• TV
  • MOVIES
  • MUSIC
  • SHOWBIZ
  • SOAPS
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • FORUMS
  • Follow
    • Follow
    • facebook
    • twitter
    • google+
    • instagram
    • youtube
Hearst Corporation
  • TV
  • MOVIES
  • MUSIC
  • SHOWBIZ
  • SOAPS
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • FORUMS
Forums
  • Register
  • Login
  • Forums
  • Gadgets
  • TV and Home Entertainment Technology
HD ready, Full HD, Freeview/HD Tuner - Dad well not chuffed
<<
<
2 of 4
>>
>
d'@ve
04-07-2013
Originally Posted by call100:
“What you are suggesting wouldn't clarify anything for those who can't be arsed to do any research.
Seems like they have trusted to luck on every purchase they make......”

Some people probably think a TV is a TV is a TV. After all, a colour TV was always a colour TV they could switch on and see any programmes broadcast in colour... in colour. No need for research beyond price/quality/size, no need to wonder if you need to plug in an external device to get it.

Same should be true of HD IMO, the descriptions haven't kept up with developments. Not everyone is as switched on as you me and most inhabitants of this board. Got to admit though, some people would see it as unnecessary mollycoddling.
anthony david
04-07-2013
There are two branches of John Lewis in Greater Manchester. They give very good advise and a free 5 year warranty. There is no point in going to Argos.
Nigel Goodwin
04-07-2013
Originally Posted by d'@ve:
“Freeview HD Ready TV [has built-in HD TV tuner]
Freeview Full HD TV [has built-in HD TV tuner]
”

As far as I'm aware you're not allowed to manufacture an HD Ready Freeview HD set - the spec calls for Full HD only.

Quote:
“
Only the last two would be truly HD TVs in the sense of the word as used for most of TV history and as used, for example, to describe Colour TVs. I think that would clarify it for most people, the allowed descriptions could do with a bit of an overhaul, really (but not necessarily the names I suggested off the top of my head).”

Or even easier would have been to not bother bodging a pathetic amount of HD on Freeview at the very last moment, and instead provided a decent amount of free HD from Freesat.
grps3
04-07-2013
hd ready just means it can connect to hd equipment...eg freeview hd box/bluray players etc

full hd means it can output from your equipment (see above) at 1080p and not just 1080i or 720 p

you would be wasting your time complaining as the argos catalouge has a page telling you what the technical terms mean...which i just checked and includes terms hd ready ,full hd etc
-GONZO-
04-07-2013
Originally Posted by howard h:
“
Not saying Argos are trying to pull a fast one, but seriously, what's the point of putting "HD Ready 1080" and "Full HD 1080" on the box - what's the ruddy difference.

How many buyers have fallen into the trap of thinking they get the full Freeview HD when they are not?? Normally I'd blame them for not being savvy enough; but this had both me and Dad up the wrong tree.


Thoughts??”

Page 538-539 of the Argos catalogue would of told you everything you needed to know. Page is entitled "TVs made easy"
niall campbell
04-07-2013
Freeview HD tuner , should be enough now to know that the TV is 1080 ??

Anyway , at that size of screen ; would you notice it?

I am after two tvs for the kids rooms . Big price difference to get the Freeview HD tuner on either 24 or 26 "
niall campbell
04-07-2013
made a mistake
Deacon1972
04-07-2013
Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin:
“As far as I'm aware you're not allowed to manufacture an HD Ready Freeview HD set - the spec calls for Full HD only.”

Panasonic have a HD ready (1024x768) with Freeview HD -TX-P42X50B for example.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-TX.../dp/B007ISAL4C

Sony even do them.

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...dl32r423-nszgs
howard h
04-07-2013
Originally Posted by jjne:
“Let me reframe the question -- if the TV came with a disc player, would you assume it was Blu-Ray?

This example doesn't quite work as well as it would have done had HD-DVD won out against BD, but you get the point.

