What TV models are hot at the moment?

[minimoog]

AVforums is just info overload so perhaps someone here can advise - what TVs are currently very well thought of in the up-to-a-grand-and-a-bit price bracket?

I've soldiered on with a 21" Sony CRT for years as I've been completely underwhelmed by any plasmas/lcds I've seen so far, either in shops or people's homes. Then I saw a Samsung 200hz led playing blu-ray at the weekend and wondered if manufacturers are now actually managing to display moving pictures without them turning to a blurred mess. I've since gathered that even that one is likely to be a year old or so.

So, what ought I to be checking out if I'm to be dragged kicking into the flat panel age? Must be no bigger than 42".

Thanks for any tips!

[im]

Can I just say that a Plasma/LCD in your House/Lounge will look a lot better than when you view it at Currys etc.

Trust me on this.

I bought one on Boxing day which, when viewed alongside a myriad of other 50" TV's in-store, looked just ordinary but when installed and hooked up correctly in my lounge looks absolutely awesome in your lounge. It (in fact all of the models on display) completely underwhelmed me in-store but was jaw-dropping at home.

Perhaps its the lighting or the fact that you get to close to them in the store - I don't know.

All IMHO.

[Plotloss]

Wait if you can, a couple of months more.

The Panasonic V25 series will be coming and there will be a new King.

If you can't wait however the Phillips 9664 line are very good, especially for LCD.

Edited by Plotloss on Wednesday 10th February 13:58

[minimoog]

Plotloss said:

Wait if you can, a couple of months more.

I can wait. Thanks.

[bobthemonkey]

Plotloss,

Have you got a take on current noise about the black level/voltage issue on the recent Panny PDPs?

I've seen a fair few go through the 'magic' 2000 hour mark with no noticeable difference; I'm guessing it's just changes as they bed in, coupled with the inbuilt adjustment coming a little too early for some panels that are taking a bit longer to settle down.

It seems just to be Americans getting excited about nothing and positively horny at the mere prospect of a class action lawsuit but wanted to hear from someone much better placed than me.

[AlexS]

Plotloss said:

Wait if you can, a couple of months more.

The Panasonic V25 series will be coming and there will be a new King.

If you can't wait however the Phillips 9664 line are very good, especially for LCD.

Edited by Plotloss on Wednesday 10th February 13:58

Are there any suggestions of a price for the v25? Hope it isn't going to be in the z1 league.

[Plotloss]

Not yet, I'd have thought it would be pitched somewhere between the V10 and the Z1 pricing.

I do however have high hopes for it, pretty much regardless of price.

[i'm no superhero]

The Panasonic rep came in store yesterday - very exciting times ahead.

[Ballistic]

quote=Plotloss]If you can't wait however the Phillips 9664 line are very good, especially for LCD.]

+1
I bought a 47" 9664 at Christmas, after researching the market and being very impressed by it everywhere I saw it.
Performs even better once at home and properly setup.

[VEX]

I would wait, if you can.

Technology is changing again and Freeview HD has had a bit of a soft launch so far, but all areas that have switched to Digital are supposed to be able to receive and watch HD channel (with the correct receivers)

There are some set top boxes feeding through, but I am holding off until the tech makes it into a good number of TV's.

V.

[JNW1]

VEX said:

I would wait, if you can.

Technology is changing again and Freeview HD has had a bit of a soft launch so far, but all areas that have switched to Digital are supposed to be able to receive and watch HD channel (with the correct receivers)

There are some set top boxes feeding through, but I am holding off until the tech makes it into a good number of TV's.

V.

Excuse my ignorance but what constitutes a correct receiver?! I'm thinking of changing my own TV fairly soon and had been considering one with Freesat but, if I can get HD via Freeview, will that give me the same HD options as Freesat but without the need for a dish? My thought at the moment is to wait a month or two and go for one of the new Panasonics when they come out but would I be right to assume that their built-in Freeview tuner will be able to receive Freeview HD?

[E31Shrew]

JNW1 said:

VEX said:

I would wait, if you can.

Technology is changing again and Freeview HD has had a bit of a soft launch so far, but all areas that have switched to Digital are supposed to be able to receive and watch HD channel (with the correct receivers)

There are some set top boxes feeding through, but I am holding off until the tech makes it into a good number of TV's.

V.

Excuse my ignorance but what constitutes a correct receiver?! I'm thinking of changing my own TV fairly soon and had been considering one with Freesat but, if I can get HD via Freeview, will that give me the same HD options as Freesat but without the need for a dish? My thought at the moment is to wait a month or two and go for one of the new Panasonics when they come out but would I be right to assume that their built-in Freeview tuner will be able to receive Freeview HD?

Yup!

[i'm no superhero]

JNW1 said:

VEX said:

I would wait, if you can.

Technology is changing again and Freeview HD has had a bit of a soft launch so far, but all areas that have switched to Digital are supposed to be able to receive and watch HD channel (with the correct receivers)

There are some set top boxes feeding through, but I am holding off until the tech makes it into a good number of TV's.

V.

Excuse my ignorance but what constitutes a correct receiver?! I'm thinking of changing my own TV fairly soon and had been considering one with Freesat but, if I can get HD via Freeview, will that give me the same HD options as Freesat but without the need for a dish? My thought at the moment is to wait a month or two and go for one of the new Panasonics when they come out but would I be right to assume that their built-in Freeview tuner will be able to receive Freeview HD?

AFAIK there is only one Humax Freeview HD receiver which is £170 odd.

I would have thought the new Pannys will have a Freesat and Freeview HD tuner built in though, yes. So wait and see.