HD LCD - wrong time to buy?

[admin_exported]

Afternoon all,

I've been back and forth over the idea of buying a new HD tv for some time now. Each time I decide to take the plunge it seems a new tech-development arises that puts me off. For example, at first I ruled-out buying because sets commonly had 2 HDMI sockets where I need 3...but then sets with 3 HDMI didn't have 100hz refresh rate...the ones that then did have 100hz weren't compatible with 24fps or 1080p input...and now we have full 1080 screens but 100hz seems to have been dropped.

Now I'm aware that these small niggles will be ongoing, but my current reason not to buy is the advent of terrestrial HD, whether it be over Freeview or Freesat. I'm in the Granada area so in theory I could be receiving HD freeview by the end of next year - but only if I wait and buy a new TV with an MPEG4 enabled tuner...I'm guessing these will be standard in next year's models.

So ultimately my question is this - is this the wrong time to invest in an HD TV? I'm sure that most of us would expect to get at least 5 years use out of a new set - so is buying one now when I know it is going to be a technological dodo within 20 months just a stupid waste of money?

 

[John Duncan]

Buy now. TVs are following Moore's Law and if you wait for the technologies to mature, you'll be waiting a long time - let's face it, even a £400 telly is pretty bloody good now - much better than my £1,500 23" SD Philips anyway...........

 

[Anonymous]

I take it from the reply that you wont be doing a lot of PS3 gaming or watching BlueRay DVDs??

HD TV is available now from Sky with 15+ HD channels. Virgin's HD output is miniscule. Freesat will out shortly, but with what content??

Whatever time you buy, it will always be better/cheaper in the following year.

If you're prepared to pay for SKY+ HD then buy now. .