Transonic TVs - Quality problems??

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553 posts

Ultimate Geek

#371893 23-Aug-2010 23:19

Dunnersfella: Don't Harvey's have a big TV sale on today?

When don't they.......

robbyp

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#371900 23-Aug-2010 23:52

I only buy Sony, and Panasonic TVs. I wouldn't touch samsung, or any warehouse brand. I aslo wouldn't touch house brands, or no name brands, because you get what you pay for. These things are reasonably priced anyway, even the best brands.

My old sony TV was 25 years old,(made in West Germany) and had to be dragged out in a still working condition, to be replaced with new HD TV.

HN and NR both often have specials on reasonable brand DVD players, such as philips LG and toshiba, from time to time, and sometimes for under $50 . I think NR are currently selling an LG one with DIVX for $60, reduced from $130.

Nety

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#371929 24-Aug-2010 06:48

robbyp: [
My old sony TV was 25 years old,(made in West Germany) and had to be dragged out in a still working condition, to be replaced with new HD TV.

And our HD ready Sony TV was three years old when it needed to be replaced...
I will generally buy on spec's and performance over what the manufactures name is. This will normally mean that I get a name brand simply because the performance is normally better. However I have also owned some very good "no name" bits of kit too. I used to have a Mitzuda (think that was how it is spelled) DVD player that we picked up from a supermarket. It worked perfectly from the day we brought it and was still going when eventually I sold it many years later. It had some very good features like progressive scan that name players many times it price did not have. That model became well known for being fantastic bang for buck.

Media centre PC - Case Silverstone LC16M with 2 X 80mm AcoustiFan DustPROOF, MOBO Gigabyte MA785GT-UD3H, CPU AMD X2 240 under volted, RAM 4 Gig DDR3 1033, HDD 120Gig System/512Gig data, Tuners 2 X Hauppauge HVR-3000, 1 X HVR-2200, Video Palit GT 220, Sound Realtek 886A HD (onboard), Optical LiteOn DH-401S Blue-ray using TotalMedia Theatre Power Corsair VX Series, 450W ATX PSU OS Windows 7 x64

trig42

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#372013 24-Aug-2010 11:34

The DSE branded TVs are Re-badged Sommets. Sommet being a somewhat unknown brand as well.

I have installed a few of these sets (32-40" LCDs), and have been reasonably impressed with the picture quality. They have built in FreeviewHD tuners and are reasonably easy to use. The remotes aren't as 'polished' as the big brands - ie they look and feel a bit cheap, but the TVs themselves look fine.

As for Sony, 5-10 years ago when I worked in Browngoods retail, I would have said that Sony would be the only brand of TV to buy. Now, they are just like all the rest, when you get a good one, it's good, but you have just the same chance of getting a dud (as with any other brand). They are good products, don't get me wrong, but I would these days be just as happy with a Panny or a Samsung (or a Philips if they were still around...) I just think that Sony's QC isn't what it used to be (neither are their prices - that is probably linked!)

To the OP - get the biggest set you can afford, have a look at it instore up against others first though.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

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#372041 24-Aug-2010 12:16

trig42: The DSE branded TVs are Re-badged Sommets. Sommet being a somewhat unknown brand as well.

I have installed a few of these sets (32-40" LCDs), and have been reasonably impressed with the picture quality. They have built in FreeviewHD tuners and are reasonably easy to use. The remotes aren't as 'polished' as the big brands - ie they look and feel a bit cheap, but the TVs themselves look fine.

As for Sony, 5-10 years ago when I worked in Browngoods retail, I would have said that Sony would be the only brand of TV to buy. Now, they are just like all the rest, when you get a good one, it's good, but you have just the same chance of getting a dud (as with any other brand). They are good products, don't get me wrong, but I would these days be just as happy with a Panny or a Samsung (or a Philips if they were still around...) I just think that Sony's QC isn't what it used to be (neither are their prices - that is probably linked!)

To the OP - get the biggest set you can afford, have a look at it instore up against others first though.

I agree re: Sony unfortunately. Something has gone downhill somewhere, and I suspect it's to do with their QC.
I think the best TV's on the market right now (brand wise) seem to be coming out of Panasonic's factories...
The colours seem good, few issues seem to arise reliability wise.
...And just the other day, they added Twitter to their TV internet apps - Woot!

cgrew

860 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#372049 24-Aug-2010 12:32

Dunnersfella:
trig42: The DSE branded TVs are Re-badged Sommets. Sommet being a somewhat unknown brand as well.

