[Dave]

OK, this isn't for me as I'm happy with a plasma from a couple of years ago ...or is it I can't take the hit on resale

Anyway father in law wants a 32" LCD with HD. I've been out the market for a few years , so could do with help answering his questions

1. Is is worth paying extra for 1080 pixel height sets over 720 ?
2. Is it possible to get sets with HDTV tuners built in ?
3. If not any estimates on how long before they will be ?
4. Any other option than SKY+ for HD, where you don't have to pay for privilege ?
5. Any other advice on what to look out for

Help

[orangepeel]

A4 - U can get a HD freeview sky box. It's free to use but the boxes are currently > £300 plus u need a dish.

A5 - The studios forced through changes to the HDMI format so it's possible that some supposedly HD tv's won't in fact play HD protected movies due to the TV not being "secure". Sadly finding out what is compatible is quite a task.


Best advice I can give is research. Then research some more. If your fingers ain't bleeding, you ain't researched enough.

[Dave]

LOL, cheers Orangepeel.

[P-E]

Can't answer specifically your questions Dave but I have just fitted out the bedroom with 32" LCD HDTV sound surround amp etc etc.

Anyway I got a Toshiba 32" HDTV for £799.00.

Then got the new TVDrive HD box installed by Telewest.........for me it was rubbish.......had in uninstalled and canceled within a week.

Now view through a Topfield freeview box and couldn't be happier.

Initially wasn't happy viewing through scart but now use component lead to the VGA socket on the TV and picture has very much improved.

If he wants HD now it will have to be either Sky or Telewest cable at the moment..........although I here Topfield will be bringing out a Freeview box with HD capabilities.

[orangepeel]

Originally Posted by P-E

Initially wasn't happy viewing through scart but now use component lead to the VGA socket on the TV and picture has very much improved.

I've heard rumours that HD protected movies will only output via the HDMI cable or play on a TV if it comes in via the HDMI connector.

The studios, after being butt raped with DVD, are trying to make the whole envirionment "secure". That means from the player through to the TV. Hence the requirement that movies only play on HDMI only.

BTW, to the best of my knowledge, HDMI means the special cable connecting the player to the TV as well as meaning the format of the encrypted signal going down that cable.



The saving grace in this is when the general public find out they can't play their movies on their new £800 TV there is going to be hell to pay. Unfortunately it's not the studios that will take the flack, it'll be the TV manufacturers and retailers.


I must emphasise tho that all that is speculative. This is based on articles I've read in very cynical press
I've not got HD and I ain't going near it till this all settles down - including the HD / BluRay fiasco.