Where are TV prices going ?

[roger06]

Hi all

Do you think it's a fairly safe bet that LCD / Plasma sets will continue to get better spec'd with lower prices?

I've been waiting months to buy new house before getting a Plasma and reckon the Pana 42PX80B looks a great deal at £699. However, although we get our new house this weekend it needs about 3 months' work so we can't move in until the end of the summer so really I should wait.

Do you think with the relentless march of technology and global economic downturn prices will continue to fall, or may factors such as the weakness of the pound against the Euro see thinkgs going the other way?

In other words - should I grab a bargain now or will there still be plenty at the end of the summer?

And what about this Euro 2008 football thingy ? Good deals because of it or not ?

cheers

 

[John Duncan]

Yes, they'll keep going down. Or new models will come in at the same price and better spec while last month's models go on the remainder pile. Richer Sounds will have rich pickings this summer.........

And as for Euro 2008, you need Freesat........

 

[Andrew Everard]

[quote user="roger06"]And what about this Euro 2008 football thingy ? Good deals because of it or not ? [/quote]

Might be some better deals due to the fact England didn't qualfy, and therefore the expected rise in demand for these sets won't happen. Then again this may be offset to an extent by the Olympic effect...

 

[roger06]

Thanks guys - I think I'll just be patient then and wait until I have a nicely decorated living room to put it in...

If you're interested - pic of room is here:

I reckon a 42" above the fireplace is about right - what do you think ?

 

[Gerrardasnails]

It might be a little high up but try it and see.

 

[roger06]

[quote user="Gerrardasnails"]It might be a little high up but try it and see.[/quote]

Yeah - that's what my wife thinks but I can't see where else it could go...

 

[John Duncan]

I think 42" is too big for that room altogether, tbh - that looks smaller than my living room and a 32" would be pushing it there - and the seating area will need to be so close that the angle you'll be looking up at will be pretty severe as well..........

 

[roger06]

[quote user="JohnDuncan"]I think 42" is too big for that room altogether, tbh - that looks smaller than my living room and a 32" would be pushing it there - and the seating area will need to be so close that the angle you'll be looking up at will be pretty severe as well..........[/quote]

Hmm - that's very useful. I would certainly rather go too small a screen than too large. You think a 37 - 40 would be better ?

My sister has the 37" Pana plasma in its the right size for her room - and the veiwing distance we'd have would certainly be greater.

I simply don't know where to put it though other than above the fire place - it seems pointless putting a flat screen in the corner and this would make the position of the surround speakers a nightmare...

I'll measure up at the weekend and let you know but many thanks for your comments.

 

[John Duncan]

Article here is helpful on matters of viewing distance, size and resolution - you need to be a certain distance away from a television to not notice how 'digital' it is, for starters - will have a think about whether you have other options - I'd be sticking it in the corner by the french windows, I think............

regards

Anne McKevitt

 

[tvmog]

I would tend to agree that 42inch would be a bit too dominant in that room. It would certainly become the focal point of the space (which may of course be your intention). Also it is directly opposite a large window, which may cause problems with daytime viewing if you go for a plasma.

 

[Anonymous]

You are not kidding.

Because he will be so close to the fire place it willl be like looking up at the face of Everest!

 

[Anonymous]

I would go for 37" panasonic plasma and put it just right of the fire place with one front speaker next to the curtain by the right window, the other front by the black bin and the surrounds at either end of the bay window cill.

I know this isnt as central as it could be but you could toe the speakers in to suit. My setup is layed out in a very similar way in a very similar room with the 37px80 and it works a treat.

 

[PJPro]

What's on the wall behind the camera (if you know what I mean)?

 

[southdownswolf]

You are all missing the obvious....

Get rid of the fireplace and buy a 50" ;-)

 

[Anonymous]

or how about take out the middle of the fireplace and fit the biggest screen you can in between the mantle surround regardless of what size you need

 

[tvmog]

[quote user="matt444_2000"]

or how about take out the middle of the fireplace and fit the biggest screen you can in between the mantle surround regardless of what size you need

[/quote]

I wanted to put a 42 inch plasma in my open fireplace, but objections from my girlfriend meant that I had to settle for a 37 inch in the alcove next to it.

 

[Anonymous]

Personally I dont think 42 is the problem in that space but I definately dont think above the fireplace is a good idea, no matter what size.
~That is too high to watch tv and as other people allude it competes with the fireplace there. Move it around the room and then work out the size.

IMO of course

 

[PJPro]

[quote user="southdownswolf"]You are all missing the obvious....

Get rid of the fireplace and buy a 50" ;-)[/quote]
OK, why not block up the window and have done with it. One could provide a small window at the top perhaps. This will do away with the problem of reflections as well! ;-)
I just wondered if there was scope to place the tv on the wall behind the camera?

 

[roger06]

[quote user="PJPro"]What's on the wall behind the camera (if you know what I mean)?
[/quote]

Good question ! - the rest of the living room but it gets very narrow... plan below... red mark is roughly where photo was taken from.

 

[John Duncan]

[quote user="matt444_2000"]
I would go for 37" panasonic plasma and put it just right of the fire place with one front speaker next to the curtain by the right window, the other front by the black bin and the surrounds at either end of the bay window cill.

I know this isnt as central as it could be but you could toe the speakers in to suit. My setup is layed out in a very similar way in a very similar room with the 37px80 and it works a treat.[/quote]

I'm with matt on pretty much all of this - 37", lower down to the right, work the surround sound in where you can. Above the fireplace is too high - front row of the iMax..........

 

[roger06]

We got into the house today so had a think. I do tend to think above the fireplace is perhaps out - I don't think the elevated angle would be too much of a problem but I do want to use the fire so this may not be good for the telly.

My main concern is not TV position but speaker location. If it was just home cinema I'd not be too bothered but I want to combine this with my beloved Naim 2 channel system hence wanting the speakers for this either side of the fireplace with a good listening position opposite.

Hmm - shall ponder some more!

 

[fr0g]

projector / pull down screen, and a small (24") LCD to the right of the fire for casual watching?

 

[roger06]

Hi again.

I've been in the house a bit now and have also had a few friends around who reckon a 42" plasma above the fireplace would be fine.

Someone suggested a wall mounting bracket that could simply angle down the TV a bit thus solving the problem - might this be the solution ?

 

[Alec]

imo, thats still very high, and angling it down wont make it lower, as such. And no offence to anyone, but i would have liked to know peoples opinions on tv prices.

 

[Anonymous]

i think anything between '37' and '42' will work; I certainly wouldnt wall mount above the fireplace, simply because even with a '37', your sofa will be right up against the radiator and in the winter it will struggle! Plus youll be boiling yourself

To that end i would *consider* a '42' if you site it in the left-hand corner, with speakers either side of the fireplace.
so if a '42' will go in there, then a '37'definatley will!