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Buying new TV - 3D or not? |
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#1 |
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Join Date: Jul 2006
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Buying new TV - 3D or not?
We're thinking of treating ourselves to a new TV for Christmas and just wanted to ask a few questions to make sure we get the best that we need for the money we have (approx. £600).
Please bear with me if my questions are rather silly! The most important thing I'm not sure about is all the connections. We have a Sky+ HD box, which I think I'm right in saying will connect via the HDMI cable provided rather than the cable we are currently using for our old non-HD TV (I can't remember the type of cable and I'm not at home to check, but that's not really relevant!). We currently have an old DVD player and VCR, which we will (but not yet) replace with a DVD/hard drive recorder. I'd like (if this is possible) to be able to connect the VCR to the new TV and copy some old VHS recordings on to DVD using the DVD recorder once we have it. How do these connect, is it via scart? Basically, I'd just like to make sure I know how many of each socket I will need? Also, we don't have an aerial, just the satellite dish, will that be a problem? We're in an area that hasn't switched to digital yet, so all we have is a rubbish plug in aerial that sits on top of the telly (it's a massive CRT! I've been looking at replacing our Sony with Sony, so was thinking this: 32" http://www.johnlewis.com/231205319/Product.aspx or the 37" version since it's only another £2.80 ![]() or this: 32" with 3D http://www.johnlewis.com/231202550/Product.aspx or the 37" version maybe We wouldn't want to watch 3D or upgrade to a 3D Sky box, but I've included them because I'm confused by their different specs. The standard TVs seem to have different audio quality, AV inputs and lower frame rates to the 3D versions (as well as the 37" having a lower frame rate than the 32" for 3D versions), so does that mean they are a better option for better quality even when just using them in 2D? (tried to put in a link, comparing the 4 above, but it wouldn't link properly and just made the post really really wide!) Sorry this has been rather long, but I'd appreciate any help, thanks. |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Heart of England.
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I'm hesitant to recommend a TV as it's a major purchase, but in terms of connections:
Your Sky+HD box will connect via HDMI, so no issues there. (Also, there's no such thing as a Sky 3D box - all Sky+HD boxes are 3D capable, you just need the right package) Also, because you have a Sky box, the lack of aerial shouldn't cause a major problem, but you might have issues with firmware updates, which can often be overcome by connecting the TV direct to the internet or downloading the information and transferring it using a USB stick. Your biggest problem is that those TV's only have 1 SCART socket, making it difficult to connect your VCR and current DVD player at the same time - unless you have composite / s-video connections. Once you have your DVD recorder you should be able to daisy-chain them. (VCR -> SCART lead -> DVD recorder -> SCART lead -> TV) Even better, aim for a DVD recorder with an HDMI out socket. I'm sure others will correct me if I've missed anything. |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Mar 2005
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The only recommendation that I would make is that 32" is too small....If the space will take it start at 42".
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#4 |
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Quote:
I'm hesitant to recommend a TV as it's a major purchase, but in terms of connections:
Your Sky+HD box will connect via HDMI, so no issues there. (Also, there's no such thing as a Sky 3D box - all Sky+HD boxes are 3D capable, you just need the right package) Also, because you have a Sky box, the lack of aerial shouldn't cause a major problem, but you might have issues with firmware updates, which can often be overcome by connecting the TV direct to the internet or downloading the information and transferring it using a USB stick. Your biggest problem is that those TV's only have 1 SCART socket, making it difficult to connect your VCR and current DVD player at the same time - unless you have composite / s-video connections. Once you have your DVD recorder you should be able to daisy-chain them. (VCR -> SCART lead -> DVD recorder -> SCART lead -> TV) Even better, aim for a DVD recorder with an HDMI out socket. I'm sure others will correct me if I've missed anything.
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#5 |
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Quote:
The only recommendation that I would make is that 32" is too small....If the space will take it start at 42".
