[Iain Chapman]

Halo,

Well I've decided it's time for a new telly, and have taken a stroll down to the local Currys/Comet store.

I've had a look at the various sets on offer. I'm keen to get one with an intergrated digital tuner, so that it can receive the FTA Digital channels.

Now, one thing that confuses me is there seem to be a large group of set now that include 'Virtual Dolby'. What's this all about then?. Is this something that should be avoided?.

I took my bank manager with me...no sorry I mean the girlfriend, who liked the look of the new Sony KV28DX30 set. Now the set looks nice, but I'd of course be pushing for the 32~ set if I'm going to get anything.

The technical specs of the site - from the Sony site:

Technical Spec

Size (WxHxD): 796x518x522 mm Weight: 62kg (NET)
Colour: silver
Screen aspect: 16:9- Screen size (cm/inch): 71cm/28inch
Visible Screen Size (cm): 66cm
Display Technology: FD Trinitron
No. of tuners: 1 (Analogue) + 1 (Digital)
Rotation Coil
Smart, Zoom, 4:3, Wide, 14:9 mode
Dynamic Picture Control(DQP & DF)
16:9 mode
Sound System: NICAM ( I,)
Virtual Dolby
Power Output (Music): 2 x 20W (L/R), 20W (Subw)
Power Output (RMS): 2 x 10W (L/R), 10W (Subw)
Tuning System TV System: I
Colour System: PAL, SECAM, NTSC 3.58/4.43 (Video in)
ATS/One Button Tuning
Auto Labelling
100 (Analogue) + 100 (Digital) Programme Memory<
Menu OSD
Languages: DK,DL,E,FR,GB,H,N,NL,P,S,SF
Programme Index Table
Sleep Timer
Auto Standby
Parental Lock
Smart Link
Teletext: Text- 8 Text Page Memory/Sub Page Memory
Digital EPG
Teletext Languages: GB
Connectors. In/Out Scart 1: 1 x (AV-In/Out; RGB IN)
In/Out Scart 2: 1 x (AV-In/Out; S-Video In)
In/Out Scart 3: 1 x (AV-In/Out; S-Video In)
PCMCIA Card Slot
External Modem (9Pin)
In: RCA (Front/Rear)-AV: 1 x Front AV
In: 4Pin (Front/Rear)-Y/C: 1 x Front S-Video
Out: RCA (Audio Out) variable/fixed: 1 x Audio (stereo) - variable
DIN (External Speaker): 5x(Left,Right,Centre,Surround)
Out: Mini Jack: 1 x (3.5mm/Headphone)
RF Out
Remote Commander: RM-888
Stand: SU-28FX2 (supplied)

(Original Souce - http://194.154.177.137/products_deta...DX30&nav=tech)

They also do a 32" version, the KV32DX30. It's technical specs are the same, bar the screen size -> (http://194.154.177.137/products_details.asp?code=KV-32DX30&nav=tech)

The cost of the 28" version if £999, whilst the 32" version if £1399.

SO...the important question, from looking at the specs is this a set you lot would touch?.

I'd appreicate any thoughts, as I really don't know whether it sounds any good.

Thanks

Iain

[Kevo]

You don't say whether it is 100hz or 50. Although at the price quoted I would imagine it is 100hz (whic is what you should go for).

I wouldn't bother about about 'Virtual Dolby'....It's crap.
In fact if you can get a model that has NO built in surround then all the better (it will be cheaper too).

Do yourself a favour and invest in a good Dolby Digital amp for your surround sound. Belive me, anyhting less is a VERY poor substitute.

[Kevo]

One other thing...32" nothing less.

[Dan9]

If you purchase it from John Lewis dept. stores you get a free 5 year garantee, plus they'll price match.

[Iain Chapman]

Quote:

Originally posted by Kevo
You don't say whether it is 100hz or 50. Although at the price quoted I would imagine it is 100hz (whic is what you should go for).

Well it is only 50Hz - I guess the increase in price is the Intergrated DTT pushing the cost up. I've sat and watch those 100Hz sets, and can't really say that I'm that keen. I just find that the picture is 'blurry', especially with ON, or SkyDigital signals as the 100Hz seems to bring out any imperfection in the signal.


I wouldn't bother about about 'Virtual Dolby'....It's crap.
In fact if you can get a model that has NO built in surround then all the better (it will be cheaper too).

Do yourself a favour and invest in a good Dolby Digital amp for your surround sound. Belive me, anyhting less is a VERY poor substitute.

Yes I agree, but the time being I'll have to make do with the Virtual Dolby!

[Iain Chapman]

Quote:

Originally posted by Dan9
If you purchase it from John Lewis dept. stores you get a free 5 year garantee, plus they'll price match.

