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    Yet Another TV Question

    Yes, I've read the NTSC TV guide - its very nice thanks, and I'm close-ish to a decision.

    Anyway, for those following at home, over recent weeks I've looked at Plasmas, been told off for wanting to spend ?3000 I don't have, moved to Projectors, then realised I don't have anywhere sensible to put the screen.

    So, in a fit of perversity, I'm now back to lovely CRT tubes. I'm looking at the Toshiba 32ZP38 right now, but I'd love to hear both opinions on if its any good, and if anyone would recommend anything else to look at.

    The rules of the game are these:

    1) Money is less important than picture quality, but don't get monumentally carried away. My Tosh idea is coming around ?1200, so lets say no more than ?1500. I'd prefer under the ?1000 if you can, though.

    2) Its 32" we're looking at. 36" won't fit, and I already have a 28" and its too small.

    3) Width, as you might have guessed from rule 2, is a problem. The Toshiba is only 76cm wide, which is ideal (actually reason 1 why its winning). Go too much over this, and its disqualified, unfortunately.

    4) I have a nice surround system that cost around twice my maximum TV budget already. Fancypants sound like the built-in Dolby on the Tosh is going to be wasted. Nicam stereo would be fine, and even that doesn't have to sound particularly great.

    5) I'm not using its stand, so the money Toshiba spent building it (and I'll be spending buying it) is wasted too. Oh well.

    6) As this is a picture quality contest, 100Hz is a must, Prog Scan component in (or a very good deinterlacer) pretty much too.

    So, should I get the Toshiba, and watch all that cash go on Dolby and things I don't need, or is there something else I'd want?

    #2
    I'd wait and save and get a plasma. PW5 is now available from 2500...

    Failing that if I had to get a CRT, Sony gets it every time.

    Neil

    Comment


      #3
      Plasmas are cool but way too expensive. After demo'ing a couple I really don't think they're worth the money.

      Projectors, sadly, need lots of space so they're a bit overkill for me too. They are the ultimate in big screen gaming though so if you do have the room...

      As for a big CRT I'd go with that Toshiba. You can pick it up for ?1099.
      It looks sexy, has loads of cool features (ntsc and pal ps) and is relatively cheap. Make sure you get component cables for your gear and you'll be set.

      If you have any questions about that particular model ask Freddo on these forums (or me in a few weeks).

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        #4
        The 32inch loewe Articos Platinum is what i want now.

        Costs around ?1740 but it's supposed to be the ****

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          #5
          Ta for the advice so far - I hope to be demoing it, a Panny and a Sony soon.

          Sony have switched entirely over to having their speakers on the sides, rather than underneath the screen like on my pre-Wega 28", which is a right pain.

          The reason both plasmas and 36" CRTs are out of the window is that I're re-examined where in the room they'll need to go, and frankly there isn't the width - I might just barely scrape the Panny 37" plasma, but it'll recieve one hell of a protest from my wife (because, frankly, she's right).

          Comment


            #6
            This is the slightly updated version of my TV, which, while lacking Prog scan, is still stunning, DRC really works. Speakers are narrow (and of course, NEVER turned up at all) and it looks the part too.

            Shop TV, Hi-Fi, home cinema and more at Richer Sounds. We offer expert advice and lowest prices guaranteed. Visit us in store or shop online now.


            Chods

            Comment


              #7
              If your going to demo the TX-32PD30 make sure your happy with both the RGB Scart & Component inputs. There are problems with black crushing - a lack of detail on dark scenes - 5m in on Aotc on the Palpatines belt is the perfect example.

              I have the TX-36PD30 and its excellent via component (actually in IMO its the best picture out of component inputs on the current range of CRTs) but I'm not so impressed with the RGB Scart quality. Hence why I am going to get a RGB Scart to Component YUV converter for my Sky box.

              I have heard that there is a new Sony CRT due out before the end of September, so it may be worth waiting a couple of weeks before making your final choice.

