Please help Spec me a TV...

Matt-Page

Matt-Page

Matt-Page

Soldato
Joined
23 Nov 2004
Posts
3,794
Hello,

As the ones who attended UE's LAN will know i play my XBox on a crappy TFT and it just doesn't cut the mustard. The TV i own is some chunky 1990's crap and is in serious need of an update.

Budget is from about £400-£600. I want a 32" at least, and maybe able to get a 40". Rumour mill is the Samsung TV's are best for XBox gaming. I want it to have a built in Freeview box and some half decent sound, although it doesn't have to be amazing.

Should i go for HDI? HDMI? 1080p? I am well out of date with TV's and haven't bought one new before.

What options do i have? Are other makes better? Honest reviews from genuine owners would be nice, without fanboyisms :D :p

I have a few sites i will be comparing prices on, although i doubt i could mention them here as they are probably competitors.
 
Well if its for games I would say go for 720p and if you want to watch blu-ray movies consider a 1080p set. You shouldnt really need to worry about the connections on the back since almost all TV's (except maybe the crappy budget ones) are identical in what they offer in that respect.
 
Streeteh said:
http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProd...geType=Main&category=TVP+32-40+Sony+BRAVIA+TV

The above can be found for around £450 if you look hard enough, brilliant value for money.
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Indeed, You can't get better than Bravia, But you do have to pay for it through the nose depending on size. I've decided to get myself a Bravia, 46", but obviously, I'm going to have to wait a little longer than I first anticipated, as It's a bit different from buying the Panny I was looking at :p
 
If you're not one of those people that notice anything and everything about picture quality, then I'd go for the Hannspree 37" on OcUK and save yourself some money.

I've got it and I can't fault it really.
 
just to throw another wild idea at you :)

Optoma HD70

I have one of these and even though it's a budget 720p projector, does look fantastic! especially with HD content

can be had for under £600 now easily (payed £600 for mine last august)

only problem is, their not ideal for general everyday TV usage
 
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Matt-Page said:
Hmm... Some good suggestions here, keep them coming lads.

Not hearing much support for the Samsungs so far! :confused:
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To throw a curveball into the equation, I recently purchased the Panasonic LXD70 32 inch screen. (full model number is Panasonic TX32LXD70)

Bit more money than the ones you are looking at. But from reviews and owner opinions only the Bravia D3000 is better than it (although in terms of features not Picture Quality) by all accounts. I don't know much about this new model Bravia that people are mentioning in this thread though.

I currently have a mac, ps3 and 360 connected to this. All working fine.

Problem with these threads is everyone recommend TVs/panels they have :)


rp2000
 
rp2000 said:
Problem with these threads is everyone recommend TVs/panels they have :)
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Indeed, and i kind of expected this.

I will hardly watch DVD's on it, and don't own a Blue Ray player yet. I may get a PS3 one day if there are titles on it that i really want, but until then it will primarily be used on my XBox and a very small amount of Freeview TV watching, as most stuff on tv is carp!

That said, i am going to look into the Sony and Panasonic models posted, but £600 is really the very most i would go to, and i forgot to mention hat WOULD include delivery.

My XBox is the normal one and not Elite, so i am guessing my best bet would be to continue to use a VGA cable, but switch it over to HD?
 
SAMSUNG LE37R88BD is doing the rounds for sub £500. Sounds likes a nice compromise for between 32-40". I hear good things about the Samsung's (along with the Toshiba's) but in honesty I'm not an expert and you should have a good mooch around the av forums for some better advice.


I'm actually very close to purchasing that set I've just mentioned but I'm still struggling to part with my old Panasonic CRT :) The hansprees seem to be held in good regard but I've decided that I'll pay that bit extra for a branded set.
 
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I just got myself a 40" Samsung LE40F86. Bit out of your price range but maybe Samsung do a smaller version with the same tech. 25000:1 contrast ratio is pretty crazy for a HD:TV. I went to look at a number of TV's from Toshiba, Panasonic etc and none of them could match the colour and especially the black quality. It is almost as good as Plasma's.
 
Ok, i have narrowed it down to a 40" Samsung LCD, the SAMSUNG LE40R88BD.

Now i can either buy this from a website (PIX******) or i could buy it from a well known electrical store. The difference is the electrical store are selling it for £50 more. Now would you buy this from the store, for peace of mind, knowing you could take it back, and I wouldn't have the hassle of waiting around for a delivery, or would you order it off of the website?
 
Matt-Page said:
Ok, i have narrowed it down to a 40" Samsung LCD, the SAMSUNG LE40R88BD.

Now i can either buy this from a website (PIX******) or i could buy it from a well known electrical store. The difference is the electrical store are selling it for £50 more. Now would you buy this from the store, for peace of mind, knowing you could take it back, and I wouldn't have the hassle of waiting around for a delivery, or would you order it off of the website?
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Some stores also have online codes. Saved nearly £100 on my TV once entering the 5% off and 20 pound off codes.
 
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