LCD TV - which 15" LCD/Freeview/DVD combo?

[Chaps]

For our first caravan outing in October we bought a Wharfedale TV from Argos that fitted to above criteria for £199.99. However, we returned it after our trip as the viewing angles were VERY restrictive. We found that it was impossible for all 5 of us to watch it comfortably as the picture took on a 'negative' appearance from certain angles. When watching it in bed it was even worse!

Can anyone recommend another brand that fits the bill? We don't want to spend much more than £250 but the cheaper the better. We want all 3 combined as we don't want lots of wires about as we've got 3 kids who like to watch DVDs in the evening.

Thanks in anticipation of your help.

Claire & Rob

 

[peter_374235415]

I know its dear at

 

[GrahamSouthBrum]

I think all LCD/plasma tvs are the same in that at certain angles you cannot see whats on the screen.

In our Burstner our tv is mounted on a swinging arm, so we are able to rotate the tv into the best viewing position

 

[Ian341]

Hi Claire and Rob

We had the exact problem that you have. We could only see a clear picture if we looked straight at the tv. We tried taking the lcd from my sons room away weekend to see if we had the same problem and we didnt. The tv that we had in the van was an alba and it was awful to watch the one we now use is an LG and it is perfect it is also not to fussy on the aerial strength. We use a status 315 and even in poor signal areas we still get a great picture. We can even see the tv picture perfectly when sitting in the awning.

Hope this helps

Ian

 

[Chaps]

Thanks for your replies. The LG sounds promising but we can only find a 19" version at the moment but we'll keep looking. Going away at easter so got until then to sort it out - don't want to get one too early as the warranty will be running out while we're not using it. We really like the Avtex but it's a bit over budget. The kids think that it's too small but we've tried explaining that we'll be virtually sitting on top of it so it won't be so noticeable.

Buying lottery tickets for tomorrow's double rollover - it could be us and we may get that Avtex after all!!!!!

Regards

Claire & Rob

 

[JeremyClarksson]

I have to disagree with the comment about all LCD and plasma screens being the same on viewing angles.

We have a 50" plasma at home and you can still see the picture from very oblique angles long after the picture is too squashed to comfortably view and we have 2 LCDs that are almost as good.

The problem comes when the TV is using a PC type screen which has a deliberately restricted viewing angle as mentioned by some one else on another thread on the forum.

When buying a TV pay particular interest to the viewing angle figures and if possible view them working.

 

[RogerL]

To get acceptable viewing angles for 5 people in a caravan you need a tubed TV.

LCD tvs quote viewing angles that really need halving to get acceptable pictures. Small lcds typically quote 120 degrees, so assume 60 degrees worth watching. Expensive large lcd can quote 180, giving about 90 usable.

Lcd tvs aren't all progress, compared to CRTs !!

 

[JeremyClarksson]

I have to disagree with that Roger as previous post.

Colours, contrast and brightness are all fine on our LG plasma long after the picture is too squashed to watch.

 

[RogerL]

Most of us wouldn't consider taking a 50" plasma tv in the caravan.

 

[JeremyClarksson]

Roger

"Most of us wouldn't consider taking a 50" plasma tv in the caravan"

Nor would I, although it might go down well in the rally hall for sports events (I am not moving it!).

I mentioned that one because I know I see the picture perfectly when coming from the kitchen at a very oblique angle.

We have an 8" integrated freeview TV from Maplins which we use most of the time in the van and is on the van now - on that one the horizontal viewing angle is restricted to approximately 45 deg from straight ahead after which you do notice some degradation in the picture, the vertical angle is appx 30 deg from straight ahead. I would guess tis screen uses a PC or security system based screen.

On longer stays we take a Beko 17" Widescreen - this one I can vouch for as it is in our bedroom now, and again the picture does not alter until an angle of approx 70-75 deg from straight ahead, by which time you would not want to to watch it because the picture is compressed (squashed) by the angle you are looking at it from, this applies to horizontal and vertical angles.

I suggest you may have seen PC based screens.

I stand by

"When buying a TV pay particular interest to the viewing angle figures and if possible view them working."

That way anyone buying a TV can be fairly certain about whether it is going to work for them or not.

 

[RogerL]

Jeremy - I totally agree with your statement "When buying a TV pay particular interest to the viewing angle figures and if possible view them working.

Viewing angles are the achilles heel of lcd screens, whether TV or PC.

I commented on viewing angles for 5 people watching an lcd in a caravan - you disagree, citing large domestic plasma performance which seems a pointless comment, on a caravan forum