LCD TV/ recorder recommendations

[just jim]

Looking to replace the CRT telly with something of the flat variety. Anything worth going for? Haven't a clue what to get. I want to keep the size fairly sensible - maybe a 32" screen. I also want to get a hard drive recorder thing - hmmm, stunning lack of research here. Any good- uns?

 

[MacB]

I found this site very useful, they do incredibly detailed reviews and explain all the technical references in laymans terms:-

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/

 

[marinyork]

Humax for the PVR.

TV is a bit more difficult as it depends how much you want to spend and what offers are on when you buy it.

 

[Melvil]

We bought a panasonic viera and its a very good telly - we have the 26" but FiL has 32" and is also v.good. Good colour and rendition and nice (surprisingly bassy) sound.

 

[sheddy]

Plenty in Freecycle or Charedee Shoppes

 

[addictfreak]

Just make sure your happy with the size. I bought a 32inch, despite being advised to go bigger. Within a matter of weeks I realised my mistake.

I've since moved to a bigger house and now have 50 inches of plasma! No need to go to the cinema again lol

 

[just jim]

50" - that sounds mahoosive!

 

[marinyork]

Just make sure your happy with the size. I bought a 32inch, despite being advised to go bigger. Within a matter of weeks I realised my mistake.

I've since moved to a bigger house and now have 50 inches of plasma! No need to go to the cinema again lol

Indeed, although I have smaller there is some unspoken convention at 32 inches. Some people are happy with this but a lot of people then seem to wish they'd got a lot larger (usually 37" which is why I recommend that size).

There is a cut off point for the manufacturers. Above 32" is where manufacturers usually put better features in even if the panel is described under the same name.

 

[Noodley]

Family Noodley paid a visit to the local electronic gadget shop today to look for a new fridge/freezer thing, and I have been convinced we also need a new TV. Having seen what's on offer I tend to agree as the one we have is 'steam powered' by comparison. B) I saw a second hand TV exactly like the one we have for 75 quid

We saw some very classy looking TVs, 37 inch seems to be the way ahead but I also saw a 42 inch screen which I reckon we cold get away with as it's quite a large room.

I am currently flicking through a lovely glossy Panasonic brochure.

 

[marinyork]

That's the spirit Noodley. G10 is a nice screen from Panny.

 

[Noodley]

That's the spirit Noodley. G10 is a nice screen from Panny.

G10 is the one which we liked best from those on display in the showroom. If it was 42 inch it would have to be plasma, so maybe best to stick with 37 and LCD? I don't know much about these things B)

 

[marinyork]

G10 is the one which we liked best from those on display in the showroom. If it was 42 inch it would have to be plasma, so maybe best to stick with 37 and LCD? I don't know much about these things

Get whatever size you want and go for that. You know better than I do what size you want and if you've already pretty much decided that that is half the job done. No really.

Also depends on what you'll do with the thing and your budget. Some of the V10s floating about aren't too bad price wise. Budgets are really the limiting factor in the sort of size you're talking about.

On 42", personally I think the power consumption starts to get a bit uncomfortable depending on what you're going to use it for.

 

[Noodley]

On 42", personally I think the power consumption starts to get a bit uncomfortable depending on what you're going to use it for.

Yes, I did a bit of reading and think 37 inch is the best option. The power consumption for a 42 inch would be a bit much!

 

[Speicher]

This buying a tv thing is all new to me. My current one was raffle prize about eight years ago. It used to be that the measurement was the diagonal of the screen, is that still the case, or would (say) 37 inches be the horizontal measurement?

 

[marinyork]

Yes, it is still the case. Although in the noughties british tv went over to widescreen so many tvs are on the diagonal measurement but diagonal of 16:9 rather than 4:3 (in theory, as there are a few tvs/monitors/tv channels/and plenty of films not at these aspect ratios).