[jsmith99]

I'm looking for a small (19") TV for a spare bedroom. So far I've identified three well reviewd models; two Samsung and a Toshiba.

On the Tobisha, I'm not clear whether there's one model or four:

19DL502
19DL502B
19BL502
19BL502B

Can anyone tell me what the differences are? The Toshiba website is no help.

[Gary Brenton]

I would say from the list that there are two seperate models with the given numbers.

19BL502 would be the first model of that range with the 19BL502B being the 'MK2' version (upgraded version) and the 19DL502 being the upgraded version of the 19BL502B with the further upgraded version which is the 19DL502B of which would be the last model of that specific range you mention.

Normally (and I am only going by past products I have brought) the higher the letter or numbers state the later models, so if this is the case, 19BL502 would be the first and 19DL502B would be the last.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Also bear in mind, these are all only cheap Vestel sets.

At a pure guess from those numbers, the B's are possibly a different colour?, and the DL will have an internal DVD player, and presumably the BL won't have DVD.

[jsmith99]

Thanks for the replies; it certainly looks as though the DLs have built-in DVD player, while the BL's don't. I can't find anything to account for the final 'B'.

I did intend to ask which TV 'makes' came from Vestel; after a little research it might be easier to ask which small sets don't. Is there any point in reading reviews of small sets, or looking for one brand rather than another?

John Lewis market a small set called a Linsar, which I've never heard of before; does anyone know anything about them?

[mac2708]

Originally Posted by jsmith99

John Lewis market a small set called a Linsar, which I've never heard of before; does anyone know anything about them?

http://linsar.com/

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally Posted by jsmith99

Thanks for the replies; it certainly looks as though the DLs have built-in DVD player, while the BL's don't. I can't find anything to account for the final 'B'.

As I said above, it's usually cabinet colour.

I did intend to ask which TV 'makes' came from Vestel; after a little research it might be easier to ask which small sets don't. Is there any point in reading reviews of small sets, or looking for one brand rather than another?

It's difficult to know which sets are made by who, but reviews are usually pretty useless anyway.

I don't think there are any particularly good 19 inch sets made, even the top end makes have poor viewing angles (compared to larger sets).

BTW, if you're wnating to wallmount the set, make sure it has fixing holes - I've just had to modify 32 Toshiba 19 inch for wall mounting, as they didn't have mountings fitted.

John Lewis market a small set called a Linsar, which I've never heard of before; does anyone know anything about them?

Just another cheapo brand name.

[mac2708]

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

Just another cheapo brand name.

According to their site (see link above)

"Linsar is a British company, manufacturing affordable technology with no compromises.

We build our products to excellent specifications in European factories, with simplicity to use at the core of the design"

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally Posted by mac2708

According to their site (see link above)

"Linsar is a British company, manufacturing affordable technology with no compromises.

We build our products to excellent specifications in European factories, with simplicity to use at the core of the design"

That's just advertising crap, the sets are quite possibly Vestel, made in THEIR European factories.

[jsmith99]

Thanks for the replies : there are a few sets under £100, from manufacturers I've never heard of (Digihome?), though I saw the names mentioned on a thread from about 2005 about Vestel.

I may go for the Linsar; it's not expensive, and comes with a 5 year warranty. Though does the fact it's available online only have any significance?

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally Posted by jsmith99

Thanks for the replies : there are a few sets under £100, from manufacturers I've never heard of (Digihome?), though I saw the names mentioned on a thread from about 2005 about Vestel.

Again, Digihome is just a badge, most of the gear is probably sourced from Vestel.

I may go for the Linsar; it's not expensive, and comes with a 5 year warranty. Though does the fact it's available online only have any significance?

None at all - and of course JL offer a five year warranty on all their TV's.

[jsmith99]

Thanks, Nigel.

[leslie123]

It comes to something when you can no longer trust the names of traditional quality brands that you have been brought up with and have known and trusted over the years . With a name like Toshiba, if you chose to go out and buy Toshiba then you should get Toshiba and the quality that you have come to expect from such a brand not a cheap and nasty brand hiding behind the Toshiba good name. Maybe there should be more legislation against this sort of thing so that consumers know exactly what they are spending there hard earned cash on.