Conflicting advice given by Comet and Currys

[Nick_UK]

Do what everyone else does - go to the chain stores and do some testing with your own eyes, then go to PriceRunner and get it off the 'net !

You'll find that chain stores will only want to sell you extended warranties and overpriced connecting cables that you don't need. Avoid Dixons/Curry's like the plague ! (See my sig).

[HarriettPotter]

Thank you - you are all brilliant and have made me see things a lot clearer with your great advice - especially the stuff about the PS3.

The favourite one at the moment is the LG RZ-32LZ50 because we like the look of it and its HD ready (apparently). Presumably this is as good as any to get for our budget in terms of its compatibility etc? I read on an earlier forum when I searched for the product code that it doesnt have a DVI something or other but I dont even know what that means. Would it affect me?!!

[gstadt]

Harriot,

take a look at these reviews:-

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-...?reviewid=5981

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-...?reviewid=5725

while I don't usually hold too much credence in what the mags say, there are enough warning signs regarding how it connects up.

A better bet possibly would be one of the samsungs for £800ish - try checking in the LCD forum and asking them.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/plasma-televisions/

Also, for about £900 (don't believe the RRP - you can get it for 60% online through pricerunner) you can get this:-

http://www.avforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=82

[scarty16]

No DVI or HDMI = NOT HD Ready

[gstadt]

Yeah - you can see that digitalpoint and a few others claim that its HD ready when the DVI is ONLY for PC use (no HDCP protection). After a bit of digging the newer Samsungs look a better bet for around that price.

[HarriettPotter]

Thats a shame - I'm getting really confused as I assumed that if a TV is HD ready - its bloomin HD ready?!! I can't find Samsungs at a similar price, not 32" anyway. Might go back to SD as really can't go over the £800 mark, possibly £900 at a push...

[scarty16]

Look for the "HD Ready" logo and buy from a reputable on-line dealer ie: try the ones who advertise on this forum, they seem to have a good reputation and keen prices, you may be surprised as to what you can get for your money

[bbdivo]

Harriet, check this post out:

Web links to HD prices

The Samsung LE32R41B may be a good option for you, its HD ready, and comes in at around the 850 mark. In fact im sure i've seen it in a few places under 800 even.

[tscotsman]

I think if youre interested in PS3/Xbox 360 the it just has to be HD Ready TV for you. I think youll regret it when you see how crystal clear the games will be, just wait and see the Xbox360 in December and most will be going HD Ready. Thats why Dixons/Currys/Comet etc want to get shot of their Non-HD Plasma/LCD's

Went into JL the other day and actually saw a Pioneer 434 in front of a 435, no 436 yet and the price £2495 unbelievable considering the 436 is here now.

[Roger G Cam]

Can I add a thought - although it looks like you may have set your heart on HD Ready?

HD won't be widespread for a few years. It will be here from February but will take some time to get going. As it does - prices will come down and peoples experience will go up. So will the product range. Might be better to hang back?

There are 3 types of product.

CRT Widescreen - thats the old fashioned TV's we all know and love
LCD's - Flat panels - these are smaller sizes up to say 38" (?)
Plasma's - Flat panels - big 38" plus?

Within each there is a price range. If you buy at the bottom of the price range you will get cheap junk. If you buy abut half way up you will probably get the best of the features available and reliability.

The CRT's Widescreens cost something like £200 to £800
The LCD's cost something like £600 to £2000
The Plasma's cost something like £1500 to £3000 or more

If you want HDTV you will have to buy an adaptor - the Sky one might be about £400 an there might be a monthly charge - say £10.

Pick your price range for now. If you are comfortable withn the screen size and the price - then pick something bigger. But only go mid range! If you caan only afford a cheap LCD it is probably best to buy and expensive Plasma.

One other suggestion - some people have suggested buying on-line for cheap prices. Have a think about John Lewis stores. You pay full price for the shops - but they give you a 5 year full service guarantee free. Might be worth it - or perhaps thats a whole different discussion.

Roger

[NackNack]

Using an Xbox 360 with DVDs will also make them look better on a HD Ready screen.

A screen is HD Ready if it fits certain criteria (e.g. it must have a DVI or another port to be HD Ready, if it doesn't, then it's not allowed to use that classification, but there are sets which can do high definition without being labelled HD Ready).

The Samsung 32" looks your best bet.

[HarriettPotter]

Thank you so much. I have spotted that Samsung before actually - I have a few links to it in my favourites. The only thing I'm concerned about is this DVI as I can't see it listed on the specifications for the TV...?

[gstadt]

Harriott,

have a look at this link from Samsung themselves:-

http://www.samsung.com/uk/products/t...Specifications

It says that has HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) - which is the current HD standard connection Its even a better connection than DVI for technical reasons I won't go into. The PS3 has been reported that it will have a HDMI conmnection (I'm going to get one )

Go and have a look at one in a shop and see if you like it

G

[Jordans Norks]

As said before if your going to get a XBOX 360 or PS3 do yourself a favour and get a HD TV - I've played my US XBOX in 720P HD mode and it's absolutely jaw dropping...so good even the misses said "blimey" (or words to that effect!

If however your just thinking about TV and your not really that bothered about sport in HD def then I would just buy the TV you like the look of most (HD or not) because by the time the UK goes HD properly (some time around 2010 ish) you'll probably get a 50'' HD screen free with a package of cornflakes!

Seriously though, consoles in HD mode a stupendously good!

Hi Harriett....If you can hold on till next year (and also increase your budget to say £1200 ) it may well be possible to pick up one of the big name HD ready models for around that price online as the replacement models come out...in any case rest assured that if a TV has HD ready on it then it must have either a HDMI or DVI connection to carry the HD ready logo (check any tv in shop with HD ready logo on it and you will see they always have either one)....best of luck whatever you get