A TV for that defining election moment
Monday, May 3, 2010 Perhaps it was the rain or the prospect of a hung parliament but I needed cheering up. So I drove to the nearest Sony Centre and bought a spanking new HD flatscreen TV. Well, there's the election and then the World Cup.
I also bought a Blueray DVD player (you've got to have one of those, haven't you) and a 2:1 sound system so the neighbours can hear what we're watching.
To be honest, I've been agonising over this for ages. We don't really need a new TV (what the hell do we do with the old one?) but having decided to treat myself I wasn't sure what size to get. I've lost count of the number of times I've walked into John Lewis with a tape measure in my pocket and a furtive expression on my face, but in the end - having consulted the Sony size guide and a hundred websites - I chose a 37" set in the hope that it will not completely dominate the room.
OK, if I'm honest, I still haven't made up my mind. I've ordered and paid for a 37" but a little voice keeps saying, "Why compromise?". Why, indeed. That 40" model does look attractive.
We could fix it to the wall, but I'm not keen. Friends of ours have enjoyed the flatscreen "televisual experience" for years. They have a 52" screen on the wall of their (substantial) sitting room but you can only watch it comfortably by lying on your back which makes it impossible to eat or, more important, drink at the same time.
UPDATE: I still feel a bit morose. I'll probably perk up when the TV arrives. If not, I've promised myself an iPad.
Reader Comments (7)
I ended up gettng a 42" in January. One of life's landmarks, have you not noticed I am not here as much these days? What do you do with the old telly? There is always a downside. A 28" telly with all that old 'tube' gubbins in the back. Weighs a ton. The new 42" has not taken over the lounge, but the old 28" has taken over the hall!!
God Simon, you've taken your time. My HD flatscreen is now so old, its breaking down and it can't take a blu-ray player as its not equipped for them (it does take Sky HD though). Yes, you should have got a bigger one, make sure you put it on the wall and make sure its got at least 3 HDMI inputs (my old one only has one. I can imagine the conversation at Panasonic 'who would want more than 1 HDMI input?' Well, actually with Sky HD, PS3 and blu ray - 3 is now the minimum. I bet you'll need a 4th within 2 years). I also hope your new sound system has at least 2 optical inputs!
Ah, my advice is always go bigger than those size guides advise, They had us down for a 42 inch but we went for a 50. Is wonderful and certainly not dominant. The 42 would have been lost.
I have a projector - Any size picture you want upto the size of the wall! (from small to 84"+) HD and linked to the DVD/Sat/Streamer via an HDMI matrix + Home Theatre sound. Also has an input for the Wii.
In the past they cost a fortune, now you can get them at almost the same price as an HD TV. It doesn't dominate the room at all and has excellent picture quality.
Great for Films and Football.
----
I can't believe I'm reading this. 28 inch - 42 inch - 50 inch - On the wall - won't dominate the lounge, etc., etc..
Anyone on here remember the old art of speaking to one's partner or friends, or reading a book? Yes it's something we used to do in the dark ages, before TV dominated our lives (God help us). Even the General Election has now been taken over by a moronic television "non" debate, with idiots voting, via a TV worm, which candidate has the best hairstyle, who stands the best and wears the best tie.
Have you all got bad eyesight? Why on earth does anyone living in a normal size property need to have a make-believe cinema in their lounge? And yes, no matter what any of you say, it does dominate the room, unless you live in a castle perhaps. Our lounge is approximately 30 ft x 25 ft and we recently took possession of a 22 inch TV (flat screen of course (have to keep up with the neighbours and family don't we). We lock this monster away in a cabinet, so that when neighbours, friends and family come round, they do not think that all we ever do it sit glued to the box. We do watch TV of course, but to one of those monsters dominating not just your lounge, but your life, is crass, to say the least.
p.s. As for football - the small the screen the better as far as I'm concerned.
Hope all you HD flat screeners are aware of the cost of a replacement zapper, can cost over 100pounds, so mind how you go.
A friend told me this, as I havent got a HD flatscreen ......yet!
"Have you all got bad eyesight? Why on earth does anyone living in a normal size property need to have a make-believe cinema in their lounge?"
Peter, people have different circumstances. I understand the point you are making, though as it happens the answer to your first question (for some in my household) is "yes".
The answer to your second is simply that some people enjoy films and wish to watch them in the best way possible at home. It may not be a true 'cinema experience' but at least it is similar. This is especially true if they have limited mobility.
The comment was a a suggested possible alternative because of the size dilemma. Since it is possible to go from small to large it would also encompass your suggestion of a 22" TV :)
be well
----