may be because it is not as deep as most 36inch crt (cathode ray tube ie normal) tv's and can be put quite close to the wall. picture wise for normal terrestrial programmes its not quite as good as crt's but for dvd's it is the bizz .imo it is much better value than crt tv's
Michael
[This message has been edited by super slider (edited 22 June 2001).]
I've got a 14 foot square room and everybody has said it doesn't look too big for the room. this may be because it is not as deep as most 36inch crt (cathode ray tube ie normal) tv's and can be put quite close to the wall. picture wise for normal terrestrial programmes its not quite as good as crt's but for dvd's it is the bizz .imo it is much better value than crt tv's
Michael
[This message has been edited by super slider (edited 22 June 2001).]
23 June 2001, 07:27 AM
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Nick
32" min - def the way to go. I would prefer 100Hz - IMHO it has better definition. I'm looking around at the moment, so I've being doing a bit of research as well. Always consider Phillips - they make the picture tubes for a huge number of TVs - chances are whatever the brand (apart from the serious high end stuff) it will have Phillips components in it (bit like your CD player really). Check out this months WhatHIFI (I think - one of those mags), as they have a review of widescreen TVs.
The other thing I've considered doing is renting. For around £40 a month, you can get a good quality widescreen TV. With the technology and design of TVs changing so quickly, they depreciate faster than Scoobs! If you rent, you can upgrade as and when you want.
Cheers
Chris
32" min - def the way to go. I would prefer 100Hz - IMHO it has better definition. I'm looking around at the moment, so I've being doing a bit of research as well. Always consider Phillips - they make the picture tubes for a huge number of TVs - chances are whatever the brand (apart from the serious high end stuff) it will have Phillips components in it (bit like your CD player really). Check out this months WhatHIFI (I think - one of those mags), as they have a review of widescreen TVs.
The other thing I've considered doing is renting. For around £40 a month, you can get a good quality widescreen TV. With the technology and design of TVs changing so quickly, they depreciate faster than Scoobs!
If you rent, you can upgrade as and when you want.Cheers
Chris
25 June 2001, 12:57 AM
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As I said - got my 32FX60 from letsbuyit last year. 2 Points to note:-
1) Theres no Stand included - so your TV cabinet needs to be able to take the weight
2) Its a European Model. As far I could work out this meant it had a few more broadcast standards than a pure UK one. Sony Manual is european French/Germa/Spanish. They include a photocopy of the UK version in English.
Neither point worried me but others may have a different view.....
1) Theres no Stand included - so your TV cabinet needs to be able to take the weight
2) Its a European Model. As far I could work out this meant it had a few more broadcast standards than a pure UK one. Sony Manual is european French/Germa/Spanish. They include a photocopy of the UK version in English.
Neither point worried me but others may have a different view.....
25 June 2001, 08:06 AM
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Just saw a large plasma screen in Miller Bros - 4999 quid. Lovely though.
32 inch looks huge, and I think the wife may stick to 28...
Wasn't thinking on Friday - meant "Not bothered about PRO LOGIC", not NICAM.
Loewe looks good, put price is out of our range. Looking around is just soooo frustrating, as there appears to be a range in prices between 1000-2300 for the same size with mostly the same features!
Anyone got any opinions on the Thompson stuff?
I'll get what HiFi this lunchtime and annoy the wife by quoting facts out of it
Cheers all.
Greg - may take you up on that viewing offer!
32 inch looks huge, and I think the wife may stick to 28...
Wasn't thinking on Friday - meant "Not bothered about PRO LOGIC", not NICAM.
Loewe looks good, put price is out of our range. Looking around is just soooo frustrating, as there appears to be a range in prices between 1000-2300 for the same size with mostly the same features!
Anyone got any opinions on the Thompson stuff?
I'll get what HiFi this lunchtime and annoy the wife by quoting facts out of it
Cheers all.
Greg - may take you up on that viewing offer!
25 June 2001, 09:38 AM
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Chiark,
Go Sony but don't get rid of the box straight away. Great pic but not always correct 1st time.
I'm a Sony broadcast dealer buy get involved with the domestic stuff now and then.
KV-28FX65 a bute, well worth it.
Ian
editied cos I cant tripe
Or spol
[This message has been edited by ian_sadler (edited 25 June 2001).]
[This message has been edited by ian_sadler (edited 25 June 2001).]
