Recommend me a TV Please

[DSGMATT]

Main TV died at the weekend - (Toshiba 37"). So now started looking for a new TV for the Lounge. Looking for some advice and user recommendations on current TV's in the market.

We don't have SKY - do watch regular DVD's occasionaly and not that fussed about HD. Must be 40" or larger, have HDMI and 2 scart sockets, integral freeview and most importantly no buttons on the front as the little man likes to prod and push these (Hence new TV needed). I have a Sony DVD/ Home Cinema so covered for that element. Installed a New Digital Aerial a few weeks ago so that is sorted too.

Budget: £600 ish, If possible option to Wall Mount and maybe Plasma? Not a Brand snob, so most makes are ok.

Any Advice? Matt :)

[gettin2dizzy]

Remember freeview is going HD (for free) very soon, so unless you want to be plugging an HD freeview box in look for an integrated tv with one. It'll have the associated premium however ...

[Gordon B]

Panasonic G10.

Bagged myself a 42in one before christmas from John Lewis (5 year warranty and all that.)

Great picture in normal definition and high definition. Built in freesat and freeview.

http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/9159301/Panasonic-Viera-NeoPDP-G10-Series-42-inch-TX-P42G10-HD-1080p-Freesat-Freeview-Plasma-TV/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518|cc:|prd:9159301|cat :Television (http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/9159301/Panasonic-Viera-NeoPDP-G10-Series-42-inch-TX-P42G10-HD-1080p-Freesat-Freeview-Plasma-TV/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518%7Ccc:%7Cprd:9159301 %7Ccat:Television)

John Lewis now only stock the G20's. Can't comment on them but I would imagine its the same tech as the G10 but with built in freeview HD

http://www.johnlewis.com/230911082/Product.aspx

I was very sceptical about plasma as I do alot of gaming but honestly can say its the best TV related decision I've ever made.

But its all a matter of personal taste in the end. Get down to a Currys megastore, take some sandwiches and park yourself in front of many different TV's and pick the one you like the best. Just don't buy it from them as you will invariably find it online cheaper:cyclopsani:

[barwel1992]

just to add a bit of input, if you go plasma be aware that they will use more power and have a lesser life expectancy than a lcd but offer better picture quality (deeper blacks and less back light bleed if any at all) LCD's are catching up. dont believe all the hype about 600hz bla bla bla because its means different things in different tv sets at the moment companies are using it to confuse customers, in other words view them first and then take you pick dont just go on spec's

[Viney]

Sony Trinitron.

HTH

[Reeder]

No matter what you do, go Panasonic, and definitely avoid Samsung. Function over fashion.

I have very similar this http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product/629006/PANASONIC-TX-P42U20B/tab/specification

Built in freeview, but as dizzy said, its going HD soon for free so it's just something to consider.
Very good contrast ratio
24p technology to get the best out of your blurays incase you decide to get one.
Optical connection
SD card slot so you can view your digital photos at 42" :)
1080p + Fulld HD resolution (more pixels and greater quality pics than HD ready - but obviously only when watching HD)
2 HDMI connections - my older spec one has 3, not sure why they took one away? Either way by the sound of things its more than enough to meet your needs.
Light sensor for the auto brightness (if you choose to have it on) adjustment when you decide to turn the lights off and lay in bed with only the tv for company :( lol
It's 400hz - like barwell says, no need for all this 600hz that's being advertised. Mine is an older spec one with 100hz and my picture is smooth enough!
As for barwell's point about less life expectancy, I really don't think having a plasma will be an issue at all for this. Whilst it is true the life expectancy is lower, it's still so long you won't realise.

ONE WORD OF WARNING HOWEVER - Never leave it on a static image for more than a couple of hours. Plasmas are prone to screen burn (its like a ghostly image of what was left on it that constantly stays on the screen) It will take a lot of doing do make this happen, but its just something you need to be concious of.
I always personally use my on/off timer when watching a film late at night, so when it finishes it will not cause screen burn on the main menu of the dvd.

*EDIT*
Also just like to point out, if you read the reviews on the site someone points out plasma buzz. This is actually something I will agree on. When listening at very low levels plasmas have a small buzz to them. I only EVER notice when tv is on very quiet when I'm in bed, however its a pain in the **** having a low buzzing noise. It's not loud but its just enough to hear it. The whiter and brighter the picture goes the higher pitch and more intense the buzz is. This wouldn't put me off buying a plasma however.

[keithd]

Tried a Dell?

[barwel1992]

No matter what you do, go Panasonic, and definitely avoid Samsung. Function over fashion.

