Time for a new TV
Discussion
OK, I've decided to plump for an HD TV, but what one should I get.
Will be used for: XBox 360; Sky HD (eventually); PS/3; PC
Currently looking at the Sony KDL40W2000 but wondered if anyone had any other suggestions/comment.
PS: If anyone wants a 36" Sony Vega Widescreen CRT laviathon of a TV, then make me an offer.
Will be used for: XBox 360; Sky HD (eventually); PS/3; PC
Currently looking at the Sony KDL40W2000 but wondered if anyone had any other suggestions/comment.
PS: If anyone wants a 36" Sony Vega Widescreen CRT laviathon of a TV, then make me an offer.
Chris,
My 6 year old Sony CRT going bust a few weeks ago meant perfect excuse for upgrading. Did loads of research/viewings etc and came down to the Sony Bravia you mentioned, Panasonic TH42PX600 and the Pioneer 427XDE.
After reading the reviews the Sony seemed like the winner, especially with "full HD" but after watching SD (Sky and DVD) on it, to me the Pioneer blew it away. On all of them HD looks great as you would imagine, but since I'd also be watching a lot of SD for a while I went for the Pioneer, plus I thought it looked better.
Have Sky HD now and it looks the mutts nutts. To be honest I think certain Sky SD channels and DVD look great on the Pioneer too, and wasn't too convinced on the other makes.
Main lesson I learnt was see them for yourself next to each other if poss with different sources (not at Currys, Comet etc where source quality was pretty poor when I went) and judge it on what looks good for you. I think the extra HD res on the Bravia will only make a big difference for much larger screens.
Got a good price (at the time) for the Pioneer at £1700 at Empire Direct and got John Lewis to price match with 5 year warranty. I think this is going for £1600 now (BTW the slightly newer 4270XDE has less features and 1 HDMI input).
Wife got me a Sony HD handcam
for Xmas which looks amazing on it.
Just waiting for the PS3 and will have the HD hatrick. Go for it
My 6 year old Sony CRT going bust a few weeks ago meant perfect excuse for upgrading. Did loads of research/viewings etc and came down to the Sony Bravia you mentioned, Panasonic TH42PX600 and the Pioneer 427XDE.
After reading the reviews the Sony seemed like the winner, especially with "full HD" but after watching SD (Sky and DVD) on it, to me the Pioneer blew it away. On all of them HD looks great as you would imagine, but since I'd also be watching a lot of SD for a while I went for the Pioneer, plus I thought it looked better.
Have Sky HD now and it looks the mutts nutts. To be honest I think certain Sky SD channels and DVD look great on the Pioneer too, and wasn't too convinced on the other makes.
Main lesson I learnt was see them for yourself next to each other if poss with different sources (not at Currys, Comet etc where source quality was pretty poor when I went) and judge it on what looks good for you. I think the extra HD res on the Bravia will only make a big difference for much larger screens.
Got a good price (at the time) for the Pioneer at £1700 at Empire Direct and got John Lewis to price match with 5 year warranty. I think this is going for £1600 now (BTW the slightly newer 4270XDE has less features and 1 HDMI input).
Wife got me a Sony HD handcam
for Xmas which looks amazing on it. Just waiting for the PS3 and will have the HD hatrick. Go for it
Have the Panasonic that Marlvargs mentions, 2 HDMI, Built in Tuner, etc etc.
Have SKY HD on it as well a xbox 360 etc etc.
Looks great, has performed faultlessly (actually have one at work as well) and is great in SD as well.
Cost £1471 inc fancy HDMI lead, full stand and delivery within 24 hours of order.
Have SKY HD on it as well a xbox 360 etc etc.
Looks great, has performed faultlessly (actually have one at work as well) and is great in SD as well.
Cost £1471 inc fancy HDMI lead, full stand and delivery within 24 hours of order.
I spent 2 months researching the best LCD television for my needs and came up with the Samsungwww.samsung.com/uk/products/television/tftlcd/le26r73bdxxeu.asp By far the best in picture quality on the market. Only downside is that the sound quality doesnt match the picture but seeing as i go through a Marrantz AV Reciever it makes no odds to me. Take note on the game mode (Its fantastic) and the connectivity is also best in class. Do a google search and just see the high reviews these t.v's get. Be VERY carefull though as some of the apparent top end models are REALLY bad.
