Sony Bravia KDL-40NX713
Positioned above Sony’s cheaper EX models, the KDL-40NX713 is a lavishly finished 3D ready Internet connected screen. Artfully styled, its 3.2cm thin panel delivers an outstanding picture, with deep black levels and snappy motion resolution. To enjoy 3D you’ll need to invest in Sony’s optional £55 Sync transmitter and 3D glasses (£100 a pair).
While not particularly adept at streaming video (it’s only interested in AVCHD), MP3 music playback looks good, with album art presented smartly on screen. Video file playback from USB is more co-operative, although there’s no support for MKV content. The set also offers access to Sony’s Bravia Internet Video portal, which boasts a wide selection of VOD (Video on Demand), including BBC iPlayer and Demand 5. There’s also music and pay-per-view movies from Sony’s Qriocity streaming service. Overall, a top flight TV choice.
Reg Rating 85%
Price £999
More Info Sony
Toshiba Regza 40VL758
As a TV brand, Toshiba definitely seems to be in two minds. At one end of the scale it pumps out cheap, cheerless supermarket fodder and at the other makes refined models with understated styling. This set is one of the latter. Produced in collaboration with the acclaimed Jacob Jensen Design studio, it’s a beautifully made, 29mm deep model with some cracking picture technology on-board.
Pulling extra clarity from standard def and HD sources is Toshiba’s Resolution+ picture processor, while Active Vision M100 ensures good motion resolution. The set’s Edge LED backlight is slightly uneven, but not disastrously so. On-line content is restricted to YouTube and BBC iPlayer. Video playback support from USB is good and includes AVI, MKV and Xvid – although I had less success across my network ®
Reg Rating 85%
Price £650
More Info Toshiba
Ten... 40-42in net connected HD TVs
COMMENTS
Expensive
That's a large price premium for network (non)connectivity.
Find a larger, or cheaper TV without worrying about network connectivity and pick up a Western Digital WD TV Live Plus 1080p HD Media Player. Then, in 2 years when it's obsolete, ditch it and buy a newer one. Loads cheaper than just ditching your TV and buying a newer one....
Run things for a long time here
I replace every 9 to 10 years as well. I have had 3 large TVs so far in my life and I am nearly 50.
I am also an early adopter.
I ran a first generation Wega IDTV until I got a HDTV.
My HDTV doesn't do Freesat or Freeview HD, just normal Freeview.
My current 46" better last that extra 7 to 8 years!
Only thing I am missing is 3D but I get headaches from that.
I spend a lot rarely rather than less more frequently.
As to Betamax - the only working VCRs I have, happen to have that printed on them, mind you they have only been used for PC video capture since we got our first digital terrestrial PVR (pre Freeview).
Just make sure you have plenty of HDMI ports.
Re: Poor investment (Longevity)
In the case of a pair of tellies I bought from a certain Korean manufacturer (LE40A656, T220HD) my longevity estimate would be around about 24 months.
For the record the warranty doesn't extend that far, whatever the EU, Trading Standards et al, or indeed my receipt says about it (according to the manufacturer).
As it turns out the root cause was down to some bulging electrolytic caps in the PSUs. I replaced the caps myself rather than pay someone £200 a shot replace the PSU boards with identically broken PSU boards which would fail < 2 years down the line again.
Strangely the T220HD's faulty caps appeared to have already been replaced (judging by the messy joints and burn marks on the board), and the failed caps were a different brand from the others on the board.
Sony Wins !
No Chance, they are on my blacklist. Do not trust them to throw some sort of DRM in your lap at later date.
All you laptop buyers - Sony disables record stereo mix function (the old record what U hear) on all their Vaio's so if you want this function look else where.
Plasma + Backlit = Divide By Zero
I didn't think plasma display needed a backlit source since each set of pixels produce their own light, or am I missing something about the CCFL bit.