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#6 |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Derbyshire
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Quote:
We're a bit hesitant about size really - current TV is only 32" (although not even widescreen!) and we only sit about 2m or so away from it, although I admit I find the writing a bit small on the EPG, hence thinking maybe 37" would be better. I think 42" would be too big though and starting to get a bit expensive too.
Assuming they did? (which I don't think they did) then a 32 inch widescreen set is going to be a LOT smaller. A 32 inch widescreen is the same effective size as a 25 inch 4:3 set, and looks even smaller than that in comparison. Because flat screen sets are so much thinner, you can almost always have a considerably larger one in the same space. |
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#7 |
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Join Date: Jul 2006
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Quote:
Did they ever make 32 inch 4:3 sets?.
Assuming they did? (which I don't think they did) then a 32 inch widescreen set is going to be a LOT smaller. A 32 inch widescreen is the same effective size as a 25 inch 4:3 set, and looks even smaller than that in comparison. Because flat screen sets are so much thinner, you can almost always have a considerably larger one in the same space. The new TV won't go in the same location as the current one. The current one lives in the corner to accommodate it's size (and is opposite the corner of an L-shaped sofa), but the new one will go again the adjacent wall (and opposite/parallel with one side of the sofa), so effectively it will be about the same distance away, if not slightly closer. If that makes any sense whatsoever! |
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#8 |
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Join Date: Jan 2004
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Maybe go around the various outlets and get a demo of 3D TV yourself and see what the glasses are like, and what differences the size makes. A reputable dealer will have a demo system all set up.
Personally I think a kick-ass sound system is more important than a 3D screen. |
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#9 |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
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Quote:
Sorry, I don't really mean 32" really, just being lazy and approximate! Not sure on exact measurement, but it's basically the same "height" as a 32" widescreen, but just not as wide, so smaller than 32" really - that's a terrible way to describe it I know!
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#10 |
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 4,391
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Irrespective of 3D or 2D, the 3D set you linked to is a better TV than the 2D set you linked to - it handles motion a little better.
A relative has the KDL37EX723. It's an excellent TV in 2D. From the reviews, it's not very good in 3D. She sits about 2.5m away, having upgraded from a 24" (!!!) 4x3 CRT, and is very glad she didn't buy the smaller 32" model. But if you're eyesight is good, you'll want to watch mostly HD at this screen-size / distance. SD is still pretty good on this TV, but visibly softer. With 32", the HD/SD difference at this distance is less. Hope this helps. Cheers, David. P.S. Free 5 year guarantee on Sony TVs from local Sony shops. Some will be cheaper than JL. JL completely ****** me when I tried to get one delivered from them - refused my credit card due to their error, but didn't tell me in time to get the payment re-sent, so lost the delivery slot. Couldn't deliver for another week - they suggested I drive to their London store (from Yorkshire!!!!!) to pick one up. Having been a big fan of JL before this, I will never use them again. |
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#11 |
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Join Date: Oct 2007
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Quote:
Did they ever make 32 inch 4:3 sets?.
Toshiba 3377DB (possibly 33" but we won't quibble on an inch) Philips did one, can't remember the model number but it used the 3A chassis. Grundig also did one. They even did a bigger one, something like a 38" CRT. |
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#12 |
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I am amazed at such a question from someone in the servicing trade.
Toshiba 3377DB (possibly 33" but we won't quibble on an inch) ![]() If he had said 33, I wouldn't have commented - and as it happens, it turned out to be a 25. Quote:
Philips did one, can't remember the model number but it used the 3A chassis. Grundig also did one. They even did a bigger one, something like a 38" CRT. I don't recall them doing a 32 either, but probably a 33 using the same Toshiba CRT as mentioned above. |
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#13 |
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Join Date: Mar 2006
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The Philips "Junbo" set was a 33" and as Winston pointed out was powered by the Oh so sophisticated 3A chassis . Who can remember doing unofficial mods to some resistor values on the CRT base because as the tube aged it could take ages for the beam current sensing to allow the picture to come on from a cold start ! I think the CRT was made by Toshiba .
