OK folks should I go for the Loewe Aventos 3981ZW??

Thanks to the contributors to my previous post when I was considering the Sony KV32FX68 but my knowledge now seems to have 'matured' hence the Loewe.

OK I know it's the best part of £250-300 more than the FX68 but all things considered, based largely on the info on the forum, Loewe's seem to have better build, geometry, QA etc. And the Aventos is available in Black - yes I know it's a bit 'retro', old fashioned, call it what you like but the rest of my gear is mainly black.

As per my earlier post, I do want to run the audio through my amp without the internal TV speakers - I'm assuming this will be OK on the Aventos.

Luckily for me living in the Manchester area, I can actually bob into TV & Video Direct's showroom in Bolton and am planning to do so this weekend. I've checked and they do have one on display (they are pretty obliging over the 'phone) - can't wait to see it in action and to compare with the competition

I'll report back on my trip to TV & Video Direct after I've been.

I'd welcome any feedback from Aventos owners, and also any tips for set-by-set comparisons or what to look out for. I am a bit of a novice when it comes to widescreen.

Thanks a million.

[cuk0724]

I was in the same position as you 2 months ago. It was going to be the Sony, but after finding this forum, and reading many of the posts I went for the Loewe Aventos in black. And am I glad i did. Picture fantastic and even for a fussy git like me the geometry is fine. I run my audio through my amp and have no problems. You can even set the set up so that the volume button adjust the output level to the amp.

[mij]

My Aventos replaced 2 Sony's (FQ75 & DX100) 1 Philips PW9527 Pixel Plus, and is easily the best 32 inch TV I have ever seen.

The only thing I adjusted was the colour, Brightness, Contrast & Sharpness, they are all too high at the default settings like most manufacturers.
I used the THX setup guide on the Terminator 2 DVD, many other DVD's have this and it is well worth doing.

mij

[ste1010]

my Sony goes back tomorrow. I will be ordering an Aventos as soon as I get my refund

cheers

ste

Thanks for the responses and helpful info - it certainly helps boost the confidence in decision making.

Quick update from my original post.

Visited TV&Video Direct over the weekend and did indeed see the Aventos in action. Happy with it - look feel etc - so placed order there and then.

I'm sure this is all in the mind - but generally the Loewe's did seem to have better pictures than the other brands.

My graphite specimen should arrive today.

More to follow later.

[ste1010]

Ordered my Aventos yesterday from TV&Videodirect.

Sony was picked up today. Its a shame, I liked the look of the Sony, picture was fine just that damm buzzing.

Aventos should arrive on Friday. I must say the guy at TV&Videodirect that I spoke to did give the impression that they place customer satisfaction first.

Ste, when you apply for the extra year of cover with Barclaycard you must stress that the tv already has 2 years cover and you want a third year, otherwise you'll get a policy from them covering 2nd year only. This happened to me even though I mentioned the existing 2 year cover. It's sorted out now but by ensuring they are aware in the first place you can avoid this.

[ste1010]

bluetile

Thanks for the advice.

I am quite looking forward to Friday when it is due to arrive and the buzz free viewing it should bring. I hope I am not disappointed

Regards
Ste

[ste1010]

100mph
Did yours arrive. What are your thoughts?????

Cheers

Ste

Ste,

TV&Video Direct did do the bizz and delivered it yesterday as promised - thanks to them for efficient and prompt service.

The bad news is it's still in the monster sized box it came in - I need to do a bit of work in the corner of the lounge in clearing a suitable sized space for it to live in and I need to do some DIY work on the skirting board behind it. Realized this isn't the kind of set you move around the house willy-nilly so I intend to wire it in once and for all and want to compete the prep for it now.

Also need to get a mate round to help me shift it onto the cab it's gunna live on so it's all delaying the grand unveiling for a few days. Sad but true

I'm sure intending to report back after I've got it plumbed in.

The delivery chap wasn't one of their usual delivery drivers but turned out to be a really helpful and knowledgeable sales guy from their Legh branch - he said I'd picked a storming model and I wouldn't be disappointed.

Instruction manual is straightforward enough - most of the help is online through the set's menu system.

