Quote from: Kunal

That all aside a Samsung 9000 series or Sony X4500 series 46" will probably set you back 2500 pounds!

 

The old expensive X series..... FuMaN go for the win.... get a Sony Bravia Z Series 46" 46Z4500 £1,300-£1,400

Samsungs can be problematic stay clear!

The 46Z4500 is CCFL backlit.

Ahh looks like I need to do some serious homework. Anything worth buying for under £1k at 46"?

dont do it. once youve thought about 50" & then settle for smaller, youll be gutted.

Main reason I want with the Panny is for the 5 year warranty. £1300 & 5 years use isnt as bad as paying £1k & it breaking down
in 2-3 years.

Quote from: Serious

Ive got a large LCD screen, dont watch sports but do watch films. It is entirely adequate, even when the action speeds up.

Thats because you dont know what youre missing ;-)


Whilst the speed is important its more about the black levels, definition in the darker areas and more realistic colours.


Its all good and well saying a set has 20m:1 contrast, but to properly calibrate the set youd have to turn all that crap down anyways, it just looks too bright.

I dont seem to be missing anything, every so often I look around places like comet, currys, etc. and check on whats available. Mine is visually just as good to look at and I dont feel any need to spend loads of money on a supposed upgrade to a plasma when what I have is good enough.

What you have to remember about the TVs in Currys, etc is that they are, or should be, set to store demo mode which ramps things like contrast all the way up and once you set the TV up correctly it wont look anything like the ones in store. Also, I see problems with people buying oversized TVs all the time, Ill go out to repair a 50" plasma and find it taking up the whole wall in a tiny bedroom.

Lastly, I have a 32" Panasonic 1080p LCD and the black levels are not a problem for me and I watch a lot of films on it.

Reading online reviews always the best thing to do and then go in store to buy or have a final look.
You guys are totally right to how bad most stores tune their TVs. Can not find it but I actually Not long read an article talking about the shop lighting itself and how it effects the displays and how it effects the viewing.
It is funny, they set them up to sell Tvs but ultimately never reflect how good / or bad they are.

& they always push the Korean sets of the Jap sets.. then the warranties on top. Guess those 2 combined give the biggest profit margin.

We still use one of these: Panasonic Quintrix (CRT) 28" TV


-Nicam Digital Stereo with 58W RMS Total Audio Output
-Dolby Pro Logic with Simulated Surround Sound
-Digital Management System self checks and self adjusts the picture parameters:
-Colour Transient Improver for stronger more realistic colours
-Picture Noise Reduction for improved picture clarity

It has an excellent picture and for the type of viewing we do I actually have not seen a decent LCD or PLASMA that looks better, becuase we enjoy watching AlloAllo, Dads Army, War Films, Comedy Sitcoms etc. Basicly the good old low res series and films from the 50s 60s 70s & 80s. If we every watch anything later it usually something like SG1 or Andromeda or other Sci-Fi.

Whos actually watched an episode on The Good Life or Allo Allo on a 36"+ LCD or PLASMA. All the ones Ive seen look awfull becuase the low res gets blown-up to stupid jagged proportions. But the CRT gives a normal smooth edge to the images.

One thing many of you have mentioned is the new TVs being too large for the rooms, I plan to use a Template, if we see an new TV well note the size and make a carboard template so we can actually see what the real thing will look like in the room before buying. So far as contrast goes the 36" Panasonic Viera Plasmas are looking favourite, but Im still stuck on the CRT for image smoothness on pre:-16:9 broadcasts!

[edit:] And one more thing!
Why dont new TVs come with decent audio systems. Our nice 28" CRT has built in Nicam 5.1 Surround - Supplied with Sub-Woofer & Rear Surround Speakers. Ive visited friends who have 40" LCDs and their audio is still using the small front mounted speakers. I dont want to spend £500+ on a new TV then have to buy a sperate audio setup to get the same sound we already have from our CRT. Why dont manufacturers suppliey 5.1 or 7.1 built in amps and speakers with LCD & Plasmas, seem like there is so much focus on the image at the expense of the complete experiance that people live with basic audio or have to spend additional £100+ on extra hi-fi gear.

