Bargain LCD HDTVs

JSCChan

It's worth knowing that there are 2 types of 1080 picture - 1080i and 1080p. The proper full on version of HD is 1080p where you get a picture with 1080 lines of resolution and no interlacing. However there are no broadcast channels anywhere in full 1080p due to the bandwidth limitations. The only way you'll get full use of 1080p is if you're watching a Blu-ray/HD DVD or using a PS3 or XBox 360.

In contrast 1080i is an interlaced picture meaning that it has twice the frame rate of a 1080p signal but half the resolution. You don't visibly notice this as the even numbered lines appear first and then the next frame the odd numbered lines appear, so in effect you see the whole picture at 1080 but actually it's 2 pictures at 540. Since the frame rate is about 25 per second in the UK and you're only seeing an SD picture, its not really an issue for most people. Even Sky only broadcast their HD material in 1080i right now and full 1080p broadcast is years off.

So I would say unless you are buying a big screen (over 50") and will be playing lots of Blu-ray/HD DVDs (which are also pricey) then its not worth getting a 1080p right now. It's just industry hype to try to sell you a more expensive product without the useful functionality. Having said that some manufacturers now only sell 1080p TVs, having phased out the 1080i versions eg. I have a Sony KDL46V2000 (1080i) but now it has been replaced with a V2500 model (1080p) - but then Sony are behind Blu-ray so that's understandable.

L.S.D.

chelle333 wrote: »

Philips 32PF9641D Ambilight
Hi,i couldnt afford to spend alot,but wanted a good picture,i realy neded a full 1080 one because i have a xbox360 and a ps3,but do you think this tv should be ok for the money? Philips "32PF9641D" 32ins Ambilight HD Ready Freeview LCD TV for £649 with delivery

Resolution 1366 x 768. Dynamic Contrast Ratio 6000:1. Widescreen. Digital Teletext. Virtual Dolby Surround. SCART sockets. HDMI socket. Analogue and digital Freeview tuners. USB photoviewer for connection of digital cameras. Brightness 550 CD/m2. Ambilight 2 creates an atmosphere glow around the TV screen that changes colour with the picture to give a unique and relaxed viewing experience. Pixel Plus 2

Philips unreliable. Bad after sales service. Avoid. Loads of better makes out there. Panasonic, Sony, Samsung etc etc etc

veronarona

chelle333 wrote: »

Philips 32PF9641D Ambilight

The best place for research is AV Forums, in their LCD TV forum. I've done a search for your Philips and if you look at this page you should find lots and lots of info/opinions on it:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/search.php?searchid=9466541

Be prepared to go cross-eyed!

veronarona

hilary1

We'd never buy Philips again. Our tv (ordinary sort) only lasted just outside the warranty and they didnt want to know. BOught an Hitachi and it was still going strong 5 years later.

Might be different on the HD tvs now but its put us off Philips for good.

x

cheeky

def go to the AVforums - i am about to buy a TV and i will get John Lewis to price match. Then, find the MBNA thread where you can buy JL vouchers with a 10% discount.

eg i want a Sony KDL32D3000, currently £999 at JL. I can get it price matched @ £750 (robert whyte), which means i need to spend £675 to receive £750 in vouchers. The cheapest anywhere is £710+delivery+1 year warranty.

valleymatt

Play.com are now offering a Sony Bravia 40" HD Ready Widescreen LCD TV with built in Freeview for just £699.99 delivered. That's a saving of £700 on the RRP. Check out the link below if you're interested.

http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/1121399/Sony-Bravia-40-KDL40U2000U-Freeview-HD-Ready-Widescreen-LCD-TV/Product.html

Happy shopping!

cadmus

mojo_jojo wrote: »

You can probably tell a slight difference between 1080 over 768, but only if you're feeding it an HD source. Different TVs have different ways of processing picture signals that they receive, so that a TV with 768 and good picture signal processing will look better than a TV with 1080 and bad picture signal processing.

As your feeding it a normal Sky TV source then it won't make any difference to you, but will make a difference to your bank balance. If I were you, I'd save your money and get a 768 TV. Make sure the TV you get has 3 Scarts (with RGB) sockets and a component port at least. That way if you buy a RGB cable you can get the best picture possible out of your Sky box.

thanx mojo_JOJO and also veronarona, very helpfull comments . CHEERS GUYS .

DOLLYD234

This TV is for sale at branches of TJ Hughes. It's a Technosonic, wall mountable telly and seems to get good reviews on other forums. Best be quick at this price.

foraminafera

Folks

I want a TV for the bedroom to replace an old (but working) Sony (small) CRT. Space is a premium and I have seen some information on the Panasonic TX-26LXD60 which looks good. JL will PM at £599.99 - opinions please, planning on looking / buying this weekend. 26" is probably the biggest it would take as well and will have to use a wall mount (opinions there too please).

I have DVD, Freeview PVR and tape only - no HD sources yet and no immediate plans until Sky drop their premium charges for Multiroom and HD to something sensible (£10 the lot seems fair). If Freeview HD ever becomes a reality ? (not holding breath).

TIA

JJ

JSCChan

foraminafera wrote: »

If Freeview HD ever becomes a reality ? (not holding breath).

There is currently a limited range of channels on HD, primarily the terrestrial channels. However this is just a trial and is not freely available as you can't buy a set top box that receives the signal (the BBC provided the boxes just to those households who are testing it for them). You can of course sign up to Sky HD for an extra £10 and you can also see the BBC HD channels on there.

However there aren't any announced plans to offer Freeview HD yet due to the extra bandwidth requirements and lack of spectrum availability. The digital switchover due to be completed by 2012 in the UK will free up some spectrum but if and when Ofcom put that up for auction (probably) it will be hotly contested not just from TV companies but also telcos and other media companies (for mobile TV, WiMax, etc). So its not looking likely any time soon, although havcing seen the quality of Planet Earth on HD I have to say the £10 extra to Sky is worth it!