Need help with buying tv

[notanidea]

I am going through a difficult time and I want to buy a TV to hang in the bedroom.I was so engrossed with so many different things that I didnot notice that the LCD was not working and have not watched TV for a long time. I want to buy a plasma/LCD TV to treat myself and to get some life back.

While friends with home cinema systems used to swear by the Panasonic Plasma TVs, they are now as positive about LCD.

Something coming out now, which should also be "in the running" are TVs using LEDs. Some have LEDs and LCD (LEDs to provide the brightness) while others might be LED only.

I know your need is for the bedroom, but for general points about flat screen TVs, one consideration is the speed it takes to draw and there can be delays of 2 milliSeconds, 5 mS and up to 8 mS.

Won't matter for lots of watching, but you might notice if the TV is of the slowest speed (8 mS) and you want to watch some sport (eg Tennis) where the ball may blur or streak noticeably. Go for 5 mS or faster if you expect to watch 'fast moving' items.

Are you looking for Freeview or FreeSat (I'm guessing Freeview if you have a socket already), so the big question is about the size of TV you are after... and what sort of budget you have?

If you have a local store, Richer Sounds does have bargains from time to time and while it is often a fairly hot stuffy shop with all the lights and so on, you could find it worth a visit (or check website).

I need tv to hang on the wall do you think 32 inch will be ok. Budget would be less than 800

Started an answer earlier, concerning wall brackets, then thought about using a Freeview or FreeSat box to record shows while watching some live TV, then wondered whether you had considered playing radio and switching the TV off (ie using Freeview or FreeSat to get one of the many radio services via digital), whether it be BBC R1 Xtra, 6 Music, Five Live, Radio 7, JazzFM [ironic name, not on FM at all], LBC, etc, etc...

Then whether you have an iPod or iPhone and would want to dock that to play music through bigger speakers...

Just spotted LoveFilm offers video streaming direct to some Sony and Samsung TVs...

So many options, so many questions...

Have not mentioned the TV again, yet, but was looking at 32" High Def LCDs from under 300 quid to LED sets at 600+ and then wanted to remind you that FreeSat offers more radio channels and a number of HD channels which would be suitable for the new TV (why not get most out of it)...

So off the top of my head, here would be my possible shopping list:

1. ~350 LCD HD TV
2. ~150 Freeview box with record facility
3. ~ 50 DVD + USB player
4. ~100 sound system

You might find a local dealer that will bundle a CD/FM/DAB mini HiFi and speakers if you were getting the Freeview PVR and TV from them, and getting them to fit too. Add on a cheap(er) DVD player from Comet / Asda / Tesco / Lidl / whomever, and just be sure you have a spare HDMI and / or spare SCART input for the TV.

Add on 100 for fitting, so the TV is flush against the wall, with power, HDMI, SCART and aerial (through duct sunk in the wall) so after plastering, then painting or wallpaper, there would just be a neat box somewhere (say 2 feet below TV) with cables coming out to go into mains, DVD / Freeview etc.

At a later stage if you wanted higher quality you could consider a Blu-ray DVD player, and/or satellite, as there should be many more High Def channels on Satellite in the long run.

Sorry so lengthy, just so many possible things you could consider. Apologies if you're thinking 's*d that, I just want a good TV'.

Many LCDs are 8 to 12 Kg, and do get a bit warm, but Plasma get warmer... LED are low on power consumption, but newer technology so at the expensive end for now.

Exactly - was after a TV. But thanks for your answer.

I have decided to buy a LED TV.How much do youthink this will cost?

What is the difference between free view and freesat?

What does the live streaming to the TV mean?

I would want a DVD player and if bluray is the best and I will go for it.

I prefer sony - the tv in my sitting room is 14 years old sony and still working well.

No guess for thinking I would not have iphone.

"What does the live streaming to the TV mean?"

If you ever view video clips from YouTube or BBC iPlayer, 'Demand Five', ITV.com, 4 on Demand (4oD) or SeeSaw (to name a few possibles you've used / heard of) then you will have been using the internet to 'stream' a lot of data to your computer to play the video / audio.

When you download a programme (whether video or audio), you can usually only start 'playing' it once it has finished downloading.

iPlayer from the BBC offers both options, for some TV shows. Others cannot be downloaded, but have to be streamed from the BBC servers.

