New TV

[Scotty C]

Scotty, I'd buy a decent tv and wouldn't worry about specific smart features and 3D. To be honest I bet the majority would watch a 3D thing a handful of times at most and then forget about it. You want 3d go to he cinema and make an event if it, not a relatively small tv in the house, in my opinion. Also smart TVs I bet majority of the time you wouldn't use the features, don't know anyone who really does a lot as other equipment they have has the features anyways and they use that instead so don't get caught up in the specifics of each.

Simple solution buy decent tv, buy a decent sound bar unless you want to conceal wiring for 5.1 surround during decorating, get an Apple TV and hook up the sky box. Apple TV will let you stream your music and video clips to the tv for £100 and has netflix etc if you want the smart functions.

[Sanjøy]

Think Sonos do a package of the play bar and sub, don't think ittcomes cheap though!

Sonos is for losers


Greg send me make/model of TV and stereo and I will dig about my cables box and drop something off.

[tut]

Go into JL Scotty, they have a large range, so check picture quality which is number one.

I don't go to the flics so 3D is more useful for me. Passive with lightweight glasses is comfortable, and for Sci-Fi films there is no comparison. The same with golf if you watch it, you see the slopes as opposed to flat 2D. It will make a massive difference when F! comes, again you will see the track with the gradients, Eau Rouge will look completely different.

Horses for courses though, on some models there is very little price difference. You can not go wrong with any of the top brands, Pioneer, Samsung, LG, Sony.

tut

[GregR]

I've got a 40- something Samsung smart tv, top of the line back when we bought it. We use the streaming all the time for Netflix/Lovefilm and I use it to watch Chris Harris on YouTube.

Used the 3D function once then neve bothered again.

The thing that lets it down is how you hook it up to external audio - I still haven't worked it out almost two years on so I plug it in thru the headphone slot!

Must have an optical output? What are you plugging it into? What input sources are available on device you plug into? Take a picture and post it up if you get stuck.

Cheers Scott. Trying to plug into an Arcam Solo Mini, tv is a UE40ES6710. TV has a digital optical out but Arcam doesn't.

[Mr Momo]

Where is Mr Tony when you need him ?

[neil]

I've got a 40- something Samsung smart tv, top of the line back when we bought it. We use the streaming all the time for Netflix/Lovefilm and I use it to watch Chris Harris on YouTube.

Used the 3D function once then neve bothered again.

The thing that lets it down is how you hook it up to external audio - I still haven't worked it out almost two years on so I plug it in thru the headphone slot!

Must have an optical output? What are you plugging it into? What input sources are available on device you plug into? Take a picture and post it up if you get stuck.

Cheers Scott. Trying to plug into an Arcam Solo Mini, tv is a UE40ES6710. TV has a digital optical out but Arcam doesn't.

Looks like you need a DAC - http://www.richersounds.com/product/oth ... p-aud3-192

[Sanjøy]

I've got a 40- something Samsung smart tv, top of the line back when we bought it. We use the streaming all the time for Netflix/Lovefilm and I use it to watch Chris Harris on YouTube.

Used the 3D function once then neve bothered again.

The thing that lets it down is how you hook it up to external audio - I still haven't worked it out almost two years on so I plug it in thru the headphone slot!

Must have an optical output? What are you plugging it into? What input sources are available on device you plug into? Take a picture and post it up if you get stuck.

Cheers Scott. Trying to plug into an Arcam Solo Mini, tv is a UE40ES6710. TV has a digital optical out but Arcam doesn't.

You are doing it right. Buy a new AV amp

[tonyg]

Never fear - i have arrived !!

Panachronics have been overrated for years, no way are they the best TVs out there.

If i wan't buying a Loewe (by far the best picture out there, but are in a bit of a shambles just now,so wouldn't buy one) i'd probably buy an LG.
Picture is generally as good as the rest of them, price is a bit less.
Was in John Lewis last week and the new Sonys look good too.
I personally don't like Samsungs (I find the very thin frame doesn't fix the picture and it "floats" ).
Panasonic have not long abandoned making Plasma TVs so there will be deals everywhere.
John Lewis is generally the best place to buy - prices are competive (they're doing that Pana for the same price as Currys) and you'll get the free 5 year warranty, which is worth a lot.
If you're buying a cheap TV (especially a big one) make sure it is actually Full HD - there's a Pansonic out there just not (can't remember the model) - it's a 50 for about £450, it's actually a 4x3 panel effectively (1024 x 768), but in a 16 x 9 shape.

Try and see the TV while there is fast motion going on (There's an 80 inch Sharp at Costco just now for about £4k that look Ok in fairly static or easy motion shots,but falls to pieces totally with fast motion).
Sonos Playbar is by far the most useful soundbar (because it's a network music player and easy to use/set up).

Greg, as Neil says you need one of these -

http://www.cypeurope.com/store/store/ap ... /AU-D3-192

Available all over the place, just make sure you set the input switch to optical (it's a tiny and not very obvious switch on the unit).

You can connect it in to the aux input on your Solo Mini (it's only got one IIRC).

[Fluoxetine]

After a Ioad of research, I bought a Panachronic Viera plasma last year from Richer Sounds - It's been bloody brilliant, with a cracking picture and the Smart stuff is useful (iPlayer / Netflix / youtube get used lots). Solid build quality and decent remote.

This model here - But there'll be better deals going on more recent models: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-TX-P4 ... B0079WKGKG

Paid £569 for it, iirc - Got a couple of pairs of active 3D specs with it, but haven't really used them.

Only downside is the cr*p sound from the rear facing speakers, but this is an issue with most flat screens.

[GraemeLotus]

Harman Kardon AV amp still the best thing I've bought for many years.....the better the TV, the better the sound you'll need!

[tonyg]

For those who like Samsungs and are looking to buy soon/now, it looks like there's a new Samsung range out soon (no details),
but current prices are in freefall.

55inch 8000 series that was £2500 not long ago is now £1850 more or less every where

[tut]

I bought my LG 60" four years ago at £1,295.

It is an all singing full HD, Wi-Fi, Smart TV, picture still great, but that would still be a good price now.

tut

[alicrozier]

Welcome to look at my Samsung Scotty.

Costco can do a good deal if they happen to have the model you're after...they have lots.

[gambler]

I bought a Smart Viera last year and have been very impressed with it. I found it was head and shoulders above the rest, picture wise IMO and I love the smart features, you can easily loose hours on youtube and I-Player.

I went shopping at Curries/Comet, stood like a spare part for 15 mins waiting to get served, eventually asked for some service from a completely unhelpful teenager. I then left and wet to a local independent, great service and managed to negotiate a better price than Cumet with a 5 year guarantee

[Doc883]

I had a butchers at the 4k Samsung in Currys, picture resolution was amazing. They had a demo film of NYC on and you could make out people in office windows it was that clear. Think I'll wait for prices to drop to a respectable level but that's going to be my next TV