buying a new hd ready tv

[Amm-arD]

Hi there, this xmas i am planning to buy a new hd tv, but does anyone know a good comparing website with the tech specs explained easily? i have tried which.co.uk but it costs to recieve the info, so if anyone knows other sites that would help choosing a better tv please let me know,

thanks for your time and help

[vehelpfulguy]

Your local library will probably have Which magazine available if you want to read it. It may also have online access to the Which web site.

If you search on "buying a HD TV" or similar in Google you get a few sites.

This is over a year old but a good intro to HD

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/05/30/hd_buy ers_guide_uk/

This overview may help (there are loads of others)

http://www.hdtvorg.co.uk/guide/hdtv/introducti on.htm

[vehelpfulguy]

I have not gone for a HD TV yet so am probably not the best person to anwer....but...

HD TVs can display a number of lines, either 720 or 1080.

They can also display the lines "interlaced" or "progressive scan" (which is the best of the two)

So if you see a TV that is 720p it is 720 lines progressive scan.

If you see a TV that is 1080i it is 1080 lines interlaced.

If you see a TV that is 1080p then it is 1080 lines, progressive scan.

The best quality is 1080p, and in the long term that is what the TV industry is aiming for with HD.

BUT nobody is putting out TV at 1080p yet, nor will for a while. And 1080p TVs are still very expensive.

BlueRay and HD DVDs are put out at 1080p, but if your TV only shows 1080i or 720p then you will not see it at its best.

I think HD TV is in a hybrid state at the moment, working towards 1080p, but no really there yet, with most TVs sold being only 720p or 1080i.

Everyone who has bought a 720p or 1080i TV will probably buy another one in a few years that does 1080p, so they can get the best quality.

If you can, buy a TV that does 1080p (assumning you can afford it).

Note that buying a HD TV does not automatically give you HD TV, you need to subscribe to the Sky HD service (more money), of watch BluRay or HD DVD movies (but need to buy a BluRay or HD DVD player).

[vehelpfulguy]

Also, the way HD devices connect together is with a connector called HDMI. This is simialr to Scart that we have now.

Some TVs only have ONE HDMI socket, which is not much good if you want to connect more than one HDMI device.

Get a TV with at least 2 HDMI sockets.

[ACtheTROLL]

the best place to go for advice (for my money) is the mags .... they get to play with the latest models ... and generally don't have an axe to grind

I noticed in tesco this sat that ... I think it was What HI FI
were including a extra mag listing the TV best buys.

I have just splashed out ... got a 32" Toshiba ... and I'm pleased with it (LG are getting good reviews also) - but picture quality also has a big element of personal preference. Try to resist the "biggest fastest" claims ... go for "the one I liked the look of best"

Don't listen to someone who doesn't even have a set ....
Google is good for info .... but especially with media the proof is in the seeing.

I simply went to currys and comet .... wandered round looking at the pikkies.

The specs are all really very similar ....(with the big names at least)

Connectors are good .... get as many as you can ... but don't forget to look at the front as well ... at the end of the day ... that's the bit that matters most

If you have to have the latest ... as with PCs accept that by the time you get home ... yours will have been superceeded by a better bigger or somethinger else model

Oh and add �70+ to your budget for a stand or mount ... I've not seen a single inclusive package ... best seems to be a discount when you buy a set

[VINNY100_2]

~ACtheTROLL.
Was there any need for that childish dig.vehelpfulguy had put a lot of usefull information which I found to be a lot more helpfull than your contribution.(:O)