need a new tv - simple advice please

valskey · 06-12-2009, 22:13

Our TV has more or less died, so time for something a bit more up to date. I am not a technical person and always a bit behind with these things, so not looking to spend more then necessary. I will be buying from Argos - need to put it on the card as hadn't planned on this yet!
So, have decided on a 32inch. Looked online and lots of them are out of stock for home delivery - I don't drive so need it delivered. Other than reading the reviews and making sure it has 2 scart sockets, what else is important. I noticed some say they are widescreen. Would this be really annoying?

r_mitchell85 · 07-12-2009, 00:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by valskey

Our TV has more or less died, so time for something a bit more up to date. I am not a technical person and always a bit behind with these things, so not looking to spend more then necessary. I will be buying from Argos - need to put it on the card as hadn't planned on this yet!
So, have decided on a 32inch. Looked online and lots of them are out of stock for home delivery - I don't drive so need it delivered. Other than reading the reviews and making sure it has 2 scart sockets, what else is important. I noticed some say they are widescreen. Would this be really annoying?

why would widescreen be annoying? you'd be pretty hard pressed to find a non-widescreen TV these days.

Almost all TV's will have freeview built in, so you can do away with the freeview box if you have one (unless its a pvr)

yes, you'll probably get a couple of scart sockets for connecting your vcr, dvd, etc.

Probably get some HDMI sockets too (which are basically the newer version of scart sockets) which will also carry HD pictures if needed.

bobcar · 07-12-2009, 00:55

Its hard to see why you think widescreen would be annoying since most modern programmes are produce in widescreen.

You probably don't need 2 SCART sockets though having them is not a disadvantage. I had Sky+, a DVD recorder, a Freeview PVR plus for a while a VCR but still only needed 1 SCART socket - you only need more if you have very special needs or don't know how to connect them properly. It's a different story with HDMI where the more the better.

hardylane · 07-12-2009, 02:41

I dont have any 4:3 screens in my house anymore, and the difference is fantastic.

HDMI is only useful for HD sources, but most screens are pretty well-connected on the analogue front too.

I think that 32" is a bit unsatisfying... go for 37".

Avoid Goodmans, Bush, Teknika, Funai or any of the cheapo brands.

Panasonic and Sony still rule, but LG and Samsung aren't bad.

r_mitchell85 · 07-12-2009, 02:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardylane

Avoid Goodmans, Bush, Teknika, Funai or any of the cheapo brands.

Panasonic and Sony still rule, but LG and Samsung aren't bad.

I couldn't agree more!

I heard samsung were supposed to be the best, as they make nearly all lcd panels anyway?

We've got 2 LG lcd tv's in our home. a 42" freesat one in the lounge, and a 22" one in the bedroom... and are very pleased with them.

rjb101 · 07-12-2009, 07:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by r_mitchell85

why would widescreen be annoying? you'd be pretty hard pressed to find a non-widescreen TV these days.

Almost all TV's will have freeview built in, so you can do away with the freeview box if you have one (unless its a pvr)

yes, you'll probably get a couple of scart sockets for connecting your vcr, dvd, etc.

Probably get some HDMI sockets too (which are basically the newer version of scart sockets) which will also carry HD pictures if needed.

Your right about what's not in stock!

If you ignore the Bush there's a panasonic TX-L32X10B for £450.00 but your paying a £67.00 premium buying it from Argos.

paulr2006 · 07-12-2009, 09:36

Theres already been good advice on what not to purchase but Argos would be the last place I would buy a TV from. Plenty of other places do finance or accept credit cards or do you mean you are putting it on an Argos card?

Fslot · 07-12-2009, 12:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardylane

I dont have any 4:3 screens in my house anymore, and the difference is fantastic.

HDMI is only useful for HD sources, but most screens are pretty well-connected on the analogue front too.

I think that 32" is a bit unsatisfying... go for 37".

Avoid Goodmans, Bush, Teknika, Funai or any of the cheapo brands.

Panasonic and Sony still rule, but LG and Samsung aren't bad.

Don't knock the Bush brand. We have two Bushes, one 32 inch and a 15.4 inch and both are great. Both came from Argos and never gave any trouble.

valskey · 07-12-2009, 14:18

Thanks for all the advice. lol,I am so not with it when it comes to anything that has a plug!
I need to connect the virgin media box, dvd player, video player(though gradually replacing videos with dvds) and then the Wii or PS2.
Have decided as so few are in stock for delivery, but are in the shops, its worth getting a taxi home with one! re the card - yes its my argos card.

hardylane · 07-12-2009, 14:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fslot

Don't knock the Bush brand. We have two Bushes, one 32 inch and a 15.4 inch and both are great. Both came from Argos and never gave any trouble.

I'm very pleased for you.... but the Bush brand is just another Chinese import. Check out this thread.... http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=730137

I'm a-knocking it!

Nigel Goodwin · 07-12-2009, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardylane

I'm very pleased for you.... but the Bush brand is just another Chinese import. Check out this thread.... http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=730137

I'm a-knocking it!

Same here, Bush isn't a 'brand' it's just a badge on cheap imported crap.

Bush was a decent quality British manufacturer, but went bust (thanks to Toshiba) back in the early 80's or so?.

