46" Flat Screen 1080p TV Recommendation around £1,000 mark?

[sm9]

Hi there,

I'm after a 46" flat screen TV to hang on my living room wall, and have a budget of around £1,000 ± £200.

I'd rather have a 1080p model as I understand that this is full HD (even though I don't have a HD box yet!) and the 1080p is better than 1080i for movement on screen (like football etc).

Can anyone recommend any particular models or any good deals on at the moment? And what's best, LCD or Plasma?

Thanks for any advice,

Ste

[RedKnight]

I just bought a 40" full HD Sony from Digital Direct for £550.

[sm9]

Thanks, I'll check out Digital Direct and see what 46" models they have.

[Lario]

This is the set I have 46X3000
Really can't fault it.
I know it goes over your budget a bit, but the new X4000 series is coming along in a few months, so I reckon you might be able to haggle a bit on price.
Plus, looking at digitaldirect there, looks like they've a "pay nothing for a year" option, which would give you time to save the bit extra!

[sm9]

That looks like a nice TV but unless they'd bring the price down by a few hundred (I'll try, you don't ask you don't get!), I'll not be getting approval from the girlfriend...

I notice that this and a few other Sony TV's have a contrast ratio of 18,000:1, yet I've seen cheaper Samsung TV's with a contrast ratio of 30,000:1 or even 50,000:1. I thought the higher this ratio the better, but how come these expensive Sony's are lower?

[fungus]

contrast ratios get used as a selling tool a bit like megapixels with cameras, dynamic contrast ratios inflate the figure a bit....make sure the tv you get is 100hz for that kind of money

[Kopite]

Regarding Digital Direct, don't forget Quidco

I've just bought a Sony KDL40W4000 - Digital Direct

The above TV is the "mutts nuts" apparently, winning the best of class in the 37"-40" bracket according to a poster on Hot UK Deals.

You can get the 46" for £1275 delivered (including £50 delivery) Sony KDL46W4000 - Digital Direct

[The Bugged Out]

got a 60" inch beast, so big it has its own orbit.

[sm9]

Originally Posted by Kopite Regarding Digital Direct, don't forget Quidco I've just bought a Sony KDL40W4000 - Digital Direct The above TV is the "mutts nuts" apparently, winning the best of class in the 37"-40" bracket according to a poster on Hot UK Deals. You can get the 46" for £1275 delivered (including £50 delivery) Sony KDL46W4000 - Digital Direct

I quite liked the look of this KDL46W4000 but when looking at the tech specs, it looks like this doesn't have the 100hz feature that Fungus mentions above, and I'd read that this improved movement in the picture.

What do you reckon to this feature not being there - it didn't stop your 40" getting good reviews, but I wonder if it'd be more noticeably missing on the 46" model?

[sm9]

I quite liked this Samsung as it seemed to tick all the boxes and be more or less on budget, but some genius product designer thought it'd look great with a rose wood frame instead of a black one!

Samsung LE46A656A1 - Digital Direct

[sm9]

Currently looking at this one:

Toshiba 46ZF355D - Digital Direct

Let me know if any of you know more info about this before I take the plunge!

Thanks,

Ste

[Kopite]

Originally Posted by sm9 I quite liked the look of this KDL46W4000 but when looking at the tech specs, it looks like this doesn't have the 100hz feature that Fungus mentions above, and I'd read that this improved movement in the picture. What do you reckon to this feature not being there - it didn't stop your 40" getting good reviews, but I wonder if it'd be more noticeably missing on the 46" model?

This from Hot UK Deals.

100hz isn't really worth it at the moment, as it's a bit of technology that virtually no one has been able to implement properly. If you read around knowledgeable websites, like the AV Forums, you'll find that most people turn 100hz off as all it does is create problems. The brand new Sony W4000 model doesn't have 100hz, yet it handles motion absolutely perfectly. Sony KDL-40V3000 - Digital Direct I have the V3000 myself. I got it from EmpireDirect two weeks ago for £557 (with Quidco) and it's a FANTASTIC TV. It really, really is. Brilliant picture, stunning looks - it's perfect. And for the price, an absolute steal.

[Heinze]

Originally Posted by sm9 I quite liked the look of this KDL46W4000 but when looking at the tech specs, it looks like this doesn't have the 100hz feature that Fungus mentions above, and I'd read that this improved movement in the picture.

LCD's don't "flicker" like CRT's or Plasma's so the 100mhz on LCD is just a wind up. I know plenty of people who actually turn the 100mhz feature off as it can make some scenes looks garbage.

100hz merely facilitates interpolation/motionflow which messes with the original look too much, generally leaving you with image artifacts.

The latest Sony W series look as good if not better than the 2007 X series.

I'll either end up with a Sony W series, Samsung 650a or a Sharp Aquos.

[coop]

Is this tv any good.

I know its 42" and you specify 46" but Pannys have got a good repuation and although its not in the 1080p section it states 1920x1080 in the resolution

Panasonic Viera TH42PZ80B Plasma HD Ready Digital Television, 42 Inch - John Lewis

With it been John Lewis you get an automatic 5 year warranty with it and free delivery all for £799

[redrosetints]

Originally Posted by coop Is this tv any good. I know its 42" and you specify 46" but Pannys have got a good repuation and although its not in the 1080p section it states 1920x1080 in the resolution Panasonic Viera TH42PZ80B Plasma HD Ready Digital Television, 42 Inch - John Lewis With it been John Lewis you get an automatic 5 year warranty with it and free delivery all for £799

I have one of these, quality bit of kit.

[robbief]

i got a 38'' LG in my room and it set me back £850 last year. i payed it off over ten months so i finnish paying in aughust. and i'v already agreed to sell my telly to a mate for £350 which i'm putting towards that £550 48'' samsung on the tv advert. i think it's from currys.

i can't believe how cheap they have gone recently. mine was £750 for the TV and £100 to get it fitted to the wall.

[coop]

Originally Posted by robbief i got a 38'' LG in my room and it set me back £850 last year. i payed it off over ten months so i finnish paying in aughust. and i'v already agreed to sell my telly to a mate for £350 which i'm putting towards that £550 48'' samsung on the tv advert. i think it's from currys. i can't believe how cheap they have gone recently. mine was £750 for the TV and £100 to get it fitted to the wall.

Its 40" mate not 48"

Speaking of Currys they do however have a 50" Panasonic on there for £799.

Again with it been a Panny you would have thought it would be quality.

Currys - Shop for Plasma and LCD Flat Panel TV - Panasonic TH50PX70 50" HD Ready Digital Plasma TV

[mars]

Wait for Laser TV if you can.
Mitsubishi Electric LaserVue - True Dimension Experience

I imagine within 2 years Laser TV will replace LCD and Plasma if the hype is to be believed.