This TV was so heavy it took 3 or 4 strong men to move it . |
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#14 |
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Quote:
The Philips "Junbo" set was a 33" and as Winston pointed out was powered by the Oh so sophisticated 3A chassis . Who can remember doing unofficial mods to some resistor values on the CRT base because as the tube aged it could take ages for the beam current sensing to allow the picture to come on from a cold start ! I think the CRT was made by Toshiba .
Quote:
This TV was so heavy it took 3 or 4 strong men to move it . The 37" Grundigs came with two metal handles that bolted on the sides - they weren't 'too' bad to move then, but if the customer hadn't got the handles we wouldn't even look at the set. |
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#15 |
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Join Date: Jul 2006
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Quote:
If it's the same height, then it's a 25 inch - so a 32 is the same size, but I would suggest going to a 37 or 40, a 32 flatscreen will look smaller than the old set.
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#16 |
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Quote:
Irrespective of 3D or 2D, the 3D set you linked to is a better TV than the 2D set you linked to - it handles motion a little better.
A relative has the KDL37EX723. It's an excellent TV in 2D. From the reviews, it's not very good in 3D. She sits about 2.5m away, having upgraded from a 24" (!!!) 4x3 CRT, and is very glad she didn't buy the smaller 32" model. But if you're eyesight is good, you'll want to watch mostly HD at this screen-size / distance. SD is still pretty good on this TV, but visibly softer. With 32", the HD/SD difference at this distance is less. Hope this helps. Cheers, David. P.S. Free 5 year guarantee on Sony TVs from local Sony shops. Some will be cheaper than JL. JL completely ****** me when I tried to get one delivered from them - refused my credit card due to their error, but didn't tell me in time to get the payment re-sent, so lost the delivery slot. Couldn't deliver for another week - they suggested I drive to their London store (from Yorkshire!!!!!) to pick one up. Having been a big fan of JL before this, I will never use them again. ![]() I thought the one I linked to was better yes, is that based on the higher frame rate? Is that what I should be looking out for? Yes, I was thinking of buying from either Sony or John Lewis, since they both do the 5 year guarantee for free. Certainly I'll use Sony if it's cheaper anyway, but if it's John Lewis that significantly cheaper then I'll probably go with them anyway and just cross my fingers I guess!
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#17 |
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Join Date: Apr 2006
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Yes, I was thinking of buying from either Sony or John Lewis, since they both do the 5 year guarantee for free. Certainly I'll use Sony if it's cheaper anyway, but if it's John Lewis that significantly cheaper then I'll probably go with them anyway and just cross my fingers I guess! ![]() |
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#18 |
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Quote:
I thought the one I linked to was better yes, is that based on the higher frame rate? Is that what I should be looking out for?
Cheers, David. |
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#19 |
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Typically, yes - but the quality of TV and quality of processing counts. 100Hz interpolated badly will look worse than 50Hz native. Luckily the sonys are very good in this respect. IMO!
Cheers, David. I think I've definitely been talked out of a 32" anyway, so now I'm just asking out of curiosity! Will stick to looking at 37" ones and maybe the prices of the 40", just in case
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#20 |
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From a Sony Centre (or a Sony dealer) it's actually a proper manufacturers 5 year warranty - with JL it's their own warranty, and service is done by whatever company they farm it out to, as far as I'm aware JL don't have any service facilities of their own?.
Our current Sony TV is 9 years old and I remember we paid extra for 5 years cover, but not a single thing ever went wrong, no guarantee though I know |
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#21 |
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as for VHS, dvd conversion - I would opt for a Combi DVD-VHS recorder machine - get a good one from panasonic and its easy to use, and provides a very good quality transfer. Any vhs-dvd transfer will not (ofcourse) turn the dvd version in to shop bought dvd quality - it will still be no better than vhs, but at least the discs wont wear out with use.
