Have your say & ask the experts

I have a Toshiba 28"  er, 4:3 TV that gives an excellent picture on Sky and I'm looking to find a new 28-32" widescreen TV that gives as good a picture in SD (most of my viewing). The LCD's I've looked at give an inferior picture in my view with blurring/pixellation, poor contrast, grainy picture, and unrealistic colours. And yes WHF I've looked at the Sony KDL32w5500 etc.

 Any suggestions ? 

 The obvious conclusion is wait until flat TV's improve or everything is in HD.

It's not really the poor unfortunate TV that should take the blame, but the fact that it's being asked to stretch a small image to fit its multi-pixelled screen.

I mostly watch HD (you get drawn to those programmes somehow) and BBC dramas (Ashes to Ashes, Spooks etc) that are in SD.  My TV is a Pioneer 42" plasma, viewing distance about 3m, and I find those SD programmes very good indeed.  One of the reasons I went for an HD ready TV was so that I could still enjoy SD programmes over the next few years while broadcasting is in a transitional phase.

If your viewing distance is anything over 2.5m, I'd find a good dealer (not a multiple) who can show you a 37" HD ready (720 or 768p) plasma showing BBC1 or 2.  IMHO plasma beats LCD hands-down with SD material, but I know others don't agree!

Sorreltiger:

 IMHO plasma beats LCD hands-down with SD material, but I know others don't agree!

Well i agree and those "others" are wrong , and my O is not in the leat bit H on that point.

I too would certainly reccommend looking at some HD ready plasmas.

Also, a bit of a psychological trick you can play on yourself (because eventually you'll have plasm or lcd or whatever comes next - its only a matter of time); look closlely (literally and figuratively) at your crt with a range of programming and on a range of channels. You will notice it shows imperfections too, probably. So, maybe its worth getting the best you can, plasma or lcd, as itll be hd ready (at least), have improved connectivity...So maybe its worth a small quality hit for now - but only a small one, if you buy wisely.

The Currys near me as a sharp as you like HD image on a 40-50" set just inside the door, though go to the back of the shop and the pictures get a lot more ropey. Not a CRT in sight, not even sure where to get a new one.

Mind you I still remember seeing HD on a CRT set at BBC R&D in 2002 ish, still sticks with me, simply amazing image.

zzgavin:

Mind you I still remember seeing HD on a CRT set at BBC R&D in 2002 ish, still sticks with me, simply amazing image.

This begs the question why they didnt just start making crts with the necassary connections. guess i must be missing something.

samsung make a hd crt or did i had one

only its not true hd cos it doesnt have enough lines in it but has hdmi connection

good alround picture 32" wide and flat slimfit tv

but i got a new lcd sony bravia 2 kdl40w4000 and the picture is good on sd i think if you get one and calibrate it properly and dont sit too close! its fine with sd

in a shop like currys or dixons the tv's are stacked so close together you cant judge the picture qaulity on what you see in the shop and all the tv's share the same ariel so the qaulity will be rubbish anyway 

al7478:

zzgavin:

Mind you I still remember seeing HD on a CRT set at BBC R&D in 2002 ish, still sticks with me, simply amazing image.

This begs the question why they didnt just start making crts with the necassary connections. guess i must be missing something.

BBC never creates hardware for sale (BBC micro was Acorn) So like Nicam, DAB and some other stuff they were prototypes.

Interesting place BBC R&D, but that visit was a good few years ago.

airwolf36:

Although i have a pioneer 5090 i still judge everything by the loewe aconda crt that i had 8 or 9 years ago,sadly had to sell for a downpayment on a flat,but still an outstanding picture in every way.If you can find one,i would recommend this screen,had i ever had the chance to be a reviewer it would have got and would still get all 5 stars from me.Its big,bulky very heavy but what a way to watch tv and films...outstanding