I have installed a few of these sets (32-40" LCDs), and have been reasonably impressed with the picture quality. They have built in FreeviewHD tuners and are reasonably easy to use. The remotes aren't as 'polished' as the big brands - ie they look and feel a bit cheap, but the TVs themselves look fine.

As for Sony, 5-10 years ago when I worked in Browngoods retail, I would have said that Sony would be the only brand of TV to buy. Now, they are just like all the rest, when you get a good one, it's good, but you have just the same chance of getting a dud (as with any other brand). They are good products, don't get me wrong, but I would these days be just as happy with a Panny or a Samsung (or a Philips if they were still around...) I just think that Sony's QC isn't what it used to be (neither are their prices - that is probably linked!)

To the OP - get the biggest set you can afford, have a look at it instore up against others first though.

I think the best TV's on the market right now (brand wise) seem to be coming out of Panasonic's factories...
The colours seem good, few issues seem to arise reliability wise.
!

What about Sony Bravia? They have exceptionally good colours on their TVs..

cgrew

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#372050 24-Aug-2010 12:34

And reliability according to consumer magazine is up around 90% for 2010

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mattRSK

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#372054 24-Aug-2010 12:46

I have so much sony stuff it's a laugh really. Even my alarm clock is a sony!

cgrew

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#372064 24-Aug-2010 13:00

mattRSK: Even my alarm clock is a sony!

Haha that's awesome!

graemeh

2078 posts

Uber Geek

#372068 24-Aug-2010 13:04

mattRSK: I have so much sony stuff it's a laugh really. Even my alarm clock is a sony!

We have a Sony alarm clock. It was broken from the day it came out of the box, had to be fixed under warranty. They had built it for 60hz power instead of 50hz.

Now what were people saying about Sony quality control?

cgrew

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#372088 24-Aug-2010 13:26

Unfortunately consumer did not rate their alarm clocks..

Dunnersfella

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#372213 24-Aug-2010 15:39

cgrew:

What about Sony Bravia? They have exceptionally good colours on their TVs..

Until halfway through 2009 I'd have agreed - not so much now.
Check out the 55" LCD (KDL55EX500) from the side. The loss of colour is quite disturbing.
Then again, it is VERY cheap for a 55" 100Hz LCD.

cgrew

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#372223 24-Aug-2010 15:55

Dunnersfella:
cgrew:

What about Sony Bravia? They have exceptionally good colours on their TVs..

Until halfway through 2009 I'd have agreed - not so much now.
Check out the 55" LCD (KDL55EX500) from the side. The loss of colour is quite disturbing.
Then again, it is VERY cheap for a 55" 100Hz LCD.

You definitely can't complain about the price that's for sure, but in saying I agree with you in colour reduction. I have a Sony Bravia KDL-46W4500 which is their 08/09 model (What Hi-Fi product of the year

) and it has superb colour but since that model I have noticed newer models aren't as good..

Interesting..

Dunnersfella

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#372321 24-Aug-2010 18:45

Didn't Sony drop from an 10-bit to 8-bit panel mid-2009 on the W series?*

*Sorry about the thread jack BTW.

JimmyH

2886 posts

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#372376 24-Aug-2010 21:26

I like Panasonics - still have my old living room Panny CRT in the spare room that is going strong (if very infrequently now), and a Panny flat panel which I am very hapy with in terms of features, performance, and picture quality etc. Both my DVD recorders are also Pannys and work well. In a fit of enthusiasm I also bought a 40" Samsung LCD about 2 years ago (the price was right) and, although it is OK, if I was purchasing again I would get a Panny. The picture isn't quite as nice as on the Panny.

I have had a very good run on no name equipment as well. Recently gave away a 25" Transonic CRT (still working) which had given sterling service, but was not surplus, to a friend for their kids bedroom. I also tend to prefer no name DVD players (I have a S&V from countdown, and a DSE branded player) as, not only are they cheap, they tend to do things that the brand names won't. They both cost under $100 ($59.95 and $79.95 for the DSE on sale), have HDMI out, and are fully zone selectable - which is much better than simply "dezoned" - and brand name players won't do that.

The only brand I won't touch is Sony (although I used to be a Sony fanboy, way back in the days of their CRTs and beta VCRs). I have posted a much longer critique. In essence, I have problems with their value for money, obsession with proprietary formats (ATRAC, memory stick, cellphone charger connectors ......), obsession with DRM, shennanigans as part of the RIAA and MPAA, and their general contempt for their customers. Plus, Sony kit now mainly comes from China and is just as crappy as all the rest - it was different when it was made in Japan and West Germany etc.

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