Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Any suggestions for new Lcd ?

I began to look for a flat panel late last year. I had a 36 inch Phillips CRT and, until HD demos came along, always thought the picture to be better than any LCD or Plasma could offer. I ended up with a shortlist of Pioneer PDP-507XD, Panasonic TH50PX600 and Toshiba 47WLT66.

For me, both plasmas were preferable to the Toshiba, the picture of which looked "harder" and "flatter" and I bought the Pioneer. If the Pioner hadn't been available, I probably would not have bought at this point. We watch TV via an onboard Freeview digital tuner and, from our viewing distance of about 13', it's better than the CRT was. I'm currently running component progressive from my 598DP and the picture is excellent - enough to want to play the collection back to back. We also have a cheap Toshiba player upscaling to 720p/1080i over HDMI. We think the 598 is better over Component although I need to do a more thorough comparison. I'm now thinking about an external scaler and SDI mod because, whilst blown away by a BD demo on both plasmas, I'd like to wait out the format nonsense.

Steve

My Mac Mini feeds my Apple Cinema Display - and stays completely separate to my television viewing. Likewise, with the Panasonic PX37600 already having on-board Freeview, I don't need EyeTV. Neither do I feel compelled to buy the Apple TV.

My up-scaling Panasonic EX-85 HDD/DVD recorder, alongside my Sky receiver, provides all the additional kit I require - except, perhaps, in adding either a Panasonic SA-XR700 or Meridian G95/SW1600 with Canton passive loudspeakers.

Spinal

Ahh ... I see. You have a Mac/ACD for Computer/Music/Photos etc and Panny/Sky setup for A/V. Both connected to the M gear I assume?

I went down the route of wanting as few boxes as possible and realised that the Mini could do freeview and HDD recording - so why by a seperate HDD recorder? I suspect you have a very good reason for going your route - namely you get the best of both worlds but sacrifice some space.

Perhaps I should be getting a ACD - but I suspect it will be just as bad at DVD and freeview SD playback as any other LCD?

Andrew

Plasma`s power consumption also fluctuates depending on the source material it is displaying. A bright white screen for example will push it constantly to the rating listed in the manual, where as typical source material will render the power consumption of a 42inch plasma close to that of an LCD of a similar size. LCDs have a fixed power consumption rate that stays the same regardless of the dynamics of content being displayed.

For plasma I like Panasonic`s commercial panels. For LCD I think Sony`s BRAVIA range are very good, particularly because the menus are so well featured for those who like to tweak.

CES has seen some interesting LCD developments. Many manufacturers are adopting 120hz refresh rates this year on their models which I am thrilled to see.

Just purchased an LG 42pc1d plasma,from www.digital-point.co.uk, superb picture quality, as good as Panasonic's plasmas equivalents but much cheaper, �819, does 1080i/p, built-in freeview, now i need a player with HDMI output, probably getting a Denon 1930, as I'm an impatient person these days...

Bob,
If you wait till next month you could get the new LG Universal Hd-DVD/BD player and give us a review

~M~

I don't think so, this box has NO CD playback, [censored] is that all about!!! I think the Denon fits the bill for the moment anyway....

That LG HD DVD/Bluray player is not compatible with HD DVD standards anyway. It's a mess of a machine.

" I don't think so, this box has NO CD playback, [censored] is that all about "

Imagine how you'd feel with the $1500 Pioneer BD which also doesn't play CDs

~M~

When you think of the Money a new car costs and the 60% depreciation over 3 years that people happily accept along with all the interest charges paid on getting the thing in the first place, I think Quality Hi-Fi is a real good deal.

It sounds just as good if not better on the last day of ownership as it did on the first.

The only the thing that has really changed is our expectations. (Upgrageitis)

We all need to grow up a bit I think, New technology happens. Deal with it!!

Without a chrystal ball who can tell what is just around the corner, what will succeed and what will fall by the wayside.

Obsolescance (Spelling?) is just a By-product of living in interesting times.

Meridian, IMHO are right to follow the Library and deal in what is available now.

We can still enjoy that as much as ever before the new formats came into view.

As for me, I will sit back, enjoy what I have, and wait and see.

Cheers, Chris

Bad news for those waiting on the SED screens. Toshiba have pulled out of the Canon alliance and there is some patent dispute going on.

Canon don't look like a nature supplier of domestic TVs so I may have to take the plunge on a LCD/plasma.

Unless anyone nows of a HD 32" widescreen TV with HDMI inputs?

Love the "independent research" on the uk pioneer website

http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/campaign/products/flatScreen.html

Interesting that they didn't have a CRT to compare plasma and LCD to. Can't say a I trust a single word of it .....