Whats the cheapest HDTV to buy?

Steven L Hunter · 25-01-2006, 15:29

Bezzers1406 · 25-01-2006, 15:39

what size are you looking for?

I just got the LG 26lxr (summing like that) for 655 off comet

comes with hdmi and dvi, etc etc, compatable with 480i/p, 720p and 1080i

Steven L Hunter · 25-01-2006, 17:21

I'm looking for 28" which will work with TVDrive.

Robert__law · 25-01-2006, 20:16

argos have a bush 26 inch lcd hd for £499 !

russellelly · 25-01-2006, 20:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenGray16

I'm looking for 28" which will work with TVDrive.

You generally only get HD on LCDs at that size, but it's either 26" or 32" (although a 28" CRT is nearer 26" visible). Just look out for something with the HD Ready logo and you'll be fine.

Steven L Hunter · 26-01-2006, 11:38

Is it really worth it? I mean £499 is quite steep i could probably get a massive normal tv for that price!! lol

Grand Dizzy · 28-01-2006, 15:32

I'd just like to offer my thoughts on this...

I haven't used a 'normal' TV (CRT) for a few years now and once you start using LCDs/plasmas there really is no going back. Normal screens look so flickery and most of them have curved screens, and for me they really hurt my eyes now when I go round to my friends' house.

So for anyone with a 'normal' TV in their living room I would highly recommend upgrading to an LCD or plasma. The difference is unbelievable. (ESPECIALLY if your old TV isn't widescreen.)

You can get a 32" non-HDTV LCD for about £450 (inc p+p) brand new on ebay (I bought a Crown one for my dining room, and it's a pretty decent quality picture).

£500 for an HDTV 26" seems pretty good, but personally I can't bear screens smaller than 32", so I'd invest in a bigger one or wait for prices to drop.

I bought a 42" HDTV Hitachi plasma about 18 months ago for just under 2 grand and I love it more every day! I'm sure they must be a lot cheaper than that now. If I were going to buy a new TV, I'd get one of those. (Or maybe wait a while and see how much prices drop as HDTV gets more popular.)

29-01-2006, 04:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grand Dizzy

I bought a 42" HDTV Hitachi plasma about 18 months ago for just under 2 grand and I love it more every day! I'm sure they must be a lot cheaper than that now. If I were going to buy a new TV, I'd get one of those. (Or maybe wait a while and see how much prices drop as HDTV gets more popular.)

Just ordered a 42pd6600 Hitachi for my parents today. HD Ready 42 inch plasma with some very good reviews. For £1300 (from Richer) you really can't go wrong.

BexTech · 29-01-2006, 09:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by ontwofronts

Just ordered a 42pd6600 Hitachi for my parents today. HD Ready 42 inch plasma with some very good reviews. For £1300 (from Richer) you really can't go wrong.

I don't like the fact it is 1024 x 1024.

fishplatebolts · 29-01-2006, 10:14

What about this Samsung, i'm tempted.
http://www.play.com/play247.asp?sour...C&title=860689

BexTech · 29-01-2006, 14:14

1366 x 768

Means it will always have to up or down sample the input.

russellelly · 29-01-2006, 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by BexTech

1366 x 768

Means it will always have to up or down sample the input.

Won't it just overscan a 720P signal? I know some native 720 lines sets (some DLPs and probably others) actually overscan and downscale, since the edges of the screen are usually 'rough'. From AVForums I've read an overscan of ~2.5% is best, though on most sets it's not adjustable (at least not without using an engineers' menu).

I'm still trying to get to grips with it all myself, so if I've got something wrong I apologise in advance

Dan27 · 29-01-2006, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenGray16

Is it really worth it? I mean £499 is quite steep i could probably get a massive normal tv for that price!! lol

£499 is the bare minimum. High Defininition for this country is a brand new technology and prices will be high for a good while yet. You cant skimp on these things if you want the latest hi tech home entertainment now.

Steven L Hunter · 29-01-2006, 22:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanVitale

£499 is the bare minimum. High Defininition for this country is a brand new technology and prices will be high for a good while yet. You cant skimp on these things if you want the latest hi tech home entertainment now.

