Who knows about buying TVs?

Parker

My TV has developed an annoying red hue in the areas that should be black. It gives everything the warm, fuzzy image of 60's tv! Clearly time to buy a new TV Looking for 40"+, but that is as much as I know. Would like a main brand (current unit is Samsung) and have between £300-500 to spend. Any recommendations. Ideally want to buy off the high street. Cheers

octatonic

I would buy from Richer Sounds and probably buy a Samsung or an LG.

Parker

I didn't know they sold TVs! Are they pretty cheap? Thanks

octatonic

Parker said:

I didn't know they sold TVs! Are they pretty cheap? Thanks

If you want a high street store, rather than online then you won't find cheaper.

wibble

Have a look on John Lewis (5 year warranties), then see if you can find the model cheaper elsewhere as JL will price match it.

Bellycaster

+1 on Richer Sounds.

ToneControl

yep, Richer sounds, Korea as Octa says. I've bought mine from there for years. Cheapest warranties, Lowest Bullshit from the staff.

But get your wall bracket, audio and HDMI cables from CPC

Get a model that's just being replaced if you want to save cash.

3D looks like a white elephant to me. In fact - I don't have binocular vision, so it doesn't look like anything, but I suspect it will not be much practical use. I had huge 5.1 stuff years ago, and ditched it - just stick to a nice big 50 inch and a pair of big B&W speakers.

octatonic

ToneControl said:

3D looks like a white elephant to me. In fact - I don't have binocular vision, so it doesn't look like anything, but I suspect it will not be much practical use. I had huge 5.1 stuff years ago, and ditched it - just stick to a nice big 50 inch and a pair of big B&W speakers.

I've done pretty much the same- surround sound, like 3D, is actually distracting for me.

I'm interested in narrative and the tech should get out of the way.

I don't watch films to be wowed by technology- I watch them to be wowed by scripts and acting.

A good widescreen TV, stereo amp and decent speakers are all I want/need.

Parker

3D does seem a fad. I would rather get a better spec'd tv for same price as 3D unit! Should I get LED or plasma?

octatonic

Parker said:

3D does seem a fad. I would rather get a better spec'd tv for same price as 3D unit! Should I get LED or plasma?

LED, unless you are prepared to really push the boat out on price and can deal with the excess heat and power consumption.

ToneControl

plasma can certainly keep  your house warm

seriously, it was better than LCD/TFT, but kicks out so much heat, I have 2 of them. 800W or more

LED is the way now

octatonic

ToneControl said:

plasma can certainly keep  your house warm

seriously, it was better than LCD/TFT, but kicks out so much heat, I have 2 of them. 800W or more

LED is the way now

800W is crazy.

Parker

Did I mean LCD?

WYNIR0

I've had a Panasonic plasma for 4 years, never found it to put out too much heat.

That said, if I was  in the market now, I'd be looking LED, there is so little between them now, and they are cheaper to run. As for Brands Panasonic seem to have the best picture quality and Samsung then best SMART platform.

octatonic

WYNIR0 said:

I've had a Panasonic plasma for 4 years, never found it to put out too much heat.

That said, if I was  in the market now, I'd be looking LED, there is so little between them now, and they are cheaper to run. As for Brands Panasonic seem to have the best picture quality and Samsung then best SMART platform.

Which consistently put Samsung and LG at the top.

Their top 10 are only Samsung (8) and LG (2).

Panasonic only have 3 in their top 30, right down in the lower order.

Samsung suffer from shallower viewing angle if that matters to people.

ToneControl

octatonic said:

ToneControl said:

plasma can certainly keep  your house warm

seriously, it was better than LCD/TFT, but kicks out so much heat, I have 2 of them. 800W or more

LED is the way now

800W is crazy.

Slight exaggeration, 569W on the 50 inch, feels like 1kW if you shut the door and put a film on

Strangely, the ancient 42 inch is much less

Also from Richer sounds though, early 2000s, weighs a ton, takes 2 to fit that one (or one Aussie Gym addict)

Parker

A shallow veiwing angle??

octatonic

Parker said:

A shallow veiwing angle??

If viewing right in front of the screen then it is fine, but as you move to one side the picture isn't as easily viewed- it gets blurred.

Viewing angle is important in some houses where a person sits side on to the screen.

Samsung screens are great when looking right in front but they don't have a huge viewing angle.

Parker

Perfect - thanks. We sit to the side so a handy piece of info! Cheers!

WYNIR0

octatonic said:

Samsung screens are great when looking right in front but they don't have a huge viewing angle.

Surely that depends very much on the panel the particular set uses? 

Best advice I could give would be to go and look at several models in the shop having read reviews 1st and check things such as viewing angle.

viz

Before you buy a new TV - one question - have you recently moved a valve amp nearer to your telly?