I will be getting rid of my 28" CRT which has served me well and want to buy a new flat screen for putting on the wall and freeing up some clutter in the bedroom.

I was thinking that a 26" might be sufficient. The TV will be used for watching Sky and Freeview through and DVD's along with playing a Wii. Analogue TV will rarely be used, it at all. So, important things are good picture quality for Sky and Freeview SD broadcasts and maybe room for expansion later if I decide to save even more space and use it with my PC for general use and/or any HD programming I might download online, although this is not necessarily a definite.

I would like to purchase it out of Argos as I have been given vouchers for Christmas which will bring the price of the TV down by £125. Does anyone currently use something around the 26" size and can let me know what sort of pictures the TV gives and how much they would roughly cost. Thanks.

Paddy

Apparently this and it's 32" brother are getting good reviews. Anyone have one? What do you think of it?

Paddy

If you avoid the Bush, Grundig and Acoustic Solutions models then you can't go far wrong with the remaining makes. I have a 26" Samsung set, with which I am happy.

You would need an external Freeview box with that one.

How much was your Samsung? Where did you get it? What's the model number?

Paddy

aparently some of the samsung models get some slightly adverse press due to the quality of the built in speakers. i havent heard them myself but am simply adding this point as a consideration particularly when using the set in a bedroom as it is unlikely that an external speaker set up will be added. there are plently of threads on here about that issue. but as always the advice is to try before you buy.

People are always quick to praise a Samsung, thats the first time I've ever read a cautious remark on one!

I have heard some good reports on the Acoustic Solutions 26" and 32" models currently in Argos for £229 and £349 respectively. I'm just wondering how much smaller a 26" LCD would be compared to a 28" CRT, is it just a bit smaller, or would they roughly be the same size compared to the smaller visible screen size on a CRT. I'm not that up to speed on these things!

Paddy

It's not just 'cautious', the sound on many Samsung's is absolutely rubbish! - make sure you listen to one first, and that you're happy with the sound.

Where is the best place to "try before you buy" then? Most electrical shops have them showing their own proomo loop and sound, so you can't really get a feel of what the TV is like to use before you buy it.

Paddy

*bump*

Paddy

I'm looking to spend about £300 or so on a screen. Does anyone have any recommendations on a set that gives acceptable SD pictures for Sky and Freeview? It will eventually be used with a HD console, possibly a PS3 for the blu-Ray aspect alone.

Paddy

I'm looking for a cheap LCD now as i have a sky HD offer and would like to take advantage!
I want something as cheap as possible, probably 26" due to budget and it is only for the bedroom.
I've seen the Acoustic Solutions LCD25850HD in Argos but can't find any reviews that help.

Anyone got one or anyone able to suggest something similar for no more than £300?
I'm gonna have a look in Argos tomorrow at the picture quality etc if there's one on display but why do people say to avoid AS?

Paddy, what did you end up with? Any advice?

Thanks

My advice would be if you've got £ 300 to spend, then you're best off spending to that limit.

There's nothing fundamentally wrong with any of the 'unbranded' TVs - e.g. AS, Bush, Matsui (Dixons), Technika (Tesco) et al.

The picture / sound quality probably isn't as good as a 'premium brand' i.e. Panasonic, Sony, Samsung - but then again you aren't paying Sony / Samsung / Panasonic prices.

There is some debate about reliability - some other posters on the board will automatically state that such products are less reliable, however you have to bear in mind a couple of factors

- there are no 'independent' industry standard reliability figures in the public domain

- if you added together the sales of all the 'unbranded' sets, the chances are the volumes sold are higher than any one single brand, so in that context you would expect to see more failures, because more are sold. Whether proportionally more 'unbranded' TVs fail than branded sets - who knows ? You'll get alot of hearsay evidence, but you'll need to make your own mind up.

From my own experience I have an elderly Matsui 14" tv which is now well over 15 years old and has never had any problems and a 5 year old Panasonic 24" CRT which needed a repair after 2 years.

So you're going for sky hd and want the cheapest TV possible? Don't you want to see any of the extra quality the HD box provides? Just look around this forum...people who bought cheap LCDs are now seeing them blow up 14 months later. Acoustic solutions (!) rebadged rubbish will not do your HD box justice and will likely depart this earth shortly after its guarantee expires.

Get a Sony/Panasonic or a Samsung/LG at the very least.

Samsung a premium brand?

Dunno about 'premium' (I'd save that tag for Sony, Panasonic and Pioneer as far as flat panel TV's go) but they do make decent enough TV's and monitors these days.

My 2232bw monitor gives a fantastic picture and the technology for an LCD TV is much the same isn't it?

I don't own one myself but I suspect I'd be happy enough with a Samsung set ....

I do own a samsung set this one.

http://www.directtvs.co.uk/Samsung_3...DX/version.asp

No complaints the picture is very good,and it also won 5 stars (maximum) from what hi sound and vision,who i doubt would not give it 5 stars for nothing.

Altogether a very good set at a bargain price,i did check out sony and other brands but found this one very adequate for my needs ..

The person installing mine said he does a lot of samsungs,and they are very good.

i'm a tv engineer, I see tv's all day.

I have a Samsung PS42c7HDX which has now been superceded by a PS42q97HDX

I know the size is OTT for what the o/p needs but I chose this tv after seeing it in customers homes. It gives a very good, CRT like picture and is excellent on ps3/sky hd.

Samsung may not be a "premium" make in some peoples eyes but the do give a "premium" picture.

Having said that, if £300 is your max budget I would suggest this LG

http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...&pid=LG-27LC2R

is a reasonable buy.

Don't buy from Comet. Currys etc.
Just buy one from a supermarket and take the 3 year warranty, about £90. It used to be free warranty but they now charge.

The major companies above don't want to know you if a problem happens.

I bought a Grundig 32" LCD freeview TV 3 weeks ago from Tesco. Picture quality on Sky was poor, phoned customer services. Just return it to store for a full refund including delivery. What great service.

I have 2 19" LCD TV's and a 32" LCD freeview TV from ASDA and have had no problems. Just keep the packaging in the loft, you need this for a refund.

Sorry but I have to disagree, if you read some of the threads on here relating to supermarket branded tv's you will see the life expectancy is'nt great.

The general opinion is, you get what you pay for.

Or you could, you know, just buy a decent one to start with, rather than lining crappy extended warranty companies' pockets.