New LED HD TV - recommendations

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Hi guys,

I want to buy a new TV this month and I'd be very grateful if I could get some help in choosing the right one for me.

Requirements:

- Full HD (no Smart or 3D needed)
- 40-42" screen size
- at least 1 SCART input
- at least 1 USB input
- at least 1 HDMI input
- able to read/play pretty much all video formats (.avi, .mkv, mp4 etc.) off a USB HDD
- able to read .srt files
- good viewing angles

My budget is £300-£350.

If anyone has any first hand experience with a product having all the above, I'd be curious to hear about it.

I already have a 6 years old entry-level 32" HD Ready TV but my main reason of wanting to buy a new one is the power consumption as lately my TV is always ON (and it doesn't have a USB input either).

Thanks!

 

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Thanks for the suggestion mate!

After talking to my wife about it, we decided we want the SMART option too as we might try a service like Netflix, so after a bit more research, I believe I found a very nice set - LG 42LB580V. If someone has it, can you please post your thoughts about it?

I don't have any experience with phoning JL - do they price match if you found an item (they have in stock) cheaper elsewhere?

 

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I'm even more undecided now...when I started looking it was between Samsung and LG. After reading a lot of reviews I discovered that Samsung doesn't have great viewing angles and LG has some back-light issues and both have poor blacks.
I'm not bothered about the sound at all, always have my TV on low or mute as I have a small baby.

I saw the LG offer at Richer Sounds but it was in store only and I'm on OHS this week so I can't go to the store and buy it.

Just saw SONY BRAVIA KDL-40W605B on offer for £329 at pixmania, read a couple of reviews and seems like a great deal but that stand looks a bit flimsy. Also they're not UK based, never bought from them before so I'm not too sure.

Damn, I thought this is going to be easy...

Am I being too picky for the price I'm willing to pay?

 

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Finally had some time to pop in store at PCWorld and have a look at the TVs. After about an hour of staring and analyzing them, I decided I like the Samsung 40H5500 the most. Well, Sony Bravia has better picture quality but the stand is way too flimsy.
The guy tried to convince me it's a great deal to pay £369 for the TV plus £119 for 3 year warranty....erm, no.
So I ordered the Samsung this morning from RS for £369 with 5 year warranty.

Thanks for the input guys, it helped a lot!

 

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@wijcc - H6400 - I don't need 3D (I don't really like it even in Cinema and especially on the TVs where I find it horrible, could not watch it) and I don't like the stand.
H5500 also has a Quad-core processor and it's Smart which is everything I need.

I received the TV yesterday, installed it and I can honestly say I'm very happy with the choice I made. Very nice picture, no back-light issues at the corners, love the design and the viewing angles are just perfect for my living room. The remote and the Smart-hub are also very easy to use.

I connected it with a cat5 cable to the router, tried BBCiplayer, ITVplayer, Netflix (HD) and they all work flawlessly.

Can't fault it so far.

 

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For what it's worth I have the 6400 and I do love it

I'm sure it's a great TV but me and 3D are not good friends plus, I find glasses really uncomfortable, even sunglasses.
Atm I have it on Movie Mode but I need to search online to see if there's a better calibration...but obviously this is also subjective, depending of person's preference, isn't it?

Cheers for suggesting this in the first place!