Need a 28in widescreen, what would you do ?

[piquet]

I wonder if anyone can give me some ideas...

I have a decent hifi setup - nice Arcam CD & amp and some big Mission speakers. I just bought a Toshiba SD210E DVD this weekend but have a 4:3 mono TV. This USED to be ok before the DVD, cos I used my hifi for sound, and the TV was effectively a monitor.

I'm not keen on filling my room with surround sound speakers but I'd like to buy a 28in widescreen TV to make the most of the DVD player.

So..... what do I buy ? Is it possible to buy a widescreen monitor and continue using my hifi for simple stereo sound? Or would I get better sound from a TV with virtual surround sound ?

Thanks for any ideas !

[Phill]

I don't know about your player but does it not have virtual surround sound. The speakers in TVs are generally not that great when compared to stand-alone speakers. So if your DVD player can do virtual surround, then this is the way to go.

BTW you can get some really quite small and decent sounding speakers if space is your worry. Some solutions are really quite cheap if it's cost that's putting you off.

There are all-in-one systemes like the digitheatre or if your budget is larger you could use and AV amp, sub and four sattelite speakers.

[piquet]

Thanks Phill

It's not the size of speakers, it's the cabling really. I have stone floors with nowhere to hide cables.

The virtual surround sound seems to be a feature of some of the widescreen TVs I've looked at, but I guess that's only as good as the speakers that come with the TV. If I could get a TV with this sort of virtual surround sound feature which I could hook up to my hifi then I'd be happy I think !

I don't really want to spend money on a TV with features I don't need. What I really want is an excellent picture, and connectivity to allow great sound using the kit I already have. Am I being realistic ?

Cheers, Phil

[wseed]

This is a similar question to one I was going to ask so I hope you don't mind me jumping on your thread.

Why do you have to get all the surround set-up when all you want is a good picture.

What is the advantage (if any) of getting a 100Hz TV is the picture really that much more stable? What is a realistic budget for a 28" WS?

[piquet]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way!

I read in Aug 2001 Which? Report that if you don't notice a flicker on a 50Hz set, then 100Hz is a waste of £300. I don't notice the flicker on my TV, but when you go down to a Sony centre and see a 100Hz next to a 50Hz you DO see the difference (not just in the price ;) ) - the 50Hz appears to flicker. I think that's a trick on the eyes because the TVs are right next to each other.

The other confusing thing I find in buying a TV now - take Philips for example. You visit their website and see a large range of 28in widescreens varying in price and features. If I want an excellent picture they don't tell me which tube is best .... Super Flat Black Line, Real Flat Blackline S, Real Flat Blackline Fx .... you are left to assume the one which has the highest price has the best of everything.

I will email them and ask !

[Simes]

what do I buy ? Is it possible to buy a widescreen monitor and continue using my hifi for simple stereo sound? Or would I get better sound from a TV with virtual surround sound ?

Forget the virtual surround sound.In blunt terms its crap...
The only way for decent surround sound is 5 speakers (or 5+sub).If you don't want to go this route because of cabling then stick to stereo.Your Hi-Fi will give better sound than the TV's small cheap speakers.
As for TVs , 100hz is less needed on smaller sets (like a 28" W/S) because you are only likely to notice flicker on larger screens.100hz brings problems with smearing on fast moving objects and costs more to boot .All you need is a well-reviewed 28" W/S nicam set such as the Toshiba 28W93B. You can find this set for about £350. Check on www.price-guide.co.uk for cheap suppliers of whichever TV you decide on ;)

[wseed]

Why do all the cheaper end TV's look as ugly as sin? Apart from they want your money to get the sexier looking numbers.

Am I going to be P'ed off if I buy a not so flat tube set. I appreciate the importance if your sitting on top of the screen as you are with a computer monitor but s there really that much point if your 6" away?

[piquet]

Thanks Simes - you confirmed what I thought re Nicam. The Price-Guide site is very useful too. They go on about HDTV for great picture quality, but when you search for models it finds none. Is HDTV a goer at the moment? Will it work with Sky Digital and my new DVD player ?

I agree with you too wseed - even Sony's cheapo 28in is ugly as hell. Those 36in Toshibas with no more than 2cm of plastic around the screen look the business to me - I want it to fit into the smallest possible space as well !

[Greenstead]

I think Simes has given good advice based on the constraints you have given.

However it should be said:

What I really want is an excellent picture, and connectivity to allow great sound using the kit I already have. Am I being realistic ?

Cheers, Phil

The answer is no.
Without full 5.1 sound you will never experience what DVD can deliver.

Its up to you what you want.

;)

[piquet]

Ok, I just discovered the existence of something else ! Philips 28PW9616 TV comes with Dolby Digital and WIRELESS FM surround speakers ! This would get around the problem of wires everywhere. I know the speakers aren't as good as my Mission 734s but unless they are very poor I reckon I could live with that because I'm getting more from my DVD.

Anyone have any experience of this model or any other 28in widescreen TVs with wireless speakers ? Or any other wireless set-ups ?

Cheers - I'm learning LOADS !:D

[wseed]

Problem I can see with Wireless speakers is that you still need power, be if form the mains(messy cable again) or battery 5/6 sets running down all the time expensive/ pain to run. Imagine half way through a film and the batteries start to fail!

[Greenstead]

Wseed - I think you're right about wireless speakers. We have a Philips FM stereo transmitter, with a pair of wireless speakers in the bathroom - so I can listen to CNN or Discovery ...and blow bubbles at the same time - affluence gone wild!
(Acutally quite a neat little system from QVC and good value - same transmitter drives our wireless headphones - works great).
:D

Very good for what it is but they don't have anything like the sound quality of our amp driven wired Boston speakers downstairs....plus battery life is not good if the volume was turned up..and wiring to mains would be a pain. Dunno if our wireless speakers are as good as those that come with the Phillips telly, but I reckon they are not a solution for real quality sound in the lounge IMO.


:(