Bargain alert! 32" HD Ready LCD TV for £399...can you get one?

anttreas

Ok
Just some advice to people thinking of buying LCD's.
I am an electrical engineer, and my job is to install LCD and Plasma televisions in peoples homes, so over the years I have got used to the pro's and cons.
First things first, if you are changing from a tube CRT set to and LCD to get better picture quality then dont. Even HD Plasmas have difficulty matching the picture quality of a tubed CRT. (big backed old TV)
However, we would all love to gain the extra space and LCD/Plasma will allow us.

In my experience, cheap is really REALLY not a good idea with LCD technology. All these brand names people are reeling off will most probably be correct. All of these cheap sets are normally made by one firm, then shipped out to distributers, such as Bush, Thompson, Furguson, Crown, Pacific, etc...
At the end of the day you get what you pay for. (in most cases). The cheapest I would ever recommend would be Samsung. Who, believe it or not, make most of the panels for the cheaper brands, the picture quality is nothing to write home about but isnt too bad, and it is a major named company so you will get better after sales care.

However, this is my personal opinion, I would seriously AVOID SONY and JVC.
Sony's picture quality is seriously poor once you go over 23", and JVC spend more time in our workshop than the customers house.

I honestly wish I could afford it, but for those of you able to wait a while and save up, it is worth it. My personal preference for quality build, ease of use and picture quality would be Panasonic. They beat the others hands down. They have won numerous awards for their LCD's and Plasmas. If you are looking for a litte one though, maybe up to 23", i was supprisingly impressed by Humax & Toshiba. Both had great picture quality.

My last bit of advice, do NOT BUY ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT HAVE A DIGITAL TUNER IN IT. I am amazed at how many people are still buying VCR's and DVDR's without digital tuners. They will be obsolete in a couple of years. Its not value for money, even though its cheaper now.
Merry XMas all and lets make it a cheap one :beer:

MSE_Martin

'm interested in two things.... why is Martin recommending what is almost certainly a very bad quality TV, that has no built in Freeview tuner (normal analogue telly turns off as soon as next year) when he almost certainly knows nothing about TVs.

And - why when you click on the links does it go through something called 'commission junction'?

Is it possible that Martin Lewis is using the huge subscriber base of his website to generate pay-per click revenue by getting us all to look at a few rubbish tellys?

Discuss.

I do find this kind of post a little annoying.


1. This site is talking about this because its a 'money saving site' not a 'lets find the best technology site'. These are as far as Im aware the cheapest 32" LCD TVs on the market. That's the info I'm providing and many people are glad. The service reports are good - not great - but this is about getting a good deal and these TVs are (my friend bought the woolies one last time it was available and is very much enjoying it!)

As for the digital tuner, these are available separately cheaply. There is no need for an in-built tuner. Many people have sky, freeview and other boxes. A tuner is now priced at less than £20 - it is cheaper to get this TV and a tuner than to buy an all in one. Of course when HD freeview is available we'll see the prices rise; though some have HD Sky already (not that impressive though yet, I have it - very little is broadast. Hence why I say its future proofing).

2. As for the criticism about the links. Did you notice the * - did you read what it meant? Did you see that every link that ever has a * on this site explains why and has a full page about it. I believe in transparency. There is nothing on this site here because "it's paid", yet if something is on the site anyway (as these TVs are) then we try and get paid links. Why? Well the servers cost over £100,000 a year to start with, then there's the techie team, the charity fund, the MSE team.

This site has a very open ethical financial policy - nothing is hidden - and when people try and criticise the policy as if there's some kind of secret - without having done the reading - it cheapens what the whole place is about!

Martin

anttreas

Nail_Lad wrote:

Blu-Ray vs HD-DVD I'm leaving well alone until the market has settled down.
720p vs 1080i

I agree, wait until it is official, however, the way things are looking at the moment, Blu-Ray is going to become the standard. It is able to do much more than HDDVD and has many more companies behind it. The major companies are certainly behind Blu-Ray.
If Blu-Ray does come through, then all it will mean is that you would need a blu-ray player (wait though, as they are about £1300 atm) and when u go to your supermarket to buy ur DVD, u pay about £3 extra and get a BD instead :T

RedOnRed

MSE_Martin wrote:

This site has a very open ethical financial policy - nothing is hidden - and when people try and criticise the policy as if there's some kind of secret - without having done the reading - it cheapens what the whole place is about!

Martin

As long as i'm not hassled by in your face pop-ups and banners i'm happy. This site has never introduced any of that sort of stuff...well done.

There's far more useful information on this site then on the likes of Which and you have to subscribe to that.

Martin, you should get people to subscribe and be living on your own island stroking a white cat and plotting world domination with the dosh you could make out of some of the moaning freeloaders on this site...lol.

Quiznite

The acoustic solustions doe's not have Freeview but it's a great set and I have tried with with HD and looks great .
There is stock at Argos Bridlington if it's any help

gatra_2

mat01 wrote:

I'm interested in two things.... why is Martin recommending what is almost certainly a very bad quality TV, that has no built in Freeview tuner (normal analogue telly turns off as soon as next year) when he almost certainly knows nothing about TVs.

And - why when you click on the links does it go through something called 'commission junction'?

Is it possible that Martin Lewis is using the huge subscriber base of his website to generate pay-per click revenue by getting us all to look at a few rubbish tellys?

Discuss.

Don't be daft Martin would never do this, Martin maybe a money saving Guru and fantastic with money and finding a bargin which this is if you need a cheep second TV for the kitchen or bedroom and when he finds a bargin he passes it on. But I don't think he's a guru on HD LCD /PLASMA TVs, he just passes on things he finds.

I'm sure Martin will have a few things to say on this......

Nuff said here

Gaz

emmalife24

Hi Martin,
I need a HD ready TV with PC input because my old Tv has got sound problems, I would like to ask you about:
1)the Samsung 32" what do you think about it? Because I am not ready in TV things
2) I don't have to buy it now but when do you think shall I buy it after charismas? But when is best bargain
I need your help the choices and prices are driving mad...
Many Thanks
Emma

RedOnRed

gatra wrote:

I'm sure Martin will have a few things to say on this......

Nuff said here

Gaz

I think if you scroll up you'll find that he's already responded.

gatra_2

MSE_Martin wrote:

I do find this kind of post a little annoying.

2. As for the criticism about the links. Did you notice the * - did you read what it meant? Did you see that every link that ever has a * on this site explains why and has a full page about it. I believe in transparency. There is nothing on this site here because "it's paid", yet if something is on the site anyway (as these TVs are) then we try and get paid links. Why? Well the servers cost over £100,000 a year to start with, then there's the techie team, the charity fund, the MSE team.

This site has a very open ethical financial policy - nothing is hidden - and when people try and criticise the policy as if there's some kind of secret - without having done the reading - it cheapens what the whole place is about!

Martin

Gee Martin, you got all that off before I could get my reply in.

I think Martins A bit Teed off now, well said, and we are all behind you Martin....

Keep up the good work....

Gaz

gatra_2

Just a thought you know how we have the "Thanks" Button how about a "rasberry" Button for stupid post like the one from MAT01

Ha ha ha ha ha ha.....