I think i might just wait until the prices lower first then.

khane · 01-02-2006, 11:34

i would recomend looking at pixmainia.com I just got a 28" Toshishiba HDTV for just over £500

Sugarfix · 01-02-2006, 12:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishplatebolts

What about this Samsung, i'm tempted.
http://www.play.com/play247.asp?sour...C&title=860689

That's the very medel I've got. I bought mine from Costco (wholesale place, but you can get an individual membership for £20 without being trade) it cost me £750 including VAT and comes inclusive with 3 years extended warranty (supplied by thier own people)

I'm extatic with it. I'm not sure about Plays claim that it's "HD Ready", it doesn't have a hdmi socket (although it does have DVI with HDCP) Not that that concernts my, the TV is muted and all audio goes through my Dolby 5.1 surround sound separates.

As for the fact that it's 1366x768, that's a pretty standard resolution for all LCD screens. My DVD player will upscale to 768p anyway.

I can't fault this TV though, I don't even notice any of the digital anomolies compared to my old CRT any more.

thms · 03-02-2006, 03:07

probably this one..

32" Mirai T32114 HDTV Ready Widescreen LCD TV

it's currently out of stock at micro direct ltd
but it's a bargain at £624.45 (that's including vat)

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Product...6&GroupID=1190

Technology - TFT active matrix
TV Type - HDTV Ready
PC Interface DVI, VGA (HD-15)
Diagonal Size 32" - widescreen
Resolution - 1366 x 768
Progressive Scan - Progressive scanning (line doubling)
Image Aspect Ratio - 16:9
Image Contrast Ratio - 1000:1
Viewing Angle - 176 degrees
Viewing Angle (Vertical) - 176 degrees
Pixel Pitch - 0.5109 x 0.5109 mm
Pixel Response Time - 8 ms

Brightness - 550 cd/m2

Audio Controls - Balance, bass, treble
Features - Video noise reduction, on-screen menu

Digimonster · 03-02-2006, 06:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by BexTech

1366 x 768

Means it will always have to up or down sample the input.

Theres a bit more to it than that. But it's complicated ie the murky world of sampling theory etc. And most people won't notice the difference in picture quality compared to a true HD source, as most HDTV's don't have enough pixels to display a HD image properly anyway. It's a moot point, all the HD ready logo refers to is the bare minium standards needed to recieve HD sources.

BexTech · 03-02-2006, 07:13

I like the look of this one though would want to see it under normal use conditions.

Digimonster · 04-02-2006, 03:30

Just barge into dixons etc and ask for the tv's remote control, it's what i did. You can play around with the settings then. My 26" LCD samsung provides a good picture, be it H.264 video via the PC connection or from my Samsung HD850 dvd player. I want to see my tv in action with a HD-DVD or Blu-ray player via HDMI. But thats ages away.

sat-man · 04-02-2006, 12:59

If you want a cheap lcd the samsung are the best

ejim03 · 05-02-2006, 19:40

They seem to recommend 32" if you're going for HD?

I've found the one I'm saving up for, but I'm not going for a cheaper one of which there are many. I'd rather go without for as long as it takes to save up.

A real false economy if the TV isn't up to scratch after a year or so and you're going bigger or upgrading to get that extra connection you wish you had the first time around.

Dan27 · 05-02-2006, 20:06

Your size should depend solely (SOLELY) on how far away you are going to be viewing the TV from. For as long as standard definition is around this is critical to your enjoyment of any new TV.

blind_ambition · 16-02-2006, 12:33

never heard of the make but still looks pretty good

http://www.woolworths.co.uk/ww_p2/pr...l?pid=50507387

Neonoptic · 16-02-2006, 13:05

Got a 27" Widescreen Lexsor for £499

25-01-2006, 15:29	#1
Steven L Hunter Guest Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 10,517	Whats the cheapest HDTV to buy? Whats the cheapest HDTV to buy?

25-01-2006, 15:39	#2
Bezzers1406 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 618	what size are you looking for? I just got the LG 26lxr (summing like that) for 655 off comet comes with hdmi and dvi, etc etc, compatable with 480i/p, 720p and 1080i

25-01-2006, 17:21	#3
Steven L Hunter Guest Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 10,517	I'm looking for 28" which will work with TVDrive.