HD refers to the capabilities of the set. Freeview/Freeview+/Freeview HD refers to the capabilities of the tuner module. DVD/BD etc would refer to the capabilities of the disc player.”

If it said "FULL" player, then yes, I'd expect it to be able to play anything.
Originally Posted by d'@ve:
“Some people probably think a TV is a TV is a TV. After all, a colour TV was always a colour TV they could switch on and see any programmes broadcast in colour... in colour. No need for research beyond price/quality/size, no need to wonder if you need to plug in an external device to get it.

Same should be true of HD IMO, the descriptions haven't kept up with developments. Not everyone is as switched on as you me and most inhabitants of this board. Got to admit though, some people would see it as unnecessary mollycoddling.”

I think that's the point I've been trying to say but put better! The aspect that has caused the most confusion/upset is the word "full". If a set's description contains the word "full" there should be no need to read reams of explanation. "Full" should cover everything.
Originally Posted by niall campbell:
“made a mistake”

He went back to Argos, and they defended their position by saying "he SHOULD know the difference". I think that's rather harsh, it's a bit like someone walking into a chemists shop, taking some pills off the shelf without advice, taking them, finding out they are wrong making them ill and the chemist telling them they "should have known they were wrong".

If we can replace the word "full" with something more appropriate (ideas, anyone) it could make life a lot easier for the untechs. Or maybe "Full HD with appropriate box/tuner" and then, if nothing else, it would make people investigate rather than buy on impulse.

Dad's off to Trading Standards next week - he thinks the wording is poor (not expecting money back or owt) and wants to know how many other "complaints" TS have received on this matter. Think he's thinking of getting our MP down, and if he does I'll back Dad up on this one.

Tech moves at some pace, but so should the language that goes with it.
-GONZO-
04-07-2013
Originally Posted by howard h:
“He went back to Argos, and they defended their position by saying "he SHOULD know the difference". I think that's rather harsh, ”

To be fair to Argos they've already provide the customer with everything they need to know about TV's on pages 538-539 of their catalogue to help choose the right TV for you.
When you make the purchase they're under the assumption you know what your buying as they've provided the customer enough information before hand.
If the product is not what you expect then thats why they offer 30 day money back.
howard h
04-07-2013
Originally Posted by -GONZO-:
“To be fair to Argos they've already provide the customer with everything they need to know about TV's on pages 538-539 of their catalogue to help choose the right TV for you.
When you make the purchase they're under the assumption you know what your buying as they've provided the customer enough information before hand.
If the product is not what you expect then thats why they offer 30 day money back.”

Ironically, he likes the telly and he's keeping it!! Bottom line, he'd have bought it if all it said on the box/advert was *24" telly with freeview* . Which is what it is!!
bobcar
04-07-2013
Originally Posted by howard h:
“He went back to Argos, and they defended their position by saying "he SHOULD know the difference". I think that's rather harsh, it's a bit like someone walking into a chemists shop, taking some pills off the shelf without advice, taking them, finding out they are wrong making them ill and the chemist telling them they "should have known they were wrong". ”

The chemist would be right to do so as the pills were taken without advice. If you didn't know what you were doing then advice from the chemist should have been sought, if the chemist then gave duff advice it was their fault.

Similarly with the TV. If your father had asked Argos if the TV did Freeview HD then they would have mis-sold it if they'd said yes however he never asked.
Nigel Goodwin
04-07-2013
Originally Posted by howard h:
“Ironically, he likes the telly and he's keeping it!! Bottom line, he'd have bought it if all it said on the box/advert was *24" telly with freeview* . Which is what it is!!”

And is what it said
Deacon1972
04-07-2013
Originally Posted by howard h:
“If it said "FULL" player, then yes, I'd expect it to be able to play anything.

I think that's the point I've been trying to say but put better! The aspect that has caused the most confusion/upset is the word "full". If a set's description contains the word "full" there should be no need to read reams of explanation. "Full" should cover everything.

