I'm looking at getting a new decent HD TV but don't want to pay for unnecessary functions - do I need 100Hz etc.

As my viewing distance is about 9 ft - I think this means a 32'' or 37''. From the posts here, it seems Sony or Panasonic are the way to go and at this size a good LCD is my best option

I would use the TV for SD on cable eg sport, films etc, some HD via Virgin media V+ and pre- recorded DVDs including region 1, and DVDs from my 3 yr old Pioneer 420H Recorder. I do not use games or have a HD recorder - not until situation settles.

Any advice on how these models fit the bill - not 1080p but I'm not sure I need it?

Panasonic TX32LXD70, TX32LXD700, TXL32LMD70,
TX37LZD70

Sony KDL32D3000, KDL32V2000, KDL32V3000

Will any of these upscale my current DVDs or do I need a new recoder - possibly from a home cinema system?

Any advice will be much appreciated.
Phil99

They all upscale SD signals, if they don't the picture won't fill the screen. However, upscaling is only SD, it doesn't give you HD, or anything approaching it.

All are good sets from top manufacturers, you really need to go and see which ones you like.

Go Panasonic make sure it's 100Hz. I chose Panasonic after much research

I had panasonic. It blew up on me!

I recommend Sony.

Although I'm very pro-Sony, being a Sony service agent, I wouldn't dismiss Panasonic on a single incident.

Everything goes wrong, in order to get meaningful statistics you need a decent sample size, and one obviously isn't it

As far as I'm aware, Panasonic have similar high reliability to Sony?, and if they had major concerns we would hear about it through the trade - as we did with the Panasonic DVD/HDD recorder PSU problems (and as Panasonic dealers heard about the Sony/Samsung/Toshiba VCR memory problems). TV dealers don't live in little bubbles, we talk and discuss about any problems that might be occurring, or even what might be looking like a problem.

panasonic 37"

Thanks for the advice - it does seem that they all have decent picture quality and sound and you have confirmed I am on the right lines. The prices vary a lot - the Panasonic 37 LCD being most expensive at £860 minimum as it is
1080p.

Do I need 100 Hz and which of these TVs (not all 100Hz) suit my needs best as I am not a gamer or likely to get much HD input unless HD players/recorders become cheaper.

Thanks
Phil99

i doubt you will notice the difference between a 100hz and a 50hz TV, i dont.

I would get the 37" Panasonic Plasma, unless you NEED the 1080p, should save you a few hundred

i certainly did when i compared them side by side - 100hz is a must if you plan top watch sports, in my opinion, best to go to a store with a decent range and get them to show the same program on each (pref directly using the DTT tuner so you know the source is similar quality).

I got the TX32LXD70 for what it's worth, as I don't have any kit which would feed a 1080p source anyway (and don't plan to in the near future, probably go for Sky HD as & when the price settles)

What were the Panasonic DVD/HDD recorder PSU problems? I have one that's about three years old that doesn't work......could it be related to that?

The most common symptom is that they just say 'checking drives' and go no further, but obviously being totally dead is another symptom - as are various 'strange' occurances.

Theres a lot about it on AVforums.