Another thing to remeber is that some pre recorded tapes wont transfer as the are encoded with Macrovision. What you get is just a sort of black and white flashing image. So anything like this and for those things which you really want at proper quality, I would say you need to repurchase those on pre-recorded dvd (or Bluray). A combi machine will allow connection to the tv using just one cord (most likely a single HDMI), so saves a lot of messy wires. |
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#22 |
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i would just like to add that the warranty offered by John Lewis makes it worth going to a Sony shop and asking for thier best deal! some stores are willing to haggle on the price so might get a deal. plus the 5 year warranty is complete peace of mind in my humble opinion.
also, a 37" would be an ideal size for an upgrade also! i have recently upgraded to a 37" panasonic plasma and was worried to start with as my viewing wa simillar to what you have stated above. i find 37" is ideal. and the 3D tv is the better of the two. popped into my local Sony center and they said as much, but asked if a deal is possible as they will consider a deal |
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#23 |
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Quote:
as for VHS, dvd conversion - I would opt for a Combi DVD-VHS recorder machine - get a good one from panasonic and its easy to use, and provides a very good quality transfer. Any vhs-dvd transfer will not (ofcourse) turn the dvd version in to shop bought dvd quality - it will still be no better than vhs, but at least the discs wont wear out with use.
Another thing to remeber is that some pre recorded tapes wont transfer as the are encoded with Macrovision. What you get is just a sort of black and white flashing image. So anything like this and for those things which you really want at proper quality, I would say you need to repurchase those on pre-recorded dvd (or Bluray). A combi machine will allow connection to the tv using just one cord (most likely a single HDMI), so saves a lot of messy wires. |
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#24 |
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Join Date: Jul 2006
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Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but we finally got round to having a look at some TVs in the shops!
Decided we will definitely save up for the 40", but the 46" is just a bit too far out of our price range and a bit too big (we already decided on a Sony and they don't appear to sell 42"s?). Decision now is probably between the KDL-40EX723 and the KDL-40HX723 (both 3D) unless anyone has another suggestion? Any ideas? As far as I'm aware the HX has double the frame rate, so I'm guessing that's the better option? I'm a bit worried about sound quality, will it be bad? Are these particularly bad or are all/most LEDs going to have noticeably worse sound than our current CRT which seems to me to be excellent? The EX is £899 at The Sony Centre and £799 at John Lewis and the HX is £899 at John Lewis and either £899 or £849 from The Sony Centre. On a bit of a tangent here....why is it if I buy the same TV from the Sony Centre 11 miles away it will cost me £899, but if I buy it from the one 18 miles away it only costs me £849? It's the same home delivery and the same TV, in fact the cheaper one has to travel further! If indeed they even come direct from the shop anyway and not just a depot somewhere?! Do Sony do this with all their products?
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#25 |
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Join Date: Mar 2010
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Frame rate is a bit of a silly spec.
Whats broadcast? 50hz? Film? 24fps? The only thing the frame rate can tell you is that they are trying to make up for lcds motion deficiencies...sometimes that frame rate includes inserted black frames or flashing the blacklight, its not all its cracked up to be...especially if the tv takes the extra step of trying to "guess" frames to fill the gaps making for artificial looking video. By default any 3dtv has to be able to display double the framerate of "normal" video, one set of images to each eye...which is why they tend to be the higher end panels to begin with. Not to say low end 3dtv's won't suffer from problems of not actually being able to change image fast enough and end up with artifacts like ghosting...which are not actually a problem if you never use 3d as a feature. Sound quality depends on your expectations. These things are monitors these days, and you just cant fit sound into something that thin, never mind the direction many speakers are pointed. Thats why they make sound bars. I think you'll just have to learn to live with the sound until you can get a sound bar. Bigger panasonic plasmas are double the thickness, more space for sound, but even then, there is no real low end. Compared with a "dome sound" crt panasonic, it just doesn't stand up even when its not bad for a flat panel. |
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