Buying tv''s in uk?

ertred

Guys, bit lost where to post this thread so apologies if i'm in the wrong forum. I've been toying with idea of going to uk to buy tv's for new house, was in the market for 4 hd tv's. I'm living on the monaghan/armagh border and intend to have freeview on at least 2 of the tv's (was going to get basic sky package in order to get benefit of sky+). Problem is i'm lost in the whole area of mpeg4/ mpeg2 so was hoping to get the following q's answered:

1) Are tv's sold in north same as tv's sold in england (i.e. MPEG2)

2) Are any tv's sold in uk both MPEG4 & MPEG2

3) I assume freeview works on MPEG2, is this correct?

4) Does sky come through on a tv regardless if it is MPEG2 or 4, i assume this is so cos you get a decoder?

5) Am i correct in that tv's would be cheaper in uk (i'm prob going over anyway to get other stuff so the savings don't have to be OTT)

6) Anyone recommend a good retailer over the water?

7) and completely unrelated but do normal dvds look rubbish on a big hd tv?

Tks

John mac

1, yes

2, Yes, I think some lg maybe others

3, Yes (although its rolling out mpeg4 )

4, Yes

5,yes

6, Richersounds, loads of others, post a shopping list here for a quote

7, No

Hope that helps

sesswhat

This thread on the terrestrial forum has good information on TVs that are suitable for both Irish DTT and UK Freeview.

Of course I'd make sure I could get Freeview first which for now means receiving Divis or Brougher Mountain at the new house. You can check with a cheap freeview box.

If you are getting a Sky dish anyway, you might also consider TVs with Freesat built in.

Apart from special offers, prices in the North are generally much the same as in England.

Also the models sold in the South are generally the same as those sold in the UK but check the model numbers are the same.

cnocbui

Panasonic in particular make same sets with both freeview and freesat capabilities, together with an MPEG4 decoder.

The decoder is backwards compatible so can decode MPEG2 as well.

icdg

Moved to Terrestrial.

ertred

cheers guys, tks for your help

coylemj

In answer to Q.7 do normal dvds look rubbish on a big hd tv?, I can concur with john mac....

Yesterday I played an original DVD version of 'L.A. Confidential' on my Blu-Ray player to my 42" HD TV connected via component cables, the quality was absolutely superb, almost as good as a blu-ray movie played via HDMI cable.

chelseaaremagic

if you are in monaghan/armagh area go to watters electrical in culloville[ on the castleblayney dundalk road] fantastic service and great advise at uk prices with added service collection if required:cool:

muffler

Didnt really want to start a new thread as my own query is much the same so I'll piggyback on this one.

Thinking of getting something like a 40" or 42" LCD/Plasma TV in Northern Ireland so is there anything I should be watching out for?

I currently have a sky sub and cant really see that changing over the next couple of years but Im thinking of about 3+ years down the line when RTE will be broadcasting on digital. If for example I had no sky sub at that stage (or perhaps dish) will I then still get RTE as freeview and is there anything that should be in the TV I intend to buy in NI that would allow the signal to be received. I know the built in freeview is on most TVs now in NI but will this work with RTE here?

Hope all that makes sense. Normally Id just go in and buy the TV as I have done over the years but this digital setup is baffling me slightly especially when I read about things like MPEG4 etc - thats where I get stuck.

sesswhat

muffler wrote: »

Didnt really want to start a new thread as my own query is much the same so I'll piggyback on this one.

Thinking of getting something like a 40" or 42" LCD/Plasma TV in Northern Ireland so is there anything I should be watching out for?

I currently have a sky sub and cant really see that changing over the next couple of years but Im thinking of about 3+ years down the line when RTE will be broadcasting on digital. If for example I had no sky sub at that stage (or perhaps dish) will I then still get RTE as freeview and is there anything that should be in the TV I intend to buy in NI that would allow the signal to be received. I know the built in freeview is on most TVs now in NI but will this work with RTE here?

Hope all that makes sense. Normally Id just go in and buy the TV as I have done over the years but this digital setup is baffling me slightly especially when I read about things like MPEG4 etc - thats where I get stuck.

1. MPEG4
You will need this for the Irish Digital channels. It might not always be clear in the specs of the TV. There may be a sticker saying TNT HD. Likewise shop assistants are not always clued up on the subject. Many newer models will have it built in but there is plenty of older stock out there. It will also work for the standard definition UK Freeview PSB channels when they come to Strabane.

Have a look through this thread for some models that have been 'approved ' by the boards.ie experts.

2. Freesat
If you have Sky already, you might consider buying a TV with a Freesat Satellite tuner built in. This can use your existing satellite setup to get the Free to air channels without a separate set top box. They can be quite expensive so you can decide if the difference is worth it. You can see a selection here. These generally work for Irish DTT as well but some people have had problems with the Panasonics.

muffler

Thanks sesswhat. Plenty of food for thought.

coylemj

sesswhat wrote: »

2. Freesat
If you have Sky already, you might consider buying a TV with a Freesat Satellite tuner built in. This can use your existing satellite setup to get the Free to air channels without a separate set top box. They can be quite expensive so you can decide if the difference is worth it. You can see a selection here. These generally work for Irish DTT as well but some people have had problems with the Panasonics.

Can't a Sky box be used as a Freesat decoder without the necessity to have a TV with a Freesat tuner on board?

sesswhat

coylemj wrote: »

Can't a Sky box be used as a Freesat decoder without the necessity to have a TV with a Freesat tuner on board?

Yes it can, but it gives you another option, freeing up the old sky box to use elsewhere.

Richard

It might be worth taking into account the fact that if you want to pick up Freeview HD from the UK then your TV will need to support DVB-T2. I don't think any on sale at the moment do. TVs that support MPEG4 but using DVB-T will receive ROI channels, including presumably HD ones.

Freeview HD won't be broadcast in Northern Ireland until 2012, though views who live in the South East of Ireland will be able to pick it up from Wales in the next few months.

If your TV doesn't support this then you can buy a STB.

muffler

Thanks for the feedback lads.

Slightly OT but she who must be obeyed spotted a Bush model which looked appealing price wise but Im not sure if they are a great set or not.

Ant thoughts on Bush TVs in general?