More to follow later.

[ste1010]

100mph

I can concurr with what your delivery guy said.
When my Sony was picked up yesterday by JL (it was a TV installation guy as opposed to a VAN driver) he said that in his opinion and experience Sony are not of the quality they used to be and this was evident in the number of sets he picks up for return/repair. He said he delivers more Pannys than anything else and does not see many returned.

I mentioned that I was getting a Loewe to him and his reply was simply 'now you are talking quality'

I just pray he is right!

Cheers

Ste

Ste,

Yours arrives today - yeah?

Let us know what you think.

100mph

[ste1010]

100mph

yep it arrived. Exactly the time the delivery men said they would.

Built the stand but need to wait for some help to lift it on to the stand. (dont want to drop it by trying on my own)

The stand doesn't look at bad as I expected it to.

Will let you know when I have powered it up

Did you use B'Card to pay. If so remember the extra years warranty

Cheers

Ste

[ste1010]

Well, I have set it up and ..........

It doesn't buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Thats the main thing.

It doesn't look as good as the Sony (imho) but hey you cant have every thing. (unless you can afford an Acconda)

The main things are picture is good, sound OK (I use an AV amp anyway) so I am happy.

Cheers

Ste

[raneeshm]

Hey guys,

I must say that this thread has really been a boost for me. I have been confused since some time as to whether I should go for a 32 inch sony or loewe. But now it's gonna be loewe all the way.

Now come the questions:

1..... Do I have to purchase the stand with it ? Do you know of any place that does it without the stand & would it be cheaper.

2..... The cost on tvandvideodirect is £ 1040 including delivery. Is it cheaper at any other site. I have tried petermartin.co.uk, but there seem to be no prices.

3..... Has anyone seen any cheap ex- display or ex-demo model anywhere.

I guess I am asking for too much, but then you don't spend a thousand quid like that, do you

Rod

[groundy]

Originally posted by raneeshm
[B]

Now come the questions:

1..... Do I have to purchase the stand with it ? Do you know of any place that does it without the stand & would it be cheaper.

You don't have to purchase the stand. This is almost always an optional (and expensive) extra with Loewe TV's. Any Loewe dealer will sell you any model without the stand.

2..... The cost on tvandvideodirect is £ 1040 including delivery. Is it cheaper at any other site. I have tried petermartin.co.uk, but there seem to be no prices.

Tvandvideodirect certainly seem to be the cheapest retailer of Loewe TV's so I doubt you will find a better price anywhere else.

3..... Has anyone seen any cheap ex- display or ex-demo model anywhere.

John Lewis/Debenhams/HOF/Sevenoaks branches occasionally have ex-dem units.

[ste1010]

Ring TVandVideoDirect and ask them if they will ship without the stand for less money.

I recieved mine on Fiday from the, inc the stand.

The stand is really not as bad as people say.

The set is better than my ex FQ70 in everyway, except looks, but as my wife tries to tell me when I eye up a a replacement, looks aren't everything.

Cheers

Ste

Hi folks,

Ste - no I didn't buy mine on a Barclaycard - I don't have one - got cashback on another CC though.

Rod - couldn't find it anywhere cheaper than TV&Video Direct. They would not sell it to me without the stand, no matter how much I pleaded with them - salesman's info was that the Aventos's they get always come with stands so you get one whether you want it or not. Dunno how true this was but that's what the guy said.

Ste - glad to see yours is living up to expectations even though you need to get the operability working right for you.

Mine gets unveiled tomorrow - at last!!!!

[ste1010]

Originally posted by 100mph


Mine gets unveiled tomorrow - at last!!!!

C'mon 100mph, tomorrow is now yesterday, yesterday was tomorrow the day before yesterday and today is today, so put me out of my misery.

What do you think

Cheers

Ste

Ste,

You beat me to the prompt just as I was posting...

...had a late night last night fiddling and tweaking with no time to post so sorry for the delay as I know you've been hanging on.

'tis fantastic indeed - I'm a happy bunny.

Picture quality excellent, no distortion - colour or spatial, no buzzing, humming or any extraneous noises.

