New TV options for purchase - Need help please! Newbie here.

[admin_exported]

Gents / Ladies

I've been reading the What HIFI magazine for a year now, and been scouring the forum for the last two months - in order to get advice on the purchase of a new TV, amp and 5.1 speaker package - and I need some advice in selecting the right gear.

I am having problems in deciding which TV to buy (no surprise there then!). I'm looking for a TV that is around 50 inches and I have a prefered budget of £1500, but could perhaps stretch to £2000 if the performance is a monumental step up. I'm interested in LCD and Plasma - so please give me your opinions - they will all appreciated.

As a quick aside -I have pretty much decided on the amp and speakers; being a Onkyo 606 and Q-AV package(Comes to £900), however I'm open to sugestions if people think I should look at something different.

Thanks in advance - I'm looking to purchase soon.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Your question is timely, my friend, for today is the day on which the shelves of the nation's stores are groaning under the burden of the freshly-minted What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision Ultimate Guide to Television.

Within its covers you'll find all manner of TVs, including one to suit your needs and budget perfectly.

Oh alright then, cut to the chase - it's the Samsung PS-50P96FD, at around the £1300 mark. But if you can stretch to £2000 I'd also suggest you check out the one of the last remaining Pioneer PDP-508XDs, which you should be able to buy for around £1900.

I reckon the extra for the Pioneer is worth it, but the Samsung is phenomenal value.

Amp and speakers?

, but if you save a few quid by buying the Samsung you might want to explore a slightly meatier speaker set-up, such as the Quad L-ite, or Monitor Audio's Bronze BR2 package.

You can also find some good deals around on the Tannoy Arena package, which I rather like - minimal Googlage will find it for £600 or so.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Andrew for the quick reply!

I appreciate that the 'ultimate guide' comes out today - but I don't finish work untill 8 tonight!

so I can't buy it yet.

I'm interested in the Pioneer 508XD because I have found it for £1500 (in fact - I based my target price on that model)

I have two questions still burning however:

1.) With the 9G Pioneers launching soon - will there be significant price drops in the lx508 model to make it a viable alternative to the 508xd?

2.) I want a relatively unobtrusive speaker solution for my lounge - I have seen the Tannoy arena package and it is a good looking product - but is it better than the Q-AV when paired with Onk 606?

Andrew (or anyone else please) it's over to you.....

 

[Anonymous]

Come on people, is there none with words of wisdom or opinion?

 

[professorhat]

According to this article, the new sets are due out this month...

 

[Anonymous]

thanks professor, but as I can't afford the new 509 series, will the lx508 drop in price - or should I just get the 508xd instead? (or what about the 46 or 52 inch sony bravias!?)

I'm looking for a 50(ish) inch screen and have 1500 - 2000 £'s to spend

I also like watching sport, so that might be relevant also?

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Luke_WhatHIFI"] I'm looking for a 50(ish) inch screen and have 1500 - 2000 £'s to spend I also like watching sport, so that might be relevant also?[/quote]What about the Panasonic 46PZ80/85 or 50PZ80? Well in your price range.

 

[professorhat]

[quote user="Luke_WhatHIFI"]will the lx508 drop in price - or should I just get the 508xd instead?[/quote]
Who knows? Keep an eye out when the new sets are released I guess...

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="rewerb"]
[quote user="Luke_WhatHIFI"] I'm looking for a 50(ish) inch screen and have 1500 - 2000 £'s to spend I also like watching sport, so that might be relevant also?[/quote]What about the Panasonic 46PZ80/85 or ÿ50PZ80? Well in your price range.
[/quote]

Thanks for that.

I've considered the Panasonic TV's also, however, they are similar money to the pioneer 508xd. Therefore, are they as good or better? I have been to shops that had them side by side, but to be honest that wasn't necessarily conclusive. (as I wasn't sure that either TV had been tuned to give a good account of itself - and therefore they were both probably capable of more.)

Notwithstanding the fact that nobody has commented on my thoughts about a 46 or 52 inch Sony LCD - does that mean that nobody would recommend a Sony LCD?

 

[SpiceWeasel]

I doubt you will get many takers for an lcd model at that screen size. Plasma models will be far superior with motion handiling which will really show up on a big lcd. This years new model Sony lcd's seem to be a huge improvement though. But saying that I would deffinately go for a plasma.

 

[Anonymous]

If you're going to spend £900 on amps and speakers, then you can you should go for one of the Pioneers, which are the best.

The LX508 will probably drop in price when the 509s come out. Whether it's enough to wait for, who knows?

The Panny 50PZ800 was rated as good as the Kuro 508 by the US CNET review site. But I expect the 509s will be better.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks, that's some interesting points.

It would be great to see a direct review comparison between a 46 or 52 inch sony 4000 LCD and the Pioneers. I expect that is exactly what I and many other consumers would like to see!

Furthermore thanks for the tip off on the Panasonic - I'm going to check it out today.

What does everyone else think who've seen the panasonic up against the pioneer. (especially with sports)