LCD Television Questions and Advice Please

Mrs_PI

I am looking to upgrade to an LCD tv. I think a 32" or 37" max would be best as my room is not that large. I have been looking at these

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-37XV555DB-Widescreen-1080P-Freeview/dp/B00179SI3E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1227530789&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-32XV555DB-Widescreen-1080p-Freeview/dp/B0013HKTF0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1227530789&sr=1-4

But I feel its minefield out there. I want to buy and future proof myself, I would not be conecting to any HD equipment at the moment, but would maybe go for an upscalling DVD player.

So a few questions if I may

1 - Would it be worth me going for full HD or just HD ready ?

2- If the TV comes with built in Freeview, can I still conect my Sky box ?

3- Would my DVD recorder be able to record from both Freeview and Sky or only one ?

I would really value any replies and help from someone who knows LCD's inside and out, and if any suggestions come forward with better TV's than the 2 above I would gladly look at them.

Thanks in advance

bob_a_builder

1 - Would it be worth me going for full HD or just HD ready ?
HD ready is fine for most people
Full HD is only really needed if going for blue ray or PS3

2- If the TV comes with built in Freeview, can I still conect my Sky box ?
Yes - via scart

3- Would my DVD recorder be able to record from both Freeview and Sky or only one ?
should be able to do both - but not really my area, I'm a PVR user

jaydeeuk1

Also like to add, if you are thinking of going for sky HD, its well worth going for a full HD tv. Saying that though, you also want a TV that won't look crap when watching SD freeview/sky. Check out John Lewis / empire direct / richer sounds as they often all have similar prices, but they all come with a 5 yr warranty too.

Fifer

I don't believe Richer Sounds TVs come with a five year warranty as standard. Doesn't that cost an extra 10% of the purchase price?

jaydeeuk1

Fifer wrote: »

I don't believe Richer Sounds TVs come with a five year warranty as standard. Doesn't that cost an extra 10% of the purchase price?

Yup........

BillScarab

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

Also like to add, if you are thinking of going for sky HD, its well worth going for a full HD tv. Saying that though, you also want a TV that won't look crap when watching SD freeview/sky. Check out John Lewis / empire direct / richer sounds as they often all have similar prices, but they all come with a 5 yr warranty too.

Why Sky HD in't boradcast in 1080p. Alot also depends on how big your set is and how close you sit. If you sit 9-10 feet back and hav a 322-37" TV you won't notice much difference between Full HD and HD ready.

Perosnally I'd recommend a Panasonic TH-37PX80B Plasma TV. We've got one and it's excellent. A lot of people prefer Plasmas for SD pictures which is what the majority of people are still watching.

Mrs_PI

I had not considered Plasma before always heard bad things

I am a big movie buff and watch loads of dvd's, hence the reason I won't be getting Blu ray right away as my collection if huge, so would plasma be better than LCD?

We sit about 8ft away from the screen if that makes a difference

Marty_J

Mrs_PI wrote: »

I had not considered Plasma before always heard bad things

I am a big movie buff and watch loads of dvd's, hence the reason I won't be getting Blu ray right away as my collection if huge, so would plasma be better than LCD?

We sit about 8ft away from the screen if that makes a difference

It really depends on the television. I don't think there's an answer as to whether plasma or LCD is better, and with advances in technology it's becoming increasingly irrelevant.

If you like a TV, don't rule it out because it's plasma.

bob_a_builder

don't think there's an answer as to whether plasma or LCD is better, and with advances in technology it's becoming increasingly irrelevant.

Every one is going to have a different opinion of course, but I think you will find it is generally accepted that plasmas are better for SD content i.e. freeview and std Sky etc

LCD tends to be aimed at Full HD, but you only need Full HD for Blu Ray and PS3
TV won't be broadcast in Full HD for years ( if ever)
LCDS tend to have higher screen resolutions which sounds like a good thing, but tends to make the SD picture appear noisier than a plasma equivlent

Plus I find the flesh tones/ people faces just look more realistic on my Plasma than other peoples LCDs (of course that could be down to set up)

I have the 42PX80, and can highly recommend