Sony KDL-40V3000 40 Inch HD Ready LCD TV only £667
March 27, 2008
It would appear that there has never been a better time to buy a Sony KDL-40V3000 LCD TV than right now. Why? Because its damned cheap is why!Digital Direct are offering this 40 Inch HD ready screen powered by the Sony Bravia Engine (Colour, like no other, apparently), For a mere £617.01 + £49.99 postage and packing, making a grand total of £667.
Read more
HDTV Highlights for March
March 12, 2008
It may have escaped your attention, but Easter is a couple of weeks early this year falling as it does towards the end of March. So then, what are you going to do over those four days of chocolate binge eating and dodging caravans on the motorway? Well what better way to unwind than feasting your eyes one some High Definition TV programming?
The Colour of Magic
Two Christmases ago Sky one brought us their adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s, the Hogfather and it was such a success they have opted to follow it up with the second in a planned 3 adaptations. This time they are going back to where it all started for Pratchett fans, bringing to life Rincewind, Twoflower and the Luggage as a hapless trio who become the Discworlds first ever tourists on a package holiday with a difference as the battle wizards, druids and dragons. Once again starring David Jason and once again being output in glorious HD - set to air over Easter Weekend
Don’t forget The Lyrics
Not had your fill of reality TV yet, just as well since this seems to be one gravy train thats never set to end. Set to air in late March and hosted by Shane Richie, the series is based on the Hit US show and sees contestants choosing songs from different genres and decades to sing along to sing along with the live band as the Lyrics are projected on screen. Much hilarity will undoubtedly ensue when the music stops and the lyrics are taken down and the contestant has to carry on singing. A word of advice, don’t forget the volume control.
Center Stage
The Music Documentary series continues on Sky Arts HD with a live film featuring David Bowie recorded at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1973 in a gig that was billed as the last time he would be performing as Ziggy Stardust. Narrated by the Director DA Pennebaker who details what happens at this infamous retirement concert. Featuring hits like Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud, Changes, Space Oddity as well as covers of the Rolling Stones and Lou Reed.
Invasion of the Jellyfish.
No its not a bad 60’s B Movie, its a fantastic, beautiful looking documentary focusing on the habitat of the Jellyfish. Filled with spectacular photography The Jellyfish Invasion charts explores the survival techniques employed by Jellyfish in exquisite HD detail. Airs on the National Geographic Channel on 23rd March
And of course we have Lost reaching a mid-season break - bound to be a cliffhanger there, as well as season finales of Project Catwalk, and Stargate Atantis
Samsung LER86/87/88 Settings
March 11, 2008
One of the most popular posts on the HDTV site has been the Samsung LE40M86BD picture settings. I posted that with the idea that I would follow it up with settings for other TVs as and when I found them, but somehow I never got round to it. Until now. I intend to scour the web looking for the ideal settings for your favourite TVs, hopefully adding at least one a week, starting today with another samsung, namely the LE32R86BDX, also known as the LE32R87BDX & the LE32R88BDX. As with the Samsung LEM86/87 Tvs, the difference in these sets is purely cosmetic.
R86 - White with power button on the front
R87 - Black with power button on the front
R88 - Black with power button on the right side and a blue LED below the Samsung logo. (Exclusive to Currys, Dixons & PC World)
Ok theres already a lot of info available for the optimal settings of this TV for the full rundown you should checkout the avforums where blackbolt has done some sterling work in coming up with settings for just about every concievable setup from configuring your Xbox 360 though to watching tv via the freeview built in tuner. Here I’ll just quote the recommended settings for watching TV via Upscaling DVD player, Sky, Freeview or Virgin.
