[zandar]

I note that many televisions are appearing with Internet - though in most cases this is not full internet as we know it on a computer. Top end models are also appearing with 3D - even though practically nothing is broadcast in 3D and you usually have to wear those stupid glasses to watch it and that these have a filter that dims the look of the picture.

I also note that there is a dearth of televisions with Freesat tuners. This is a pity as Freesat offers far more news channels than Freeview (CNN, France 24, Aljazeera English, NHK HD, Russia Today, Euronews, CNBS, Bloomberg) all running continuously. In addition, you can get CCTV (Chinese English language news service), Sky News, Press TV (Iranian English Language News) plus Asian channels in the Other Channels menu. The choice of music channels is also much greater on Freesat than Freeview.

Freesat viewers can also get every region of BBC or ITV. This is not important to most people but highly relevant to people in border areas. Freesat can also give remote areas excellent picture quality.

Viewers who receive programmes from Welsh transmitters are unable to get Channel in HD because S4C (which has hardly any viewers) has taken priority and they don't have air space for Channel 4 HD as well. So, the only way viewers in Wales can get Channel 4 HD for free is via Freesat - unless they can pick up an English transmitter. (The dopes who put up aerials are often just pointing them at Welsh transmitters even in areas where an English transmitter is within range. Presumably, they have not told the customer or do not know about this issue)?

So, for me, a Freesat enabled television would be my choice over 3D or Internet equipped. What would be your choice?

[2Bdecided]

My choice would be a decent display, and a STB for any Freesat / Internet functionality. Otherwise experience shows that the built-in functionality will be obsolete long before the display.

3D? when it's there "for free", and doesn't compromise 2D quality - probably.

That + when it doesn't require glasses - certainly.

Cheers,
David.

[Lee Morris]

Hi! All
It does appear to be that products such as 3D TV's are comming out with more and more features and that is not always a good thing as the more they are expected to do the harder they have to work, resulting in a bigger risk of something going wrong.

If at the right price all I require is a 3D TV with Freeview HD built in and maybe a USB Port to record via, I had Ideal World on the other day and they were selling a Toshiba Laptop and the woman who is the technology expert I think[Janice] said that Toshiba have come out with the first glasses free 3D television.

I am not sure when it will launch here in the UK but I am looking forward to hearing about price as well as features.

[Boselecta]

I'd be happy for a telly with none of the above - I just want a good picture.

[David (2)]

for me, 3D is not that important.

My preference right now is screen qualiy and number of hdmi inputs. I am not bothered about having FreeviewHD built in either-chances are on the main tvs, you will want a pvr anyway to record it, so you may as well have a pvr box to provide the feature. You could also say the same for FreesatHD as well.> as the standard of both broadcast system or at the very least the channel specific technologies/software are likely to keep changing (more so on Freeview, but can also happen to Freesat), its safer to rely on a box which can be changed thus avoiding the need to keep buying a new tv with it built in. Note the change to DVB-S2 signal for CH4hd and now BBCHD and BBC1hd - not all FreesatHD equipment can decode these.

As for the internet, it is nice to have basic apps like iPlayer in a freesat box, or even in a tv. But how far to take this. I am not so sure I want to use the web through a crippled browser on the tv that doesnt support all web sites and doesnt have a proper keyboard or mouse. And as these services are provided like gateways, what happens when one of them does a major software change and you cant run the one on your tv anymore........so at this point a web tv box might be a better idea, or why not just connect the pc to the tv?

[zandar]

I disagree with David (above) regarding having a Freeview HD tuner built in to the television and relying on an external recorder box to supply the HD pictures. It is so convenient just to be able to switch on the television and get the best picture quality rather than having to switch on the television (in standard definition) and then switch on the external box (with yet another remote control) in order to get the better pictures. Let us also remember that in most cases, you can record 2 channels at once but if you want to see a third at the same time, using a TV equipped with only a standard definition tuner, you will be stuck watching the poorer quality pictures - all for the sake of spending a few more quid and getting a TV with Freeview HD tuner on-board. (By not having to power up a second box to get HD pictures, you will also save electricity).

[David (2)]

well, i am getting used to powering the tv on and off while in HDMI mode. So everytime I switch the tv on its in HDMI1. And likewise powering off, just press standby while in HDMI1. All I have to do is just press the power switch on the box to get a picture. It bypasses the built in freeview tuner altogether. I know of other people who do the same with their Sky equipment too. They never use built in freeview.

For me picture and also a rough idea of how reliable a brand is comes before the in built tuner. I wont buy a cheaper set to get the FreeviewHD built in, if say the closest Sony, Panasonic, Samsungs didnt have FVHD built in.

There are some exceptions even for me though. Some people have tvs and no desire to record. There are also situations where multiple tvs are used in a multiroom building such as a Guest house, and you dont really want a box hooked up in every room......this reminds me of the past days of freeview when the issue was about having regular freeview built in or just analogue. But the thing is, with all the changes that were made, a lot of early freeview enabled tvs no longer work on their in built freeview tuner, and need a box anyway (otherwise buy a new tv).

[platelet]

3D (if you want it) needs to be built in I guess. For everything else I prefer separates as well.

Media Centre PC for internet
Amp for sound
Sat box for source

A lot cheaper to upgrade when x becomes obsolete

Plenty of Multi function remotes would allow you to turn them on and off together with a single button/macro, personally I prefer the fexibilty of individual power controls