25-01-2006, 20:16	#4
Robert__law Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: DUNDEE Posts: 1,318	argos have a bush 26 inch lcd hd for £499 !

25-01-2006, 20:20	#5
russellelly Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Scotland Posts: 10,720	Quote: Originally Posted by StevenGray16 I'm looking for 28" which will work with TVDrive. You generally only get HD on LCDs at that size, but it's either 26" or 32" (although a 28" CRT is nearer 26" visible). Just look out for something with the HD Ready logo and you'll be fine.

26-01-2006, 11:38	#6
Steven L Hunter Guest Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 10,517	Is it really worth it? I mean £499 is quite steep i could probably get a massive normal tv for that price!! lol

28-01-2006, 15:32	#7
Grand Dizzy Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 7,132	I'd just like to offer my thoughts on this... I haven't used a 'normal' TV (CRT) for a few years now and once you start using LCDs/plasmas there really is no going back. Normal screens look so flickery and most of them have curved screens, and for me they really hurt my eyes now when I go round to my friends' house. So for anyone with a 'normal' TV in their living room I would highly recommend upgrading to an LCD or plasma. The difference is unbelievable. (ESPECIALLY if your old TV isn't widescreen.) You can get a 32" non-HDTV LCD for about £450 (inc p+p) brand new on ebay (I bought a Crown one for my dining room, and it's a pretty decent quality picture). £500 for an HDTV 26" seems pretty good, but personally I can't bear screens smaller than 32", so I'd invest in a bigger one or wait for prices to drop. I bought a 42" HDTV Hitachi plasma about 18 months ago for just under 2 grand and I love it more every day! I'm sure they must be a lot cheaper than that now. If I were going to buy a new TV, I'd get one of those. (Or maybe wait a while and see how much prices drop as HDTV gets more popular.)

29-01-2006, 04:49	#8
ontwofronts Posts: n/a	Quote: Originally Posted by Grand Dizzy I bought a 42" HDTV Hitachi plasma about 18 months ago for just under 2 grand and I love it more every day! I'm sure they must be a lot cheaper than that now. If I were going to buy a new TV, I'd get one of those. (Or maybe wait a while and see how much prices drop as HDTV gets more popular.) Just ordered a 42pd6600 Hitachi for my parents today. HD Ready 42 inch plasma with some very good reviews. For £1300 (from Richer) you really can't go wrong.

29-01-2006, 09:01	#9
BexTech Banned User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Back where I belong. Posts: 12,574	Quote: Originally Posted by ontwofronts Just ordered a 42pd6600 Hitachi for my parents today. HD Ready 42 inch plasma with some very good reviews. For £1300 (from Richer) you really can't go wrong. I don't like the fact it is 1024 x 1024.

29-01-2006, 10:14	#10
fishplatebolts Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 975	What about this Samsung, i'm tempted. http://www.play.com/play247.asp?sour...C&title=860689

29-01-2006, 14:14	#11
BexTech Banned User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Back where I belong. Posts: 12,574	1366 x 768 Means it will always have to up or down sample the input.

29-01-2006, 17:54	#12
russellelly Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Scotland Posts: 10,720	Quote: Originally Posted by BexTech 1366 x 768 Means it will always have to up or down sample the input. Won't it just overscan a 720P signal? I know some native 720 lines sets (some DLPs and probably others) actually overscan and downscale, since the edges of the screen are usually 'rough'. From AVForums I've read an overscan of ~2.5% is best, though on most sets it's not adjustable (at least not without using an engineers' menu). I'm still trying to get to grips with it all myself, so if I've got something wrong I apologise in advance

29-01-2006, 19:50	#13
Dan27 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: By The Sea Posts: 9,574	Quote: Originally Posted by StevenGray16 Is it really worth it? I mean £499 is quite steep i could probably get a massive normal tv for that price!! lol £499 is the bare minimum. High Defininition for this country is a brand new technology and prices will be high for a good while yet. You cant skimp on these things if you want the latest hi tech home entertainment now.

29-01-2006, 22:38	#14
Steven L Hunter Guest Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 10,517	Quote: Originally Posted by DanVitale £499 is the bare minimum. High Defininition for this country is a brand new technology and prices will be high for a good while yet. You cant skimp on these things if you want the latest hi tech home entertainment now. I think i might just wait until the prices lower first then.

