HDTV - is it worth it?

[Ant]

The tellybox at Ant Towers is old, cumbersome and increasingly faulty. The freeview set-top box is a piece of shite. So, we're looking to replace both. Everywhere seems to be pushing HDTV at the moment - has it reached the point now where not getting it would be silly, or would I just be throwing cash at a badge?

Having read a few HDTV geek sites I'm more confused than ever. HDMI this, av receiver that... oh dear. Also, presumably, one needs to subscribe to some sort of HD service. Freesat? Don't really want to be chucking ???? at it every month.

Any thoughts out there in EDFland? Anyone got it? Anyone spurned it? What to do?

[PeckhamRose]

I would be interested to read people's opinions on this one also and agree that Freeview and TopUpTV box (and their service) is shite. Thinking about BT Vision too.

[lozzyloz]

Most HDTV sets come with built in freeview. The full benefit of HD is only apparent if you play HD games, HD DVD's (on an HD DVD player) or receive an HD broadcast. You can do this with Sky or for free (almost) if you install Freesat (no subscription just a box and sat dish).

Definitely worth getting an HDTV if you're buying a new TV. I'd recommend this one, comes with a free Bluray player unless you're using a noisy PS3.

[zephyr]

You also get some HD content with VirginMedia if you have their V+ box. You only get BBC HD as a channel but you do get HD films and other programmes from the TV on Demand service. HD is very good on a big TV set.

The V+ box is very similar to the SKY+ box in that you can program it to record TV progrma (which you can then transfer onto DVD). V+ has souble the capacity of SKY+.

If you have a DVD play that can 'upscale' then you can also watch DVDs in better quality (though not full HD). If you have a PS3 then you can us the HD facility that comes with it.

You will only get HD channels if you subscribe to a service such as Virgin, SKY or FreeSat.

As Lozzyloz says it is definately worth getting a HDTV if you are buying a new one. There is a very good range. You can always get the other bits/services at a later date

[Ant]

Loz, your link stops at the 'choose a country' part of the site for me, so no clue as to which telly you mean. Tho from the status bar it looks like the link ought to be good. Perhaps it's a cookie problem.

edited again: clicking the link a second time having first selected a country works. Deffo a cookie thing. Anyway, the telly looks lovely but is rather too pricey for me I fear.

[Sandperson]

Lozzy, it's bit unfair to say the PS3 is noisy. Mine hardly makes a noise. My PS2 was VERY noisy though.

[lozzyloz]

The PS3 is ok for playing games but it seems to work harder when playing DVD's and once the fan kicks in I find it quite off putting.

What do forumites think about LCD vs Plasma? Personally I'm a fan of Sony LCD and they've now released a 200Hz version as well as a screen the thickness of a DVD box.

[snorky]

of course its not worth it - its pre planned obselesence- another way to keep the wheels of capital turning , another gimmick to sell more units, to fetish the commodity, to feed on peoples insecurities about status & worth. Do you want to see Ian Beales balsd patch or Wayne Rooney scowling & spittng in SloMo ?

Do you need a new Telly ? Most likey not. No one NEEDS a new telly really.

Do you WANT an new telly ? if you are the average man on the Denmark Hill omnibus, then probabaly

Dont be a victim, soend the money on going out and meeting people, travelling & adventure.Your HD telly will be dumped on a street corner in a few years time anyway, when you feel you have to get a new one after the advertising & marketing parasites have worked their wretched sleight of hand once more

no

no

no

no

no

dont do it

[ruffers]

Yes you do.

You want plasma if you want blacks to look black, and Sky HD's worth it if you have Movies and Sport etc although it sounds like you don't want to be spending money. One word of advice is to give just as much emphasis to your prospective telly's sd performance as you'll mostly be watching that for a good while yet.

[PeckhamRose]

Oh I like you snorky. Great attitude.

My washing machine's about to give up the ghost and I have only had 26 years out of it.

Ditto tuner and (agh!) Turntable.

But broadband and technology in general is a Great Thing. So what about BT Vision?

[*Bob*]

If you absolutely insist on being able to see individual hairs on Wayne Rooney's legs, or watching individual pieces of brain splatter out of someone's head as you gun them down in Road Rage III on the PS8, then yes - HDTV is for you.

Otherwise you'll spend your weekends insisting friends come over forcing them them to watch Blue Planet so they can marvel at the power of technology. And - trust me on this - they'll be bored to tears.

[Nero]

If you like films, sport and BBC bonnet-busters etc, then I would say yes, get one.

HD won't be dumped within a few years. Ten or fifteen maybe, but not before.

Go online to Which?, choose a set and a Blu-Ray player and go to John Lewis to grab a bargain. If you have Sky+ or Freeview HD or Virgin+, all the better.

Go for LCD and not Plasma.

[PeckhamRose]

Agree about LCD. If you have a small home, plasma is not good as it needs air round it. We were also warned never to put a plasm screen above a fire place as it just might explode.... And they are only supposed to last about 5 years before the individual gas bits stop working efficiently.

[*Bob*]

PeckhamRose Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

We were also

> warned never to put a plasm screen above a fire

> place as it just might explode....

Not to mention the fact that it looks really, really rubbish

[Jeremy]

Pretty much any TV you buy now will be HD compatible, surely? Can anyone find one which is not?

Sure, the built-in tuner may just be bog-standard freeview, but you can always upgrade to Sky HD or whatever other new services come along in the next few years.

[ruffers]

As I watch The Terminator on Sky Screen 2HD....

Disagree about plasma.

As each plasma pixel emits its own light that means blacks can be black, lcd's have a light in them to illuminate the pixels so black still has some light in it and is gray - contrast ratios have a big impact on picture quality. Also fast moving action is better, although lcd's are much better thn they were and are getting better there's still a bit of blur about them you don't get with plasma especially at the cheaper end of the market. This is much more of a factor on big screens, say 42" plus.

Regarding the five year comment I'd say that's not an issue as I'd be expecting to replace a telly not long after that anyway. (I'll be getting an OLED then at a guess)

To balance, yes they use a lot of power, they get hot, and they're really, really heavy.

But any telly looks abysmal over the fireplace.

[Asset]

I researched the diff between plasma and lcd last year when I got a new telly (plumped for Sony Bravia 26" LCD - love it). It used to be the case that plasma screens performed better than lcd in a large size but not anymore, lcd can deal with the larger size screen.