Need Help-buying new T.V

[hotspur]

Hello.

Our T.V is playing up again,a while ago a IIS member gave me advice on fixing the pink issue we had-it worked very well,after that advice,

Now its going 'green'yellow' I followed the same advice and it seems to be working again,but I really think the time is up for this old CRT tube TV.

There was a lot of 'hiss and fizz' this morning when it was green-my son is right into ashes series,its very heavy to pull out and pull apart to fix.

So looking at a LCD,I'd like it to fit in current tv unit (see pics)the area is 800 by 600,so any advice on models/makes etc on what we need to buy,and what cost,where can I buy a TV of net?is that safe?-ie-getting it transported.my son gets a bit of this Kogan stuff-seems reasonable price-not sony or JVC quality but quite good value.

Are there any ports I should look for in particular models that may be of use to me.

Thanks for any advice, Chris

[multiweb]

I have a mitsubhishi diva CRT that I got repaired about 6 months ago (new tuner). I'm about to send it to the tip/recycling now. My mother in law had it for a couple of month but she has a flat screen now and doesn't want it anymore. It's working perfectly but I just don't have any use for it. I'm in Sydney though. Let me know if it's worth your while or know anybody to pick up. If yes you can have it. It would fit your unit. It's heavy as a donkey though.

[koputai]

Hi Chris,

The Sharp Aquos LCD's are brilliant, we've had ours for 7 years and it's still perfect. As it's an old model (2003, 1366x768) we updated about 18 months ago to a Series 6 Samsung Plasma. I've also bought Samsung LCD's for other family members, and I can thoroughly recommend the Samsung TV's.

I used to be Sony through and through, but a few bad experiences over the last few years have made me vow never to buy a Sony product again.

I wouldn't recommend the budget brands, there are squillions of these brands about, but they lack build quality and longevity.

If I was buying again, I would be buying Samsung as they are very good, and their prices are reasonable.

Cheers,
Jason.

[jenchris]

Got a free 68cm (CRT) here if you want it - hardly used in the last year.
I'm in Ormeau

[hotspur]

Thanks for offer Marc and Jenny.But think we might buy a new LCD

From my limited knowledge on them,they are a very long shape.

Is it possible to get one only 800 mm long? the space in current unit

is 800 mm by 600 mm.I really do not want to have to make a whole new

unit to house TV and DVD play etc.

Thanks for advice on less inexpensive units,We have a few Samsung and LG

electrical items,they really work well,no issues a 'medium' price range product.

I think the sharp's and Sony's are more towards the 'upper' end of electrical

gear.looks like we may be of to the H.N shop:shrug:

Although this morning repair seems to have fixed it-but for how long.

And as Marc says these old ones are heavy as a donkey,and I'm tired of lifting it out.

BTW-how much electricity do these new ones use,I heard plasmas are very power hungry,LCD what usage of power?

Our hair dresser has a huge plasma,she has noticed her bill go up a lot.

[multiweb]

Plasma will use more electricity if you run everything to the max, contrast, brightness, etc... If your panel gets hot, you're running it too hard. I haven't noticed much change TBH and I have two plasmas and one LCD.

[supernova1965]

And it will double as a heater in winter:P:rofl:

[hotspur]

I will pass the info on to the hairdresser,she was really having a whinge about

the bill since she got it,she must have some setting up to high.

[multiweb]

If you have a big screen in a big open lit area you'd have to push the picture illumination or you won't see anything on it. No choice. The solution is to dim the light a bit in the area you're watching the TV so you can get your contrast/brightness/colors down to 50%. Might watch customers ears when she cuts hair in reduce lighting though. ;)

It will make a dramatic change in heat and her bills. LCD don't work the same way. I have a SONY Bravia and you can run them hard without any heat.

[hotspur]

So that's a LCD Marc,you have?

[multiweb]

I have 2 plasmas (42", 55") and one LCD (46"). :P

[acropolite]

Chris, my suggestion is to buy one of the more reputable brands, i.e. Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, LG. Don't underestimate Samsung, their LC's are amongst the best on the market/

The Panasonic plasmas are hard to beat for picture quality, Samsung's LED LCD's are also very good and more efficient than plasmas. I can't say I noticed any difference in my power bill when changing from an 80cm CRT to a 127cm plasma.

