Expert Technical Advice
Buying technology can be confusing. Our Technical Advice Centre is here to help you make the right choice, with clear, jargon-free explanations and practical guidance.
Plasma vs LCD: Which Is Right for You?
One of the most common questions we're asked is whether to choose a plasma or LCD television. Both technologies have their strengths, and the right choice depends on how and where you'll use it.
| Feature | Plasma | LCD |
|---|---|---|
| Best Screen Size | 37" and above | Up to 42" |
| Black Levels | Excellent (deep blacks) | Good (improving) |
| Viewing Angle | 160+ degrees | 170+ degrees |
| Bright Rooms | Good | Excellent |
| Dark Rooms | Excellent | Good |
| Motion Handling | Excellent (fast response) | Good (look for 8ms or less) |
| Burn-in Risk | Low (but possible) | None |
| Power Consumption | Higher | Lower |
| Lifespan | 60,000 hours | 60,000 hours |
| Best For | Home cinema, sport, movies | General use, gaming, bright rooms |
Our recommendation: If you're building a dedicated home cinema room or love watching sport and movies in a dimly lit environment, plasma is the better choice. For everyday TV watching, gaming, or use in a bright living room, LCD offers excellent performance with lower running costs.
HD-Ready Explained
An HD-Ready television can display high-definition signals but does not have a built-in HD tuner. To receive HD broadcasts, you'll need an external HD source such as a Sky HD box, Freesat HD receiver, or HD camcorder connected via HDMI or component video.
The HD-Ready standard (also known as HD Ready 1080p or 720p) requires the TV to have:
- A minimum resolution of 720 lines (1280 x 720 progressive or 1920 x 1080 interlaced)
- Either an HDMI or DVI input with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection)
- Component video input (YPbPr)
Choosing a Home Cinema System
When selecting a home cinema system, consider the following:
- Room Size: Larger rooms benefit from more powerful systems. A 100W system is fine for a small room, while larger spaces may need 300W or more.
- Speaker Configuration: 5.1 (five speakers + subwoofer) is the standard. 6.1 adds a rear centre, and 7.1 adds two rear surrounds for even more immersion.
- Connectivity: Look for HDMI, digital optical and coaxial inputs for connecting your TV, DVD player and other devices.
- All-in-One vs Separates: All-in-one systems are simpler and more affordable. Separates (individual amplifier, DVD player and speakers) offer better sound quality and upgradeability.
- DVD Player: If the system includes a DVD player, check whether it supports Progressive Scan and the disc formats you need (DVD-R, DVD+R, DivX, etc.).
Camcorder Formats Explained
| Format | Recording Medium | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MiniDV | Digital tape | Editing enthusiasts | High quality, affordable, easy to edit | Tapes need rewinding, slower transfer |
| DVD | 8cm DVD disc | Quick playback | Play directly in DVD player, no transfer needed | Limited recording time, harder to edit |
| HDD | Internal hard drive | Long recording | Hours of recording, no media to buy, fast transfer | Most expensive, drive could fail |
| SD Card | Memory card | Compact size | Very compact, no moving parts, reusable media | Limited capacity per card, cost of cards |
Setting Up Your New TV
- Position: Place the TV at eye level when seated, with adequate ventilation around it.
- Viewing Distance: For a 37" screen, sit 2.5-4 metres away. For a 50" screen, 3-5 metres.
- Connections: Use HDMI for the best picture quality. Connect your aerial to the RF input for Freeview.
- Picture Settings: Start with "Cinema" or "Movie" mode for accurate colours. Avoid "Dynamic" or "Vivid" modes in dark rooms.
- Sound: For the best audio, connect external speakers or a home cinema system via the digital audio output.
- Run-in Period: Plasma TVs benefit from a 100-hour run-in period with varied content and reduced contrast/brightness settings.
Wall Mounting Guide
Most of our TVs are VESA mount compatible. Check the VESA size (e.g. 200x200, 400x400) before buying a wall bracket. Always use a qualified installer if you're unsure, and ensure the wall can support the weight of the TV.