Thinking of upgrading........... your thoughts please

**Ben** · 29-11-2007,09:59 PM

Digital TV

I'm looking at Virgin media. Does any one have the V+ box and what was the quality of the install like? (did they butcher your wall)

Sky? imo too pricey.

What about recording and playback hardware?

which do you think is the best spec?

Samsung - http://www.samsung.com/uk/products/d...Specifications

Panasonic - http://www.panasonic.co.uk/dvd-recor...27eb/index.htm

Sony - http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProdu...D+Recorder#tab

Must haves inc. HDD, DVB tuner, HDMI 1080 recording / playback / upscaling.

**RickT** · 29-11-2007,11:09 PM

I have got SKY Plus... but unable to get cable in my area..

A few mates of mine have cable and im not impressed with it..

Currently for SKY plus i only pay £50 per month for all channels and 8mb boardband...

i guess it all comes down to budget..

Rick

**Clinterous** · 30-11-2007,10:38 AM

If you were going to use their broadband, beware as they throttle it quite a bit - which is unoticable for normal household useage, but I do a bit of online gaming and notice it through that.

**nickynibbles** · 30-11-2007,01:40 PM

Originally Posted by golfmk5gttdi

Digital TV

I'm looking at Virgin media. Does any one have the V+ box and what was the quality of the install like? (did they butcher your wall)

Sky? imo too pricey.

What about recording and playback hardware?

which do you think is the best spec?

Samsung - http://www.samsung.com/uk/products/d...Specifications

Panasonic - http://www.panasonic.co.uk/dvd-recor...27eb/index.htm

Sony - http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProdu...D+Recorder#tab

Must haves inc. HDD, DVB tuner, HDMI 1080 recording / playback / upscaling.

Im a little biased as a Sony fan at heart! What hifi & Which tend to always be giving Samsung, Panasonic & Sony the best buy awards so you wont go wrong with any of the kit really. Thing to bear in mind is look at the overall package of tv & dvd recorder & home cinema system, most manufacturers have a system to sync all the equipment so you dont get sound & picture mismatches, eg Sony's home cinema & dvd kit comes with Bravia sync capabilities to link with a Sony Bravia tv via HDMI & optical link cables so saving on millions of different cables. Only other consideration then comes down to style and price.

I've just ordered a Sony KDL-40W2000 40" 1080HD tv with a RDR-HXD870B dvd recorder plus HT-SS1100 home cinema system. The whole lot is costing just £1254 delivered from Empire Direct, just need 2 x HDMI & an optical link cable to hook it together & im good to go, should be here in about 2 weeks as they're awaiting stock of the tv. Also just bought a complete set of Mordaunt Short Premier home cinema speaker from ebay for £210, would of cost £460 new and they are totally spotless!! Going to be a good xmas, cant wait to watch "One of our dinosaurs is missing" in 40" glory with 5.1 sound, woo hoo!!!!

**Sam** · 30-11-2007,02:59 PM

Virgin Media - haha!

PM sent

**Ben** · 30-11-2007,04:10 PM

Thanks for the replies and PM's.

Lots of reading ahead. Maybe i should add that i currently have a 32" lcd Samsung with built it freeview.

I do have a sky box and viewing card but this only serves the purpose as a 2nd digital tuner to record off or to watch when the freeview breaks up.

**prolfe** · 02-12-2007,12:11 PM

Originally Posted by golfmk5gttdi

Thanks for the replies and PM's.

Lots of reading ahead. Maybe i should add that i currently have a 32" lcd Samsung with built it freeview.

I do have a sky box and viewing card but this only serves the purpose as a 2nd digital tuner to record off or to watch when the freeview breaks up.

You said a while ago that we were so similar that it was sppoky, well to add to that. I too have a 32" Samsung.

You can also get freeview boxes with HDMI, that might be worth looking at. Especially with BBC and ITV having being given the go ahead for FTA HD

**Ben** · 02-12-2007,12:15 PM

i also want to have the dvd player incorporated in to the unit as well, If i can get such a device then i'll be well chuffed.

**prolfe** · 02-12-2007,12:24 PM

Sony will be releasing a Freeview adapter for the PS3 at some point, that will mean Live Pause and Upscaling.

**nickynibbles** · 03-12-2007,11:15 AM

Originally Posted by golfmk5gttdi

i also want to have the dvd player incorporated in to the unit as well, If i can get such a device then i'll be well chuffed.

I know my Sony dvd recorder i've ordered has built in freeview with live pause, rewind etc built in so im sure Samsung & Panasonic will have something similar already, if not they soon will. I really wanted this feature because when they switch off the analogue transmitters you wont be able to record tv unless through a digital receiver, which means you've got to watch what your recording!