TV buying advice needed

[dieseljohn]

My trusty (rubbish) Matsui has finally given up the ghost so I'm in the market for a new TV. I would like at least 28 inches (ahem) and I guess my budget is up to £600. Although I've never stuck to budget on anything I've bought so far in life... ;)

Anyway, I'm most interested in picture quality and future compatibility (HDTV?). I'm not fussed about how much space it takes up or how cool it looks really. I'm not bothered about sound either as I can run it through my Hi-fi.

With this in mind am I better off getting a CRT or an LCD? Do I have any other options in this price range? Which brands should I look at/avoid?

Also if anyone can recomend a good place to buy it from that would be good. Obviously not Dixons/Currys etc. but what about Richer Sounds or John Lewis?

Thanks in advance.

[Incorrigible]

Get in touch with Derestrictor, I bought a load of stuff off hime a few weeks ago. Cracking kit, service and prices

[speed8]

John Lewis have had some fantastic deals in the past and good warranty periods.
Reading back through some of the previous posts suggests that derestrictor is the font of knowledge on A/V stuff and would be my first port of call, assuming he is still working in that line of business, when I need a new telly.
He'll likely be along soon or look up his profile for his website.

[r988]

I've heard they are dumping the analouge system in 2008 so probably worth getting a factory HDTV, or else cutting a good deal on an older TV and set top box. HDTV offers better picture though, set top box just means you can watch TV.

[cotty]

dieseljohn said:

I would like at least 28 inches (ahem) and I guess my budget is up to £600. With this in mind am I better off getting a CRT or an LCD? Do I have any other options in this price range? Which brands should I look at/avoid? .

About a year ago I got a Sony 32inch widescreen for about £700. it was CRT, personal choice but needs two people to lift it

[dieseljohn]

Incorrigible said:

Get in touch with Derestrictor, I bought a load of stuff off hime a few weeks ago. Cracking kit, service and prices

Does anyone have a link to his website? Don't particularly want to mail him directly in case I was wasting his time.

[baskey]

John Lewis are ace to look around at posh tellys - but they are dear - the none hdtv plasma i am considering is about 180% the price i have found at an online retailer.

JL have cool hdtv demos too.

there are loads of people on here who probably know a lot more than me - but i can't get on with LCD picture quality - they always seem fuzzy. i prefer plasma screens - because everyone i have ever seen has looked clearer. i don't know why almost no one does 32" plasma because the one i have seen (an hitachi one) was better than any of the 32" lcds...

CRT should not be underestimated - if you have the room it may be the way to go.

[dieseljohn]

baskey said:

CRT should not be underestimated - if you have the room it may be the way to go.

Thats what I was thinking, can you get them in HDTV resolutions without paying the earth though?

[cotty]

baskey said:

CRT should not be underestimated - if you have the room it may be the way to go.

Yep check you have adequate depth, you will be surprised how deep some of these CRT TV's are

[baskey]

dieseljohn said:

baskey said: CRT should not be underestimated - if you have the room it may be the way to go. Thats what I was thinking, can you get them in HDTV resolutions without paying the earth though?

i didn't think you could get HDTV without 'going flat' and so therefore no. not for £600 anyway. more like 1500 from what i have seen. that was why i was thinking of going for the none hdtv version of the tv i want. it's only going to be certain satelite channels for ages anyway.

[Incorrigible]

dieseljohn said:

Incorrigible said: Get in touch with Derestrictor, I bought a load of stuff off hime a few weeks ago. Cracking kit, service and prices Does anyone have a link to his website? Don't particularly want to mail him directly in case I was wasting his time.

www.soundandvisiononline.com

But mail him through his profile, he'll probably do you a deal

[_dobbo_]

Incorrigible said:

Get in touch with Derestrictor, I bought a load of stuff off hime a few weeks ago. Cracking kit, service and prices

Echo that... I got my TV from him, and it's a beauty, the picture has to be seen to be believed, precisely as he said to expect! Top bloke, very helpful.

[cotty]

baskey said:

i didn't think you could get HDTV without 'going flat'

Do you mean LCD and Pasma as I have a flat screen CRT TV

[granville]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Man cannot live by e-commerce, alone, young Tonkaloid.

John, just hang fire for a few days/couplaweeks, might have a nice little runner for you, feel free to abuse me by email, I thoroughly deserve it.

DeR.

[dieseljohn]

derestrictor said:

Man cannot live by e-commerce, alone, young Tonkaloid. John, just hang fire for a few days/couplaweeks, might have a nice little runner for you, feel free to abuse me by email, I thoroughly deserve it. DeR.

Thanks DeR, YHM.