Go Sony but don't get rid of the box straight away. Great pic but not always correct 1st time.
I'm a Sony broadcast dealer buy get involved with the domestic stuff now and then.
KV-28FX65 a bute, well worth it.
Ian
editied cos I cant tripe
Or spol
[This message has been edited by ian_sadler (edited 25 June 2001).]
[This message has been edited by ian_sadler (edited 25 June 2001).]
25 June 2001, 10:29 AM
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Chiark,
Bought a 28" Sony DVB Wega about 2 months ago, awsome picture (we are not in a very good reception area, but with 2 signal boosters we get all the free to view digital channels )
It's also pro logic and looks the bizz.
Do it, you know you want to.
Iain
Bought a 28" Sony DVB Wega about 2 months ago, awsome picture (we are not in a very good reception area, but with 2 signal boosters we get all the free to view digital channels
)It's also pro logic and looks the bizz.
Do it, you know you want to.
Iain
25 June 2001, 10:36 AM
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Sorry guys but I just can't get used to the wide screen format!!! Just bought a new 28" (4:3) Thompson from the company I used to worked for, under 280 pounds delivered & installed. Can't complain at that!!!
cheeRS, Bryan.
cheeRS, Bryan.
25 June 2001, 10:44 AM
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So, that's quite a few votes for Sony. I was tending in that direction, or possibly Philips. Or Panasonic. Or Thompson.
Sheesh, it's a minefield!
Still, after trying to watch a widescreen movie (pitch black) on a standard 21" tv, the other half is convinced
Sheesh, it's a minefield!
Still, after trying to watch a widescreen movie (pitch black) on a standard 21" tv, the other half is convinced
25 June 2001, 01:00 PM
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Oooh, I want a stand... Will start shopping around.
Just went to Currys/Comet/... at lunchtime. No nearer a decision, but convinced that the high street is the place to go if you really want to be ripped off.
Just went to Currys/Comet/... at lunchtime. No nearer a decision, but convinced that the high street is the place to go if you really want to be ripped off.
25 June 2001, 01:18 PM
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When I got my TV (a few years ago now) one of the high street lot had just reduced it to £1700 (28" widescreen 
) I bought every magazine trying to find it cheaper, the best I could manage was £1200.
Then I found an advert for PRC which listed it at £6** (can't mind exactly) phoned up, the girl that answered the phone was really helpful, and explained it was a misprint, that they bought it in for more than that, but to hold on a moment and she would check with her boss.
A couple of minutes later she came back to say that as they had advertised it at that price I could have it for that as long as I sent down a packet of smoked salmon (the company I worked for at the time produced that) The following day my TV had travelled up from London to Inverness. It took me a while to squeeze it into the back of a fiesta, to say nothing about the amount of damage it did to my back
But did prove it pays to shop around
) I bought every magazine trying to find it cheaper, the best I could manage was £1200. Then I found an advert for PRC which listed it at £6** (can't mind exactly) phoned up, the girl that answered the phone was really helpful, and explained it was a misprint, that they bought it in for more than that, but to hold on a moment and she would check with her boss.
A couple of minutes later she came back to say that as they had advertised it at that price I could have it for that as long as I sent down a packet of smoked salmon (the company I worked for at the time produced that) The following day my TV had travelled up from London to Inverness. It took me a while to squeeze it into the back of a fiesta, to say nothing about the amount of damage it did to my back
But did prove it pays to shop around
25 June 2001, 02:39 PM
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I got a Sony 48" widescreen projection TV (sorry can't remember the model number) in a 9 * 9 room. Cost 1100 quid with 5 year warranty. Only space in the room for the two leather recliners and the 5.1 sound system. Everyone who visits goes into the den and doesn't re-emerge for days. Absolute dogs for DVD's and games. Normal TV is normal. Tellitubbies are massive scary things
25 June 2001, 03:12 PM
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Chiark,
I got the mags and found the cheapest online pricing.
John Lewis (in Sheffield) would price match, then I tried Empires - wouldn't budge on price so I walked out. Jones of Oakwood were prepared to haggle and I got a very good price!!
cheers
Greg
I got the mags and found the cheapest online pricing.
John Lewis (in Sheffield) would price match, then I tried Empires - wouldn't budge on price so I walked out. Jones of Oakwood were prepared to haggle and I got a very good price!!
cheers
Greg