Time for a new TV...

On Sun, 19 Sep 2010 11:00:35 +0100, Max Demian wrote:

So, it seems Panasonic time. The TX-L32D25B looks good

Panasonic TVs use a nasty ad-supported EPG for Freeview.

That's worth knowing, thanks.

http://www.johnlewis.com/230962553/Product.aspx

having Freeview and Freesat HD built in, then I also like the Samsung
UE32C6510, although it doesn't have Freesat, as it seems to get a better
rating for SD - that's important as HD is a bit rare atm

http://www.johnlewis.com/230950656/Product.aspx

It's also a white surround so wouldn't stand out so much.

Samsung or Panasonic? Help!

What about the Sony Bravia?

I've not liked Sony since the rootkit issue a few years ago, but the
equipment seems to be good.

--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

"PeterC" wrote in message
...




What about the Sony Bravia?

I've not liked Sony since the rootkit issue a few years ago, but the
equipment seems to be good.




sony tvs are a lot better than in the past - i had one of the FQ crts with
their wavy pattern problems and said never again - and then their first lcd
tvs were 15:9 instead of 16:9
in recent years though they have been good - my parents have a 32 inch one
and even SD broadcasts look fine on it.



--
Gareth.

that fly...... is your magic wand....
http://dsbdsb.mybrute.com
you fight better when you have a bear!

On Sun, 19 Sep 2010 09:37:42 +0100, PeterC
wrote:

On Mon, 13 Sep 2010 08:22:19 +0100, PeterC wrote:

The major question now is: 32" or 37"?
My distance from the screen is 11' (~3.3m) and I don't want to see the
pixels in SD. I've no experience of the difference and no way of getting a
test, so opinions please.

Samsung or Panasonic? Help!

One leaflet I picked up states:
32 inch: 3 - 5m SD, 2.5 - 3m HD
37 inch: 4 - 5.5m SD, 3 - 4m HD

Now for more thoughts:

I have now bought two current 'What TV' type magazines. Clearly I
haven't learned from my experience at buying a digital camera a few
years ago, as the product lists and specs at the back of the magazines
are useless. Probably 80% of currently available TVs do not feature,
and again 80% of listed products are no longer available.

I have temporarily borrowed my PC monitor Iiyama 24 inch and fed it
from my Toppy via a Panasonic DVD to get an HDMI connection. Best
setting is 'Scenery' with deep blacks and good highlights with no
crushing. Standard, Game, Cinema, and Text modes are all inferior. I
think the SD picture is possibly as good as I will get with any TV.
Sound is clearly dreadful, but routed through my Denon system it is
great.

Had a word with my neighbour who last year spent over a week choosing
his 40" Panasonic plasma. He confirmed that a superb review for a
particular 32" set doesn't automatically produce a good 37 inch, and
vice-versa. Also the updated version of a high performer is
frequently inferior.

Originally I concentrated on Sony and Panasonic only. I have now
almost discounted Sony as too many niggles from reviews - restricted
viewing angle, awkward remote, unintuitive menus etc. In the past I
have been all too aware of their lack of QA, having suffered an
apalling VCR I had to return as it was way out-of-spec.

Still looking at Pannys, but Samsung seem to be rated very highly and
could be the new kid on the block.

I have also discovered that the Samsung LE32C650 features very highly
in most reviews. (that's the non LED version of your mention) Prices
are most interesting:
Richer Sounds £459+46 = £505 with 5 year warranty
John Lewis £579 with automatic 5 year warranty
Comet £579+165 = £744 with 3 year warranty
Currys £550+229 = £779 with 5 year warranty
Tesco £560+170 = £730 with 5 year warranty

I would definitely go for a five year warranty (Richer or JL only) as
whilst I was in RS two customers were returning sets (both LG) which
had failed in 2-3 years. They walked out satisfied with their
replacements.

Feel that funds won't allow an LED set, and didn't really appreciate
the 'improved' picture, but I'm willing to be convinced otherwise.

Yesterday I went into one of the two principal chain stores beginning
with the letter 'C' and was immediately confronted by a sales guy.

Him: What size set are you interested in sir?

Me: 32 inch

Him: LCD or plasma?

Me: LCD! (also thinking, are there any 32 inch plasmas?)