| HDMI Settings for Upscaling DVD Player | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Mode : Standard | Contrast: 85 | ||
| Brightness : 53 | Sharpness : 25 | ||
| Colour : 35 | Tint : 50/50 | ||
| Colour Tone : Normal | Backlight : 10 | ||
| Digital NR : Off (removed image retention) | DNIe : On | ||
| Movie Plus : Off | Black Adjust : High | ||
| Dynamic Contrast : Off | Gamma : +1 | ||
| R Offset : 15 | G Offset : 15 | ||
| B Offset : 15 | R Gain : 4 | ||
| G Gain : 15 | B Gain : 18 | ||
| Pink : 12 | Green : 11 | ||
| Blue : 11 | White : 14 | ||
| Edge Enhancement : On | Colour Space : Auto | ||
| HDMI Settings for Virgin V+ HD Box | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Mode : Movie | Contrast: 85 | ||
| Brightness : 51 | Sharpness : 22 | ||
| Colour : 47 | Tint : 50/50 | ||
| Colour Tone : Warm 2 | Backlight : 7 | ||
| Digital NR : Off (removed image retention) | |||
| Movie Plus : On | Black Adjust : High | ||
| Dynamic Contrast : Off | Gamma : +1 | ||
| R Offset : 15 | G Offset : 15 | ||
| B Offset : 15 | R Gain : 4 | ||
| G Gain : 15 | B Gain : 15 | ||
| Pink : 12 | Green : 11 | ||
| Blue : 11 | White : 14 | ||
| Edge Enhancement : On | Colour Space : Auto | ||
| Black Level : Low | |||
| RGB Scart Settings for Virgin Media Box | |
|---|---|
| Picture Mode: Dynamic | Contrast: 90 |
| Brightness: 53 | Sharpness: 45 |
| Colour: 46 | Tint: 50/50 (Greyed Out) |
| Colour Tone: Normal | Backlight: 10 |
| Digital NR (Noise Reduction): Off | Active Colour: On |
| DNIe: On | Movie Plus: On |
| Sound Mode: Standard | SRS TX XT: On |
| Game Mode: Off | Energy Saving: Off |
| RGB Scart Settings for Sky+ Box | |
|---|---|
| Picture Mode: Standard | Contrast: 80 |
| Brightness: 50 | Sharpness: 30 |
| Colour: 50 | Tint: 50/50 |
| Colour Tone: Normal | Backlight: 10 |
| Digital NR (Noise Reduction): Off | Active Colour: Off |
| DNIe: Off | Movie Plus: Off |
| Sound Mode: Standard | SRS TX XT: On |
| Game Mode: Off | Energy Saving: Off |
| Settings for Built in Freeview tuner | |
|---|---|
| Energy Saving: Medium | |
| Picture Mode: Standard | Contrast: 60 |
| Brightness: 60 | Sharpness: 20 |
| Colour: 52 | Tint: 58/42 |
| Pink : 10 | Green : 15 |
| Blue : 15 | White : 15 |
| R Offset : 3 | G Offset : 15 |
| B Offset : 21 | R Gain : 9 |
| G Gain : 15 | B Gain : 15 |
| Colour Tone: Cool1 | Backlight: 7 |
| Digital NR (Noise Reduction): Auto | Active Colour: Off |
| DNIe: On | Movie Plus: Off |
| Black Adjust : Low | Dynamic Contrast: Medium |
| Edge Enhancement : On | Colour Space : Wide |
| Sound Mode: Music | SRS TX XT: On |
| Game Mode: Off | Energy Saving: Off |
As usual these settings are purely subjective and shoud be viewed as the ideal starting point for you to tweak your settings according to your environment.
Toshiba 42Z3030DB - 42″ Widescreen 1080P Full HD LCD TV
March 10, 2008
As 42 inch TVs go this one isn’t very big. Actually, let me re-phrase that, of course the screen is 42 inches but what Toshiba have managed to do is wrap that screen within an impressively slim frame which means it actually takes up little more room than an average 37 inch screen. Bit like the Tardis, except it cant travel in time and space…erm and its not actually bigger on the inside.
Discount Vouchers for March 2008
March 9, 2008
A brief Summary of the Discount Codes available in March that will save you money off your HDTV purchase:
Dixons
AW10 - £10 off over £249
AW20 - £20 off over £499
BIGTV - 5% off TV’s over £999.99 - Expires 11/03/2008 (This cannot be used in conjunction with other offers, booo!)
Currys
AWOFF75 Save £7.50 when you spend over £149
AWOFF15 Save £15 when you spend over £299
AWOFF30 Save £30 when you spend over £449
AWOFF40 Save £40 when you spend over £549
AWOFF50 Save £50 when you spend over £749
AWOFF70 Save £70 when you spend over £849
AWOFF100 Save £100 when you spend over £1,000.
Read more
Philips 42PFL9900
March 9, 2008
Philips have designed a remarkable looking TV in the 42PFL9900, no two ways about it. The first in Philips new range of Aurea TVs, the 42PFL9900 features 2 new innovations, namely the Ambient spectra and the Light Frame. Ambient Spectra? What? Sounds like something from Captain Scarlett, thought I - because I can be a tad random at times.
Read more
Sky HD Cheaper Now than ever before.
March 6, 2008
Last week Sky announced that they woud be introducing 3 New HD channels to its line up, namely Sky Sports HD 3, Sky Movies Premiere HD and FX HD, and today thay followed up this announcment with news of new packages and price points for their highly popular Sky+ and SKY HD services. Sky’s site contains a whole raft of package options including broadband and phone packages, but if all you are interested in is PVR and a HD box then the key prices are outlined below:The Sky+ box cost £149, or £99 with any of Sky Broadband, Sky Talk, or Sky Multiroom.
The Sky HD box will now cost £249, or £199 if taken as part of a package.
Theres is no change to the Monthly subscription prices, but the prices start from:
* Sky TV - 1 mix with Talk and Broadband as 3 for £16
* Sky TV - 4 mixes with Sky broadband and talk - 3 for £19
* Sky TV - 2 mixes with Sky Sports plus Sky Broadband and Sky Talk for 3 for £35
* Sky TV – 6 mixes with Sky+ plus Sky Broadband and Sky Talk for 3 for £26
The installation charge for new customers during the week will be £30.
Sign up for Sky TV Today.