01-02-2006, 11:34	#15
khane Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: London Posts: 334	i would recomend looking at pixmainia.com I just got a 28" Toshishiba HDTV for just over £500

01-02-2006, 12:40	#16
Sugarfix Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Birmingham Posts: 657	Quote: Originally Posted by fishplatebolts What about this Samsung, i'm tempted. http://www.play.com/play247.asp?sour...C&title=860689 That's the very medel I've got. I bought mine from Costco (wholesale place, but you can get an individual membership for £20 without being trade) it cost me £750 including VAT and comes inclusive with 3 years extended warranty (supplied by thier own people) I'm extatic with it. I'm not sure about Plays claim that it's "HD Ready", it doesn't have a hdmi socket (although it does have DVI with HDCP) Not that that concernts my, the TV is muted and all audio goes through my Dolby 5.1 surround sound separates. As for the fact that it's 1366x768, that's a pretty standard resolution for all LCD screens. My DVD player will upscale to 768p anyway. I can't fault this TV though, I don't even notice any of the digital anomolies compared to my old CRT any more.

03-02-2006, 03:07	#17
thms Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 56,818	probably this one.. 32" Mirai T32114 HDTV Ready Widescreen LCD TV it's currently out of stock at micro direct ltd but it's a bargain at £624.45 (that's including vat) http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Product...6&GroupID=1190 Technology - TFT active matrix TV Type - HDTV Ready PC Interface DVI, VGA (HD-15) Diagonal Size 32" - widescreen Resolution - 1366 x 768 Progressive Scan - Progressive scanning (line doubling) Image Aspect Ratio - 16:9 Image Contrast Ratio - 1000:1 Viewing Angle - 176 degrees Viewing Angle (Vertical) - 176 degrees Pixel Pitch - 0.5109 x 0.5109 mm Pixel Response Time - 8 ms Brightness - 550 cd/m2 Audio Controls - Balance, bass, treble Features - Video noise reduction, on-screen menu

03-02-2006, 06:52	#18
Digimonster Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: UK Posts: 960	Quote: Originally Posted by BexTech 1366 x 768 Means it will always have to up or down sample the input. Theres a bit more to it than that. But it's complicated ie the murky world of sampling theory etc. And most people won't notice the difference in picture quality compared to a true HD source, as most HDTV's don't have enough pixels to display a HD image properly anyway. It's a moot point, all the HD ready logo refers to is the bare minium standards needed to recieve HD sources.

03-02-2006, 07:13	#19
BexTech Banned User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Back where I belong. Posts: 12,574	I like the look of this one though would want to see it under normal use conditions.

04-02-2006, 03:30	#20
Digimonster Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: UK Posts: 960	Just barge into dixons etc and ask for the tv's remote control, it's what i did. You can play around with the settings then. My 26" LCD samsung provides a good picture, be it H.264 video via the PC connection or from my Samsung HD850 dvd player. I want to see my tv in action with a HD-DVD or Blu-ray player via HDMI. But thats ages away.

04-02-2006, 12:59	#21
sat-man Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Uk Posts: 159	If you want a cheap lcd the samsung are the best

DS Forums

Whats the cheapest HDTV to buy?

05-02-2006, 19:40	#22
ejim03 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,758	They seem to recommend 32" if you're going for HD? I've found the one I'm saving up for, but I'm not going for a cheaper one of which there are many. I'd rather go without for as long as it takes to save up. A real false economy if the TV isn't up to scratch after a year or so and you're going bigger or upgrading to get that extra connection you wish you had the first time around.

05-02-2006, 20:06	#23
Dan27 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: By The Sea Posts: 9,574	Your size should depend solely (SOLELY) on how far away you are going to be viewing the TV from. For as long as standard definition is around this is critical to your enjoyment of any new TV.

16-02-2006, 12:33	#24
blind_ambition Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 18	never heard of the make but still looks pretty good http://www.woolworths.co.uk/ww_p2/pr...l?pid=50507387

16-02-2006, 13:05	#25
Neonoptic Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London Posts: 568	Got a 27" Widescreen Lexsor for £499