Him: Let me show you a problem with LCD. If you press the screen
hard with your thumb, the picture distorts. (he did just that and the
picture did just that!) Plasma doesn't do that.

Me: Interesting! (with a hint of derision)

Him: Another thing, the way plasma cells work allow them to display
fast moving pictures well. LCD cells are much slower, but are changed
to make them very fast indeed.

Me: Thank you very much.

GrahamC

On Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:25:33 +0100, Graham C
wrote:

The major question now is: 32" or 37"?
My distance from the screen is 11' (~3.3m) and I don't want
to see the pixels in SD. I've no experience of the difference
and no way of getting a test, so opinions please.
Samsung or Panasonic? Help!

One leaflet I picked up states:
32 inch: 3 - 5m SD, 2.5 - 3m HD
37 inch: 4 - 5.5m SD, 3 - 4m HD


http://tekniken.se/tv/tvscreensize.png

On Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:25:33 +0100, Graham C wrote:

On Sun, 19 Sep 2010 09:37:42 +0100, PeterC
wrote:

On Mon, 13 Sep 2010 08:22:19 +0100, PeterC wrote:

The major question now is: 32" or 37"?
My distance from the screen is 11' (~3.3m) and I don't want to see the
pixels in SD. I've no experience of the difference and no way of getting a
test, so opinions please.

Samsung or Panasonic? Help!

(Excuse 'tween reply)

Thank you very much Graham - this is all very useful information.

I was ready to go to JL today and look at - and probably order - the
Samsung, but a bit of a back spasm put paid to that! (2 miles to walk to the
bus in about 28 mins. isn't really on, as I discovered about 10 yards from
the door!).

One leaflet I picked up states:
32 inch: 3 - 5m SD, 2.5 - 3m HD
37 inch: 4 - 5.5m SD, 3 - 4m HD

Now for more thoughts:

I have now bought two current 'What TV' type magazines. Clearly I
haven't learned from my experience at buying a digital camera a few
years ago, as the product lists and specs at the back of the magazines
are useless. Probably 80% of currently available TVs do not feature,
and again 80% of listed products are no longer available.

I have temporarily borrowed my PC monitor Iiyama 24 inch and fed it
from my Toppy via a Panasonic DVD to get an HDMI connection. Best
setting is 'Scenery' with deep blacks and good highlights with no
crushing. Standard, Game, Cinema, and Text modes are all inferior. I
think the SD picture is possibly as good as I will get with any TV.
Sound is clearly dreadful, but routed through my Denon system it is
great.

Had a word with my neighbour who last year spent over a week choosing
his 40" Panasonic plasma. He confirmed that a superb review for a
particular 32" set doesn't automatically produce a good 37 inch, and
vice-versa. Also the updated version of a high performer is
frequently inferior.

Originally I concentrated on Sony and Panasonic only. I have now
almost discounted Sony as too many niggles from reviews - restricted
viewing angle, awkward remote, unintuitive menus etc. In the past I
have been all too aware of their lack of QA, having suffered an
apalling VCR I had to return as it was way out-of-spec.

Still looking at Pannys, but Samsung seem to be rated very highly and
could be the new kid on the block.

I have also discovered that the Samsung LE32C650 features very highly
in most reviews. (that's the non LED version of your mention) Prices
are most interesting:
Richer Sounds £459+46 = £505 with 5 year warranty
John Lewis £579 with automatic 5 year warranty
Comet £579+165 = £744 with 3 year warranty
Currys £550+229 = £779 with 5 year warranty
Tesco £560+170 = £730 with 5 year warranty

I would definitely go for a five year warranty (Richer or JL only) as
whilst I was in RS two customers were returning sets (both LG) which
had failed in 2-3 years. They walked out satisfied with their
replacements.

Feel that funds won't allow an LED set, and didn't really appreciate
the 'improved' picture, but I'm willing to be convinced otherwise.

Yesterday I went into one of the two principal chain stores beginning
with the letter 'C' and was immediately confronted by a sales guy.

Him: What size set are you interested in sir?

Me: 32 inch

Him: LCD or plasma?

Me: LCD! (also thinking, are there any 32 inch plasmas?)

Him: Let me show you a problem with LCD. If you press the screen
hard with your thumb, the picture distorts. (he did just that and the
picture did just that!) Plasma doesn't do that.

