Page 1 of 37" Plasma, 36"CRT or 32" LCD under £2000 television required!!!

I am going to buy a new television shortly and I am undecided which one to choose. I watch a lot of DVD movies, so I want a tele that gives the best quality picture with this source. The following qualities are required:

1. A Brand with a good reliability record.
2. Must have Component Input.
3. HDMI & PC input is not essential but will be an advantage.
4. A matching stand is required as I will not be hanging the tele on the wall.
5. The package must be stylish to Justify the price & impress family/friends.
6. Must have freeview built in.
7. Must be under £2000..

I would like to hear from those who have recently purchased plasma, LCD & CRT teles. I may discount CRTs because of flickering on progressive scan plus the sheer bulk/weight.

What are the pros & cons of each type? :/

This item was edited on Saturday, 16th April 2005, 15:25

The Hitachi 42" PD5200 scrapes in under that price if you buy on line - comes with a table-top stand and speakers, but no freeview, although might be worth considering buying a freeview box if you dont have sky/cable.

You can see the difference side-by side with the smaller 36/37" in the same range.

Update - bought mine here www.flatdeal.com/42pd5200.htm?dealtime - no problems, and now likes like they`re giving away a free 17" LCD.

This item was edited on Sunday, 17th April 2005, 08:00

Most companies offer only 1yr manufactures warranty and then sell you extended warranties.
John Lewis stores not only price mtch high street prices but also give a 5yr warranty as standard, and you deal with them and not a third party.
When I have done comparisons in the past (internet & high strret) John Lewis always is the best buy.
A guy at work his Sony television went wrong 2 weeks before his 5yr warranty expired with John Lewis. John Lewis collect the television, 2 days later replaced it with a new television.
That`s what I call service which is rare these days in the UK.

carefull on that one mate.

the john lewis down my way seems to be changing there repairs policys and warranty periods so check on that one.

Ever watched sport on a plasma or LCD?

ha ha ha!

Give me a break.

Wait until the technology is sorted my friend.

You still cannot get better than a crt for picture quality.

No arguments.

Quote:
Ever watched sport on a plasma or LCD?

ha ha ha!

You`ve not been watching the right ones! Or looking in Comet???

Absolute tosh! Get a decent one that`s set up right and you`ll be amazed. Plus if you`ve got a load of mates round, you`re not all huddled round a poxy size screen.

You`ll get a 37" Panasonic Viera plasma for under £2k. My g/f`s dad has one and all he watches is sport and movies. It will meet all your requirements bar HDMI...and that`s not really something to worry about for the average joe yet for a few years...

This item was edited on Monday, 18th April 2005, 09:12

Sport can look a bit off, but it is usually the fault of the broadcaster - try a non-Premiership/Championship game on Sky, where the production facilities are limited.

Basically, a plasma/LCD is more likely to show up any shortcomings in the original signal due to the higher resolutions that they are capable of displaying - they don`t improve a poor original signal.

As for HDMI, a number of plasmas now come with a DVI connector which apparently will be suitable for Sky`s hi-def service if it has HDCP capability.

£2000 for a smeary pic in motion?

No thanks.

Get a bonkers good crt for a third of that and a projector if you want proper big for movies.

You know it makes sense.

Quote:
Get a bonkers good crt for a third of that and a projector if you want proper big for movies.

What about the cost of the extension? :o

Seriouly though, OP - go see some demos and make your own mind up. I went from a 32" Sony Wega (a stonking good CRT I think you`ll agree) to a 42" Panasonic plasma (now about £1100) and I`m well impressed. I`m not a big sport watcher, but when I do, there`s nothing wrong with it at all!! No smearing at all! Although I have seen that effect on inferior plasmas and I admit it is annoying.

Also, if you do go for a 36" CRT - the Panasonic (Tau range I think) and Toshiba (picture frame 3 series) are regarded as the best - but they are also known to have problems with motion blur because the technology is at its limits at 36". Also make sure you have 3 people to lift it!! I was in the same position as you a few months ago. I opted for plasma and the three sets I considered are: Panasonic PWD6 (NB screen only - cos I already have an AV set up), LG 42PX11 TV and Hitachi 42PD5200. All will be well within your budget. The latter two have DVI but only the Hitachi has 1024 x 768 resolution.

Go to AV Forums website and gen up!

This item was edited on Tuesday, 19th April 2005, 10:13

Sony have a multi-award winning 32" LCD with HDTV connections for £1500.00.
The hell with Plasma.

Here it is

http://www.unbeatable.co.uk/CatalogueItem_19782.html

Once you`re in the link,scroll down and you`ll see all the awards it`s won.

This item was edited on Tuesday, 19th April 2005, 12:22