32" High-Definition LCD TV, £340 all-in

nemo183

tyronj wrote: »

Any one come across a cheap but reliable 26"/32" LCD HD TV with built in freeview?

Amazon sell a Toshiba 26" (26WLT66) for around £470. Yes, it's a bit more expensive, but - it has a great picture - it has good connectivity - and best of all, amazing sound. In my opinion, it's the best value on the market.

Sure you can get bigger for less - but is it really worth it? This model is bullet proof, and will last for years. Cheaper sets can be almost unwatchable. This market is stuffed with models built down to a price - in every area.

The simple fact is that a decent - in this case excellent - 26" set will cost you around £450. But it will repay you many times over with it's sheer quality. In my opinion.

nemo183

bilbob wrote: »

BUt surely it is useful as a discussion point about 'cheap' LCD's, and 'good value' LCD's.... I got my Sharp 32" 'cheap', it was a good price, not cheaply built.

Yes, you make a very good point - if the topic just serves as a discussion relating to the failings of cheap products in this area. There will come a time in the near future when most sets will meet a reasonable standard - but at the moment it really is a market where you get what you pay for.

lemmings999

would be vary wary of this maximtvs.com as they are stating they sell a logik 32inch ldc telly
now as far as i know logik items are exlusive to the dixons company(they either own logik or logik is one of thier makes, cant quite remember which) and at £230 is considerably under cost price
plus its im the plasma section when its an lcd
would be very wary

DarkSoldier

They are certainly dangling a carrot with this 32" LCD Bush tv.... dun think its HD but check out the price!!!!! http://www.maximtvs.com/shop/shop.php?action=full&id=16 Something very suspect happening here me thinks! Anyone dealt with these recently?

CityWalk_2

I dont think this thread is pointless. Lets not forget the "bigger" companies produce relabeled TV's for less money.

CityWalk_2

As for maxim TV's im waiting for the first successful order to be posted on here before i hand over my card details

nemo183

CityWalk wrote: »

I dont think this thread is pointless. Lets not forget the "bigger" companies produce relabeled TV's for less money.

This is a matter of some debate. There are certainly a limited number of companies that actually manufacture lcd/plasma screens, which are then used by everybody. I'd suggest the only way to buy is to pop into, say, Tesco's, and just compare price and picture quality. Tesco's is a good place to go because they have a good range of cheap sets, and at the same time don't use some of the very clever technology that some other high street retailers use to maximise in-store picture quality.

It would be nice if anyone who is a member of MSE and works for one of these well known names were to spill the beans on this....

Also, having looked at the flat screens in Tesco, just spare a minute to compare picture quality with old-school crt sets. You may be surprised.

As I think I have previously said, in another 12 months lcd sets will have improved to the point where bargains are possible, as minimum standards are set. Currently I think that although there may be a few good, cheap basic models, they are in the minority compared to sets which are under-engineered from both a hardware and software point of view, and are poor value for money at any price.

Paul_Varjak

mystified wrote: »

Another Mantra to keep in mind:

Check out the supplier!!
Pixmania looks and sounds like a normal British supplier, but it's French, and everything comes in from France. If anything should go wrong, it's worse than drawing teeth to get any assistance. I speak from experience.
Try googling "Pixmania, problem" Page after page of problems!
Beware!

I would endorse that fully! Many of the products from Pixmania have only instructions written in French and, if you need to take them to court, be prepared to fight them in the French Courts!

When I ordered my second (my very last) product from Pixmania they took my money and did nothing. When Iasked them where it was they said I would have to send the my passport first! Needless to say, I cancelled the order!

cheekymole

Hanspree JT01-32E1-000G 32" HD LCD TV Black 1366x768 750:1 16:9 450cd/m2 8ms

£318.31 delivered free from ebuyer

or £308.31 if you use google checkout

Features

32inch Widescreen LCD Panel
HD Ready
8ms Response Time
1366x768 Screen Resolution
Supports 720i, 720p, 1080i
750:1 Contrast Ratio
16:9 Aspect ratio

450cd/m2 Brightness
170 / 170 degrees viewing angle
Remote Control
Integrated Stereo Speakers

Connections

1 x HDMI input

1 x Component Video Input
2 x Scart Connection (21 pin)

1 x Composite Input
1 x S-Video Input
1 x PC/VGA In
2 x audio line-in ( RCA phono x 2 )
1 x audio line-in ( mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )
1 x Headphones Connection

Dimensions
Panel with stand and speakers - 80.8 cm x 21 cm x 64.6 cm
Weight : 21.8kg

twhatmough

I seem to remember reading some where that HD TV doesn't work with FreeView. If that's the case, none of the shops i've been into seem to mention it.