Freeview HD TVs: Best Buys
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Group Test With Freeview HD appearing on more and more sets, this group test is necessarily a snapshot, with a fairly wide range of screen sizes and so forth:
- LG 42LE5900
- Panasonic Viera TXL32D28
- Samsung LE40C650
- Sharp Aquos LC-46LE821E
- Sony Bravia KDL-32EX703
- Toshiba Regza 40RV753
It’s good to see the technology appearing even on the cheaper sets, like the CFL-backlit Toshiba Regza 40RV753, and I’d expect it to be in just about every new set this time next year.
However, if you’re investing in HD, then you probably will prefer a set with the more responsive LED backlighting that’s found on the other models.
Editor's Choice: Samsung LE40C650
And while all have improved the additional functions they offer, to a greater or lesser degree, the one that really stands out in terms of what extra you can get from a TV – and without breaking the bank either – is Samsung's LE40C650, whose media playback and online services combine to great effect, with the LG 42LE5900 running a close second.
So it's an Editor's Choice award for the Samsung, and a Recommended for the LG.
Recommended: LG 42LE5900
But – and it’s a big but – there’s still that fly in the ointment when it comes to surround sound on Freeview HD, and anyone who wants to make sure that they really do get the best from a set will need to check very carefully before buying.
This first crop of Freeview HD sets does show, though, that the technology works; the picture quality is excellent, and terrestrial HD is long overdue. ®
Freeview HD TVs Group Test
COMMENTS
We didn't say ...
.. that this was a comprehensive roundup of Freeview TVs. It's more of a snapshot, showing some of what's available.
And, to a large extent, we are reliant upon what manufacturers are able to send us, within the timescale for any given article. As has been remarked before, with some kit the answer from manufacturers has been "Go and look in John Lewis," which is hardly a suitable basis for a review.
I'm sorry we didn't include the sets that you personally are looking at, but that doesn't mean that other readers won't be interested in some of these, or indeed that we won't look at other models in future.
YouTube
You pointed out in an earlier article that a lot of TVs and set top boxes that support YouTube don't allow you to watch the likes of the YouTube 4oD and Demand Five channels. What's the YouTube support on these TVs like as those are the sort of videos people are most likely to want to watch on their TV.
Missing
Where is the Panasonic P50VT20? or the LG 50PK590? Both of these are superior to any of the reviewed models, both have FreeviewHD, DLNA etc and the LG can be had for just over £700.
Pointless review in my opinion.
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