New TV, please help :) - Your thoughts on this theory

alison74

It's a long one, but please take time to read

Ok, I have spent the last hour reading the old threads about Plasma V's LCD, esp the good advice in this one.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=337011&highlight=plasma


I would prefer to buy my TV (at least a 42", maybe even a 46") from Richer Sounds or John Lewis, but am open to change, but like their gurantees. I live in Edinburgh which has both.

I went into Richer Sounds yesterday and the guy in the shop pointed out that this one was the best going

http://www.richersounds.com/showproduct.php?cda=showproduct&pid=SHAR-LC42XD1E

it's at a mere £1499 (he must have thought I have money going spare )

I understand most of the technology now, with 1080 being true HD etc


but the guy in John Lewis said plasma was best but if I had to go for an LCD I should go for

http://www.johnlewis.com/Audio+and+TV/Televisions/Televisions/LCD+TV/1284/230394231/Product.aspx


Both are expensive of course, but I am treating myself ! Reading through the other posts, I can see that although these TV's are HD ready, there's not going to be a HUGE amount broadcast till 2012 - a whole 5 years away.

My current Toshiba 32" flat screen is 5 1/2 years old and was £1000 brand new, out that week and can now be picked up for pennies.

I am concerned that if I splurged out just now, better technology will be around when HD is everywhere, but I would only have an 'early' model. I am aware a lot can change in 5 years.

I will watch some sport, some films (not investing in a Blue Ray or HD DVD player as I don't watch that many DVD's) and just every day tv or pop music channels etc. It will have Telewest hooked up to it (or maybe the Virgin + box when it comes out, a PVR and an old video recorder (just can't face giving it away). No gaming, no PC, no photos on it.

Will the prices go down for the new HD sets over the next few years because of demand ? i.e I could buy the first TV (theoretically) for £1499 and in 5 years it will be out of guarantee and be available for £750 or so at 2012 prices,

or

should I buy a normal 42" now (LCD or plasma) for cheap price, wait another 5 years and get a new tv for maybe around another £750 or a bit more to get the main technology from the year 2012 and get another 5 year guarantee out of that one ? i.e 2 tv's over 10 yearsor more for the same total price (ish)

I hope I am making myself clear - I know what I am trying to say, but it might not be coming out right.

Where else can technology go now ?

Any advice would be appreciated, it's a big purchase, but assistants can only give so much advice before they judge how much money they think you have, or to get them the best commission (apart from JL's staff, who just weren't bothered in helping me)

I read with interest about taking my own DVD's into the store and turning off the cartoons to watch sport - great advice

Thanks in advance - it was a long one !!

alison74

Yes, but that may be years, I would like a bigger one and I have someone waiting in the wings with no tv, who is taking mine off my hands quite happily !!

HD sources ?? None at the moment, that's why I thought I would buy a cheap 42" non HD if that was still possible

albertross_2

Well you can wait forever for a good deal to come along, and the technology to settle down, so if you want one, go for it.. Personally, I think it is the wrong time, I'd wait for HD to be the norm before splashing out, but that's me. If you want the latest and best, you always pay through the nose for it.

They put cartoons on in the shop for a reason, ask them to show you a bit of normal fast moving SD TV, and watch it close, the pictures don't look as good as a CRT.

alison74

[Personally, I think it is the wrong time, I'd wait for HD to be the norm before splashing out, but that's me. If you want the latest and best, you always pay through the nose for it.


I appreciate your views as ever, but that's what I am asking......... I don't necessarily want to splash out now on the latest, but maybe get a cheaper tv now and HD as 'the norm' tv when it goes live in 2012

I use the Telewest replay service, but not the movies you have to pay for etc, I have seen the ones I want to in the cinema !!

albertross_2

For normal TV, to me, both LCD's and Plasma's aren't as good as a CRT, so I personally wouldn't buy one at all, unless the depth of the TV set was a major issue. LCD/Plasma fans may be able to give you better guidance than I can. If I had to buy one, I'd go for the cheap end of the market, but you may be disappointed with the picture quality compared to your existing set.

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/store/36/cat/LCD-&-Plasma-TVs
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/cat/LCD-&-Plasma-TVs/subcat/40%22-to-42%22-TVs

http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/lcdtv-plasmavslcd.shtml
http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/lcdtv-crtvslcd.shtml

Avoriaz

Alison, how big is your viewing room and how far from the screen do you normally sit?

We have had a 36 inch Toshiba CRT TV for three years and sit about 12 -13 feet away and I find that ok. I occasionally move the settee a bit closer for important football matches.

42 and 46 inch flat screen TVs look great in the shop when showing digital images such as cartoons, but do not look as good as a good CRT with 90% + of broadcast TV, including non HD Sky.

In your shoes, unless your room is quite large or you really must have a new TV, I would wait for a year or two. Prices will be a lot lower, there will be more and cheaper HDTV broadcasts, and screen quality will possibly improve.

I haven’t read your other threads or links, but remember that some flat screens are picture only and you may need to consider a TV tuner and amp and speakers if these are not included.

alison74

Avoriaz,

My room is quite big and with the shape of it, I can't move the settee any closer permanently (although have done for special progs), but I just really want a new tv as well (got to treat yourself occasionally )

Thanks for the advice for the extras I may need