Playback of pure SuperVHS through S-Video inputs is truly awesome and would give the average punter's decent DVD/TV combo a run for the money. I'll admit that I never knew how hard S-VHS could be pushed and the Aventos exploits it to the full.

Spent ages trying to get the Audio RCA outputs (via HiFi setting) fixed rather than variable as per the volume control from the remote but gave up on that one.

I'm detecting a hint of UHF co-channel interference (more noticeable after dark on more channels) when set to panoramic and 16:9 formats, virtually disappears on 4:3. This was a problem on my JVC (and other sets in the house), the Aventos handles it very well but isn't perfect by anymeans. I might look to getting a specialist aerial to cure this (I do have reception difficulties but am getting better pictures than my neighbours).

Disappointed that you can't do pure 50:50 split screen, just PIP.

I LOVE the 50:50 teletext setup whereby you can change the teletext channel, whist watching another - e.g. CH4 in vision, CEEFAX1 on text - that'll stop the missus nagging me when I keep hijacking the remote and switching channel!

The styling is straightforward and unassuming, I think the set is a little high with the speakers mounted below the screen, but the unit is not particularly deep, so roughly sits where my old 21" JVC was and is no further out from the wall. That's a real bonus.

That's my overall impression after having it working for about 6hrs last night.

My mate who helped me unpack it was blown away and is now considering one for later this year when he intends to replace it current set.

I'll post and ask more when I've had more time to play.

Thanks to all for getting me this far.

Good choice indeed.

100mph

[ste1010]

yes good choice, or I think so anyway.

My only gripe is every time I change source i.e RF to AV etc the picture format jumps back to either 4:3 or Cine. I normally watch everything in WS but cant seem to get it to stay on WS.

The split picture/text is good. My Sony wouldn't do that. Also the PIP with the twin tuner i.e can watch two RF channels in PIP mode. Again the Sony only had one tuner so the PIP had to be different sources.

I really liked the look of the Sony and when that went back and my Aventos was delivered I was a bit disappointed with the looks., although the stand is not as bad as people say. After having the set for a week or so I actually do like to looks. Its smaller than the Sony as well which suits me

The other thing I cant get to work is that when I press the Sky Digi remote button my Sony and my old spare TV both switch to that AV input. The Loewe doesn't, although it should as I have enabled AV voltage switching. It may be my Scart as I am not sure if it is fully wired or not (its just a cheapy) but I would have thought that if it worked on one it would work on all.

Will get some decent scarts and try again.

One other thing is that I can hear the very faintest of hums from the set (scan coils). Probably a feature I will live with as it is only a fraction of the sound my Sony made. Also I only noticed it last night after a bottle of wine

Any way glad your chuffed with it.

Once you have settled on best setting let me know how you have set it up


Cheers

Ste

Ste,

Thanks for the feedback.

Like you, I like the smaller size of the Aventos, seems a lot less bulky than the Sony. I did like the styling of the FX68, but that's all history now. I think the styling of the Aventos is such that it grows on you over time.

I've specifically listened out for buzzing and hums coming from the set and can hear nothing.

I get all my cables and interconnects from ARD Electronics, an electrical wholesaler:

http://www.ardelectronics.com/

I noticed your earlier post re the picture formatting changing from one i/p to the other and can't say that I've noticed mine doing this - mind you it was getting late last night...

Puzzling about you not being able to auto sense external switching. Do try a 21 pin fully wired scart and see. Not convinced on this one though.

Likewise, let me know your preferred settings.

BTW - all the co-channel UHF interference/aerial nonsense is telling me it's time to invest in a sky box (about time).

100mph

[ste1010]

Yes, but a sky box is not the complete answer. Sky use the Astra satelite system and purchase bandwidth from them. Down this bandwidth the have to squeeze all of their channels and some times they do not allocate enough bandwidth to a particular channel and the picture is terrible.

I am not sure how they allocate bandwidth to a channel but some times the picture is decidedly dodgy. Its all to do with MPEG compression, Codecs and sampling rates I believe. Not something I know much about. Working in networking though, one thing I do know is that if someone is selling bandwidth they will always oversell the available bandwidth.

Cheers

Ste