Hawkes Bay going digital advice on purchasing television set needed

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silverbirch

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#103238 1-Jun-2012 22:07

Hi - I'm not sure if this an appropriate place to post.

Seeing as I have an older?television?I've decided to buy a new set rather than getting a decoder before we digital. ?I've begun looking around and the choice seems bewildering, even overwhelming. ?I'm thinking of around 40", and don't need the Internet as I have a laptop on wireless if I want to google or whatever while watching tv.

I keep hearing about plasma, LCD and LED, and HD. ?One saleperson suggested that if I watched a lot of sport that plasma would be best, but if?viewing?is general then LED is fine. ?I'm assuming HD is a must.

I guess the next issue is brand, and I don't want to start a war, but assume some are more reliable than others. ?Until now I've tended to have?Panasonic?television, DVD etc, but open to change, as technology has changed hugely.?

Any advice appreciated.

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

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#634472 2-Jun-2012 00:20

Samsung make some nice sets, I've got a 46" LED which works fine for my needs. Built in Freeview is probably good as well.

Don't be afraid to haggle with the salesperson for a cash price. You'll be surprised at what they can often do.

trig42

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#634490 2-Jun-2012 07:59

If you want a 40" - this is an awesome price: http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tv-lcd-led-plasma/samsung/40-fhd-50hz-3xhdmi-smart-tv-sku-27179/
If SWMBO allowed it I would have one winging it's way here now.

silverbirch

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#634493 2-Jun-2012 08:10

How easy/difficult are they to set up? I have a DVD recorder as well.

Certainly sounds an awesome deal!

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

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trig42

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#634494 2-Jun-2012 08:16

Tuning is a piece of cake - all wizard based.
Plug in the DVD recorder as you have it now - you are aware however that unless your DVD recorder is digital, you won't be able to easily record TV after the Digital Switch? Look into getting a TiVo or similar.

silverbirch

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#634495 2-Jun-2012 08:19

Hmm - just off a night shift so will sleep on it, but very, very tempted as it just what I want. Well more than because I wasn't bothered about the Internet.

I rarely record anything from television so that's not an issue. I've no idea if it's digital, but suspect not as it's five years old.

Thanks for the information. I'm thinking if I can set up a modem/router by following the wizard, or using the browser, that I can do this. Not sure if I'll be able to sleep now!!

Thanks for the link :-)

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

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trig42

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#634496 2-Jun-2012 08:23

No worries - that special lasts till Monday

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

silverbirch

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#634499 2-Jun-2012 08:27

I see there's a store in Palmy - might have to make a trip :-), although I guess easier to order online.

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

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ajw

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#634510 2-Jun-2012 09:15

The warehouse are doing a special on a Sanyo Full HD 39" for $499 until 5 June.

http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/catalog/product/Sanyo-39-Inch-FHD-LCD-TV-LCD39XZ12F?SKU=1592148

silverbirch

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#634798 2-Jun-2012 20:36

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

Probably shouldn't make decisions about major purchases after night shifts! I've bought a Sharp Bravia 40" LED KL40EX520. Its' full HD, LED, has ethernet readiness, and wireless via dongle at extra cost (about $110 depending where you buy).

Cost $764 -= 25% off, as old model apparently.

Possibly might be perceived as a poor choice and on spur of moment, but I just LOVE the clarity and seemingly trueness of colour. Now debating whether I can justify a dongle :-)!! Once I decided didn't want to wait, and the drive to Palmy and back was going to be about five hours in total, and associated cost of petrol. Gee - I'm trying to justify aren't I :-)

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

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mattwnz

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#634801 2-Jun-2012 20:46

silverbirch: Thanks everyone for your suggestions. ?

Probably shouldn't make decisions about major purchases after night shifts! I've bought a Sharp Bravia 40" LED KL40EX520. ?Its' full HD, LED, has ethernet readiness, and wireless via dongle at extra cost (about $110 depending where you buy).

Cost $764 -= 25% off, as old model apparently.

Possibly might be?perceived?as a poor choice and on spur of moment, but I just LOVE the?clarity?and seemingly trueness of colour. ?Now debating whether I can justify a dongle :-)!! ?Once I decided didn't want to wait, and the drive to Palmy and back was going to be about five hours in total, and associated cost of petrol. ?Gee - I'm trying to justify aren't I :-)

Its is 'Sony' Those are good, and a good price.

silverbirch

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#634804 2-Jun-2012 20:49

Oops - how did I do that? Yes Sony, and wonderful! I'm rapt!

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

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Lenovo

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Dunnersfella

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#634807 2-Jun-2012 20:58

I'd flag the dongle and use your laptop - it's far easier to live with compared to so called 'smart TV' functionality...

silverbirch

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#634809 2-Jun-2012 21:02

Dunnersfella: I'd flag the dongle and use your laptop - it's far easier to live with compared to so called 'smart TV' functionality...

OK thanks. I didn't realise the tv had that functionality initially anyway.

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

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mattwnz

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#634837 2-Jun-2012 22:10

Dunnersfella: I'd flag the dongle and use your laptop - it's far easier to live with compared to so called 'smart TV' functionality...

It is, although the sony does have youtube, and netflix (or similar), which do work quite well. But you can either connect it to a router using an ethernet cable, or connect it to a laptop via a crossover cable.

silverbirch

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#634841 2-Jun-2012 22:16

mattwnz:
Dunnersfella: I'd flag the dongle and use your laptop - it's far easier to live with compared to so called 'smart TV' functionality...

It is, although the sony does have youtube, and netflix (or similar), which do work quite well. But you can either connect it to a router using an ethernet cable, or connect it to a laptop via a crossover cable.

My laptop is wireless - so a crossover cable would work, rather than buying a dongle? Have to say at this point I don't know what advantages there are - except size of image, for me to use this function.

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

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