'Live streaming' from the BBC would mean watching a TV show when it is being broadcast at the same time on satellite and Freeview, or for radio shows, while it goes out on AM or FM and various digital transmissions.

In the case of LoveFilm or some other web sites, it would mean that you could use your TV to connect direct to the LoveFilm servers and play some film (assuming you have paid a membership fee). The film would not be saved on your PC (your PC could be off completely, as the TV would need to be connected to your internet router by cable or wireless (sorry, I am assuming a cable connection on the TVs for now).

It would open up choice to the whole library of a video service like LoveFilm without waiting for a DVD to be sent in the post.

I will see if I can find out about Sony TVs - they were mentioned on the LoveFilm site, but I don't yet know if they do any models using LEDs.

For DVD, not all films are out on Blu-ray and the DVDs are sometimes double the price but while part of the 'plus' of Blu-ray is picture quality, the other part is the sound.

A PC often just has a pair of speakers, or a pair of speakers and a sub-woofer [sometimes shown as 2.1] If you move on to Home Cinema, you will see 5.1 and even 7.1 - extra pairs of speakers and another centre speaker for mid range frequencies.

Blu-ray is often 5.1 and sometimes 7.1 so would possibly be better suited to the lounge, where you would not wake neighbours with the rumble or crash of an action movie (the sound system would make an earthquake sound and possibly feel real if the sub-woofer is doing the job with bass sounds).

Therefore would suggest only spending 50 to 100 for a Blu-ray player for a bedroom (eg at Richer Sounds) unless you are going to add some sound system to get the benefits of the higher quality DVD recording (video and audio).

Freeview v Freesat

Both offer a larger range of channels than old terrestrial service, Freeview offers less than 100, FreeSat may offer many more, but some will be shopping channels and not entertainment so adding choices but of lower value/ interest.

TV channels from BBC etc are regional, so if there is some health programme you hear about on BBC North East (and you are in London, or Devon) you could probably still find it and watch it live, as the satellite is broadcasting all the regional services where Freeview only broadcasts a single regional channel.

More radio channels on FreeSat. Some are only on FreeSat not Freeview.

Higher initial cost (unless you already have a dish for Sky) to get FreeSat as it needs to be installed. You have the option of getting FreeSat from Sky, as a complete package for about 175 installed, I think.

Freeview just uses the standard co-axial cable the same as older TVs use and linking to different rooms can be done fairly cheaply. TV amplifiers can feed a signal from your aerial on the chimney to 3 (or more if you get different amplifier) rooms.

Satellite can be fed to multiple rooms but if you plan to do this, then the unit on the end of the 'arm' for the satellite dish can have 1, 2, 4, even 8 cables attached (need to talk to installer - easy if not using Sky - not sure whether a Sky installer would be willing to fit other LNB units, because Sky charges extra for 'multi room' facility).

FreeSat receivers can be bought in any shop, Sky box is free for first unit but any extra rooms have additional starting and monthly costs.

High Definition channels

Freeview is just starting to add HD channels so there are new HD Freeview boxes coming out. There will always be only a limited number of HD channels on Freeview because the frequencies available are limited (adjoining regions need different channels to prevent interference). On FreeSat, you can buy HD FreeSat boxes easily.

If you use Sky, they have many more HD channels but charge an extra monthly fee for HD, and some HD channels might only be available if you subscribe to particular sets of channels eg Discovery would not be included in Entertainment or Music, so would require a higher subscription (assume up to 50 pounds a month for HD and multi-room options on top of entertainment, music and films).

Sorry - just wanted to clarify - you can opt for only the FreeSat channels while using a Sky box and having Sky arrange installation, but if you wanted lots of High Def TV channels, Sky has more than FreeSat, charges for HD, and charges for extra rooms, so once you have chosen a Sky package, you'd be forced to pay an extra monthly fee to cover having an HD box and if you had another room served with Sky, that also has an extra monthly fee.

If you had satellite cabling into 2 or 3 rooms, you could then buy a couple of HD boxes (for suitable 32" screens, say) and use a 'standard definition' box (cheaper) with an older TV.

You'd also have the option of choosing whether to go for boxes with recording system in them, or just buy one at first and upgrade later. Sky would be less flexible/ more costly for you to have a mix of Sky+ and Sky+ HD.