Live on the edge, put a fish tank in the unit (or convert it to a bird/ferret/guinea pig cage with ensuites...) then buy a decent size TV for the wall, or to sit on the cabinet, I wouldn't go any less than 42 inches, preferably 50 inches, there's a bit of a size shock until you get used to it but once you do you'll never go back.

[Jen]

Yep dont go any smaller than a 50inch :thumbsup:
And those TV cabinets arn't in no more ;) Get a nice low slim line cabinet :D The TV looks much better on them :P
LCD's are great i have a Samsung LOVE IT :thumbsup:

Oh bugger it go all out and get one of those new 3D TV's hehehhe ;)

[hotspur]

Ok,thanks for advice,looks like writings on the wall,for new LCD either a Samsung or LG.And I will have to make a new slim line unit to put it on,I've got
some New Guinea Rosewood.Any pictures-anyone of these slim line sideboards.

Just one question,I have a LG VHS/DVD player can I connect it to this LCD?
I think I heard these LCD have DVDs built into them?

The VHS/DVD player is very handy-I can make my old VHS into DVDs,a very useful piece of kit,and easy to use.

So a 48 inch or 50 inch LCD screen,that's the diagonal measurement.What is the length approx of such a unit?

Thanks Chris

PS,I do not think I will be making a guinea pig cage or similar out of old unit :lol::lol:,might make it into a book shelf or storage unit in the observatory;)

[DavidTrap]

I'd agree with the advice about a Samsung - we've got 2 of their LCDs and are very happy with them. I'd also agree with the suggested size, at least 42 inch.

Cheers
DT

[ballaratdragons]

Chris,

I tried for months to find the best deal, and best picture.

I finally decided to get Plasma as it seems to have the best picture quality.
LCD is better though if you play games.

Now for the best tip ever. Dick Smiths (sorry) sell a brand called 'Vivo' at very cheap prices. They are Samsungs in a re-badged case!

We got our 42" High Definition Plasma for $499 from them and it is a pearler.

So if you want a cheap Samsung, look for Vivo at Dick Smiths :thumbsup:

They've gone up to $527, but here it is: http://dicksmith.com.au/product/GE6160/vivo-106cm-42-quot-high-definition-plasma-tv-ptv42hda

[jenchris]

I got an LG 42" LCD- any bigger and my eyes won't be able to follow the plot!
It hasn't got a DVD player, but it has got a USB slot for watching divx and mpeg2/4
I have an LG HDD for recording and sound out to a 6 channel Kenwood 850 watt.
It runs on almost no power at all.
My bills are minimal.
You can get the screens any size you like - if you run a 24" monitor for your PC, you can just get the HDD and use the screen as a TV

[snowyskiesau]

I'm planning a move and it's really not worth my while to include the 76cm CRT TV.
Until I get settled, I'll use the computer monitor connected to my set top box.

A new TV is about the bottom of my priorities.

[Kal]

One thing regarding brands and warranty is that all the reputable brands, Sony and Samsung included, only have 1 year warranties. Some of the cheap brands such as Hisense have a 3 year warranty. If you do purchase an extended warranty with a big brand it will quite often be covered by the retailer, so purchase from a reputable retailer.

I would not hesitate to buy one of the cheaper brands. The main reason why they are cheaper is because they don't use the absolute latest technologies. You will likely be getting a tv based on last years technologies without all the frills and features of one of the new ones from a big brand.

[Kal]

Way too big, looking at the samsung.com.au site the 40" has dimensions of 957.4 x 648.4 x 267.7mm

You will need a 32" unit - 768.8 x 538.3 x 237.4mm

[acropolite]

Chris my Panasonic 50 inch Plasma is 1200 wide x 870 high including the footstand.

A word of caution regarding claims that Brand X is really a name brand rebadged, it's a common sales ploy, I know of a couple of instances where the cheaper units have failed shortly after the warranty period expired, in both cases the salesman had given the "rebadged" story as part of the sales pitch.