42" Plasma TV with Stand and Integrated TV Tuner £979.99 - Any Good?

Edge21

Most Plasma's will now be coming down in price anyway as retailers will be trying to get rid off old stock that is not "HD Compatible".

As you may (or may not know) Hi-Definition TV (HDTV) is hitting the UK around Xmas/New year time with Sky being the first to launch HDTV Channels in the UK. Hi Def TV's basically show a picture quality that is about 10x better than what we're seeing now. If you head to retailers like Comet and Currys, you can see some Hi-Def displays already on show (and they're very very impressive!) The US already broadcasts most of their sports and a lot of their drama's in Hi-Definition quality and its taken off really well over there.

My advice would be to avoid all these "old" plasmas at all costs (if you can) and await the new "HD Ready" branding which will hit the stores later this Summer. That will clearly distinguish which Plasmas are future proof and which arent. A lot of retailers are trying to get rid off these "old" plasmas now because most people will not want to spend a lot of money on a TV that isnt future proof (once the 'HD Ready' branding comes out). I certainly wouldnt want to spend over a grand now only to find I cant watch HDTV when it takes off.

If you need to know what to look out for in a "HD Ready" TV - let me know and I'll post some specs.

Dont buy the cheapest plasma you find...be patient...Im sure it will pay off in the end!

mrnomoneybags

I have that same plasma but i got it cheaper from order 247

im very pleased with it .......... that is my personal view of course

BoltonMinx

Cheers Edge21, we are prepared to wait and shop around. In fact, I can feel that sinking feeling when I think of spending a grand, and it isnt even mine! We've decided to have a look around on sundays and see whats out so we get familiar.

NB: I've PM'd Edge21 for the specs, hopefully to be posted here for everyone's benefit

Edge21

Ok Ive just got a press article from Sky regarding their HDTV boxes and they've now backtracked on their original statement!

Originally (as mentioned above) only TV's that had a HDMI/HDCP connection would be supported by Sky when they launched the service in the new year.

However with over 100,000 plasmas sold that are not compliant to the above "standard" - Sky has opted to include a analogue "component" connection (which most plasmas already have!) The picture quality is of lesser quality than a HDMI connection- but it basically means you can view HDTV on a non-HDTV screen.

Initally at least then, anyone that has a plasma that supports resolutions of 576i, 720p and 1080i will be able to receive HDTV without having to "upgrade" their plasma screen. :beer:

However- some words of caution:

- Apparently only the FIRST batch of HDTV Sky Boxes will include the Component connection. After that they will exclude it from all future models meaning ideally, if you're in the market for a TV, you should really look for a plasma that includes a HDMI/HDCP connection. For those of you who dont want to splash out on another screen or connection upgrade, get your HDTV Sky box as quick as you can!

- Although Sky will ensure their own channels can be received using the analogue component connection, there's no guarantee any independent channels will support the format meaning if you're using the component connection, you may not get all the programming you could be entitled to if you had the HDMI connection.

So just to clarify everything, if you want to buy a "HD Ready" screen, look for the following:

- A Plasma/DLP/LCD TV that supports resolutions of 576i, 720p, 1080i and has a HDMI/HDCP Connection.

You will soon begin seeing stickers that say "HD Ready" which means they support this specification.

Try to AVOID everything else!

Hope that helps...any other questions, just ask

scheming_gypsy

BoltonMinx wrote:

Hi all

Looking to buy myself one of these. Its £979.99 inc VAT any experienced bods know if it's any good ? The reviews seem quite good, but its one of those things I really need some opinions on before I part with my hard earned cash!

I'll tell you later - if the delivery man ever turns up. Although i think Dabs have now run out and won't be getting any more stock in as bars and clubs have been snapping them up.

ps... i paid nothing like that price for mine :rotfl:

Fugitive

BoltonMinx wrote:

Oh yes... size matters Im afraid

Then you should look at the DLP TVs - most of these are HD compatible and best value large screens around.

I got a 52" Tosh a few months ago and am delighted with it.

BoltonMinx

Fugitive wrote:

Then you should look at the DLP TVs - most of these are HD compatible and best value large screens around.

I got a 52" Tosh a few months ago and am delighted with it.

Sorry to be thick, but what are DLP's ?

tin

It's a different display technology, but it's used in projectors so expect a somewhat bigger telly if it's DLP based!

Edge21

BoltonMinx wrote:

Sorry to be thick, but what are DLP's ?

DLP stands for Digital Light Processing. They are the next generation in "rear-projection" TV's meaning you essentially get a bigger picture for your money.

Have you seen those massive TV's in Dixons/Currys that have a giant footprint at the back and look really dark when you view them up close? Well that was the old rear-projection style TV's. The new ones are much slimmer thanks to a new microchip that has loads of mirrors on it and uses a colour wheel to transmit the picture instead of a tube (called the DLP chip)

The new technology also doesnt suffer from the "dark" viewing angles that the old models used to suffer from. It essentially means you can get a huge TV (i.e. 50 inch) with a great picture quality for much less than a decent 42" plasma.

However a couple of things to be wary of...

- The colour wheel/lamp usually needs replacing after 2 or 3 years (at a cost of around £300)

- The fans inside the tv (used to cool down the lamp) can also make a lot of noise on some models

- Sometimes the colours can go a little blurry (called the rainbow effect)

I would highly recommend picking up the new "What Video and Widescreen TV" magazine at your newsagent which has a great article called "Everything you wanted to know about TV's, but were afraid to ask" It shows you the pros and cons of every type of tv and will ensure you're clued up on everything before making a buying decision

Fugitive

Sorry I wasn't about to answer your query but the guys above have done an admirable job.

These tvs do have a limited lamp life - which can be up to 5 years, but remember that plasma tvs also have a limited life and it's much cheaper just to replace the lamp !