Which Review ?

What aspect of the Which? review put you off? I'm not knocking them, BTW - took their advice recently when buying a new washing machine - but they're not AV experts and can use rather odd judging criteria....

The problem, or good thing, about Which reviews (depending on the way that you look at it) is that they are written by Joe Smith from down the road. Its very much consumer based reviewing and doesn't have the same objectivity as a review from one of the specialist magazines. In terms of goods, like Claire's washing machine, that are about function above all else, Which reviews can be an excellent source of information. When you get to items like AV equipment though its about more than function and this is where some expertise comes in useful.

I'll give you the same advice I give my own customers. Look at the different sets you are considering (preferably in the same shop where the set-up is consistent between each one) and pick the one that you like the picture of the most (not forgetting to look at standard freeview performance as well as the inevitable HD feed the shop will be using). Its your eyes that will have to watch this set for the next 5+ years, so let your eyes make the choice.

matthewpiano:

Its your eyes that will have to watch this set for the next 5+ years, so let your eyes make the choice.

Totally agree, with the caveat of seeing the sets in a situation where they are a) being fed a decent source (aerial/signal distribution systems in many shops tending to make many sets look atrocious) and b) have at least had some calibration done (as out of the box, again, so many sets look dreadful: five minutes later and they can seem a totally different set).

Clare Newsome:

matthewpiano:

Its your eyes that will have to watch this set for the next 5+ years, so let your eyes make the choice.

Totally agree, with the caveat of seeing the sets in a situation where they are a) being fed a decent source (aerial/signal distribution systems in many shops tending to make many sets look atrocious) and b) have at least had some calibration done (as out of the box, again, so many sets look dreadful: five minutes later and they can seem a totally different set).

Agree completely Clare. The number of times I've been into other retailers and seen Sony sets that I know to be superb looking decidedly poor beggars belief. Set-up, calibration, and the availability of decent freeview, Sky, Sky HD, DVD, and Blu-ray feeds makes such a big difference. I make no secret of the fact that at home I have a mere KDL-32S2510 which is now a couple of generations old and not 1080P but that because of the amount of time I've spent on the settings looks fabulous on both standard definition and high definition feeds.

Which review give poor score for picture noise and overprocessed sound and high power consumption, overall a score of only 57%.

mmm! Which mag is pretty much alone in this view! the panasonic has had very good reviews everywhere ive seen. Id take it with a pinch.....the fact that mags like what hi fi and Home cinema choice(dirty words) and others of the kind who review tv's day in and out like the set says it all.

bluesky:

Which review give poor score for picture noise and overprocessed sound and high power consumption, overall a score of only 57%.

I bet 2 out of 3 of those could be solved with proper set-up and calibration.