Digital (i.e. Freeview) TV Rip-Off?

Chris James · 07-11-2006, 10:21

In the Sunday Times this week, Comet have taken out an ad that features two identical looking Hitachi 42" HD ready plasma televisions. One is selling at £999.99 the other at £1499.99. The only difference appears to be that the expensive one has a digital tuner. That is £500 extra for a Freeview box.

I suppose Hitachi and Comet would both say the cheaper one is more heavily discounted as non-digital televisions are being phased out, but £500? I htink it's a blatant rip-off.

As somebody who bought a TV with built in Freeview some years ago and is now lumbered with an out-of-date machine despite being assured by Sony it was "future proof" (cannot handle BBC News multiscreen and three figure channels, ie 100 onwards) I would urge potential buyers to buy the cheaper model and plug a £40 box into it! The box can be updated in the future!

A-Friend · 07-11-2006, 13:46

Are these the two you are talking about?

without Freeview
with freeview

If so, there are number of other differences including
motorised swivel stand
2 HDMI inputs rather than 1 (albeit at the loss of component input it seems)
more powerful speakers

Still not sure that justifies the extra £500, but there you go!

Chris James · 08-11-2006, 10:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by A-Friend

Are these the two you are talking about?

without Freeview
with freeview

If so, there are number of other differences including
motorised swivel stand
2 HDMI inputs rather than 1 (albeit at the loss of component input it seems)
more powerful speakers

Still not sure that justifies the extra £500, but there you go!

Thanks for replying. I must admit I did not do any research but just went by the ad. If you are right there would seem to be a lot more differences than the ad implies which means it's a bad ad!

rhubarbe · 08-11-2006, 10:41

I have a Toshiba 32WLT58 with a Freeview tuner. I don't use the Freeview tuner because I find it easier, better and more enabling to use a Toppy. I get a better picture (honest), can record two channels, get all the PVR features - pause, rewind, FF, record, can watch a thrid channel depending on Muxes involved, and I save one more ugly wire behind the TV. Oh, the TV doesn't buzz, either.

Nothing's future proof, and we don't even know how long Freeview will last, certainly there isn't the bandwidth (in this country!!) for HD over terrestrial.

Buy the cheap one: I wish I had.

brattbakkk · 08-11-2006, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhubarbe

I have a Toshiba 32WLT58 with a Freeview tuner. I don't use the Freeview tuner because I find it easier, better and more enabling to use a Toppy. I get a better picture (honest), can record two channels, get all the PVR features - pause, rewind, FF, record, can watch a thrid channel depending on Muxes involved, and I save one more ugly wire behind the TV. Oh, the TV doesn't buzz, either.

Nothing's future proof, and we don't even know how long Freeview will last, certainly there isn't the bandwidth (in this country!!) for HD over terrestrial.

Buy the cheap one: I wish I had.

I too have this TV(very good it is too), but I'm with you on this because I use my 9200 for viewing everything. Go for the cheaper option as you will in all likelyhood upgrade in the future via a connectable box, be it PVR or HD DVD player etc. As long as the TV is HD ready.

nobbynolan · 08-11-2006, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhubarbe

I have a Toshiba 32WLT58 with a Freeview tuner. I don't use the Freeview tuner because I find it easier, better and more enabling to use a Toppy. I get a better picture (honest), can record two channels, get all the PVR features - pause, rewind, FF, record, can watch a thrid channel depending on Muxes involved, and I save one more ugly wire behind the TV. Oh, the TV doesn't buzz, either.

Surely a bit of coax from the toppy to the TV would ALWAYS allow you to watch a third channel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhubarbe

Nothing's future proof, and we don't even know how long Freeview will last, certainly there isn't the bandwidth (in this country!!) for HD over terrestrial.

Buy the cheap one: I wish I had.

It'll last longer than Analogue.

gomezz · 08-11-2006, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by nobbynolan

It'll last longer than Analogue.

Not if IPTV and VoD becomes the main means of supply for most people.

soulboy77 · 08-11-2006, 15:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by A-Friend

Are these the two you are talking about?

without Freeview
with freeview

If so, there are number of other differences including
motorised swivel stand
2 HDMI inputs rather than 1 (albeit at the loss of component input it seems)
more powerful speakers

Still not sure that justifies the extra £500, but there you go!

The non Freeview one has an older 1024 x 1080 panel whilst the one with Freeview (digital tuner) uses a newer 1920 x 1080 panel. This is the main reason why there is a big difference in price.

loz · 08-11-2006, 15:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulboy77

The non Freeview one has an older 1024 x 1080 panel whilst the one with Freeview uses a newer 1920 x 1080 panel.

No it doesn't...

skinj · 08-11-2006, 16:40

The more expensive set has a higher quality plasma panel and processing technology built in. also sd memory card slot on the side nicer styling and a much better speaker system. good value if you ask me!

