[southm]

I am looking for a 19 or 20" widescreen HD TV with intergrated DVD player. Both the Goodmans GTVL19W19HDV or the WharfedaleL1911W-C look interesting at about £300. Does anybody have any experience with either model or can anybody suggest a better alternative?

[Nigel Goodwin]

Both may well be identical sets?, both are just badges on cheap imports - but are you really, REALLY sure you want a TV with a built-in DVD player?. Generally the DVD player is going to fail long before the TV part does, and it really ruins the entire thing - easier to have a seperate DVD player and simply replace it when it fails.

[goodposter]

I agree with the post above. I know someone who purchased a projector with dvd built in. The dvd drive went like a few days after his warenty and now he's stuck with a bulky projector.

[southm]

Sounds like good advise. Was intending to buy a combined machine just to keep clutter down in the bedroom but suspect you are right.

I've had another surf and the Panasonic and Sony TVs seem to be getting the best write-ups.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by southm

Sounds like good advise. Was intending to buy a combined machine just to keep clutter down in the bedroom but suspect you are right.

I've had another surf and the Panasonic and Sony TVs seem to be getting the best write-ups.

Perhaps no coincidence that they are the two leading brands?.

Sony is the top brand, Panasonic second - I think Toshiba may be third? - and could be worth a look, but watch out for the smaller Toshiba's (they are just cheap Vestels).

[goodposter]

Review sites tend to put pioneer and sharp with sony as the top brands.

[iDan]

Argos are hideously overpriced.

Comet and Currys have sets at the same price with Freeview built in too!

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodposter

Review sites tend to put pioneer and sharp with sony as the top brands.

I'm talking all electronics not just LCD/Plasma, and certainly Sharp aren't anywhere near the same league as Sony (much to Sharp's disgust!) - Pioneer are probably a smaller player than Sharp?, and personally have never impressed me.

Out of all the Sky HD boxes I've installed, the worst picture was on a Pioneer Plasma - most have been on Sony's, which have all been excellent, Sharp's are pretty good, and the Panasonics I've done have been very nice as well. I don't think I've ever actually installed on a 'cheap' set at all?, but I only get sent on the good jobs

The Pioneer perhaps didn't have very high resolution?, as some plasma's didn't.

[goodposter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

I'm talking all electronics not just LCD/Plasma, and certainly Sharp aren't anywhere near the same league as Sony (much to Sharp's disgust!) - Pioneer are probably a smaller player than Sharp?, and personally have never impressed me.

Out of all the Sky HD boxes I've installed, the worst picture was on a Pioneer Plasma - most have been on Sony's, which have all been excellent, Sharp's are pretty good, and the Panasonics I've done have been very nice as well. I don't think I've ever actually installed on a 'cheap' set at all?, but I only get sent on the good jobs

The Pioneer perhaps didn't have very high resolution?, as some plasma's didn't.

Well I haven't had any experiences with any of the brands as tvs are concerned. Obviously sharp are noway near sony when it comes to electronics in general I was talking about tvs.

I read a review the other day raving about a pioneer television (1080p) having the best picture they have ever seen.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodposter

I read a review the other day raving about a pioneer television (1080p) having the best picture they have ever seen.

I tend to take reviews with a pinch of salt - good reviews often tend to be accompanied by a large advert from the manufacturer getting the good review!.

I've seen reviews in the past, with identical products (with different badges on), one product gets a great review, the other was poor - but the good review had a large advert in the magazine. Both items well completely identical, made in the same factory, on the same production line - the only difference was the badge stuck on the front.

It may well be true about the Pioneer though?, but don't take someone else's word for it (particularly someone who may be paid to say that) - look yourself and make up your own mind.

[goodposter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin

I tend to take reviews with a pinch of salt - good reviews often tend to be accompanied by a large advert from the manufacturer getting the good review!.

I've seen reviews in the past, with identical products (with different badges on), one product gets a great review, the other was poor - but the good review had a large advert in the magazine. Both items well completely identical, made in the same factory, on the same production line - the only difference was the badge stuck on the front.

It may well be true about the Pioneer though?, but don't take someone else's word for it (particularly someone who may be paid to say that) - look yourself and make up your own mind.

Good point, companies like BOSE have been known to offer free equiptment or money if the review is positive.