I'm in the market for a new TV, but not from B&O, just too expensive. I use B&O for all the sound throughout the house, and my Beo4 with a Lintronic box to control everything (Cable/DVR, DVD, Apple TV), so the controls should be simple and map well to the Beo4. I have a Sony 42" rear-LCD projection set now which is "OK" but not great, as it was from the earlier years of HDTV, but it at least has IR controls for power-on and power-off, instead of a mere power toggle, which is critical to work right with a Beo4.

Any suggestions as to types to look at, or avoid?

Second hand B&O sets of a recent vintage will still deliver a better overall experience than a lot of what you get out there. You could probably meet your budget with an incredible set.

I could not personally purchase a non-B&O TV at this point having lived with them for so many years. My wife feels the same way.

TripEnglish:

I could not personally purchase a non-B&O TV at this point having lived with them for so many years. My wife feels the same way.

I to have the beovirus! 

As great as the other brands are, that beo4 in your hand takes some beating!

I would agree that a second hand B&O set would be the way I would go, but if you are set on a new set and not from B&O, I would consider either Samsung for an LED set - the one B&O use, though not with the same video engine - or Panasonic for plasma for the same reason. A good Sony would also be on my list to look at, though their top of the range equipment is not cheap.

TripEnglish:

Second hand B&O sets of a recent vintage will still deliver a better overall experience than a lot of what you get out there. You could probably meet your budget with an incredible set.

I could not personally purchase a non-B&O TV at this point having lived with them for so many years. My wife feels the same way.

I hadn't thought of this, although we lost B&O sales in our area years ago (we had a store that sold it, and later a B1 shop, but they have all closed), so I'm not sure how much is available locally. I think I would be hesitant to buy something like that via ebay if I saw it.

About a year ago my wife was on a business trip and they stopped in the store in Scottsdale and she really liked what she saw there.

There are plenty of very highly rated non B&O TVs out there, and may even have better performance than the B&O TVs at a fraction of the price.  You may want to check out AVS forums for what the videophiles consider great TVs.  Currently for plasmas (they still beat LCD/LED TVs for picture quality, esp black levels) the Panasonic VT series and Samsung 8000 series are tops.  CES just brought out the new models so you could wait a bit and get the newest tech.   Google "Samsung D8000 2011" and check those out. 

For older panels you could also get a used Pioneer Kuro.

Scottsdale, eh? Where are you located?

Are the Pioneer Elite tvs still around? I haven't seen one in a while. Those are some of the greatest tvs I have ever seen.

No, Pioneer hasn't made TVs for some time now. One of their biggest problems was the inability to capitalize on the TV's reputation. They were, indeed, great plasma TVs. 

After 20 years with a BeoVision in my house, I sold my BV7-32 in september last year and bought a Loewe Individual 52' LCD.

Reason being that the 52' Loewe cost me less than a BV10-40, came with a 3-year warranty, and with a built-in DVB-T HD, HDR, PCM playback on the SPDIF input, USB + network connection to play all my video files & connect to Internet radios or HDTV websites, and get automatic software updates..all things I'm still waiting for B&O to release.

Having a Lintronic converter, I still use my Beo4 after spending 1 week programming all the macros, & setting up the TV sound. All BeoLabs still in use, of course.

I feel like having turned to the "dark side", because I love B&O, but, having no more dealership around, even a second-hand set would have become a problem in case something went wrong.

If you have a B&O dealer around, a second-hand set would be a good option, you can get wonderful BeoVisions at a fraction of the price; another option could be to buy a second-hand BeoSystem 3 (some advertisers on this site have 2 in stock!), and add the screen/projector of your choice, for a true cinema experience.

I agree with you. I can't afford a B&O screen. They are mentally expensive in Japan. The cheapest is over a years salary but then I'm a teacher. I got a decent 46" panasonic for half months wages. I plan on getting a beolab 11 then 6000s then a beosystem 2 but hopefully 3. A beosystem 3 is so nice too.

Major,

why don`t you import a telly from the US yourself. I think, you only have to change the plug? Or am I wrong?

A years salary as a teacher for a B&O flatscreen. That`s in deed a large amount.

Sorry, I had a brain fart there. It isn't a year's salary. It is a 1/3 of a years salary for the beovision 7. The Beovision 10-40 is 600,000yen on it's own. That is the cheapest TV here. Japanese TVs are a super cheap. 40 inch Sony/Sharp are about 80,000. I would rather have the B&O.

