TV recommendations

My dad asked me to look into a new TV for him ... his 5-year-old, 36ins SD plasma is bust, with a £350 repair bill hanging over it, and he's thinking about buying a new one instead.

I'm really out of the loop with TVs as our own is more like 10 years old (and not getting replaced any time soon) ... so, good citizens of Cable Forum, would you all be so kind as to make some recommendations for him?

The budget is up to about £400. What is the best plasma or LCD set he can get for that amount of money?

TIA.

[BenMcr]

I'm a big fan of Samsung's TVs. They are usually really good value for money

---------- Post added at 22:59 ---------- Previous post was at 22:57 ----------

For instance this one Samsung LE40C580 Black 40" LCD television with Freeview HD (Reviewed HERE)

c'mon Chris, help us out here - what services can your dad receive?

we need to ascertain whether to recommend a TV with 'built in' Freeview, Freeview HD or Freesat, or if a 'monitor only' solution will do for an existing Sky or Virgin installation?

No satellite or cable ... but he does get his TV from Winter Hill, so Freeview HD would be useful

[punky]

The most important thing when buying a TV is measure the distance from the seats to where the tv will sit. The size of TV you buy is based on that.

Here's a chart

[danielf]

I've got a 32" Panasonic Viera with built-in Freeview which I like very much (it got very good reviews when I bought it ~2 years ago).

It's a bit smaller than your dad's current telly, and is 'only' HD ready, but it retails for £399.

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/panason...47483-pdt.html

---------- Post added at 12:32 ---------- Previous post was at 12:29 ----------

Originally Posted by punky

The most important thing when buying a TV is measure the distance from the seats to where the tv will sit. The size of TV you buy is based on that.

I disagree. I don't want my TV to dominate the lounge. The size of TV is based on what is a nice size without becoming offensive. I don't see myself going beyond 32" in the near future.

I don't know any more about this set than as described in the blurb & reviews, but it seems to tick most boxes

- Freeview HD, Full HD 1080p, Upscaling of SD channels & DVD, 4 HDMI connectors, Digital sound out ... reasonable price ..

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003FVAIF...SIN=B003FVAIF8

- buy through the forum link, of couse