Which HDTV set should I get

[handyman]

Originally Posted by gc10360

just be careful, plasmas are very good if you buy the correct set, you need to look at resolution as a lot of hd plasmas are 1024 * 768 and so can't do native 720p (obviously the closer the res to 1280*720 the better)
look for sets with a resolution of 1280 * 720 or 1366 * 768 unless you want to go for a 1080p set which are more expensive.

also plasma's (cheaper ones) can suffer from screen burn when there are static images on screen (e.g channel logo's in corners of screen) although this is less common now you need to look into this before you buy.

Burn in is not too much of an issue with modern plasmas. This one has a life expectancy also similar to lcd. 60,000 hrs which is 5 hrs per day for 27 years.

It will be connected to sky sd and a pc outputting 1024*768, in fact the pc it will be connected to will get a hdmi gfx card connected to it as its only used as a pvr.

[mertle]

I been told your going to need a HDCP compliant HD tv to view HD content. As things like blue ray/HD DVD movies and forthcoming PS3 need this. Not really sure whats going on with the HD situation.

What happens with those TV's who don't have this compliance like most tv's being sold at the moment. I can really see this going to cause major anger. Especially for those who have forked big mega bucks.

I read from one site that those who do not comply will get signal loss of 70%. Will this be just for Blue ray HD-DVD players or will all HD content need HDCP complianct TV's.

[Wiciu]

The best way is, to take your V+ (I even had recorded few BBC HD materials on V+ HDD) to the shop to compare some few LCD's a take which you like, because some TV have great picture on DVD connected through Component, but have poor quality through HDMI. Think how you want to connect other equipment, ask staff to connect DVD via component if you'll use it at home.

Don't listen to people who says: Toshiba, Samsung etc. ask them which model they talking about.


Good luck

[slowcoach]

A friend of mine bought a Phillips Plasma 3 years ago for 3 grand, recently it went pop.
Every dealer he contacted said he would have to contact Phillips as they won't let uncertified dealers have the parts.
Anyway, he contacts Phillips who tell him that they will repair it through their agent, asked how much it would cost, Phillips said depends what's wrong but will be £420 for collection/delivery plus whatever... after creating hell on the phone for hours they eventually agreed to a total cost of £690, including collection/delivery. Last I heard he had found a local dealer who said he would have a go fixing it for £450, as far as I know it is still lying in bits in the dealers workshop.

One born every minute...

[altis]

Useful reads:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDCP
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-De...edia_Interface

[mertle]

Originally Posted by altis

Useful reads:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDCP
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-De...edia_Interface

absolute gem of information

So basically its best to wait on HD tv's else if you dont get HDCP compliance you lose HD. End up with Door stopper of HD tv which can only show DVD standard signals. Why the helll did they not notify the tv developers.

Will tv owners be allowed to demand a free upgrade kit for the fiasco.

Its just typical the man in the street the one who suffers. We treat like a bunch of criminals who are all going get our spanking HD signals record them on the next gen recorders. Put on our balaclava's and sell them in grotty car boots for a tenner a pop.

When will the industry get a grip of there paranoia.

so a good question here does V+ comply with HDCP and how will they get round the issue. It will also mean Sky also will be breaching the compliance so they will also have to water down to DVD standards.

I really can see lawsuits if this is tried to be forced upon when we have already gone considerable way in HD. What about users who already own HD non compliant televisions will they be able to take action. As it seems the industry has stitched up the consumers.

[spiderplant]

Originally Posted by mertle

So basically its best to wait on HD tv's else if you dont get HDCP compliance you lose HD... Door stopper... Why the helll did they not notify the tv developers... fiasco... get a grip... paranoia... so a good question here does V+ comply with HDCP... What about users who already own HD non compliant televisions will they be able to take action. As it seems the industry has stitched up the consumers.

The situation is nothing like as dire as you make out. Firstly, this isn't new information - HDCP (and the knowledge that it was coming) has been around years. Any TV that carries an EICTA "HD Ready" logo supports HDCP.