We still use one of these: Panasonic Quintrix (CRT) 28" TV


-Nicam Digital Stereo with 58W RMS Total Audio Output
-Dolby Pro Logic with Simulated Surround Sound
-Digital Management System self checks and self adjusts the picture parameters:
-Colour Transient Improver for stronger more realistic colours
-Picture Noise Reduction for improved picture clarity

It has an excellent picture and for the type of viewing we do I actually have not seen a decent LCD or PLASMA that looks better, becuase we enjoy watching AlloAllo, Dads Army, War Films, Comedy Sitcoms etc. Basicly the good old low res series and films from the 50s 60s 70s & 80s. If we every watch anything later it usually something like SG1 or Andromeda or other Sci-Fi.

Whos actually watched an episode on The Good Life or Allo Allo on a 36"+ LCD or PLASMA. All the ones Ive seen look awfull becuase the low res gets blown-up to stupid jagged proportions. But the CRT gives a normal smooth edge to the images.

One thing many of you have mentioned is the new TVs being too large for the rooms, I plan to use a Template, if we see an new TV well note the size and make a carboard template so we can actually see what the real thing will look like in the room before buying. So far as contrast goes the 36" Panasonic Viera Plasmas are looking favourite, but Im still stuck on the CRT for image smoothness on pre:-16:9 broadcasts!

[edit:] And one more thing!
Why dont new TVs come with decent audio systems. Our nice 28" CRT has built in Nicam 5.1 Surround - Supplied with Sub-Woofer & Rear Surround Speakers. Ive visited friends who have 40" LCDs and their audio is still using the small front mounted speakers. I dont want to spend £500+ on a new TV then have to buy a sperate audio setup to get the same sound we already have from our CRT. Why dont manufacturers suppliey 5.1 or 7.1 built in amps and speakers with LCD & Plasmas, seem like there is so much focus on the image at the expense of the complete experiance that people live with basic audio or have to spend additional £100+ on extra hi-fi gear.

No.

Quote from: dogbert

[edit:] And one more thing!
Why dont new TVs come with decent audio systems. Our nice 28" CRT has built in Nicam 5.1 Surround - Supplied with Sub-Woofer & Rear Surround Speakers. Ive visited friends who have 40" LCDs and their audio is still using the small front mounted speakers. I dont want to spend £500+ on a new TV then have to buy a sperate audio setup to get the same sound we already have from our CRT. Why dont manufacturers suppliey 5.1 or 7.1 built in amps and speakers with LCD & Plasmas, seem like there is so much focus on the image at the expense of the complete experiance that people live with basic audio or have to spend additional £100+ on extra hi-fi gear.

Simply put the people that design them are electronics engineers and not audio experts. They look around for some piece they can save money on and its almost always the audio amp/speakers that get cut. Second to this Audio speakers unless properly shielded or low enough power could distort the image on a CRT screen.

No real excuse to not put decent sterio speakers on but those that want higher audio quality will normally go for external amplifier/ separate speakers, reason being it offers much better sound separation. For 5.1 or higher you really do need separates.

I agree, why mess to much in this area? There are dedicated things out there, There are decent 5.1 systems that are cheap. I remember that set Nige Linked some time ago going for £20 reduced price a few of us picked up. I still use that on my pc and it does the job well, not bad sound at all. Replaced some of the speakers with better since though but still. You can get nice ones for not a lot.

LCD tvs are getting slimmer, I think My samsung has pretty good sound really, and the one upstairs does as well. Why mess with the audio when your building a tv to much and you got the licence costs ets if you put anything more stuff in them that will bump up the overall cost they got to sell the tv at.