I would love a BV8-40. Classic design!

Major,

I do not understand why so many people blame the 8-40 for "cheap looking". I love the style of the Beovision 8 too. Before the 8-40 I owned the 8-32 for 4 years. Not the style of a everyday flatscreen.

But make sure you take one with DSS-module, to make sure you can connect your BL4000 and the BL11 (you will buy in the future).

TheMajor:

I agree with you. I can't afford a B&O screen. They are mentally expensive in Japan. The cheapest is over a years salary but then I'm a teacher. I got a decent 46" panasonic for half months wages. I plan on getting a beolab 11 then 6000s then a beosystem 2 but hopefully 3. A beosystem 3 is so nice too.

I like the 6000s now that they can mount on the wall on each side of the flat screen, looks pretty tempting to replace my CX50s!

macjonny1:

There are plenty of very highly rated non B&O TVs out there, and may even have better performance than the B&O TVs at a fraction of the price. 

Well, that sentence isn't actually true. The advice to check out the AVS forums is sound, though. Many of us here either own B&O tvs only, or like them so much that we haven't kept as up to date with other screens. 

Unfortunately there's no short cut to picture quality. Any of the screens that were competitive with B&O are no longer made and the only other video displays with similar or superior technology are projectors.

TripEnglish:

macjonny1:

There are plenty of very highly rated non B&O TVs out there, and may even have better performance than the B&O TVs at a fraction of the price. 

Well, that sentence isn't actually true. The advice to check out the AVS forums is sound, though. Many of us here either own B&O tvs only, or like them so much that we haven't kept as up to date with other screens. 

Unfortunately there's no short cut to picture quality. Any of the screens that were competitive with B&O are no longer made and the only other video displays with similar or superior technology are projectors.

 

I'm not sure your last statement is entirely factual either!

Until the latest crop of LED & Plasma panels from the leading manufacturers are viewed side by side, having all being calibrated and set to the same "level", I don't believe you can state as a matter of fact that B&O has a superior picture to everything else out there.

"Among the best" would be a more reasonable claim in the absense of a full competitive test.

Yes, there are flatscreens on the market, having a better performance than a beovision.

1, do they have the same style? Not many.
2, do they have a central speaker with the sound quality of B&O? Maybe a view.
3, do they the possibility for a surround setup like B&O? Maybe a view.
4, are the integrable with my soundsystem? One or two.

But is there a single one available who is able to meet 1-4? Only B&O.

If the picture quality is the only point, go for a telly for a fraction of a beovision.

Yes, there are flatscreens on the market, having a better performance than a beovision.

 

tell me which brand??

I had to take a decision 2 years ago and bought  a Pioneer Kuro (I have not yet seen a better display/picture!).

You would need a pre-amp (avr with pre-outs) to drive the Beolabs (or use special cables, check www.soundsheavenly.co.uk).

This works for stereo, but....

- no Beo 4 (unless you want to use lintronic - drawback here: volume up/down shows slow reaction - at least with my setup)

- no nice integration with dolby digital / surround sound, because when there is no signal (just the center speakers being used) - the beolabs will turn off (plop!), when the signal comes back they turn on again (another plop!)

Thats why I got canton speakers (passive ones) instead and (sort of) concentrate on B&O for audio equipment only.

Sad, but (almost) true! ;-)...

(not perfect) Solution (did this in another room!):

Beosystem 2 MK III with Panasonic Professional display (at least ONE high resolution connection (DVI)). Using a STB with PUC (STB-C) is great.

For me, a Beovision is a for sure the best choice. This gives you perfect integration of your speakers and you can use the Beo 4!!

Ralf

Koning,

e.g. Samsung UE46C9090 (with remote RMC30), or take a closer look at take a closer look at the latest Loewe screens.

Panasonic VT series plasma, Samsung 8000 series (esp check out the specs on the new D8000 they look gorgeous!)

Samsung 8000 better

Specs don't mean everything!!

koning:

Samsung 8000 better

Specs don't mean everything!!

Koning, why cant you be a bit more polite?? Check your ears, wear eyeglasses, etc is what are your arguments all about. 

Yes, the new samsung D8000....gorgeous as I said!  Hardly any bezel....don't care much for the included stand but mounted it would be like looking in a window.