He went back to Argos, and they defended their position by saying "he SHOULD know the difference". I think that's rather harsh, it's a bit like someone walking into a chemists shop, taking some pills off the shelf without advice, taking them, finding out they are wrong making them ill and the chemist telling them they "should have known they were wrong".

If we can replace the word "full" with something more appropriate (ideas, anyone) it could make life a lot easier for the untechs. Or maybe "Full HD with appropriate box/tuner" and then, if nothing else, it would make people investigate rather than buy on impulse.

Dad's off to Trading Standards next week - he thinks the wording is poor (not expecting money back or owt) and wants to know how many other "complaints" TS have received on this matter. Think he's thinking of getting our MP down, and if he does I'll back Dad up on this one.

Tech moves at some pace, but so should the language that goes with it.”

That is how they are advertised now.

Panasonic TX-P42X50B 42 inch widescreen plasma TV HD Ready with Freeview HD

http://m.tesco.com/mt/www.tesco.com/...d/594-4666.prd

Panasonic TX-L32D25B 32 inch widescreen Full HD 1080p with Freeview HD

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-TX...ef=pd_sxp_f_pt

If it's not advertise as having Freeview HD then it's not got it.
howard h
04-07-2013
Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin:
“And is what it said ”

A picture would have done!!
Big plus for dad is he can read and use the remote easily - and that's very important. Last one the numbers were almost the same colour as the remote so he couldn't make them out, and the writing/buttons so tiny he couldn't tell which to press.

Serious point to the TV industry - the remote is as (if not more) important to an old person as the telly itself. can be a real big selling point (that's why dad's keeping this one) and along the photo of the telly, a photo of the remote might swing it away from a competitor. If you're 85 I bet it's a darned sight more important than whether you get red button HD or not.

It's expensive and fiddly to buy a universal remote, and even the it might not do the job. Maybe for a few extra pounds a TV box could have a standard remote, and also a second remote with bigger digits, or even a service where you can return the original for a more useable one (if it doesn't exist already).

So, big tick for Bush.
-GONZO-
04-07-2013
Originally Posted by howard h:
“A picture would have done!!”

Under each TV in the catalogue there's a box which tells you exactly what each one has ie: Tuner: Freeview or Freeview HD, Resolution: HD Ready or Full HD(1080p). Are you really suggesting there should be even much more than that and on top of the help guide they've also provided?

Looking through the catalogue it seems Bush only do one TV that has Freeview HD and that's a 40" model.
call100
04-07-2013
My father is 84 and he wouldn't dream of buying anything unless he could view it first. For something like a TV he would ask either me or my brother in law to go with him. Common sense.....
Buying a cheap TV from Argos, without at least reading anything about it or it's remote, is just folly. It's not as if you can just blame it on age, is it? That would be patronising to the older generation in general, besides, you have proven that age has nothing to do with not knowing what you are doing.
howard h
04-07-2013
Dad's got it sorted now.

He's gonna open a cafe opposite some TV manufacturers offices.

BREAKFAST READY £1.99
You get a plate

FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST £3.99
You get a plate and a piece of toast.

"Wheres the egg, bacon, sausages...????"
"Oh, didn't you read the flyers? You have to go to the butchers, buy your own bacon and sausage, go into our kitchen, cook it and put it on top of the toast"
"How do I get you to make me a "full" English breakfast?"
"You should have read the page which offers "FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST WITH HD FAT". £5.99.
howard h
04-07-2013
Originally Posted by call100:
“My father is 84 and he wouldn't dream of buying anything unless he could view it first. For something like a TV he would ask either me or my brother in law to go with him. Common sense.....
Buying a cheap TV from Argos, without at least reading anything about it or it's remote, is just folly. It's not as if you can just blame it on age, is it? That would be patronising to the older generation in general, besides, you have proven that age has nothing to do with not knowing what you are doing.”

That's not difficult
call100
04-07-2013
Originally Posted by howard h:
“Dad's got it sorted now.

He's gonna open a cafe opposite some TV manufacturers offices.

