Page 1 of Another "what telly to get" query

I`ve looked at other posts discussing this topic but some stuff isn`t always relevant to me so.......
My criteria is:
37" (LCD?)
Full HD
Freeview (HD?)
Won`t be using it for games, internet etc. just telly and DVDs so a decent picture please!
Don`t which of the various `bells and whistles`  I`ll need or use but I wouldn`t want to get a year down the line and think "I wish I`d got one with..."
Around £600?
I`ve been looking at Panasonics and Sonys, but wouldn`t discount others such as Samsung
Ta

This item was edited on Wednesday, 16th June 2010, 13:09

http://www.techradar.com/news/television/hdtv/top-10-best-37-inch-lcd-tvs-in-the-world-today-656837

That link kinda proves a lot of whats been said about online reviews, and surprising giving your own recent experiences and comments about my "favourite" manufacturer, Sony.
(and if anyone took me serious about it being favourite you need to find some of my previous posts!!)

Anyway, here is my list of what I would categorise most Manufacturers, if I miss one please feel free to add in anyone:

Absolute high end: Loewe, Bang and Olafsun (dunno if they are still in business though), couple of others I can`t even remember their names.

Premium:
Panasonic, Hitachi, Toshiba, Sony <koff>

Mid Range:
Samsung (at the top of, nearing premium status),Sharp, LG, Philips (supposedly premium but wouldn`t take it if it was free)

Budget: Unknown brands, Chinese clones, Supermarket "own" brands, Digitrex, Accoustic Solutions etc etc etc

Now, let`s look at the list from that link:

Sony KDL-37EX503
Sony KDL-37S5500
Philips 37PFL9604
LG 37LH7000
LG 37LG7000
Panasonic TX-P37X20
Toshiba 37XV635
Panasonic TX-L37S20B
Sony KDL-37W5800
Loewe Connect 37 Media

Are they really saying that out of the ten best in the WORLD three of them are Sony?
1 is a Philips?
2 LG?

I think everyone knows my own opinions of Sony and recently your own Bowf.
Then there`s  LG sets have had Freeview issues since the inception of Plasma and they always deny it. Even that article mentions it has the "usual freeview problems", but they still list them high?
One LG has "problems with SD content but performs well with HD input"..well, DUH! a £299 Supermarket branded LCD looks great with a decent HD feed and the right settings too (and no I`m not saying it outperforms a good branded, set up correctly unit with good levels of black n contrast.)

Go into a store. If you can, take a device capable of outputting either a damn good DVD image or a HD signal and ask if they mind you testing the sets you`re interested in.
There should be no problem and you can make the choice based on your OWN perception of the set.

`Course, again, I`m not saying web reviews aren`t a decent way to narrow down the options and esecially on reliability but I sure as hell wouldn`t take an online review site`s opinion over my own eyes.


Jimbo : oÞ

"Making Teenagers depressed is like shooting fish inna barrel"

Just got an Argos email too, this is a 42" and no idea how good or bad it is (but remember if you order online there`s the DSR to help ;) ) but for £400 might be worth a look as it fits the other categories.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5295889.htm

Jimbo : oÞ

"Making Teenagers depressed is like shooting fish inna barrel"

Quote:
Premium:
Panasonic, Hitachi, Toshiba, Sony <koff>

Mid Range:
Samsung (at the top of, nearing premium status),Sharp, LG, Philips (supposedly premium but wouldn`t take it if it was free)

I`d move Hitachi down to midrange.
I`d move Sharp down to budget, because IMO they`ve nothing going for them apart from price.
Samsung and LG are right up there with Panasonic/Toshiba/Sony these days, easily.
In fact, I`d probably downgrade Sony.
IMO, a lot of their sets trade on name only, they don`t perform that well at all.

I`d certainly consider sets from Panasonic/Samsung/LG/Philips (their 21:9 set is lovely)
I wouldn`t consider sets from Sony/Hitachi/Sharp or supermarket brands.

And I don`t think I`d ever consider Loewe/B+O, no matter how minted I was.
It`s just throwing money away for the sake of it.

This item was edited on Wednesday, 16th June 2010, 14:35

What about the new Sharp 4 colour system units?
LED backlit and the addition of yellow for a bigger colour gamut.

I wouldn`t disagree about moving Sony down but it`s an industry thing, they are a premium brand and probably always will be.
Hitachi are also pretty decent especially for their money. Mine will always remain on Panasonic but sorry mate, no matter how much you like them or the set you have, LG will never catch the big boys.
Samsung... possibly... they are close but IMHO LG will never get there (and remember, I like LG products but their reliability issues and their small flaws they deny are there is what will keep them in the mid-range area for many years to come.)
It took them about 15 years to get from Budget to mid range in the first place (ever heard of a company called Goldstar....?)

Jimbo : oÞ

"Making Teenagers depressed is like shooting fish inna barrel"

I did actually see that site before the link was posted on here... it`s kind of what prompted me to post on this forum!

Quote:
(ever heard of a company called Goldstar....?)

Yes, I`m aware LG stands (or stood) for Lucky Goldstar.
It put me off LG for years. :D
But the ever improving reviews took the blinkers off.
And their top range sets really are as good as anything.
Build quality is excellent, remote controls are backlit and very cool etc.etc.
I didn`t buy the LG because it was cheap, because it wasn`t.
I bought it because it was generally regarded as one of the best 42" around.

Can`t comment of their freeview performance, I don`t use it.
But HD and SD through SKY are superb.
Much much better than the 40" Sony I had before it, which was also a premium model.
A premium model with shocking backlight problems.... :(

This item was edited on Wednesday, 16th June 2010, 15:14

With regard to Sharp`s introduction of yellow to the RGB equation.
I can`t help thinking it`s a case of "this amp goes to 11" :D
But if the reviews for the telly were outstanding, I would consider Sharp.
I`m not really averse to any badge, if the product is the best around.
I wouldn`t even rule out Sony in future, to be honest.
Not if one of their tellies really fitted the bill.

Samsung as mid-range is pretty laughable to be honest.  Pictures are stunning and I think they`re easily making the best looking TV`s around at the minute.
I don`t think Toshiba TV`s have been classed as premium for a couple of years now.

Back to the OP, if at all possible, try to get a 40" screen.  That is the size at which the screen qualities all go up from the manufacturers.

Ste