Philips - 23 inch widescreen LCD TV - £448????!!!!

Sarfaraz

I've got the e-mail as well. Being the eternal pessimist I think they won't be able to fulfil the order - but I certainly would like to be proved wrong! :-)

scumgrinder

From Home Cinema News

"Sky drops a high definition bombshell

More news has reached us about Sky’s proposed launch of high definition programming in 2006 – and what we’re hearing will send shockwaves throughout the AV industry.

Some of the information BSkyB revealed during a recent presentation to the Digital Interoperability Forum in Brussels seems pretty positive. For instance, BSkyB apparently announced that its service and HDTV decoder box will support BOTH 720p/50Hz AND 1080i/25Hz high definition formats, rather than just going with 720p as was previously anticipated. The choice of which HD format will be used for which HD programme is apparently going to be left to the platform’s individual broadcasters.

However, it was when discussing how the HD signal would be delivered from the Sky decoder box to a projector/plasma TV/LCD TV that the bombshell emerged, as Sky stated that the vast majority of HDTV programming will only be viewable if carried via HDMI or DVI connections that support the HDCP digital rights protection system. In other words, if your projector or flat panel screen only has component video inputs or an HDMI/DVI jack NOT compatible with the HDCP system, it will not show the majority of Sky’s HD services.

Sky has long been troubled by how to stop people copying its broadcasts illegally, so perhaps we shouldn't be too surprised that it's jumping at the chance to use HDCP. But the ramifications of the decision are huge for us punters, as countless flat panel TVs and projectors that don’t have the necessary digital connectivity are already proudly installed in people’s homes, presenting the buyers with the nightmare scenario of having to upgrade by 2006 a screen they thought would last them for many, many years.

There are also many screens/projectors in shops right now that don’t have the necessary connectivity, so if you’re thinking of buying one for Christmas – or whenever! – all we can do is stress in the strongest terms that you try and choose one with an HDCP-compliant HDMI or DVI jack."

bigglywiggly

I would have thought someone would be working on some kind of adapter/converter as there would be a fairly big market to fill...but yes a little worrying.

Does anyone currently have an LCD TV & what is there opinion compared with a CRT? I've read mixed reports about them.

Anyway if you decide not to keep it....should a miracle happen & they actually supply them.....there would be a fair profit to make via Ebay after all in the Argos sale it's still £999!

matthk_2

The only way to get proper widescreen pictures is to view via digital. (Freeview, Sky, Cable etc).

[size=-2]
Not true at all.
I've only got terrestrial (via an indoor antenna no less!)
and my TV (a Sony 28" widescreen) switches to widescreen
mode automatically when a widescreen show is broadcast
(such as 24).

I think (think!) that channel 4 seem to do more widescreen
transmissions than the others, but you can get widescreen format
shows without digital boxes or cable/satelite.
[/size]

Mr_Gordon_2

[size=-2]
Not true at all.
I've only got terrestrial (via an indoor antenna no less!)
and my TV (a Sony 28" widescreen) switches to widescreen
mode automatically when a widescreen show is broadcast
(such as 24).

I think (think!) that channel 4 seem to do more widescreen
transmissions than the others, but you can get widescreen format
shows without digital boxes or cable/satelite.
[/size]

Yip, you're right there. Also one some pre recorded VHS movies, they are in widescreen.

When it comes to Anamorphic widescreen though, which I'm not sure if this is what the poster ment by "propper", then it's more a digital source kind of thing.

polarbearit

Hmm the plot thickens....

Just had a call from Egg to say that a £448 transaction has been taken from my account. Not heard anything from electrical world though.

alanrowell

Does anyone currently have an LCD TV & what is there opinion compared with a CRT? I've read mixed reports about them.

A CRT will out-perform a much more expensive LCD / Plasma screen.

If you have the space & don't mind the weight, then buy a big CRT

PhilUK_3

I ordered 2 of them.. i only got 1 of them emails!

bigglywiggly

Having read what people are saying about LCD's I'm starting to wonder whether I really want one!

Well two sold on Ebay yesterday......£560 + vat (£658) & the other £670. So about £200+ profit to be made.

Sarfaraz

Hmm the plot thickens....

Just had a call from Egg to say that a £448 transaction has been taken from my account.  Not heard anything from electrical world though.

If my glass is half full: You're one of the lucky ones who will be getting the TV

If my glass is half empty: Bit weary that Electrical World have taken money before supplying the goods....

If I throw away the glass and take a reality check!: You paid by credit card so you're protected!