How to choose a new tv?

Ladybump

Thanks to those who replied to my earlier post about my failing tv which is now dying... Having never bought a tv (had 2 hand-me downs from family) have no idea where to start. Want something for living room, reasonable size but not huge. Don't really need anything too fancy and don't really want to spend more than £400 or so (don't even know what that will get me). Any simple suggestions, or guides I can refer to? Also want something I can get delivered soon if possible. Thanks for your help!

C_Ronaldo

Well do you want a crt or an lcd tv, have you got freeview

itsnever2lateisit?

Hi Ladybump

IMHO its a bad time to buy a TV what with Digital switch over, and the fact that LCD are still relatively expensive and still not as good as CRT. I have had my TV repaired, but had I shopped around would probably have settled for a 28inch widescreen CRT for about £179 in ASDA to tide me over until Analogue is turned off and Digital becomes sufficiently reliable signal wise to invest in an integrated set

mountainchrisriver

Loads of choice but this one seems to get good reviews:

http://www.dixons.co.uk/product.php?sku=723054&camp_id=ppc_tvcamp

Normally £419. Enter coupon code SAVE5 at checkout to buy for £398 so gets it within budget... May be able to get it cheaper elsewhere after a bit of searching...

Ladybump

I've just found reviews of tvs in May's Good Housekeeping magazine. The "Simply the best" was Philips 32PF9641D scored 93/100 and although they said it cost £832- £1350 have seen it at Comet for £649. Also, the "best budget buy" was Toshiba 26WLT66 scoring 84/100 priced £470-£750, but have found for £360.
ANy views on either of these?

Moneymaker

I can't imagine why anyone would blow hundreds of pounds on a new TV when you can buy a decent used one for £100. Even if you have to replace it every year, it still works out cheaper. Isn't that what money saving is about?

ioscorpio

A lot of people give away their old CRT on freecycle when they buy an LCD, even better moneysaving.

computerwoman

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129151

try looking on here
what you need with a HD ready LCD tv is
contrast needs to be 1000 + to work good
a HDMI connection for when you want to use HD box if you ever wanted to in the future..
I have found ebuyer to be very good company infact I only buy from them...you can pay for next day delivery or use the super saver free delivery which is usually about 5-6 working day's...hope this helps...LCD's don't have to be expensive to be good quality read the reviews if you want to know more about this TV look at the

www.hannspree.com

website go to manuals and get all you need to know about this and other set's I have just ordered a 37" hannspree for £369.99 which has great reviews will let you know what I think of it when it comes on thursday...hope this help's

http://euenservice.hannspree.net/

computerwoman

also LCD's don't use as much electric as plasma's...:D

Dan_Thunder

Moneymaker wrote: »

I can't imagine why anyone would blow hundreds of pounds on a new TV when you can buy a decent used one for £100. Even if you have to replace it every year, it still works out cheaper. Isn't that what money saving is about?

Bit of a false economy really. You can buy a really good brand new one for £600-700 which should last 6-7 years. That equates to about £100 a year plus the quality of TV is much superior than some £100 piece of old tat with wood veneer! Cheaper doesn't necessarily mean better value.

BillScarab

Dan_Thunder wrote: »

Bit of a false economy really. You can buy a really good brand new one for £600-700 which should last 6-7 years. That equates to about £100 a year plus the quality of TV is much superior than some £100 piece of old tat with wood veneer! Cheaper doesn't necessarily mean better value.

Well the second hand JVC I bought doesn't have Wood Veneer and only cost £50. To me that's a bargain for a 32" widescreen. As I only watch SD TV there's no point in me buying a HD set yet and for SD I haven't seen a reasonably priced LCD or Plasma that's as good as a decent CRT.

Due to people upgrading to flat panels you can pick up top quality old CRTs for peanuts nowadays and I'm sure most will last longer than a year.