The arrival of DVB-T2 - or Freeview HD, as it's more commonly known - earlier this year was a watershed moment.
As well as bringing the first free-to-air HDTV channels available to all of us - eventually - the start of Freeview HD broadcasting also consigned a generation of flatpanel TVs to the dustbin.
Cue a raft of cheap 'n' cheerful set top boxes rushed out ahead of the World Cup, though if you'd rather retain the all-in-one experience you'll be wanting a plasma or LCD TV with a built-in Freeview HD tuner.
With universal coverage set for the end of 2011, the process of weeding-out sets without Freeview HD tuners inside has begun - and we don't expect there will be a single no-Freeview HD TV left on sale by the end of this year. Here's the best of the first crop.
1. Sony KDL-32EX703 (£630)
Superb 32-inch LCD TV boasting Internet widgets and Freeview HD
The KDL-32EX703 represents a stunning return to form for the manufacturer. Sony has done an admirable job of squeezing as much as possible into this panel, resulting in a spec list that's sure to cause some jealousy among its rivals.
The main draw here is the Freeview HD tuner; it may be a bit steep, but if you can spare the entry fee then the Sony KDL-32EX703 is one of the best 32-inch TVs that money can buy.
Read: Sony KDL-32EX703 full review
2. Panasonic TX-P46G20 (£898)
Adding Freesat HD to Freeview HD, this Full HD plasma covers all the bases
With Freeview HD and Freesat HD tuners, this is one of the most highly specified TVs ever made. Elsewhere, images are beautifully precise in terms of detail, resolution, and especially colours, which are so much more accurate than LCD or LED.
The screen's other fortes are HD sport and broadcast HD on Freeview and Freesat. It also makes a jolly good fist of standard-definition content too, with commendably little MPEG noise.
Read: Panasonic TX-P46G20 review
3. Toshiba 37RV753 (£395)
Feature-packed 37in set with Freeview HD and Resolution+ upscaling
Get ready for about as much telly as you're likely to see for under half a grand. Toshiba's 37RV753 is yet another set from this manufacturer to feature an impressive set of features for an almost puzzlingly low price.
A flimsy-feeling chassis aside, the number of features is extremely generous for the price, with the Freeview HD tuner the pick of the bunch. Resolution+ is also handy with standard-definition material and the four HDMI inputs are as many as anyone could possibly need.
Read: Toshiba 37RV753 full review
4. Sony KDL-40HX703 (£950)
Sony's best TV to date brings video streaming and a 200Hz panel
The 40HX703 scores a palpable hit with the sharpness of its Freeview HD pictures, which contain oodles of fine detail and enjoy a really crisp finish, but suffer no video noise. The crispness is further boosted by the impressive 200Hz processing, which keeps judder and motion blur to a minimum.
Colours are superb, too, though the groundbreaking Bravia Internet Video system is the real drawcard; boasting full HD movies via LoveFilm, YouTube, EuroSport and even Demand Five, it's the best around.
Read: Sony KDL-40HX703 full review
5. LG 47LE8900 (£1,500)
Direct LED lighting meets a decent price
Despite being one of the TV world's more cutting-edge screens, the 47LE8900 doesn't have 3D. It does, however, have Freeview HD - and displays it to stunning effect.
Using an Edge LED panel and stretching just 35mm in depth, this 47-inch boasts web streaming, multimedia playback, Bluetooth and an excellent THX picture preset. Is there anything this stunner can't do? Actually, no - this is LG's best TV yet.
Read: LG 47LE8900 full review
6. Panasonic TX-L37D25 (£749)
This Edge LED-equipped 37-inch combines Freesat HD and Freeview HD
Now and then a TV comes along that makes everything else seem rather ordinary. One of an exciting new breed from Panasonic that lays down a marker for spec and performance, this 37-inch LED-backlit LCD TV includes both Freeview HD and Freesat HD tuners.
It's easily one of the best displays in its class, so if you are shopping for a do-it-all telly, but are serious about picture performance, the TX-L37D25 should be the top entry on a very short list.
Read: Panasonic TX-L37D25 review
7. Samsung UE32C6000 (£800)
A super Freeview HD TV with added multimedia functions
Strikingly beautiful, this 32-incher is by no means the most affordable around yet is merely the entry-level model in Samsung's premium C6000 range of Full HD LED panels.
The headline act is a DVB-T2 tuner for Freeview HD, closely followed by a broad range of picture and sound enhancement technologies and some handy multi-media capabilities, although this stops short of Samsung's Internet@TV platform.
There's no denying this TV is something of an indulgence, but wouldn't life be dull without the occasional treat?
Read: Samsung UE32C6000 full review
8. Sharp LC46LE821E (£985)
Forget 3D, Quattron technology is here to blow you away
Want one of the best LCD TVs ever made? Want to watch and record Freeview HD? This 'Quattron' TV is the world's first to use Quad Pixel technology (yes, we know it doesn't sound very exciting) delivers a clear and hugely welcome step forward for LCD technology, massively enhancing colour reproduction.
It's also great to find the 46LE821E sporting a Freeview HD tuner, as well as an impressive suite of multimedia functions and connections - and the facility to timeshift Freeview HD footage makes this unique even more special.
Read: Sharp LC46LE821E review
9. Panasonic TX-L32S20 (£415)
Freeview HD stars on this (otherwise) no-frills TV
The S20 isn't blessed with the good looks of the brand's high-end models, but it makes for a fine budget TV. Delivering great picture performance, it did seem over-priced to us upon its release; Panasonic had obviously added a premium to this set to allow for its built-in Freeview HD tuner, with the price not reflecting the fact it lacks extras such as Viera Cast and USB ports. Its new low price confirmed, the TX-L32S20 makes for a great value 32-incher.
Read: Panasonic TX-L32S20 review
10. LG 50PK990 (£890)
Flagship full HD plasma packs-in Freeview HD and some cracking pictures
LG's flagship plasma TV squeezes a Freeview HD tuner into a superbly designed frame that's just 52mm deep. Quite how LG's engineers have achieved such aesthetic opulence (which comes complete with touch-sensitive, yet invisible controls along the bottom of the screen) is unclear, because alongside that Freeview HD tuner is a host of extras and add-ons that serve to make this 50-inch plasma surely one of the most advanced around - the way LG has meshed USB playback, Net Cast, Bluetooth and Freeview HD within a superb user interface is unmatched by any other brand.
Read: LG 50PK990 full review
0 comments:
Post a Comment