tv advice for total numpty

virgin_moneysaver

I can't put the kids off any longer - I need to buy a new TV but I'm at a loss to what I should be looking for - apparently our area will be 'switching' to digital next year (?)!
we've worked out we've got room for a 42" & I don't want one of those things that hang on a wall - & I remember someone told me not to get a 'plasma', get a 'lcd' - but I can't remember the reason why

but it's not only working out what we need, but then which brand do we buy - my younger son wants the tv that got the Chelsea players on - he's seen some advert I think but are some manufacturers better with this digital thingy than others

in the last 15 years we had a Panasonic that lasted 10 years & a Samsung that didn't last 5 & had a number of faults

so any tips, do's or don'ts would be very welcome

if it was a £30 dvd player from Tesco it wouldn't worry me but a grands worth of tv is a different story

MercilessKiller

Plasma v LCD is not what it used to be So don't buy based on whether it is plasma or LCD for a start...

Samsung (the tv with chelsea players on) is actually a great brand.

I have a Samsung 42" LCD (1080p support) which is the LE86M model I believe.

1080p refers to the High Definition support. If your son owns an xbox 360 or a PS3 he'd get the best graphisc with a TV which specifically mentions support for 1080p But theyc ost a couple of hundred more.

Are you wanting quality or price? I would recommend quality with buying a TV in all honesty, and prices are indeed coming down.

Check out hotukdeals for Sony Bravia and also Samsung LCD's that support 1080p as there are some great prices around. You can usually get a "stand" as an add-on or something instead of hanging it off the wall

You'll be looking at about £600 to £800 for a decent 40/42" which suppots 1080p, has good specs, and a stand

Samsung 1080p and Sony Bravia 1080p.. that's where it's at Lots of other cheapre models around but they do suffer in quality! HTH

virgin_moneysaver

Im going for quality & reliability & was looking to spend no more than £800-£1000

my son got an xbox 360 but this is wired up to his tv in his bedroom - he only bought it last month so I'm assuming its 'ready' for the switch

so the tv will only be for general viewing & watching dvds - by the way i need to buy a new dvd player at the same time

so do I need to go for this 1080 thing if there's no console (get me!) attached?

Marty999

virgin_moneysaver wrote: »

so do I need to go for this 1080 thing if there's no console (get me!) attached?

If you don't have a high definition console, BluRay DVD player or other HD source like Sky HD, and can't see yourself ever getting one, I don't see any point paying extra for the 1080p picture quality. And as for brand names, I have a 32" Sony Bravia (only 720p) which I am very pleased with but for me it was a toss up between the Sony and Panasonic range, which is equally highly regarded.

GunJack

Or....I've got a hannspree 37" 1080 lcd set,, it's great and was around £360 from misco through quidco..if I hook up the playstation 3 using a hdmi cable, it's the dog's danglys hannspree make the lcd screens for many tv manufacturers, but their own-branded tvs are really good value with decent quality. What's the point of paying double for very little if any difference in quality ?? No LCD will look as good as a normal CRT tv UNLESS you use a HD source as mentioned above

amcluesent

>apparently our area will be 'switching' to digital next year<

So for regions 'switching' that means the the Freeview service will start to carry some Freeview HD broadcasts. Of course, current TV's with built-in Freeview decoders won't be able to show these new channels.

I'd hold off purchasing a new TV until the come with new generation Freeview HD built-in, otherwise you'll need to get a separate set-top-box.

That said, something like a Panasonic TX-37LZD80 at £700ish would do for now.

virgin_moneysaver

the 19" tv my son bought last month has freeview built in which we already receive

I thought the switching meant that they're turning analogue off

it's the main tv in the lounge - no games consoles will be attached

we don't watch that many dvd's to get a blue-ray thingy but I'll get a recordable dvd so I don't miss some of my tv progs when out ( usually Top Gear & Corrie!)

we are on virgin digital tv

will not be getting sky

Blacksheep1979

GunJack wrote: »

Or....I've got a hannspree 37" 1080 lcd set,, it's great and was around £360 from misco through quidco..if I hook up the playstation 3 using a hdmi cable, it's the dog's danglys hannspree make the lcd screens for many tv manufacturers, but their own-branded tvs are really good value with decent quality.

Sorry but that's complete rubbish, cheap TV's don't look as good - even if they use the same panels inside. The panel is only a small fraction of the TV quality wise as the electronics that are used to drive the panel are vastly different and superior in quality in something like a Sony X series LCD tv to a Hanspree one. Go to a decent retailer (not curries/comet etc) and have a look at a couple of TV's side by side and you'll notice the difference between cheap brands like Hanspree, LG etc and the pricier ones like Sony, Samsung, Panasonic etc.

As with anything it's personal choice/preference so def go see the TV before you buy it and don't be shocked at the pic quality when you first get the TV they take a fair bit of tinkering to adjust to the way you want it and your room.

virgin_moneysaver

M&S have some offers on Sony LCD TVs that come with a 5 year guarantee - I want a decent model as I find you get what you pay for is true most of the time - I just don't want to pay for 'extras' that we don't need

I've never had a Sony before, I was pleased with the Panasonic & disappointed with the Samsung

MercilessKiller

Go for the Sony then so long as its 1080p compatible

virgin_moneysaver

MercilessKiller wrote: »

Go for the Sony then so long as its 1080p compatible

now I'm really curfuddled - I thought I only needed1080p if there was to be a games console attached