I'm looking for recommendations on a big screen TV. I just got a reasonable bonus from work, and I'd like to blow it all in one go. Here's an idea of what I'm looking for:


- widescreen
- at least 30 inches
- maximum of £500, but I'd prefer about £400
- Not flat, a normal TV is fine
- Hopefully an optical (I think that's right) audio output, but not necessarily

Any ideas on TVs would be great, and the same for places to buy them. The temptation would be to go to somewhere like Dixons, but I doubt I'd get a good deal, or not get conned into buying a useless TV.

Susie, squinting at a 15 inch screen!

Try here (http://uk.pricerunner.com/sound-and-vision/vision/tv/browse?sort=5&saved_products=0&autofilter=on&search=&price_min=&price_max=&a_11=32.0&a_13=&a_15=Widescreen&a_14=&a_2709=&a_12=&a_2723=&a_16=&a_2724=&a_2725=)

Try looking in Cole Bros. They have a price promise so should match Dixons etc, and all TV's have a 5 year guarantee included. Excellent staff as well who don't give you the hard sell.
Also I've used and would recommend http://www.cramptonandmoore.co.uk/shop/
who are based in Sheffield.
I'd always recommend buying local for a big thing like a telly because it's a pain if you buy off the web and it's DOA (dead on arrival) or develops a fault and you got to ship it back etc.

Col

My advice is go for the flat screen. . . even if its a standard wide screen, you'll benefit ****-loads from a completley flat screen. .

For optical out, your lookin at 5.1 built in surround. . and I can second the crampton and moore stores. . . Used them shedloads to build me wires of specified design and purposes. . they definatley know their shi...

Anyway. . . thats my cheap to penneth. .

If your more interested in cheapness than brand name try a supermarket. They buy in bulk so prices are as cheap as you will find and as most CRTs are manufactured by one company the picture quality across TVs (unless you go for a 100Hz one) is pretty much the same :) Also supermarkets are paranoid about bad PR - if your telly dies on you they will often find it cheaper to replace than to suffer the bad of you telling people about their bad customer services :o

Asda Supermarkets do Widescreen Teles by some unknown make, not sure what size, but they are dirt cheap though.
Weather, they do them up your way, I'm unsure, but they do them in my local one Bexleyheath, Kent.

Alex

Someone I know bought a large Wharfedale TV from supermarket and it melted inside and almost caused a house fire. Upon returning the TV they were told by a shop assistant that lots of these had been returned for various faults but the product ended up been recalled because of the melting issue.

I don't think I would consider buying a cheap unproven brand of electrical equipment.

Originally posted by Lickszz
Someone I know bought a large Wharfedale TV from supermarket and it melted inside and almost caused a house fire. Upon returning the TV they were told by a shop assistant that lots of these had been returned for various faults but the product ended up been recalled because of the melting issue.

I don't think I would consider buying a cheap unproven brand of electrical equipment.

Well I got a "Compacks" dvd player from safeways last summer, and not only does it play everything (mp3, vcd, cd, dvd, jpeg, photocd etc) it also happily plays any 'pirated' dvd and any dvd from (it seems) any region.

Not bad for £35!!

Is that the one made by Sampo?

If so, they have got a good track record for budget items. IMO this budget DVD player you got Phan is a class above the typical supermarket bracket for the same price.

Thanks everyone for your help.

Now all I need is a base unit for it to stand on. Does anyone know where I could get something like that? I'd prefer somewhere online, as home delivery is a godsend.


Susie

Argos (http://www.argos.co.uk)

Almost everything you could possibly want all at teh click of a small electronic rodent (mouse).

Susie
Have you seen this post

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12173

Col

Yes, my Yamada DVD Player - yes, who? Made by Umix a German company, is very good - only £30 from Amazon UK.
However, back in 2000 when we got our JVC Reg 2 player, which didn't play any "only £1 from your pub, only a £1, c'mmon only a £1" ones, his Yamada does perfectly. The audio on it is a joke, the JVC one i plugged into my Amplifier and had as a CD because it played CDR/CDRW discs, it was very good for 4 years ago, my dad has it downstairs now.
I have the Yamada with me in the loft.
:thumbsup:

Do not buy a Thomson TV. I bought one last year for £550 and it has been a disappointment. I have had problems with the tube already.

Toshiba and Panasonic are meant to be very good my TV engineer friend tells me.

and before I go Sony is a def NO NO No................break down very frequently.

Good hunting

Bye Amy



Stay

Originally posted by alisha18
before I go Sony is a def NO NO No................break down very frequently

Funny that, had a lovely Sony Trinitron for the last 5 years and its been perfect :P

Coupled with my lovely Mitsubishi/NEC monitor with a sony SuperTrinitron Flat CRT which has been by far the best monitor I own.

Originally posted by alisha18
Do not buy a Thomson TV. I bought one last year for £550 and it has been a disappointment. I have had problems with the tube already.

Toshiba and Panasonic are meant to be very good my TV engineer friend tells me.

and before I go Sony is a def NO NO No................break down very frequently.

Good hunting

Bye Amy



Stay

I've had a Sony Trinitron for years now and works like a dream. Maybe you just don't look after your TV's very well..

I bought my telly last year from empiredirect.co.uk

Cannot recommend them highly enough

29inch Toshiba flat screen with stand £249 inc delivery

was delivered in 2 days

I've had a toshiba portable for the last 14 years. it gets used daily and is still going strong. I'll def buy toshiba again

Just bought a 28in tv from Makro for £150!!! Bush I think?