Cheap LCDs - a bargain or a waste of money?

[Pug]

I'm in the market for a 32-37" TV, and initially i was going to grab a 37" Panasonic Plasma TV, based on research i did when buying my dad his 42" one, and my experiences of his with SD material and HD material. These cost ~£750.

However, when i'm seeing 37" LCDs floating around the web at £400, i keep asking myself are they decent enough (in that for £400 i can replace it in 3 yrs when real HD is more common) for a short term set, or would i be better spending the extra and getting what i know is a good set?

tips/advice? you get what you pay for? My cheapy 22" PC TFT is brilliant for the money, and i'm well chiffed with it (~£200 for a Videoseven effort)

 

[Pug]

I picked up the 26" Hanns-G (OcUK special edition) form here last year, and it's doing fantastically well for £328(ish)

I wouldn't pay £400 for a 37" screen though, it just seems too cheap.

Best thing would be to go and find the model in a store and have a look for yourself. See if the picture quality is any good... ask if they can hook something up to hdmi/component (etc) to get a decent idea of it's 'best' quality.

normally i would, but with these being online its not really an option sadly...

good to hear the Hanns G is ok tho, but smaller screens cope better with SD than larger ones...

 

[Pug]

fair point, but the scalers ARE inportant for watching SD.

And then there's the LCD vs Plasma concerns. Guess i need to decide if i want to be a tight arse and possibly happy, or extravagant and def happy :/

 

[Pug]

well on the whole quite reassurring comments.

it is for a living room TV, and will mostly be used for SD feeds/PC/360.

i would prefer a plasma, but the money i can save is swaying me...

very tempted.

 

[Pug]

well guys, i took the risk and opted for a 37" Hannspree JT TV.

And i have to say they are most definately a bargain. Sourced it for £411 collected, and i am happy with everything about it. Picture on Sd is at least as good, if not better than i had expected (varies from channel to channel, but thats due to how its broadcast).

All in all i'd heartily reccomend taking the plunge. Glad i went 37", just that bit bigger makes it better

 

[Pug]

well, i have to say the SD picture on this Hannspree Xv 37 is much better than i could have hoped for, serioulsy!

Through a cheapy sagem freeview box its great - and SD was my biggest concern, and i'd class myself as critical

 

[Pug]

guys, just to remind people:

well guys, i took the risk and opted for a 37" Hannspree JT TV.

And i have to say they are most definately a bargain. Sourced it for £411 collected, and i am happy with everything about it. Picture on Sd is at least as good, if not better than i had expected (varies from channel to channel, but thats due to how its broadcast).

All in all i'd heartily reccomend taking the plunge. Glad i went 37", just that bit bigger makes it better