TV Brands - what are good or poor? Your experience

sillywilly

Hi we are in the market for a couple of new TVs and have a limited budget.. There are a plethora of review sites out there and it is hard sorting the wheat from the chaff. One site will give a TV 9 whilst another 4 (out of 10).

I thought it may be useful to get some ideas and suggestions for people who save money but want good quality - here.

We are members of Which and their best brand TVs are Panasonic, Sony, LG, Samsung and Phillips. No other brands make it into their best buys.

We will probably get our TV from somewhere that offers a warranty into the price like Richer Sounds
http://www.richersounds.com/products/home-cinema/lcd-and-plasma/all-tvs or

John Lewis http://www.johnlewis.com/Electricals/Televisions/Televisions/SubCategory.aspx?SearchTerm=tvs&s_kwcid=TC|16380|john%20lewis%20tv||S|p|4417844278

But have also seen this deal at Aldi as this also comes with a 3 year warranty http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_13523.htm?WT.mc_id=2010-03-26-15-14

Does any have any experience with the Aldi products? Would you reccomend?

Sony are also offering a 3 year warranty http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/8839623/Sony-Bravia-S-Series-40-40S5500-HD-1080p-Freeview-Widescreen-LCD-TV/Product.html

Do you or would you reccomend your manufacturer or shop? If your TV has gone wrong how has the customer service been in terms of pick up and repair or replacement?

At present we have 2 Panasonic CRT TVs that have worked without fault and are both over 10 years old. We would like to upgrade because HD does look great and also because of size aesthetic reasons. Also we feel the price has come down enough to what it was a couple of years ago.

Any help and details of your experience greatly appreciated.

tanith

We have always bought Sony tvs and never had a problem with them.. not had to use the Customer Services as we have always upgraded and given the old still working tv to a young family member..

sillywilly

tanith wrote: »

We have always bought Sony tvs and never had a problem with them.. not had to use the Customer Services as we have always upgraded and given the old still working tv to a young family member..

Have you now got a Sony LCD, what size and model is it, when did you buy it, did it come with a warranty and how much did you pay for it if you don't mind me asking?!!

Sorry if there the questions are too personal or too many. We just need info to help our decision.

Panasonic and Sony are the 2 brands we are considering the most for out main TV. But open to suggestions and reccomendations especially experience of the more budget TVs.

From experience Bush and Acoustic Solutions and Wharfedale - all from Argos have been ruled out because from the people we know the general consenus is they are crap!! Sorry to anyone with one of these.

Please let us know your experiences.

boltongirl1

Panasonic all the way. I have always had Panasonic TV's from leaving home 25+ years ago and have never had one breakdown yet only changed to upgrade

sillywilly

boltongirl1 wrote: »

Panasonic all the way. I have always had Panasonic TV's from leaving home 25+ years ago and have never had one breakdown yet only changed to upgrade

Same questions to you. Have you now got a Panasonic LCD / Plasma, what size and model is it, when did you buy it, did it come with a warranty and how much did you pay for it if you don't mind me asking?!!

Sorry if there the questions are too personal or too many. We just need info to help our decision.

Would like a Panasonic but bigger than 32" LCDs are pretty dear. Although 37" Plasmas can be had for OK price.

tanith

sillywilly I'll have to look out the details as OH was the one who did all the buying .. can't even remember where we bought it but I will see if he remembers..or the deal

PUREHOMES

are by far and away the best.....
Then comes Panasonic, Sony, LG and Samsung.......Dependant on type/size/model.........some are better than others.

NEVER BUY EXTENDED WARRANTY, they are not worth the paper they are written on.

PM me if you want any advice as I deal in this industry and supply tvs etc to hotels, companies etc etc

PUREHOMES

deciding on brand is your preference really.

Some people have always had Sony, others prefer Panasonic.

However, I recently sorted a large Sony set for someone who had always had Sony and they were disappointed with the picture. I also sorted a Panasonic for someone who had always had Panasonic, after 6 months it developed major problems.

All brands have a percentage of sets with problems.

Personally I have a Panasonic G series, but I do like the LG led series too!

Have a look at the Samsung C9000, pay particular attention to the remote control!!

cattie

For quite a few years now I've chosen Philips tv's as I've never had a single problem with them & the picture & sound quality are very good.

I tend to buy from John Lewis as the price is usually quite keen & apart from the 5 year guarantee, there is free delivery which are added attractions.

Although I've never had reason to return or complain about an item, I do like the comfort of knowing JL is highly unlikely to try to fob me off should a problem ever occur.

boltongirl1

sillywilly wrote: »

Same questions to you. Have you now got a Panasonic LCD / Plasma, what size and model is it, when did you buy it, did it come with a warranty and how much did you pay for it if you don't mind me asking?!!

Sorry if there the questions are too personal or too many. We just need info to help our decision.

Would like a Panasonic but bigger than 32" LCDs are pretty dear. Although 37" Plasmas can be had for OK price.

I have a 32inch LCD which I have had for about 5-6 years it came with a 12 month warranty, as LCD was relatively new back then I paid a lot for it !! (could probably get at least 3 sets for that kind of money now)
I do also have an LG 42 inch plasma which was bought from Richer Sounds last year, in my opionion the Panasonic is a better picture.
If there is a Richer Sounds near you go down and take a look at what they have in stock they are always good on price and you can extend the warranty with them to 5 years for 10% of the purchase price, I would not normally pay to extend a warranty but Richer Sounds can't be beaten.

red_eye

sillywilly wrote: »

Have you now got a Sony LCD, what size and model is it, when did you buy it, did it come with a warranty and how much did you pay for it if you don't mind me asking?!!

Sorry if there the questions are too personal or too many. We just need info to help our decision.

Panasonic and Sony are the 2 brands we are considering the most for out main TV. But open to suggestions and reccomendations especially experience of the more budget TVs.

From experience Bush and Acoustic Solutions and Wharfedale - all from Argos have been ruled out because from the people we know the general consenus is they are crap!! Sorry to anyone with one of these.

Please let us know your experiences.

panasonic and sony are very good as are lg, samsung and pioneer. I would however stay away from the aldi special
I have a 37w5010 which cost £1000 with a free blu ray player with 5 years warranty from sony center good picture. I would get a demo at richer sounds as they would have the tv set up and calibrated unlike stores like comet who have there panels as bright as possible tho it wont maatter if your not to fussy about having the best possible pic the panel can produce, then shop around.
I think richer sound price match im not sure. wont hurt to ask:j

avforums.com for excelent advice