I have very similar this http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product/629006/PANASONIC-TX-P42U20B/tab/specification

Built in freeview, but as dizzy said, its going HD soon for free so it's just something to consider.
Very good contrast ratio
24p technology to get the best out of your blurays incase you decide to get one.
Optical connection
SD card slot so you can view your digital photos at 42" :)
1080p + Fulld HD resolution (more pixels and greater quality pics than HD ready - but obviously only when watching HD)
2 HDMI connections - my older spec one has 3, not sure why they took one away? Either way by the sound of things its more than enough to meet your needs.
Light sensor for the auto brightness (if you choose to have it on) adjustment when you decide to turn the lights off and lay in bed with only the tv for company :( lol
It's 400hz - like barwell says, no need for all this 600hz that's being advertised. Mine is an older spec one with 100hz and my picture is smooth enough!
As for barwell's point about less life expectancy, I really don't think having a plasma will be an issue at all for this. Whilst it is true the life expectancy is lower, it's still so long you won't realise.

ONE WORD OF WARNING HOWEVER - Never leave it on a static image for more than a couple of hours. Plasmas are prone to screen burn (its like a ghostly image of what was left on it that constantly stays on the screen) It will take a lot of doing do make this happen, but its just something you need to be concious of.
I always personally use my on/off timer when watching a film late at night, so when it finishes it will not cause screen burn on the main menu of the dvd.

*EDIT*
Also just like to point out, if you read the reviews on the site someone points out plasma buzz. This is actually something I will agree on. When listening at very low levels plasmas have a small buzz to them. I only EVER notice when tv is on very quiet when I'm in bed, however its a pain in the **** having a low buzzing noise. It's not loud but its just enough to hear it. The whiter and brighter the picture goes the higher pitch and more intense the buzz is. This wouldn't put me off buying a plasma however.

the man talks seance although my Panasonic 37 full hd plasma doesn't seem to have a buzz at all ours is also a 100hz and you cant see any ghosting as i sead 600hz is a load of Sheite and is a bit like all show no go

[Viney]

My LG Plasma is very good. It is a bit prone to the burn in that has been said about others. LG are a good Budget brand IHMO. I only have a 32" and its fine for what i need it for.

[Beenz]

Go to the shops and look at am all running then make a short list.

Samsung have come a long way since the days of old, they produce screens for some other manufacturers as well.

I must admit I prefer the Panny plasmas, yes it does buzz a tad, not enough to irritate as you can't hear it at normal volumes. As for image retention, plasmas are more prone to this when new as the screen starts to run in. Over time initial image retention in can go away (depends on how bad I guess) as the rest of the screen ages. I got an S10 (3 HDMI, Light sensor, tough anti reflection panel, full HD) £400 pounds off on sale as it was about to be replaced with the Freeview HD S20 version. As I have an HD recorder this is not an issue for me as most of my watching is recorded.

Panny panel life is much improved over the older ones, If I recall the life is up to 100,000 hours (for screen to reach half its initial maximum brightness). Work out how long that is in days by dividing it into the average number of hours per day it'll be on.

[gettin2dizzy]

the man talks seance although my Panasonic 37 full hd plasma doesn't seem to have a buzz at all ours is also a 100hz and you cant see any ghosting as i sead 600hz is a load of Sheite and is a bit like all show no go

http://bigrab.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/m_derekacorah-generic1.jpg

[Reeder]

My LG Plasma is very good. It is a bit prone to the burn in that has been said about others. LG are a good Budget brand IHMO. I only have a 32" and its fine for what i need it for.

I also like LG :)
My gf got one and it's spot on for what she wanted.

[Reeder]

http://bigrab.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/m_derekacorah-generic1.jpg

You wouldn't wanna leave that image on your plasma for too long :D

[tigersaw]

I too like LG
Although my LG42 something 3000 is knackered after just 14 months of very intermittent use.

I fancy one of those LED ones next

[barwel1992]

http://bigrab.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/m_derekacorah-generic1.jpg

oh haha one small mistake :rolleyes:

[barwel1992]

I too like LG
Although my LG42 something 3000 is knackered after just 14 months of very intermittent use.

I fancy one of those LED ones next

if you can wait another year or so get a OLED one but it will cost ££££

[gettin2dizzy]

oh haha one small mistake :rolleyes:

His whole life is one tragic mistake :lol:

[barwel1992]

His whole life is one tragic mistake :lol:

rofl :p

[hindle8907]

panny plasma. is the only way ;)

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=147067 <recent which TV thread with some useful info

see above thread for my views.

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=144668 < audio and visual thread with pics

[DSGMATT]

panny plasma. is the only way ;)

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=147067 <recent which TV thread with some useful info

see above thread for my views.

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=144668 < audio and visual thread with pics

Thanks Hindle,

Did a search but got fed up trawling. Very good thread,

Matt :)

[hindle8907]

no probs.