LCD with hard-drive built in and good sound (to suit an OAP)

[Alan Kee]

Hi all.

I'm looking for a new TV for my mum .. she's getting a little bit deaf these days, and doesn't like too much technology (much like me!) ..

I'm looking for a new TV to replace the current analogue one.

Main features are that it has a hard-drive built in (she hates lots of cables everywhere and multiple boxes of electronics etc) which has a very easy user interface so she can record nice films and documentaries on all those new freeview channels she'll be able to get.

Also I notice that almost all the TVs these days have rear facing speakers (ie not on the front panel anyway). This might be an issue as she likes her TV in the lovely cabinet she's got .. but she'll need good sound clarity because of her poor hearing. I'm thinking that not having front speakers will mean much of the clarity gets lost as the sound bounces out of the rear of her nice TV cabinet, off the rear walls and then towards her eventually.

so:

I need some suggestions on-

new TV
with in-built hard-drive (and twin tuner)
with excellent sound clarity (maybe front facing speakers?)
nice bright clear screen
easy menu navigation
easy to buy on a pensioner's income.

any help appreciated, thankyou

Edited by Alan Kee on Sunday 2nd January 18:58

[headcase]

Have a look through the LG range, its the only one that comes to mind that has a built in HDD. I wouldnt say the sound is good though. Also have a look for they used to make some half decent TV's with built in hard drives and the sound was reasonable too.

[WeirdNeville]

Most current Panasonic Vieras have a USB port and you can simply hook up an external HDD and it records to them. You do it all through the Tv guide and it's easy to select and record stuff. Good screen and menu layout too, with a straightforwards (ish) remote.

Re the sound - I can't think of any flat screens that blow you away with their sound, but there are under- TV soundbars availiable that do a respectable job.

[VEX]

For improved audio look at the Q Acoustics TV2 system. It mounts around the screen and works using the headphone socket so it also works using the tv remote.

V.

[FlossyThePig]

I would suggest you don't worry about sound quality if your Mum is going deaf. You may think it important but I bet she doesn't. I have been wearing hearing aids for a few years now and "clarity" is not a problem. If your Mum does not wear aids you will have to boost the treble but then you may find the sound unpleasant.

Stick with Freeview as they use the standard 1,2,3,4 and 5 for the original channels, unlike Freesat/Sky that uses 101,102,103,104 and 105.

Edited by FlossyThePig on Tuesday 4th January 13:21

[Alan Kee]

Thanks for the replies guys, I will investigate further now
ref sound quality I thought that maybe if the sound was clear that she wouldn't have to have it on so loud, at the moment she has a very old ALBA tv which is quite a muffled sound anyway, even I have trouble making out some of the speech. Though I may well be a bit deaf too!
thanks