V+ does support HDCP. But it doesn't require HDCP for all HD content - that's at the discretion of the copyright owner. For example, BBC HD doesn't require HDCP.

The few early-adopters who bought a non-HDCP display do not yet have an obsolete piece of kit. And the vast majority of HD displays being sold now are compliant.

Originally Posted by spiderplant

The situation is nothing like as dire as you make out. Firstly, this isn't new information - HDCP (and the knowledge that it was coming) has been around years. Any TV that carries an EICTA "HD Ready" logo supports HDCP.

V+ does support HDCP. But it doesn't require HDCP for all HD content - that's at the discretion of the copyright owner. For example, BBC HD doesn't require HDCP.

The few early-adopters who bought a non-HDCP display do not yet have an obsolete piece of kit. And the vast majority of HD displays being sold now are compliant.

thanks

- how about computer monitors with dvi connectors, mine works now - what will the future bring??

[flashgordon]

i personally not going to buy one until first the price is respectable under 1000 for a 40 inch model plus has a built in HD box . may wait until ITV and BBC bring out there joint HD FREEVIEW rumours were that they intend to bring a box out for christmas. to replace the freeview box. My old 28inch CRT (one year old) still has some life left in it me thinks ???

[12noon]

I just bought the one off the back page of the Argos. It will do for now and i will buy a better one in a few years time once HD takes off.

BTW i'm sure prices will start to fall on things such as PS3 and dvd recorders that use HD.

[u768211]

It seems that the new Panys are getting good reviews - the PX70 and 700's

They are being priced quite competitively too, at under £1000 for a 42" PX70 - have seen prices of sub £900. The 700 isn't available yet, but will probably be 250 - 300 more (same screen technology, but with more connections, and a better sound system).

They are replacing the PX60 and PX 600 - which were widely considered as the best plasmas pound for pound.

As said earlier in this thread avforums is a great resource, for the plasma board see
http://www.avforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=82

If you are planning on over 32" go for plasma, if you are going for 32" or less then go for LCD. For HDTV you really want to be over 32"

---------- Post added at 10:30 ---------- Previous post was at 10:28 ----------

Oh and another thing worth knowing -

John Lewis will price match other stores (has to have a bricks and mortar store - but some online ones do - e.g. empire direct).

Then you get the tv at the best price, but you also get JLs 5 year warranty.

My mate saved over £300 using this price match facility.

[Longshot520]

Originally Posted by gc10360

Well, a friend of mine had a sony bravia 40" set, I had a sharp Aquos,
we've both ended up with a Samsung LE40R74BDX, In our opinion a much better picture quality if you can live with slightly tinnier sound.
and if you look on play.com you can get it for £779.00 at the moment
(gutted cuz I payed £1500 about 8 or so months ago.

Cant disagree with that. I have the LE40R73BDX and its a great TV. As you say the speakers arent up to much as they dont have much bass but 1080 HD looks great on it!

[mertle]

Originally Posted by spiderplant

The situation is nothing like as dire as you make out. Firstly, this isn't new information - HDCP (and the knowledge that it was coming) has been around years. Any TV that carries an EICTA "HD Ready" logo supports HDCP.

V+ does support HDCP. But it doesn't require HDCP for all HD content - that's at the discretion of the copyright owner. For example, BBC HD doesn't require HDCP.

The few early-adopters who bought a non-HDCP display do not yet have an obsolete piece of kit. And the vast majority of HD displays being sold now are compliant.

thanks spiderplant for this. It does relieve my concerns over this a bit. I have on other forums been told the big issue will be when the PS3 gets released here. Whether the Games side are likely to be ok there is big talk if you get Blue ray films. If you are connected via HDMI or DVi and the equipment does not support HDCP then it will not work in HD.

This is the grey area of concern the Next Gen DVD players are going to be the real concern. The industry needs to be more open about this.