BREAKFAST READY £1.99
You get a plate

FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST £3.99
You get a plate and a piece of toast.

"Wheres the egg, bacon, sausages...????"
"Oh, didn't you read the flyers? You have to go to the butchers, buy your own bacon and sausage, go into our kitchen, cook it and put it on top of the toast"
"How do I get you to make me a "full" English breakfast?"
"You should have read the page which offers "FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST WITH HD FAT". £5.99.”

Which proves...You don't buy anything without reading the menu...........!
David (2)
05-07-2013
many of us posters have followed the development of freeview, then HD, and then how HD broadcasts were shoe horned into freeview (FreeviewHD) at the last min. But I have to say, I rather sympathise with the poster in this - its not like the OP is the only one in the UK to make this mistake. Very few people (very few indeed) outside of DS that I know would know this sort of thing. Many don't even know that there is a freeview (or FreeviewHD) service on their old aerial cables - most now think their "analogue" aerials are dead and "not working" (nearly every one went to sky) - and this is way more simple than HD Ready, Full HD, Freeview, and Freeview HD.
-GONZO-
05-07-2013
Originally Posted by David (2):
“But I have to say, I rather sympathise with the poster in this - its not like the OP is the only one in the UK to make this mistake.”

I also do sympathise to point as my in-laws had a new TV for a few years and then as the Digital switch over was in progress I made a comment about have they done the retune.
They said yes, but they have lost BBC2 which immediately made me think of analogue.
When I checked it turned out that for the few years previous they were viewing analogue. After a retune to digital it was like a whole new world had opened up into their lives.
The thing that I don't sympathise with the OP on is all this Trading Standards business as Argos provided all the information needed before the purchase was made, but for whatever reason it was never looked at.
Winston_1
05-07-2013
Please return next week and tell us what Trading Standards have to say.
ixHellstormx
05-07-2013
Originally Posted by howard h:
“Dad went to Argos to buy a TV for his kitchen yesterday (Bush 22 or 24"). On the box it said both HD Ready and FULL HD.

To him, and me, that meany you get all the Freeview HD channels without having another box.

Wrong. It doesn't, and the only way to see if the TV did is if you loo closely in the catalogue for "Freeview HD Tuner".

Not saying Argos are trying to pull a fast one, but seriously, what's the point of putting "HD Ready 1080" and "Full HD 1080" on the box - what's the ruddy difference.

How many buyers have fallen into the trap of thinking they get the full Freeview HD when they are not?? Normally I'd blame them for not being savvy enough; but this had both me and Dad up the wrong tree.

For me "Full HD" should mean all the channels + the HD ones on freeview. Can't see why it can't.

Letter to trading standards/MP coming up.

Thoughts??”

Full HD has nothing to do with Freeview HD channels. If the TV had an HD tuner it would be mentioned on the box and in the manual/print. You and ur dad made a mistake....ur mistake !.
AidanLunn
05-07-2013
Originally Posted by Winston_1:
“Please return next week and tell us what Trading Standards have to say.”

Should be very entertaining seeing him and his Dad get absolutely nowhere on this case

OP, you cannot pin the blame on the retailer. They did provide the information. You didn't think to check out the subject of HD TVs and their differences. As it's *you and your father* that didn't bother to seek out information that was already provided to you on several proverbial plates, then how are the retailers to blame for you and your father's actions?

Regardless of his age, his problems are not theirs. Why should they care about his problems if all they are there to do is sell you electrical items?

Argos sell TVs and lawnmowers etc.

A psychologist or a psychiatrist or an agony aunt deal with people's problems.
<<
<
2 of 4
>>
>
VIEW DESKTOP SITE TOP

JOIN US HERE

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Hearst Corporation

Hearst Corporation

DIGITAL SPY, PART OF THE HEARST UK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK

© 2015 Hearst Magazines UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 72 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 9EP. Registered in England 112955. All rights reserved.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Complaints
  • Site Map