We finally gave in and bought the Panasonic 42" HD ready plasma mentioned above - cost £899 (plus VAT) which includes the cabinet.
I didn't realise they were so cheap. Was originally going to buy the Hitachi 42PD9700 (or was it 7900?) but thought the Panasonic picture was better.
Only concern is it may be a little too big for the living room! 40" would probaly have looked better.
I didn't realise they were so cheap. Was originally going to buy the Hitachi 42PD9700 (or was it 7900?) but thought the Panasonic picture was better.
Only concern is it may be a little too big for the living room! 40" would probaly have looked better.
Edited by zadumbreion on Saturday 30th December 21:40
Used to sell these, to sum things up if you want plasma Pioneer are the best full stop! Panasonic definately second but would plum for the pioneer everytime.
If you want an LCD it opens up another avenue, Sharp in my opinion are well ahead of anyone else technology wise, Sony somehow come up with a very good picture but using someone else LCD screen in a Sony frame which is where bang and olufsen come in, extremely attracrive frame and a few fancy features but quite a cheap screen underneath, they are the best at selling a cheap tv for a lot of cash!
If you want an LCD it opens up another avenue, Sharp in my opinion are well ahead of anyone else technology wise, Sony somehow come up with a very good picture but using someone else LCD screen in a Sony frame which is where bang and olufsen come in, extremely attracrive frame and a few fancy features but quite a cheap screen underneath, they are the best at selling a cheap tv for a lot of cash!
www.trustedreviews.com/tvs/review/2006/05/31/BO-BeoVision-7-40-40in-LCD-TV/p1
Price is wrong though, is only £6k...
Price is wrong though, is only £6k...
Edited by BigNige on Sunday 31st December 10:43
Well, I've spent hours looking through all [well, a tiny bit of] the stuff on the internet and I think the Sony Bravia seems to have the edge for me.
Now, is the 40X really worth the extra £300 over the 40W
BTW: Thanks for the info and links, certainly save me from trawling a million hits on Google.
Now, is the 40X really worth the extra £300 over the 40W
BTW: Thanks for the info and links, certainly save me from trawling a million hits on Google.
Try www.digitaldirect.co.uk well known on here, owned by a Pistonheader "Derestrictor".
Edited by sjc on Sunday 31st December 19:10
Chris,
You've hit on a topic of doom. Funny how this same topic is being discussed on many forums as it must be the time of year to buy a new telly.
I've had 4 plasma sets and all 4 of them were hopeless, three of them were Pioneer 42" and all had the same problems. LCD was just hitting the market at about that time and didn't look very impressive at all, so I opted for a 50" DLP TV which is bloody superb. Its HD ready (have also just ordered Sky HD) plays stuff in 1080p, 720 etc via HDMI.
If I were going down the LCD route, I would seriously look at the Samsungs.
Otherwise, just have a read on here www.avforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=91
You've hit on a topic of doom. Funny how this same topic is being discussed on many forums as it must be the time of year to buy a new telly.
I've had 4 plasma sets and all 4 of them were hopeless, three of them were Pioneer 42" and all had the same problems. LCD was just hitting the market at about that time and didn't look very impressive at all, so I opted for a 50" DLP TV which is bloody superb. Its HD ready (have also just ordered Sky HD) plays stuff in 1080p, 720 etc via HDMI.
If I were going down the LCD route, I would seriously look at the Samsungs.
Otherwise, just have a read on here www.avforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=91
This whole thing is doin' my head in 
Based on all the available evidence, the Sony (KDL40W2000) seems to come out on top for my requirements.
Nige: If I was going to wait, I'd probably wait long enough for SED, but I've got bitten by the HD bug now and the craving has to be satisfied NOW.... It's a bit like the HSV bug, but a little cheaper, but not much
Based on all the available evidence, the Sony (KDL40W2000) seems to come out on top for my requirements.
Nige: If I was going to wait, I'd probably wait long enough for SED, but I've got bitten by the HD bug now and the craving has to be satisfied NOW.... It's a bit like the HSV bug, but a little cheaper, but not much
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