That's interesting it hear. I guess really it all depends on how far they deliver. My nearest store is Bristol (I'm in North Devon). Getting to Bristol isn't really a problem, it would be whether they will deliver to North Devon....

[Patrick]

Quote:

Originally posted by Iain Chapman

Quote:

Originally posted by Dan9
If you purchase it from John Lewis dept. stores you get a free 5 year garantee, plus they'll price match.

That's interesting it hear. I guess really it all depends on how far they deliver. My nearest store is Bristol (I'm in North Devon). Getting to Bristol isn't really a problem, it would be whether they will deliver to North Devon....

Ring up before you go the store so that you know, rather than a wasted journey. But on the otherhand, why can't you stick it in the boot?

[rezabelady]

Quote:

Originally posted by Dan9
If you purchase it from John Lewis dept. stores you get a free 5 year garantee, plus they'll price match.

i believe they will also match online prices, so have a good look around before you go to them

the free 5year guarantee is also a nice extra - BUT only really if you would not be interested in paying extra for a guarantee anyway as stores that offer this generally only cover you for parts & labour costs

it's definitely worthwhile finding out details of:[list][*] what exactly you are covered for - for example, are call out costs (which can be expensive) included[*] how you claim - some stores get you to pay repair costs and then claim against those costs which can be dodgy, others will use their own repair service rather than the manufacturers[*] if your only covered for certain aspects - what happens if it goes wrong and cannot be repaired after the manufacturers guarantee - will they replace it, or will they just offer you a discount/credit towards a new set[/list]as i said - a free 5 year guarantee is a great extra to have (certainly better than nothing), but it is still worthwhile to find out exactly what your going to be guaranteed for rather than walk out of the shop expecting that your gonna be completely covered


conversely - if anyone is thinking about actually paying for an extended guarantee, it's worth checking out the household insurance, etc that you may already have and how that would cover the tv that you buy - as you may not need it


btw - i know insurance is a boring topic, but when your spending 1000 GBP + on an individual item (which you will, no doubt, hope to be enjoying for the next 5-possibly 10 years or more) then it is an important aspect


to be honest, though - from what i saw when working for a retailer, you shouldn't have much trouble with new tv sets in general (particularly when it is a sony/panasonic as well), and i would say that the set your looking at is a good choice allround

oh - (most importantly) enjoy the tv, by the way!

[rezabelady]

Quote:

Originally posted by Patrick
Ring up before you go the store so that you know, rather than a wasted journey. But on the otherhand, why can't you stick it in the boot?

phoning beforehand is another good idea to make sure they have it instock, particularly at this time of year - if you were thinking of taking it away, but also in general for stock availability to find out when it could be delivered if it is not in stock

also - if your gonna stick any 32" tv in your boot, be prepared and have the seats down - they all have very large boxes! - when you phone its worth just asking them if they reckon that it would fit in whatever car you have

[platform9]

In my view John Lewis 5 year garuantee is pretty good. You may have seen my postings about my Sony TV going belly up after I had owned it for nearly 2 years, the problem was looked at by a Sony engineer (who was charging John Lewis £45 a visit) & when it was decided that the set couldn't be fixed I was offered a brand spanker of the same model or the choice to upgrade to any other model in store with the full cost of my Sony set knocked off the price.

I ended up getting a Panny widescreen for £100 & a 2 year old broken telly - bonus!

I have to admit it took a few phone calls to get their arses into gear but they were always helpfull, if alittle slow at times. Much better than my experiences with extra cover I have had to pay for at places like Dixons or Currys.

P9.

[Dan9]

When I bought my Philips 32" Ice Blue widescreen from John Lewis, they were charging £1599. After the price match I only paid £1199. If you are collecting it be warned that you've got to fit a stand in the car as well and they take up almost as much room as the TV!! As for Dixons/Currys, it's a well known industry fact that without them selling their ripoff extended warrenties they'd have gone bust several years ago.

[Darth Sidious]

CHeck out the JVC Flatscreen. Looks like you get it for 899. My mate has got one, and he seems to like it a lot. Sony have lost the plot little, their latest don't seem to be as good.

[Nikhil]

Definitely go for a Sony or Panasonic Ian. (i trust the model you are talking about it the silver or white one, nothing else looks expensive enough!! ) Also, definitely go 32".

I think if i remember correctly that the john lewis do deliver to devon but charge (i live in south devon!!) you must be talking about the john lewis at cribbs causeway yeah? What you might want to look at is the sony centre. The sony centres in devon are really good (especially the ones in barnstaple, torquay and exeter) You'll be able to get a good bargain from them and they definitely offer free delivery and setup throughout devon with an excellent 5 year guarantee (it's really good, i'd recommend it!!)

Go and give them a look, you can haggle a good deal (they may throw in some videos/minidiscs too, i always manage to get a box of minidiscs out of them!!