April 2010 issue on sale today!
3D TV is set to be the big technical development in 2010, and this month we've got an exclusive First Test of the very first 3D telly from Samsung – the UE40C7000 active shutter model for £1800.
Of course, a 3D TV needs a 3D Blu-ray player to go with it and we've tested one of those too – Samsung's brand-new £349 BD-C6900.
You won't be able to read about these two exclusive models anywhere else yet, so head on down to your local newsagent to find out just how this 3D TV and Blu-ray player perform.
And if you're thinking of buying a new telly in 2010, 3D or not, then you simply can't afford to miss this month's feature on the Future of TV. It tells you everything you need to know about the latest models from all the major manufacturers, high definition, LED, internet connectivity, hard-disk video recording, Blu-ray and Freeview HD.
Did we say Freeview HD? Oh yes, that's the other big technical breakthrough this year, with Freeview HD broadcasts already being transmitted in London, Liverpool and Manchester and rolling out across the rest of the country between now and 2012.
In another exclusive First Test, we've put Britain's first Freeview HD set-top box – the £179 Humax HD-Fox T2 – through its paces.
And for those who enjoy their music as much as their movies, we take a first look at Cambridge Audio's brand-new Azur 650BD universal Blu-ray player.
As if all that isn't exciting enough, there are Group Tests of budget stereo speakers starting from just £100 and Freesat receivers from £180, a roundup of video streamers and NAS devices, premium in-ear headphones, and the latest portable media players.
Oh, and this month's Big Question is: "How much money should I spend on my Blu-ray player?" Three readers decide.
Finally, we've got a trio of delectable hi-fi products in our Temptations section: a Classic valve amp from Quad, a minimalist turntable from Kuzma and a pair of supreme floorstanding speakers from PMC.
And don't forget we're giving away a superb five-box Cambridge Audio/Q Acoustics hi-fi system in our April competition. This is one issue of What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision you simply can't afford to miss.
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Comments
@AAJ, I can't see a future for internet tv at least not as the primary delivery medium. The internet is subject to momentary drop outs even when working properly. At other times there are much longer drops in signal. Finally, there are band width restrictions that mean that internet tv can't use anything like the bandwidth of broadcast meaning that quality is always going to be worse. maybe fine for watching on a pc but when scaled to tv? At the end of the day, who wants to watch tv that suffers in PQ and suffers from drop outs or regular loss of service. Certainly not me!
As for 3D tv, it looks very promising but I'll reserve judgement until I've seen some reviews and the system actually in action itself. Unless someone comes out with a screen that betters my Pioneer 428XD Kuro, I'll be looking towards towards 3D but holding off changing my tv until they do!
No, not yet, daveg56
Is there any news of Olive Hi-fi distribution yet?
AAJ - we've a 36-page TV supplement with our next (May) issue that answers that Freesat/Freeview HD question, among many others.... Issue with subscribers from 31st March, in shops by April 7th.
I wonder if the big thing for 2010 is iPlayer on Freesat and Freeview. I think it's the future of TV ...
I'd like to know how Freeview HD stacks up against Freesat HD, both quality and channels, including upcoming channels.
Thanks Andrew. I already own the Zeppelin but would like to see comparisons against pricier docks/kit. Look forward to reading it.
We're still waiting for some product for that test, but it's definitely on the way...
Last issue it mentioned this month would have a section on the worlds best ipod docks. "B&W's award winning zeppelin goes up against all the best sub �1000 docks" Have you still got plans to do this What Hi Fi team?Thanks, Paul.