View Full Version : Anyone up on their HDTVs?
My parents dropped a nice bombshell saying they're looking to get a HDTV this week. My Xbox 360 nearly fell over. They like the look of this Sony Bravia (http://www.johnlewis.com/Audio+and+TV/Televisions/Televisions/LCD+TV/1284/230413889/Product.aspx). A quick look at the specs and it doesn't do the super hires HD mode for the 360. Theres so many various things. 720i or p and 1080i or p. I've got a nice 5.1 system setup so audio isn't an issue. I want my 360 to look good for now and not to choose the wrong TV.
Kell_ee001
09-07-2007, 23:11
That looks pwetty :)
/not helping, just saying :)
Women :p According to the Sony site it does do 1080i and AVForums seem positive. Think we'll be getting this.
leowyatt
09-07-2007, 23:23
I'd speak to Desmo, he picked up a sammy which does 1080p and is rather awesome :D
Well following this (http://www.boat-drinks.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4695) thread, I just got one of these (http://www.hdtvorg.co.uk/reviews/lcd/panasonic_tx32lxd700.htm) and it's superb, very highly rated and particularly good at displaying SD pictures which is an issue with a lot of LCDs.
The model they're looking at is reviewed here (http://www.hdtvorg.co.uk/reviews/lcd/Sony_KDL-32S2530.htm).
That site, http://www.hdtvorg.co.uk is worth a look, there's some good stuff on there. It's also worth a search on http://www.avforums.co.uk as well for the model number. I did it with the Panasonic before I made a final decision and am glad I did, it seems a well regarded model among the masses.
/edit, I was typing this when there was only Kelly's answer, hence the duplication of avforums :)
To start with, if they're looking to get a 32"er then don't bother with 1080p, it's just not worth is on a screen that size unless you're only sitting a foot away :D
720p will still look great on the Xbox as 99% of games are 720p anyway and just get scaled up to 1080p for those sets.
So, any HD Ready set will be fine. These will be 1366x768.
I don't know much about Sony sets TBH, but you generally can't go wrong.
However, there sets just as good but for less money, so depends on how tight a budget they're on.
I've got a thing for Samsung stuff at the moment so you could take a look at this...
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=17454
or here... http://www.rgbdirect.co.uk/Referrer.asp?SKUNumber=104797
Or you can get the Sony for far cheaper here...
http://www.rgbdirect.co.uk/Referrer.asp?SKUNumber=104797
or here... http://empiredirect.co.uk/content/products/details/index~modelcode~SON-KDL32S2510U.htm
They like John lewis's due to the 5 yr warrenty. Unfortunately because my Mum's disabled my Dad can't pop to a store and get them to price match with Empire Direct. I'm going to visit a store and see what I can do though because its a good saving. The review of that Panny looks good. Its £529 ish at Empire Direct too. If I can some how get John Lewis to help us out on this, price match and let my Dad by over the phone then I may go with that one. Its £849 at JL!
Panasonic keep extending their 'free five year warranty' offer, I believe it's currently still being included :) so it's worth checking.
John lewis price match :)
Visited JL today. I was quite shocked at how bad SD looks on a LCD. The Panny did look a bit better than the Sony. I assume they were all on factory defaults and if so the Panny did have nicer colours. I must admit its odd to demo HDTV's using a SDTV signal. We can get it for £699 price matched with another local Empire Direct store.
I was quite shocked at how bad SD looks on a LCD.
Depends on what feed they were using in store. It's quite common, for some reason, to feed TV's absolute ****e. With a good feed and the right settings, LCD's can show a good SD picture.
Depends on what feed they were using in store. It's quite common, for some reason, to feed TV's absolute ****e. With a good feed and the right settings, LCD's can show a good SD picture.
This is very true. Also, bear in mind you're *probably* going to be stood only a couple of feet away from an LCD, at least in currys etc - well you are in the ones around here. They don't leave much room for viewing other than around the 50" screens. The 32-40" ones are all nicely(?) arranged in rows so you can *just* fit... two people one in front of the other in.
SD feeds on HDTVs DO look utter cack. IF you're stood close. However, get a decent/normal viewing distance away and in many cases, it's hard to tell the difference.
I have a Tosh WLT66 and it's not the best in the world, but from where I sit to watch it it's every bit as good at SD as the old CRT looked. I generally only use it for DVDs/Xbox 360 though. I have an upscaling DVD player... and I've never tried it NOT upscaling. Can't imagine it looking bad.
Due to our room design we sit about 5 feet away, possibly a bit more. My parents will be using it the most and we'll have the old TV in the front room if need be. Most of the stuff I watch can be obtained in HD, I just need a box to process it as the Xbox using XBMC isn't powerful enough. My parents will probably use the TV more than me and they won't be that fussed :)
TV arrived on Wednesday. Oh wow! Sky looks fine on a SD signal. Occasionally I spot some artifacts but its fine. The 360 is stunning. It was clearly meant for HD. I was playing the demo of Project Syphleed and it was a little easier to see things and just stunning. Ace Combat looks amazing too. I wanna run out and buy new games just to see the gfx.
What set did you go for in the end?
Oh yeah :) The Panasonic 32LXD700. I viewed the Sony and Panny side by side and the Panny did look better. From the couch its great.
Del Lardo
20-07-2007, 11:24
Peter it could be worth getting a little doobry that will upscale the RGB Scart output from the Sky box to component video as this will improve the Sky SD video quality. Think they are around £80 though my Uncle may have one laying around as he's recently changed to Virgin HD, can ask if you want.
Hmmm £80 is a bit expensive really. My parents are happy enough with it and watch Sky more than me. When I switch my brain off its good enough :) I've yet to try my XBMC setup through scart. Is component better than scart? I've currently got my 360 through component but I could put that through VGA and use XBMC through component if its worth doing.
You can push HD signals down component, if XBMC can produce it anyway.
Annoyingly from what I've read the old Xbox doesn't have the processing power for HD content. Annoyingly too, my A64 system doesn't seem to either at 1366 x 768. Need to buy an Intel Mac Mini some day. Very annoying having a HDTV and no HD content :(
Admiral Huddy
20-07-2007, 12:13
John Lewis are advertising a Sumsung 37" 1080 TFT for £1,099 with 5 years free warrantee.. and they are never knowingly undersold.. :)
It's a lot of money for a TV.
Admiral Huddy
20-07-2007, 12:21
it is really.. I'll wait.. I'm sure the same model in 6 month will be £300 cheaper.
leowyatt
20-07-2007, 12:25
You can probably get the same model for around £800 off the web.
JL priced matched with Empire Direct's local store for me. We saved about £150. Shame they didn't price match with their site because that would have been another £150 saving.
my Uncle may have one laying around as he's recently changed to Virgin HD, can ask if you want.
I'd be very interested in that if it's available as I have the same telly and am using RGB through the scart from my Sky box.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/ref=pe_pe_11221_6983031_pe_15/?ASIN=B000NXU6VC
That similar to yours Feekles?
No Daz, I have the 700, the same model I suggested Pete got - Linked in post 5 in this thread.
I have a panasonic too, it's a good brand tbh. I have seen the one Feekles recommended for £799 at the place I got mine, no idea if that's a good price or not though as I was looking at smaller TVs. I know mine was a bargain but I think their prices can vary depending on exact model and availibility.
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