              Its worth considering the Loewes as well, they cost more and they have some problems (particaly with 60 Hz material). It would be worth speaking to Groundy @ Avforums as hes the expert on Loewes.

              I wouldn't demo sets with the 100Hz modes on either, none of the current crop works very well at all (the new sony might change this), if anyone thinks different I suggest they read the relevant threads over at avforums.com.

              Comment


                #8
                I thinks different, can you point me at a URL? I can't find the thread. Ta.

                Comment


                  #9
                  I would go for the award winning Toshiba Strata 32ZD26, it's picture quality is the best you'll find for under ?1300. It has 100Hz and 50Hz, component inputs, 3 scarts, progressive scan, Dynamic Noise Reduction, Black Stretch and is well within your required dimensions.

                  The sound quality is okay, certainly not the best in it's class but as you have a super-duper surround system anyway that doesn't matter.

                  I myself have the 28 inch version and it's brilliant. Terrestrial broadcasts, Sky, DVD's and videogames all look fantastic - particularly the Gamecube in progressive scan.

                  Next time your in WHSmiths take a look at the home cinema mags - they all rate it as the best in it's class. Oh and be wary of SONY widescreens - they are fantastically over-priced, unless you consider the little badge to be worth an extra few hundred quid.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    The 32ZP38 is the next step above the Strata's and looks far nicer too boot.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Author Message
                      yashiro Posted: Sun Aug 31, 9:43 pm

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

                      The 32ZP38 is the next step above the Strata's and looks far nicer too boot.
                      I don't think it looks nicer, not into the black front panel. But then beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Do not buy a Sony. Their quality standards are low these days and the CRT`s lack component and progressive scan.

                        I bought a JVC 32D25. It has progressive scan component inputs for pal/ntsc. It also upscales images to 1250pal and 1500ntsc. It has a powerful subwoofer built in the back and outputs for surround sound. Also 2 RGB scarts and everything else you could want.

                        It really is an amazing tv. Got the EISA award 2003 for best new technology. I had my doubts but it is far better than any other CRT that I have tried in the shops. The XB and GC look great on it but because of the high resolution it can really show-up PS2 games, as they can look very low quality.

                        Here is a link . http://www.shopathills.co.uk/acatalo...D25EJW_53.html

                        It cost ?1500 last xmas, so ?999 is a bargain.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          That JVC sounds too good to be true at that price. Mind you, they should remove all that sound crap Does it increase the horizontal resolution as well as the number of lines?

                          And can it do that on a prog scan picture?

                          And something else I've been wondering... does prog scan update at 25 fps ? in which case, does it look a little jerkier than interlaced? Or does it update at 50fps? The xbox & GC can output at that rate I know, just wasn't sure if a CRT can take that speed of refresh. Maybe I should check on avforums but I thought I'd ask as you've got it...

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by choddo
                            I thinks different, can you point me at a URL? I can't find the thread. Ta.
                            Firstly, the Loewe and the Sony 100Hz modes are clearly ahead of the rest of the pack, but I still find them completely unwatchable. Note the important word there, I, you might not *see* problem. I find the addtional processing of 100Hz unwatchable.

                            Also not all sets of the same model are affected, there seems to be some real friday afternoon sets out there.

                            heres the phillips one:


                            Basicly pixel plus is the biggest load of ****e. Pixel plus 2 might be better, but nobody outside of phillips has seen a production set, so who knows.

                            heres the panny one:


                            The problem is the chipset thats handling the 100Hz mode cannot cope with the bandwidth of RGB as loses detail on dark images - its noticably better with s-video. It doesn't seem to do any processing with component inputs, hence why I say its a great for component.

                            heres the problems with the toshiba picture frame sets:


                            Loewe:


                            only seems to be with 60Hz material, kinda important if you have import consoles, but as I said before Groundy is the expert on this, and he thinks he has a solution

                            Sony:


                            balls not round

                            Comment


                              #15
                              The JVC sounds nice, but at 95cm its 19cm wider than the Tosh, which will probably be an issue - I'll need to see one in the flesh to be sure. Even the Sony is only 88cm.

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