07-11-2006, 10:21	#1
Chris James Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Farnborough, Hampshire Posts: 481	Digital (i.e. Freeview) TV Rip-Off? In the Sunday Times this week, Comet have taken out an ad that features two identical looking Hitachi 42" HD ready plasma televisions. One is selling at £999.99 the other at £1499.99. The only difference appears to be that the expensive one has a digital tuner. That is £500 extra for a Freeview box. I suppose Hitachi and Comet would both say the cheaper one is more heavily discounted as non-digital televisions are being phased out, but £500? I htink it's a blatant rip-off. As somebody who bought a TV with built in Freeview some years ago and is now lumbered with an out-of-date machine despite being assured by Sony it was "future proof" (cannot handle BBC News multiscreen and three figure channels, ie 100 onwards) I would urge potential buyers to buy the cheaper model and plug a £40 box into it! The box can be updated in the future!

07-11-2006, 13:46	#2
A-Friend Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 5,378	Are these the two you are talking about? without Freeview with freeview If so, there are number of other differences including motorised swivel stand 2 HDMI inputs rather than 1 (albeit at the loss of component input it seems) more powerful speakers Still not sure that justifies the extra £500, but there you go!

08-11-2006, 10:27	#3
Chris James Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Farnborough, Hampshire Posts: 481	Quote: Originally Posted by A-Friend Are these the two you are talking about? without Freeview with freeview If so, there are number of other differences including motorised swivel stand 2 HDMI inputs rather than 1 (albeit at the loss of component input it seems) more powerful speakers Still not sure that justifies the extra £500, but there you go! Thanks for replying. I must admit I did not do any research but just went by the ad. If you are right there would seem to be a lot more differences than the ad implies which means it's a bad ad!

08-11-2006, 10:41	#4
rhubarbe Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3,664	I have a Toshiba 32WLT58 with a Freeview tuner. I don't use the Freeview tuner because I find it easier, better and more enabling to use a Toppy. I get a better picture (honest), can record two channels, get all the PVR features - pause, rewind, FF, record, can watch a thrid channel depending on Muxes involved, and I save one more ugly wire behind the TV. Oh, the TV doesn't buzz, either. Nothing's future proof, and we don't even know how long Freeview will last, certainly there isn't the bandwidth (in this country!!) for HD over terrestrial. Buy the cheap one: I wish I had.

08-11-2006, 11:03	#5
brattbakkk Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 456	Quote: Originally Posted by rhubarbe I have a Toshiba 32WLT58 with a Freeview tuner. I don't use the Freeview tuner because I find it easier, better and more enabling to use a Toppy. I get a better picture (honest), can record two channels, get all the PVR features - pause, rewind, FF, record, can watch a thrid channel depending on Muxes involved, and I save one more ugly wire behind the TV. Oh, the TV doesn't buzz, either. Nothing's future proof, and we don't even know how long Freeview will last, certainly there isn't the bandwidth (in this country!!) for HD over terrestrial. Buy the cheap one: I wish I had. I too have this TV(very good it is too), but I'm with you on this because I use my 9200 for viewing everything. Go for the cheaper option as you will in all likelyhood upgrade in the future via a connectable box, be it PVR or HD DVD player etc. As long as the TV is HD ready.

08-11-2006, 11:12	#6
nobbynolan Forum Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Liverpool Posts: 1,824	Quote: Originally Posted by rhubarbe I have a Toshiba 32WLT58 with a Freeview tuner. I don't use the Freeview tuner because I find it easier, better and more enabling to use a Toppy. I get a better picture (honest), can record two channels, get all the PVR features - pause, rewind, FF, record, can watch a thrid channel depending on Muxes involved, and I save one more ugly wire behind the TV. Oh, the TV doesn't buzz, either. Surely a bit of coax from the toppy to the TV would ALWAYS allow you to watch a third channel. Quote: Originally Posted by rhubarbe Nothing's future proof, and we don't even know how long Freeview will last, certainly there isn't the bandwidth (in this country!!) for HD over terrestrial. Buy the cheap one: I wish I had. It'll last longer than Analogue.

08-11-2006, 13:04	#7
gomezz Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Buckingham Posts: 28,590	Quote: Originally Posted by nobbynolan It'll last longer than Analogue. Not if IPTV and VoD becomes the main means of supply for most people.

08-11-2006, 15:32	#8
soulboy77 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herts Posts: 17,005	Quote: Originally Posted by A-Friend Are these the two you are talking about? without Freeview with freeview If so, there are number of other differences including motorised swivel stand 2 HDMI inputs rather than 1 (albeit at the loss of component input it seems) more powerful speakers Still not sure that justifies the extra £500, but there you go! The non Freeview one has an older 1024 x 1080 panel whilst the one with Freeview (digital tuner) uses a newer 1920 x 1080 panel. This is the main reason why there is a big difference in price.

08-11-2006, 15:42	#9
loz Inactive Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Berkshire Posts: 4,686	Quote: Originally Posted by soulboy77 The non Freeview one has an older 1024 x 1080 panel whilst the one with Freeview uses a newer 1920 x 1080 panel. No it doesn't...

08-11-2006, 16:40	#10
skinj Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,206	The more expensive set has a higher quality plasma panel and processing technology built in. also sd memory card slot on the side nicer styling and a much better speaker system. good value if you ask me!

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Digital (i.e. Freeview) TV Rip-Off?