06-12-2009, 22:13	#1
valskey Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Worthing, West Sussex Posts: 4,401	need a new tv - simple advice please Our TV has more or less died, so time for something a bit more up to date. I am not a technical person and always a bit behind with these things, so not looking to spend more then necessary. I will be buying from Argos - need to put it on the card as hadn't planned on this yet! So, have decided on a 32inch. Looked online and lots of them are out of stock for home delivery - I don't drive so need it delivered. Other than reading the reviews and making sure it has 2 scart sockets, what else is important. I noticed some say they are widescreen. Would this be really annoying?

07-12-2009, 00:32	#2
r_mitchell85 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,884	Quote: Originally Posted by valskey Our TV has more or less died, so time for something a bit more up to date. I am not a technical person and always a bit behind with these things, so not looking to spend more then necessary. I will be buying from Argos - need to put it on the card as hadn't planned on this yet! So, have decided on a 32inch. Looked online and lots of them are out of stock for home delivery - I don't drive so need it delivered. Other than reading the reviews and making sure it has 2 scart sockets, what else is important. I noticed some say they are widescreen. Would this be really annoying? why would widescreen be annoying? you'd be pretty hard pressed to find a non-widescreen TV these days. Almost all TV's will have freeview built in, so you can do away with the freeview box if you have one (unless its a pvr) yes, you'll probably get a couple of scart sockets for connecting your vcr, dvd, etc. Probably get some HDMI sockets too (which are basically the newer version of scart sockets) which will also carry HD pictures if needed.

07-12-2009, 00:55	#3
bobcar Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 14,718	Its hard to see why you think widescreen would be annoying since most modern programmes are produce in widescreen. You probably don't need 2 SCART sockets though having them is not a disadvantage. I had Sky+, a DVD recorder, a Freeview PVR plus for a while a VCR but still only needed 1 SCART socket - you only need more if you have very special needs or don't know how to connect them properly. It's a different story with HDMI where the more the better.

07-12-2009, 02:41	#4
hardylane Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Manchester Posts: 2,945	I dont have any 4:3 screens in my house anymore, and the difference is fantastic. HDMI is only useful for HD sources, but most screens are pretty well-connected on the analogue front too. I think that 32" is a bit unsatisfying... go for 37". Avoid Goodmans, Bush, Teknika, Funai or any of the cheapo brands. Panasonic and Sony still rule, but LG and Samsung aren't bad.

07-12-2009, 02:56	#5
r_mitchell85 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,884	Quote: Originally Posted by hardylane Avoid Goodmans, Bush, Teknika, Funai or any of the cheapo brands. Panasonic and Sony still rule, but LG and Samsung aren't bad. I couldn't agree more! I heard samsung were supposed to be the best, as they make nearly all lcd panels anyway? We've got 2 LG lcd tv's in our home. a 42" freesat one in the lounge, and a 22" one in the bedroom... and are very pleased with them.

07-12-2009, 07:03	#6
rjb101 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,609	Quote: Originally Posted by r_mitchell85 why would widescreen be annoying? you'd be pretty hard pressed to find a non-widescreen TV these days. Almost all TV's will have freeview built in, so you can do away with the freeview box if you have one (unless its a pvr) yes, you'll probably get a couple of scart sockets for connecting your vcr, dvd, etc. Probably get some HDMI sockets too (which are basically the newer version of scart sockets) which will also carry HD pictures if needed. Your right about what's not in stock! If you ignore the Bush there's a panasonic TX-L32X10B for £450.00 but your paying a £67.00 premium buying it from Argos.

07-12-2009, 09:36	#7
paulr2006 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 1,098	Theres already been good advice on what not to purchase but Argos would be the last place I would buy a TV from. Plenty of other places do finance or accept credit cards or do you mean you are putting it on an Argos card?

07-12-2009, 12:59	#8
Fslot Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Stevenage Posts: 161	Quote: Originally Posted by hardylane I dont have any 4:3 screens in my house anymore, and the difference is fantastic. HDMI is only useful for HD sources, but most screens are pretty well-connected on the analogue front too. I think that 32" is a bit unsatisfying... go for 37". Avoid Goodmans, Bush, Teknika, Funai or any of the cheapo brands. Panasonic and Sony still rule, but LG and Samsung aren't bad. Don't knock the Bush brand. We have two Bushes, one 32 inch and a 15.4 inch and both are great. Both came from Argos and never gave any trouble.

07-12-2009, 14:18	#9
valskey Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Worthing, West Sussex Posts: 4,401	Thanks for all the advice. lol,I am so not with it when it comes to anything that has a plug! I need to connect the virgin media box, dvd player, video player(though gradually replacing videos with dvds) and then the Wii or PS2. Have decided as so few are in stock for delivery, but are in the shops, its worth getting a taxi home with one! re the card - yes its my argos card.

07-12-2009, 14:22	#10
hardylane Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Manchester Posts: 2,945	Quote: Originally Posted by Fslot Don't knock the Bush brand. We have two Bushes, one 32 inch and a 15.4 inch and both are great. Both came from Argos and never gave any trouble. I'm very pleased for you.... but the Bush brand is just another Chinese import. Check out this thread.... http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=730137 I'm a-knocking it!

07-12-2009, 16:29	#11
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by hardylane I'm very pleased for you.... but the Bush brand is just another Chinese import. Check out this thread.... http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=730137 I'm a-knocking it! Same here, Bush isn't a 'brand' it's just a badge on cheap imported crap. Bush was a decent quality British manufacturer, but went bust (thanks to Toshiba) back in the early 80's or so?.

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need a new tv - simple advice please