Page 1 of Help.. Advice needed widescreen TVs

Could someone please help me....

I have just purchased a Sony STRDe875 amp, and NS400 DVD player with the Mission M72 Surround speaker package (with a Kef sub). My tv is an 8yr old Hitachi 4.3 ratio, so obviously I have a letter box appearance with DVDs so I am looking at upgrading it to a 32 inch widescreen and would appreciate some advice.

I have looked at the Sony KV32FQ75 but have ben put off by some recent posts. I don`t want to spend a fortune on a Tv that comes with extra speakers that I wouldn`t use because I have got them already, I basically need a really good monitor. Also Does anyone know when they are going to start phasing out analogue transmissions, because it is pointless spending £1250+ on a tv that will become obselete when digital tv is prevelant. Having said that digital tvs that are available now seem hideously expensive and after having spent £1200 already I cannot justify it to "she who must be obeyed".

So is the FQ75 good or are there other makes models out there that are better. Ideally I need one with a large stand so that I can fit all the differnet components underneath (amp, dvd, vid, sat and M72 centre spkr).

Any help greatly appreciated.....Cheers

Richard

Well, I`ve just ordered a Panasonic 32DK1 - Nicam only, not fully flat screen, but £512 from QED-uk.com - arrives Friday. Good feedback from owners on this forum. I decided against the digital thing, mainly because of budget, but also because I have heard that it will be at least 6 years before the switch off happens (apparently there has to be a certain level of takeup before they can do it), and let`s face it, by that time a set top box will be either free or very nearly (as they will want to force everyone over to digital).
I think you either need to nail a budget down, or look at what features you want. I guess the main decision is whether you go for 50 or 100Hz.

Every time I wander into comet, dixons etc I cannot help but think that sony still kick all asses when it comes to picure quality. I read naysayers who repeat on these forums that sony have long lost their crown but I suspect these are all Mr Magoo wannabes who would be as well with a black and white portable.
Do not pay `over the odds` for a sony however. There are some bargains to be had out there. Macro had some good deals on sony tvs quite recently. A 32 inch can be had for under £1000.
Good luck searching.

Hey Richard,

I have the Philips 28PW6515 with flat widescreen and vitual dolby surround sound. Comet and places like that have it for over £650 but lastminute.com have it at £500 incl free delivery and I believe 5 yrs free guarantee. Also, if you find a shop selling the TV you want get Debenhams or John Lewis to match the price and they will chuck in 5 yrs guarantee for free. The TV is very good, even tho it is not a 32". Digital TV cannot come in for ages. Apparantly about 90% of the population will have to have digital TV before they can and considering people keep their TVs for over 5 yrs it wont be happening anytime soon.

Also, for anyone after the Toshiba SD210E www.be-direct.co.uk have it multi-region for £175 and free delivery. They also chuck in 3 free DVDS. But if you want to be cheeky, Richer Sounds are sposed to beat this by £10 - so u could in effect blag it for £165 and three free DVDS!!!!!

This item was edited on Tuesday, 20th November 2001, 11:34

Indeed, i still hold my judgement in good faith when i say that Sony have lost the magic touch with their tv range. My old manager bought a 36" Philips flatscreen tv(on my recommendation-he had the cash!), which we both auditioned against the comparable Sony set. Woe betide anyone who looks at the same two tv`s and tells me the Sony is better. Put simply, manufacturers have woken up, and stopped being threatened by the big S. Philips now make one of the best line of tv`s on the market, Toshiba stick two fingers up and eschew sleek design in favour of awesome picture quality and being the only mass market manufacturer to offer component video inputs on their sets. Then we`ve got Hitatchi who make some of the best sounding tv`s ever, complete with picture (progressive scan on their latest sets), then there`s Panasonic who continue to produce excellent and highly regarded product. And all this at reasonable prices. Sony DO make a nice tv, but nothing so stunning as to make me pick one of their sets over a rival one. With all this choice, it`d be stupid to go for the `dependable brand`.

Ooooh im picky! (just my own opinion, so please don`t get offended anyone!)

Westy

Thanks for all the input, definately food for thought.

One more question, is there a big difference between 50Hz and 100Hz scan, and can you still but 50Hz scan tvs? Is is worth paying the extra £000s.

Thanks again

Richard

Do broadcasts actually take advantage of 100 hz screens? I suspect they do not. Remember cinema film images only change 24 times in one second. On that basis you really only need a 24 hz TV for maximum cinematic quality!