Me: Interesting! (with a hint of derision)

Him: Another thing, the way plasma cells work allow them to display
fast moving pictures well. LCD cells are much slower, but are changed
to make them very fast indeed.

Me: Thank you very much.

GrahamC


--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

On Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:33:04 +0200, Ken wrote:

On Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:25:33 +0100, Graham C
wrote:

The major question now is: 32" or 37"?
My distance from the screen is 11' (~3.3m) and I don't want
to see the pixels in SD. I've no experience of the difference
and no way of getting a test, so opinions please.
Samsung or Panasonic? Help!

One leaflet I picked up states:
32 inch: 3 - 5m SD, 2.5 - 3m HD
37 inch: 4 - 5.5m SD, 3 - 4m HD


http://tekniken.se/tv/tvscreensize.png

Ouch! If I've read that correctly, it's a 50" set - saves wallpapering.

Thanks for the link. The differences between the formats is striking.
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

"Ken" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:25:33 +0100, Graham C
wrote:

The major question now is: 32" or 37"?
My distance from the screen is 11' (~3.3m) and I don't want
to see the pixels in SD. I've no experience of the difference
and no way of getting a test, so opinions please.
Samsung or Panasonic? Help!

One leaflet I picked up states:
32 inch: 3 - 5m SD, 2.5 - 3m HD
37 inch: 4 - 5.5m SD, 3 - 4m HD





i always think such things are daft as it takes no consideration of the fact
that some want their tv to dissapear into the corner, while others want it
to be massive.


--
Gareth.

that fly...... is your magic wand....
http://dsbdsb.mybrute.com
you fight better when you have a bear!

On Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:56:01 +0100, PeterC
wrote:

On Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:33:04 +0200, Ken wrote:

On Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:25:33 +0100, Graham C
wrote:

The major question now is: 32" or 37"?
My distance from the screen is 11' (~3.3m) and I don't want
to see the pixels in SD. I've no experience of the difference
and no way of getting a test, so opinions please.
Samsung or Panasonic? Help!


http://tekniken.se/tv/tvscreensize.png

Ouch! If I've read that correctly, it's a 50" set - saves wallpapering.

Sony inform me that I need a 52" set if I want to watch from 7 feet.
Anyone would think they were in the business of selling expensive TVs

http://www.sony.co.uk/article/id/1212656565170

GrahamC

On Mon, 20 Sep 2010 21:52:58 +0100, Graham C wrote:

On Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:56:01 +0100, PeterC
wrote:

On Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:33:04 +0200, Ken wrote:

On Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:25:33 +0100, Graham C
wrote:

The major question now is: 32" or 37"?
My distance from the screen is 11' (~3.3m) and I don't want
to see the pixels in SD. I've no experience of the difference
and no way of getting a test, so opinions please.
Samsung or Panasonic? Help!


http://tekniken.se/tv/tvscreensize.png

Ouch! If I've read that correctly, it's a 50" set - saves wallpapering.

Sony inform me that I need a 52" set if I want to watch from 7 feet.
Anyone would think they were in the business of selling expensive TVs

http://www.sony.co.uk/article/id/1212656565170

GrahamC

Does Sony sell neck supports and painkillers as well?!
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway

"PeterC" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 20 Sep 2010 21:52:58 +0100, Graham C wrote:

On Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:56:01 +0100, PeterC
wrote:

On Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:33:04 +0200, Ken wrote:

On Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:25:33 +0100, Graham C
wrote:

The major question now is: 32" or 37"?
My distance from the screen is 11' (~3.3m) and I don't want
to see the pixels in SD. I've no experience of the difference
and no way of getting a test, so opinions please.
Samsung or Panasonic? Help!


http://tekniken.se/tv/tvscreensize.png

Ouch! If I've read that correctly, it's a 50" set - saves wallpapering.

Sony inform me that I need a 52" set if I want to watch from 7 feet.
Anyone would think they were in the business of selling expensive TVs

http://www.sony.co.uk/article/id/1212656565170

GrahamC

Does Sony sell neck supports and painkillers as well?!
--
Peter.
The gods will stay away
whilst religions hold sway


See my thread about Samsung TV I have just got before you make any
decisions.

Gary