Digital television advice

cookiequeen

Our old tv (bought 2nd hand from sis-in-law 3 1/2 years ago) has finally given up the ghost. It has been flickering for a while now and we were expecting it to go. Yesterday it did. I'm actually quite happy not to replace it at the moment. Most don't seem to understand that, I actually had someone ask how we were going to manage! Not sure dh feels the same way though, it is the middle of the motorbike racing season after all. I have said to him there are two options either we don't bother replacing it at all or we get a fairly decent digital tv. Two extremes I know but it seems a waste to me to get another analog tv when hopefully it will last till long after the change to digital (wishful thinking maybe but you never know). Anyway, I am hoping that with the help of all on here you might be able to make some suggestions for me AND help me sniff out a good bargain, ideally on 0% credit terms.

I will leave it in your capable hands and go back to enjoying my tv free day. I know it sounds stupid but I do feel more free in a strange way! how sad and pathetic is that!

Michelle

Donnie

I use a normal TV and a digital freeview box.
A digital television is just a normal television with a digital decoder built in.

" Digital signals can be received by standard aerials, satellite dishes or via cable but have to be decoded and turned back into sound and pictures by using a separate set-top box, or a decoder built into your television (an integrated digital TV set/ iDTV)"

So, you don't need a 'special' television.
At the lower end you can get a 21" TV from Argos for as little as £80, together with a Digital Freeview box for around £35/

No need to spend lots of money.

penrhyn

Donnie's advise is very sound. Also I would check that you can receive Freeview in your area: http://www.dtg.org.uk/retailer/coverage.html
It is probably worth hanging on a bit if you are thinking of going the whole hog on widescreen LCD or Plasma as prices are likely to start falling over the next few months as new flat panel factories come on line in the far east.

BenL

I wouldn't touch a fully integrated TV if I was you.

Get an analogue TV and a Set top box.

The technology is still moving at a pace and the IDTV's get out of date.

TV technolody is moving like PC's these days with more intensive interactive tests.

There are a lot of people on Digitalspy with TV's that will not get upgrades over the air anymore after they were sold on being future proof.

Some of the IDTV's will not even receive the new transmission standard in a few years when it is out.

£35 STB all the way.

Ben

tr3mor

if you dont want to buy a new tv, there are usually a few older ones going on freecycle. have a look at https://www.freecycle.org and join your local group.

Benuk73

This is our telly Its so much nicer looking in reality than the pic!