Can of worms - I want a big TV!

[LooneyJetman]

I'm thinking about upgrading my 28" Sony widescreen TV to something bigger. I've seen some nice 32" sets but don't feel that they will be enough of a step up, so I'm now looking at 36" sets.

Most, if not all 36" CRT sets seem to be 100Hz. So, firstly, are there any issues with 100Hz and NTSC or PAL50/60. My DVD player is an LG4710 and I normally have it set to output PAL60 - the colour seems better to me (reds seem to be patchy in NTSC).

Does anyone here want to bite the bullet and recommend one of the following?:

Sony KV36FS70S
Toshiba 36ZP18P
Panasonic TX36PB50
Panasonic TX36PG50
Hitachi C36WF830N

These are the sets that I'm looking at. I've seen the Sony and like it but the feel the thinner border around the Toshiba's screen is a better design, more to my liking.

Dolby pro-logic or digital aren't an issue as I'll keep my existing DD/DTS setup.

I believe that 100Hz means the image seems more stable, less flickery, but does it appear less 'liney' than normal 50Hz PAL? The major issue here I suppose is with non-anamorphic widescreen DVDs which would have to be watched in zoom mode - not an issue particularly for me, more for my wife...

Look forward to your comments,

Regards
Andrew

[nigel_williams]

I have the same dilema, I have a 32" Sony Wega but want something bigger. My brother has just bought a 36" Hitachi via QXL (model 810 not 830) but it was only £850.

I saw it at the weekend and was very impressed and at that price, a real bargain.

As for me, do I go for 42" Plasma, back projection, Sony's Grand Wega or a projection setup? This month's What Hi-Fi recommended a new Fujitsu plasma screen so I think I should check that out first.

Anyone else with the same "problems"?

[LooneyJetman]

I want to keep the cost under £2k. As far as I can tell this limits me to 36" CRT or a 41" RP. Trouble is that I'm not too keen on RP...sorry to all you RP owners...

[minty]

You need to see a well set up RPTV before making up your mind.

I have a 43inch toshiba 4:3 which is lovely, but I'd have never guessed it from looking at them in the likes of Tempo or Comet.

[Michael Brooke]

I agree - the picture on RP TVs in the shops I checked them out in was appalling, and it says something for the trust I place in certain forum members that I went ahead and ordered one anyway.

Set up properly, via an RGB connection and a DVD source, the picture on my 43" RPTV is breathtaking - and it only cost me £1200 including delivery and a cabinet.

[Richard46]

I have a 36' CRT (Panasonic pf10). Love it. But these big CRT's are huge and heavy boxes, something you dont always realise in the showroom. It takes two large or three ordinary people to move mine.
I cannot buy any more equipment because my AV stand is already cutting into the floorboards and will probably collapse if I add anything else. I think it weighs about the same as a washing machine. (more fun though)
If space or storage is an issue for you might be worth bearing in mind
If I was in the market for a new TV I would be watching the way that Plasma prices are dropping and quality improving and waiting a few months.
Richard

[LooneyJetman]

I saw an NEC 60" plasma screen in Stevenage at the weekend. Second hand (used in the Milennium Dome apparently) price was £2,999, £6,500 originally. Trouble was that it had text burnt into the top of the screen and was only guaranteed until Xmas.

My living room is long but not particularly wide, which means the TV really has to go against the window. Therefore I can't mount a plasma screen on the wall. I have an 18 month old son which means that a floor standing plasma display is out of the question too.

I've seen well configured RP televisions and I don't feel that their pictures don't hold up too well with normal broadcast television signals - always seem to be too grainy for my liking - no disrespect though, I'm sure they're great - just not for me. Also, my living room can be very bright, which seems to be an issue for RP sets.

I have a concrete floor so the weight isn't a problem for me.

My mind is almost settled on the Sony KV36FS70S now...just been to see it again. Anyone want to tell me I'm stupid?

So, anyone know the best price/availability on this model?

[SOUNDSTYLE]

I have the Sony 36FS70 and I am very happy with it.
As for the 100HZ processing. I can't fault it. Compared to my Philips (which I bought about five years ago) the 100HZ processing was awful, which is why I got the Sony.

I was thinking of getting a Plasma but when I found out that they only last for about 10,000 hours which for the money is not worth it.

I got my tv from Debenhams after looking for the best price on the internet, which they matched. You must have proof though.

I got it for £1899.00 which included the stand and a free five year guarantee which is excellent value. A saving of £600.00 :D Free delivery as well.

[the thing with no name]

I also own the Sony 36FS70
I cannot sing its praises enough!

Plasma's I'd like, but not until they are cheaper and last longer.
The Grand Wega is rubbish for its price, great big screen, but poor picture quality (reviews think the same)

Buy the Sony 36"

You'll love it :D

[Edith]

Another vote ere for the Sony,
I had the Hitachi 36 first which was pretty good but after 2 months of waiting for a niggling RGB problem to be fixed i got a full refund and bought the Panny 36PG50...oh my god...wot a sack of ****! RGB performance appaling...NTSC moire patterning...dark 'stains' on screen etc etc. Had that replaced and the new one was just as bad. Then got the Sony, 1st one had bad green stain top left of screen (watch out for this, it appears on a lot of 32 & 36" sonys). 2nd one is luvverly, good with a dodgy itvdigital signal and stunning with dvd...bright but with deep blacks and a lot of detail. Can't comment on the Toshiba as i've never studied it, good looker though. Panny PB50 is supposedly same chassis as PG50 so i'd be very wary of it. Most people seem to agree that the original Panny 36PF10 was a far better set than their latest efforts.
Good luck!

[LooneyJetman]

Could the green stain have been caused by magnetic interference - maybe it was stored next to speakers in a warehouse or in transit? If so, I thought that most sets degauss automatically when switched on?

[nigel_williams]

Has anyone got the Hitachi C43WP910TN or the larger 55" version? There is a great review on homecinemachoice but I really want to see one first.

Anyone know a good London based dealer which can give a good demo?

[Edith]

Originally posted by andrew_lee
Could the green stain have been caused by magnetic interference - maybe it was stored next to speakers in a warehouse or in transit? If so, I thought that most sets degauss automatically when switched on?

It did look like magnetic interference but i think it was more than likely a manufacturing fault as many people have reported this problem from different retailers far and wide. Manual or magic wand degauss could not cure it.

[LooneyJetman]

Awww....that's starting to give me doubts. I can't afford to keep taking time off work...are these problems still prevalent or have they been ironed out in new units?

[LooneyJetman]

Bought the Sony...getting it Sunday... :D

[SOUNDSTYLE]

Where did you buy it from and how much did it cost?

[LooneyJetman]

Kind of embarrassed to admit it, but I got it from Comet and paid far too much for it (got a 'free' Sony NS300 DVD player and three 'free' Columbia discs though, which sweetened the deal!).

Plus I paid through the nose for a 5-year warranty, the one which covers 'accidental' damage and lets you get a new set to the same value... :D

Honestly though, with an eighteen month old child who has just learnt how to throw his toys around, I can't be too careful...

I spent a fair amount of time looking around on the web. QED had the set for about £1800 with free delivery and Empire Direct had it for about £1850 delivered. Neither had them in stock though. Mine is being delivered on Sunday :D

Having seen the comment about some dodgy manufacturing issues I decided to go to a store which I can walk into and shout at someone if necessary. These forums are full of stories about problems with online suppliers...