Which TV?

[Calza]

Hi all,

Looking to pick up a new TV in the next few weeks and hoping for some advice. Beyond the headline numbers I really don't know what to look for. What I do know / think I want is:

1. 4k
2. Smart
3. 40-50"

Budget wise I didn't really know what was realistic. I had £450 in my head, and it seems that within 10% of that I have options. Having a quick scan, if I want 4k I'm looking at a 40" which is okay with me, but there's still not much choice. Techradar suggested this was the best screen under £500, but I'm a bit put off by the firefox OS - primarily because I'm an android / chrome man:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-TX-40CX680B-Sma...

Are there any other alternatives or considerations I should be given, or indeed any users of firefox OS who can comment on it?

Cheers!

[nyt]

have you checked out richer sounds: http://www.richersounds.com/products/home-cinema/l...

[Calza]

I've had a browse as one of the ones on the list yeah, I think the issue is I don't know what's good and what's bad?

This Sony KD49X8005CBU 49" looks tempting, as does this Samsung UE48JU6000 48" .. but again I have no idea what to look for!

Edited by Calza on Saturday 23 April 00:00

[nyt]

Richer sounds usually have TVs on display so that you can assess the interface and see the picture quality.

Likewise PC World.


Tips:

- Check what SD quality pictures look like. That seems to be the main differentiator in picture quality.

- make sure that you can stand far enough back to emulate home viewing

- Try to get the lighting level similar to your home.

[Matt_N]

As nyt says, SD is the main killer of modern LED sets, i.e. It looks crap.

My Panasonic plasma has just given up the ghost too, so I've been doing a lot of shopping online and in store, all I say is get yourself into a store and see the screens for yourself.

I went in with a couple of Panasonic LEDs around the £500 mark in mind but came away with nothing but disappointment, lifeless colours, poor blacks and terrible SD picture quality.

The best panels IMO were LG, Samsung and Sony, but even then when switched over to SD the quality is terrible.

Having talked to salesman in both JL and Currys they said that SD and blacks are the real downfalls of LED sets at the moment and the only thing I would happily pay money for right now was OLED, but they are 55" minimum and ~ £1500!

HD and 4K yes they look fantastic but I've only got a handful of HD channels so most of my viewing is SD which my Panasonic plasma handled very well.

[Calza]

Interesting note on the SD content looking poor thanks, had never thought of that.

I was hoping to avoid trailing round a high street or retail park but maybe that's not an option

[nyt]

This looks good (on paper): http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/samsung-48-ju6400-...

[Calza]

I've actually considered looking at this one:

http://www.richersounds.com/product/tv---all/samsu...

Which completely sts on my budget, but looks like a great spec and with a bit of tweaking seems to deliver a brilliant picture.