26" lcd tv

thenakedchef

I am looking for a 26" lcd tv for my girlfriends birthday which is on 7th february... My limit is about £300. Can anyone suggest anything?

Scho

Try the online retailers like Dabs.com and Ebuyer.com - they always seem to do better deals on TVs etc than the physical retailers by most parts. If PC World or Currys still do their online price matching you can get them to match and take 10% off in store as well.
I did this with my Samsung 32" TV a few years ago, they matched it to Ebuyer and took 10% off and I got it there and then.
Argos, Amazon and Dixons might also be worth a quick look too.

Worth getting a 32" btw? When I was TV hunting, although a while ago, the 26" market really wasn't that cheap compared to getting a 32" TV. You paid that bit more and got a lot better, mainly as 32 seems the most common or was.

HTH,
Scho

Inactive

Aldi had a 26" LCD TV with a 3 year warranty included for about £220 on Sunday last, they may still have some.

thenakedchef

Scho wrote: »

Try the online retailers like Dabs.com and Ebuyer.com - they always seem to do better deals on TVs etc than the physical retailers by most parts. If PC World or Currys still do their online price matching you can get them to match and take 10% off in store as well.
I did this with my Samsung 32" TV a few years ago, they matched it to Ebuyer and took 10% off and I got it there and then.
Argos, Amazon and Dixons might also be worth a quick look too.

Worth getting a 32" btw? When I was TV hunting, although a while ago, the 26" market really wasn't that cheap compared to getting a 32" TV. You paid that bit more and got a lot better, mainly as 32 seems the most common or was.

HTH,
Scho

Thanks Scho. I will certainly think about the price match option.

I have thought about a 32" but as its for a very small box room at current. It is very big and dont think i could still go out with her with square eyes

Will keep looking, richer sounds, currys and ebuyer are the main ones ive looked at so far. With no such luck. think i may have to increase my budget and have a better perception of the less well known makes and models!

tomsteves

Can any one help? im in a similar situation. would like a 32" tele, seen in tesco a samsung for 350 as HD ready but 329 for HD ready. Whats the difference in the two and has anyone seen any cheaoer deals anywhere? any advice would be really welcomed!

Scho

NakedChef - Yeah maybe a 26 might be right for her if it's small room! Square eyes can be a bit of a put off!
I'd avoid Currys if they can't price match though, I was looking at kitchen appliances and they were always a damn sight more than others - I got a washer for about £50 cheaper from Argos this week. However, you might be able to grab a bargain on the Currys Clearence website (do a web search for the site - think there's a comet one as well if the currys one isnt working yet) - these are returned or display ones that can be a good steal. Jut check the models, any damage and the cost + delivery carefully before putting a bid down and be aware it's a bidding war as well.

@TomSteves - A few web searches should confirm this and there are buying guides out there but watch out for the terms "HD Ready" and "Full HD"; the former is used as a marketing gimmick I find and is generally on the lower end spec TVs - they never do say what level of HD they are really at most times. Saying this though, I have a HD Ready type, and it's still a decent picture and good for most general use. These give a decent picture and are a lower HD setting but if you buy a BluRay player or get Sky HD the quality won't be the same as a 1080p Full HD TV - I've never been able to really look and compare properly as I haven't been actively looking but those I do know and have splashed out have not been dissapointed.
I always check the contrast ratio and HDMI/Scart sockets too - HDMI will connect the newer high quality signalled kit but a Scart or 2 are always useful for those that don't (xbox 360, wii etc). The screen is always the most important but these are bits I also think save time and faffing in the long run!

Set your budget; look for the TVs that match this and with a bit of research find a good quality one in that, and then check what you get for a little more as well and for the same spec. I would personally swear by Samsung (they make the majority of the LCD panels anyway I believe), but know Sony and Panasonic have good reputations too.

HTH,
Scho

Inactive

Scho wrote: »

@TomSteves - A few web searches should confirm this and there are buying guides out there but watch out for the terms "HD Ready" and "Full HD"; the former is used as a marketing gimmick I find and is generally on the lower end spec TVs - they never do say what level of HD they are really at most times. Saying this though, I have a HD Ready type, and it's still a decent picture and good for most general use. These give a decent picture and are a lower HD setting but if you buy a BluRay player or get Sky HD the quality won't be the same as a 1080p Full HD TV - I've never been able to really look and compare properly as I haven't been actively looking but those I do know and have splashed out have not been dissapointed.

Are you sure about that?

ses6jwg

There are currently no HD services which broadcast in "full hd"

Scho

Inactive wrote: »

Are you sure about that?

Well not 100%; thus why I said use some web searches. Would you believe some random bloke off a forum when spending a load of cash on a TV?
Been a while since I looked properly at TVs and only going on what a few colleagues with HD stuff have commented on. One who has Sky HD and a Full HD TV did say the money was worth paying for the quality you get compared to his old non-HD TV; but guess that depends on your views on it really.
But I'd assume the quality of someing in a lower scaled HD format compared to the full 1080p format would be different as you'd expect. Although this depends on 2 things really; that you can tell the difference and the screen is good enough to show it. It would mean you'd be able to handle the full HD and bluray stuff with ease as it got more available though.

But if Sky HD isn't yet in full HD a HD Ready would be more than suitable for most. But the cheaper ones do look a bit dodgy and I do wonder what they really mean when saying 'HD Ready'.

But as long as you do some research and figure out what you want and what to look for etc then who cares what a numpty like me says eh?

Inactive

Scho wrote: »

Well not 100%; thus why I said use some web searches. Would you believe some random bloke off a forum when spending a load of cash on a TV?

But as long as you do some research and figure out what you want and what to look for etc then who cares what a numpty like me says eh?

If you cannot give accurate information, it might just be better to say nothing.

Duff info helps nobody.:(

RICK..._2

Inactive wrote: »

Are you sure about that?

Sky HD on my old HD ready TV was nowhere near as crisp or clear as my new Full HD TV. So there's got to be some difference.