Which TVs do our tech team use?
Working with all the latest technology each day means we are exposed to the latest and greatest products, but what products do we use at home and why?
If you’re in the market for a new set, check out our guide to buying a new TV.
Mike Briggs, technology team leader
‘Our old 32-inch Best Buy Thomson CRT finally gave up the ghost recently, so we opted for the Best Buy 40-inch Samsung D6000. Why? First and foremost for the stunning picture, but almost as importantly it was a steal at £700. The impossibly slim design is something to behold (it looks sooo good mounted on the wall) and though I still miss the speakers on my old Thomson, it’s amazing how much you’ll forgive for a stunning Attenborough Blu-ray box set.’
Jack Turner, senior researcher
‘I have a Sony 40-inch flat panel LCD TV from 2008. It’s not smart, or 3D, and it is quite a bit chunkier than newer models. I have added a cheap smart Blu-ray player, so I can access online features through the TV.’
If you want to upgrade your current TV, read our guide to buying the best Blu-ray player.
Catherine West, senior researcher
‘I’m slightly embarrassed to say I still have an old CRT TV at home. One of my housemates picked it up for free from Gumtree a couple of years ago and we’ve had it ever since. It’s perfectly watchable, though obviously picture quality’ doesn’t compare to more recent models. Its main disadvantage is the bulk – it’s interesting to remember that many of us would have had one of these hulking beasts in our living rooms a decade or so ago – I’d certainly have no hope in hell of moving it on my own.’
Christopher Christoforou, principal researcher
‘Samsung 32-inch LCD TV about 2006. This was bought by my partner before we met, and although it doesn’t have a Freeview HD tuner or Smart TV features that I’d like, I don’t think we’ll change it until it breaks!’
You can also add smart TV features through a PVR. Read our advice guide to buying the best PVR.
Tim Gee, online writer/researcher
‘I’m still using a 26-inch Sony LCD TV which I bought on sale about a year after it came out in 2007. It still does the job and while it is incredibly chunky for a flat screen TV and missing HD or Smart TV features (I get these through a PVR) I’m reasonably happy with it. I would like to buy a new – and larger – set and move this one into the bedroom, but as it’s still working fine I’m not in any rush.’
Andy Vandervell, deputy technology editor
‘I replaced my 3-year old LCD TV with a 40-inch set, the Samsung D6100, last year. Mainly I was envious of my friend’s new TV, plus I wanted something that did justice to my collection of Blu-rays. It’s a great TV, but one aspect – the smart TV features – proved disappointing. I had to buy an expensive wi-fi dongle and, being a bit older, it doesn’t have the very latest apps and interface. I don’t use that part anymore, preferring to use my Xbox or Apple TV.’
Which TV do you have at home and why did you choose it? Let us know in the comments below.
- TV buying guide – advice on choosing the right TV for you
- What size of TV should I buy? – use our interactive tool to choose the right size
- TV reviews – our lab tests give you the definitive verdict on the latest models
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I.D.
We bought about 6 yrs ago an old (about 12 yrs old!) Panasonic (TX25-AD2) 32 inch bulky CRT with built-in loudspeakers from a local shop, because they could not repair our even older set.
We have a number of ‘boxes’ connected to it and a Virgin cable connection and we use an Astra dish for numerous free foreign channels. These help with improving/keeping up foreign languages and downloads/copies are made and used for foreign language tuition.
The Panasonic works splendidly and the sound quality is excellent (particularly for classical music, which sounded quite tinny in comparison to recommended sets checked out in showrooms).
Would buy a ‘best buy’ if I dared to risk, that it’s sound quality would annoy me. It is very difficult to compare from a review, what sound means to different prople.
I.D.