• 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
TV buying advice
irfan_mohammed
23-07-2014
I'm in the market to purchase a new TV and am well with all the sets out there. I have though narrowed my search down so that people can advise as appropriate.

I have narrowed my search down to the following:
smart 3d tv,
LED,
40 TO 50inch
I would though like to know what is the best tv for my needs? I would though like a TV with a very high rated processor (refresh rate).
Please do tell me about anything else I should look out for when selecting a TV. Thank you.
Nigel Goodwin
23-07-2014
Originally Posted by irfan_mohammed:
“I would though like to know what is the best tv for my needs? I would though like a TV with a very high rated processor (refresh rate). ”

Refresh rate isn't anything to do with the processor, it's simply part of the picture 'processing' in the set, it only effects the frame rate of the set (where it has to 'make up' intermediate frames).

Processors in TV's are generally fairly low spec, no need for otherwise.
chrisjr
23-07-2014
You don't mention any budget for this new telly. You could spend in excess of a thousand quid (or more) on a top of the range Sony or Panasonic or a couple of hundred on some supermarket own brand.

Sony and Panasonic would top most peoples list of quality manufacturers. With LG and Samsung somewhere in the middle and trailing behind the many clone sets that come out of Turkey or China by the container ship load and end up on the shelves of the supermarkets, Currys and Argos with a variety of name badges on what are essentially the same set.
evil c
24-07-2014
Hello and welcome to DS, OP

I see you haven't responded to chrisjr's post asking what price you want to pay and we really need to know this as there are a vast number of TVs in the size range 40 to 50 inch. If you could narrow the size down that too would help.

You refer to your needs also. What are you planning to use the TV for? I would agree with chrisjr that you should buy a TV from one of the big four manufacturers, namely LG, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony as they have the best reliability record and currently make the best TVs.

You should buy a TV from a good retailer who will give you a free 5 year guarantee although check the Terms and Conditions to see what is covered, and more importantly what is not. John Lewis is probably the best for this or some people prefer Richer Sound. Or a local retailer might have a special deal with one or more of the manufacturers. Be wary of buying from Currys or any other retailer who tries hard to sell you an extended warranty as these are more often than not a rip-off.
irfan_mohammed
27-07-2014
Sorry guys for the late reply. Been really busy and haven't had a chance to reply.

Thank you for the info so far, I have taken all your comments/questions on-board and can inform you of the following:

1. I will definitely buy from a reputable brand - probably LG or Panasonic as they do have a good customer service record.
2. My price range is up to £700.
3. Size wise, I prefer a size that will produce the best picture/quality.

John Lewis will probably be expensive so I'm thinking of purchasing the set from Richer Sounds as I have heard good things about them.

Please also suggest the best refresh rate for the job.
Nigel Goodwin
27-07-2014
Originally Posted by irfan_mohammed:
“1. I will definitely buy from a reputable brand - probably LG or Panasonic as they do have a good customer service record.”

Well Panasonic do

LG are just 'so so' along with Samsung.
Winston_1
27-07-2014
Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin:
“Well Panasonic do

LG are just 'so so' along with Samsung.”

Panasonic have at times been pretty crap for customer service once a TV is no longer current.
evil c
27-07-2014
Normally people buy a TV that suits the size of the room and how far a distance they will be watching from. Try this tool: http://www.which.co.uk/reviews/telev...v-should-i-buy

Refresh rates aren't important.

John Lewis's prices are competitive. They will price match any TV from a high street retailer or an online retailer if they have at least one high street store, for example Crampton and Moore.

Remember the manufacturers make both good and bad TVs and restricting your choice to just LG and Panasonic isn't necessarily a good idea.
Nigel Goodwin
27-07-2014
Originally Posted by Winston_1:
“Panasonic have at times been pretty crap for customer service once a TV is no longer current.”

In what way?, and do you think LG are better in that respect?.
evil c
27-07-2014
Please Nigel and Winston can we just stay on topic and not descend to petty squabbles.
irfan_mohammed
27-07-2014
Originally Posted by evil c:
“Normally people buy a TV that suits the size of the room and how far a distance they will be watching from. Try this tool: http://www.which.co.uk/reviews/telev...v-should-i-buy

Refresh rates aren't important.

John Lewis's prices are competitive. They will price match any TV from a high street retailer or an online retailer if they have at least one high street store, for example Crampton and Moore.

Remember the manufacturers make both good and bad TVs and restricting your choice to just LG and Panasonic isn't necessarily a good idea.”

Couple of good points there, thanks.

However if refresh rate isn't an important factor - what then is an important factor determining picture quality? What makes one tv better than another?
Nigel Goodwin
27-07-2014
Originally Posted by irfan_mohammed:
“Couple of good points there, thanks.

However if refresh rate isn't an important factor - what then is an important factor determining picture quality? What makes one tv better than another?”

Quality of the parts used, quality of the design, quality of manufacturing, and quality of service.

I would agree that refresh rate isn't particularly important - however, as the higher end sets tend to have the higher refresh rates, then it's quite possible that the picture quality could be better (but it's down to a better set, rather than the actual refresh rate).

Bear in mind to multiply the refresh rate a set has to 'create' frames in between the existing ones - how well it does this is critically dependent on the quality of the processing that does it.

Best idea is to go and compare sets side by side, ask to see SD as well as HD - the biggest differences are in SD processing, even the cheapest crappiest sets look great in HD. I used a crappy 16:10 Bush/Vestel set for a good while as a test set (and Linux PC monitor), it was stunning on Sky HD or BD, but pretty naff on SD. Made a pretty decent monitor though, and the 16:10 shape wasn't a problem then.
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