Hi - thinking of taking plunge and buying my first flat screen telly. Probably going for new V model Sony Bravia 32 LCD. These are cheaper via web but worried about calibration and matching screen to source equipment - are these issues to be concerned about or are they easy to deal with when I get the set? Is calibration more an issue for plasma screens rather than LCDs. Like most people I would like to save money but I would pay more to use a "hands-on" service if it genuinely brought better service. I welcome your views

Willie

Hi Willie

You could get one of those callibration DVD's if you're worried about it. You have to wonder sometimes how many differences people see, in store, or even at home, is more to do with set and callibration than anything else.

Jay

I'd never buy a "main" TV from the web - who do you go to if it goes wrong?

Also, I wouldn't go to a Sony centre for impartial advice - you may get all the technical mumbo jumbo you can handle - but they're just not going to be candid about whether you get better picture from Panasonic, or better service backup if something goes wrong from a Sharp set, are they?

Think of your screen as a speaker for pictures, then put the same effort into choosing it as you did for your speakers - you wouldn't buy a pair of floorstanders for a grand off the web, would you?

quote:

Originally posted by Mike1380:
I'd never buy a "main" TV from the web - who do you go to if it goes wrong?

Web retailing is well established & the major manufacturers recognise this.

In practice, virtually all of their warranty work will be carried out by appointed service agents for the relevant geographical area, & their service engineers will generally be far more competent than the in-store variety (if any) in Currys etc. You would report the problem to the manufacturer's helpline & they would place the service call with the appropriate agent. This is certainly how Samsung operate & I would expect the others to work in a similar fashion.

So unless you are talking about returning the item for replacement or a cash refund, it doesn't make much difference who the supplier was.

quote:

So unless you are talking about returning the item for replacement or a cash refund, it doesn't make much difference who the supplier was.

Not really, I'm talking more about getting the best performance out of it and having it set up to give a decent picture.

I work on a simple principle - once something costs more than £500 I want to buy it from someone who knows how it works... someone who knows more about it than I do. I feel that a retailer should "earn" their money (after all, some of that money will have been mine, and I certainly had to earn it in order to pass it on to them), and am exceedingly happy to support those who do just that.

I've yet to meet a web page than can hold an articulate conversation re the pros and cons of what I'm considering buying.

This might be
interesting

and also
this

Buy the set from John Lewis; 5 years guarantee and they'll web price match (IIRC). Got to be worth it.

Or try H Preston in Malvern, for good pricing and a shop front.

H Preston

Regards

Jono

For 32" I would stay with a CRT.
Have a look at the new HD Ready CRT from Samsung 419D (HDMI, YUV, Freeview, >720 lines, etc ...) for much cheaper than a LCD and probably a better image : http://www.samsung.com/uk/products/television/crt/ws32z...?page=Specifications
Then in 2008-09 you can go directly to SED.

A CRT with progressive signal is really great.

Whilst I would agree in principle that a CRT is better than a Plasma or LCD, I would also agree in principle that a mid-engined open top sportscar is a fulfilling and exciting driving experience.

The Samsung HD CRT seems akin to an MGF in this light, and a far cry from an Elise or F355 Spyder.

I have seen one working, and set up with correct colour balance etc on the settings. I was not impressed.

Approach with caution!!!!!!!

Hi Willie,

I have been following this thread, and wondered if you have made your purchase yet?

I am also in the market for a new TV, and have seen the 32" v series Sony and was impressed. Unfortunately i am restricted to a Tv of this size, (ideally i would love to buy the pioneer plasma but my room layout/proximity to the set etc does not allow such a big screen). I am unable to see a 40" Sony V series as no body in the area stocks one, but i would love to know if the picture is as good as the 32", or would i have the same problem of being too close ?

Regards Mike.