Finally, remember that FreeSat only costs for the box and installation - no monthly fees to consider afterwards.

Sony Bravia TVs can now apparently access BBC's iPlayer if they're connected to a home internet connection. They already support a few other things like YouTube.

What does that mean?

Well you can access and watch things without needing a computer to do it for you, they appear straight on your TV.

A bit of Sony news (15/09) just for you

beaten by BP... should have checked if there had been any other comments before adding last post...

Sony Bravia KD132EX401 under 330 pounds in store at Richer Sounds (32" LCD with Freeview built in). Might be worth a look. (I had e-mail from Richer Sounds and this was among the items being promoted, so go and see the TV in your nearest store ASAP if you may be interested, rather than find they are sold out [and web price is not as low].)

thanks network guy. I will go around and see this weekend. They have sony bluray disc playwer as well.

Hi Networkguy

Been to currys,comet and ritcher sounds.

I need LCD TV with internet live streaming sony bravia 403/503 model is what we are thinking of buying.We have opted to buy from john lewis as they have 5 years warranty.

I am just worried regarding wall mounting this cant believe they charge 90 -150 pounds depending on who you ask.

Your comments welcome

90 to 150 is pretty usual, unfortunately, but you may find a 1-man/2-man firm (rather than the big national chains) will do a better job, sinking the cables into the wall for a plasterer to cover over and make a neat job with just some sockets at a place you find convenient for any extra boxes, like Blu-ray.

I put 100 for fitting in my (much) earlier post because I know Asda, Comet, etc seem to have prices from about 75 to 200 (obviously it will probably need 2 men to lift a 60" TV, and given the cost of the TV, a good idea not to DIY), but even the wall mount may be 50 to 100 quid depending on whether it has an arm to allow TV to be swivelled for better viewing angle...

It is why I am kicking myself I didn't get a 'clearance sale' stand from Argos a couple of years ago (no flat screen TV here yet!) which was heavy duty and would have supported up to a 50" TV (I would look for 37"-42" rather than 50" but it would allow a big safety margin on weight).

If it is going to cost much over 100 quid, then I would look at something like this unit from Ikea

I have also seen a few listed on Ebay, but it really depends on being close to a seller.

Alternatively you might be able to replace some existing storage unit and put clothes in (presumably higher than existing) storage like this unit on Ebay at about 75 quid including delivery from Stockport.

If I had the spare cash I would be getting it now for the main bedroom here, for when I have FreeSat and a big TV !

for my ha'pennies worth ..... Blu Ray is a big con IMO as is HDTV ..... picture is not significantly better and is in no way value for money.

Movies on demand cost twice as much and the blu ray discs are very expensive too.

I just ebay'd my blu ray and replaced it with an amstrad DVD player that cost a tenner! it just annoyed me seeing the thing sitting there and feeling conned!

I think JL is worth using for the 403 model, or look at item 230905791 ( Sony model KDL32EX43 ) which is 599 but includes Blu-ray DVD player and is about half the thickness, so although it has same v3 Bravia video 'engine' it seems likely to have more modern electronics than the 403 or 503.

The 503 is about 50-60 quid cheaper in Richer Sounds (even paying the extra for 5 year guarantee at RS), and given the starting price at RS is around 440 quid, I'd question the extra for the guarantee - things are moving faster and faster and I don't know if extended guarantees can be transferred but in 2-3 years you could probably sell the 503 for 250-300 pounds towards some newer model, and before the 503 is very old and needing any repairs.

Bottom line from my pov, is to get the 503 with 100 Hz for better picture, at RS, without extra warranty (and separate Blu-ray DVD), spending about 450 for the TV... upgrade TV in 2-3 years.

or get the KDL32EX43 with Blu-ray player and 5 year warranty at JL for 600

Thanks for the input on Blu-ray. I knew they charge more for DVDs but not having a player, had not known extra costs without major quality difference.

Download cost related to extra data volume so may be reasonable in all fairness.

As for HDTV - I think if you go past 32" then there will be material that does look better. It is getting to the stage where HD is becoming common on quite a number of channels, though as I have no big screen, nor HD capability, I am unable to comment from personal experience.

(But a friend owns a hi-fi/ Home Cinema shop so they keep me up to date on what they recommend, and not just on making money, but what the two guys have at their own homes, so in family situations, not just audio/movie enthusiast viewpoints)