new TV for parents

[The Incredible...]

my parents asked my advice on TVs and i don't really know much so thought i'd ask you lot.

they are replacing the main tv for the lounge, i reckon they probably want about a 32" but not sure what brand to go for

[Dr. kitteny berk]

I'd probably start by going to dixons group store™ and having a look, get it down to a few that look suitable, look at reviews, then buy the best one off the internet.

[FatherJack]

I always buy cheap TVs as they always seem to last about the same length of time as it takes for the next bit of technology to come out and for me to want a new one anyway, ie: Stereo->Widescreen->LCD->HD.

If I'd bought expensive ones I'd still be stuck with working ones wishing they'd break so I could get a new one.

[deject]

I like Samsung TVs as they're rather nice. my folks got a 52" one and it's fucking massive. Sony and Phillips are also fairly good I hear.

[Dog Pants]

My Sony is great, 37" Bravia. So vivid that my brother-in-law complained it gave him a headache (he's a weird sort, hates anything that isn't shit).

When I was looking for a TV just before Christmas I heard a lot of good things about the Samsungs too.

[HereComesPete]

I'd probably start by going to dixons group store™ and having a look, get it down to a few that look suitable, look at reviews, then buy the best one off the internet.

This. Only drawback is that a 37" tv doesn't look too bad in a dixons because of all the hueg 50" dobbers they throw about, you then get it back home and realise it's rather larger than expected (twss).

Haven't we talked about kickass/shit tv's already? Still, the cycle continues.

[The Incredible...]

found THIS one on Amazon. looks pretty tasty to me, only thing it doesn't seem to do is 1080p but I don't think my parents will notice will they?

my dad has his heart set on Sony cos all the DVD and video malarkey is all Sony, but I'm right in thinking it will all work just fine with a different brand right?

also is there one that DOES do 1080p for a simular price or is it going to be more?

finally (for now) when in Dixons the sales staff tried to convince my parents they need to buy the ridiculously expensive scart and HDMI cables to get the best picture, but am I right in thinking that the cable is only going to make a difference if its really long?

[Dog Pants]

I've got the 37" Bravia (cheaper than that too), and I've no complaints. It does do 1080p. I believe that you need an HDMI cable for an HD input. If they don't have a BD player or Sky HD there's no need at the moment. Think I've got that right, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[spoodie]

This is my TV and it's great. It does 1080p, but 37" is probably the smallest size where 1080p is worth having and you're not likely to notice much difference between 720 and 1080 for video. I thought it was massive when I first got it but now I have to sit right up close to it when playing games.

I can't imagine having matching brand equipment is going to give you any better picture or sound.

So long as you don't buy the cheapest cables then it'll be fine. Don't buy them with the equipment, it's like selling extended warranty, ie. they trying to ring a little more money out of you.

[FatherJack]

Component cables will provide HD input but most commonly limited to 1080i limited by either the set or the output device. Oxygen-free copper cables are overkill for most people, but even mid-range normal ones aren't the cheapest.

Having all the same brand doesn't make that much difference, although you probably get cross-functionality with the remote controls. My Dad has to 'finalize the disk' on his Sony DVR before a PC will read it, but I haven't noticed any other oddness.

[Dr. kitteny berk]

Cables are funny, I'd avoid the very cheapest and the very expensive, the very expensive just exist to part fools from money.

I do prefer to avoid the cheap, because they're just that, shit plugs, pig-iron cable and made of crap.

Mostly for AV stuff, I use the basic no-name cables off http://www.tvcables.co.uk (90% of the time they're the same as the profigold stuff they sell for 5 times more)

If I need quality (usually audio stuff), I generally buy IXOS cables, because they're good and not too pricey.

[The Incredible...]

thansk for the advice guys.

that panasonic looks pretty good, will get my dad to have a look at it

[HereComesPete]

The sony price you posted looks a tad steep. I think brand wise there is really very little difference in picture quality until you shell out for a philips, and even then it's not much of an increase in quality.

Look what I found at comet! HUEG TV!

[The Incredible...]

The sony price you posted looks a tad steep. I think brand wise there is really very little difference in picture quality until you shell out for a philips, and even then it's not much of an increase in quality.

Look what I found at comet! HUEG TV!

yea that sony was £572 when i first found it, but the price seems to have gone up twice in the last week or so :S

[HereComesPete]

blimeh, bit cheeky that. I thought tv prices were dropping, guess their profit margin isn't as healthy and they decided to pass that on to their customers. The bastards.

[cheeseandham]

Don't know about you, but my parents seem to have a completely different set of criteria than I do.
I'd been advising them on upgrading their TV for years (or even getting the most out of their existing system), then when they actually asked for my advice when getting a new one they went and ignored it.

[FatherJack]

Don't know about you, but my parents seem to have a completely different set of criteria than I do.
I'd been advising them on upgrading their TV for years (or even getting the most out of their existing system), then when they actually asked for my advice when getting a new one they went and ignored it.

It's because the man in the shop knows much more about tellies than their son.

[The Incredible...]

It's because the man in the shop knows much more about tellies how to earn maximum commission than their son.

[HereComesPete]