Sony KDL-32P3020

...out that much when this Sony Bravia looks great, delivers perfect performance and has all the features you could want (within reason)? Admittedly, it does not illuminate the wall behind the TV for added effect like the Ambilight does, but is that worth an extra £500? I don't think so.

The KDL3020 has a built-in digital receiver which saves the trouble of a seperate remote and freeview box. It does not have a hard drive to record programs ...
...have everything I suppose, especially not at this price.

Setting up the TV could not have been easier. I took it out, plugged it in, connected the aerial, switched it on and started watching - simple as that. It has not given me any trouble so far, works perfectly with DVDs and as a TV, and looks as good as any other TV on the market. The picture is always crystal clear, the sound is bassy and loud and the remote control is easy to ... more

I am not expert on TVs but as far as I can tell, having bought this one for £420 and having used it fo six weeks, it as good as any TV I have ever seen.

Choosing a 32 inch TV these days is not easy because there are so many different brands around. They start at about £320 for the cheapest models from some relatively less well known maufacturers (Teco, Sagem etc), ranging up to £900 for the top of the range Philips 32PFL9632 Ambilight.

My question is; why would anyone bother forking out that much when this Sony Bravia looks great, delivers perfect performance and has all the features you could want (within reason)? Admittedly, it does not illuminate the wall behind the TV for added effect like the Ambilight does, but is that worth an extra £500? I don't think so.

The KDL3020 has a built-in digital receiver which saves the trouble of a seperate remote and freeview box. It does not have a hard drive to record programs onto which would have been a bonus, but you can't have everything I suppose, especially not at this price.

Setting up the TV could not have been easier. I took it out, plugged it in, connected the aerial, switched it on and started watching - simple as that. It has not given me any trouble so far, works perfectly with DVDs and as a TV, and looks as good as any other TV on the market. The picture is always crystal clear, the sound is bassy and loud and the remote control is easy to operate.

I chose this TV because it won a What HiFi test for the best TV for under £500. They appear to know what they are talking about at that publication - they talk about things like "contrast ratio" - so if they say it's the best TV available for under £500 then that's good enough for me. If you are on a budget then I recommend this TV. And even if you have money to burn, why pay more than you have to?

I know some readers will expect a more in-depth account of this TV but as I said at the outset I am no expert. For me there are two types of TV: ones that work and ones that don't. This one works, is a very good size and at this price is amazing value. Please ask any questions in comments and I will definitely respond if I can.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: It is now five months since I got this telly, and it is still totally perfect. Until they invent TVs that can tidy up and cook there is no need to look any further than this one. One thing I will say is that it one friend (who is probably just jealous) says that the TV is ugly, and although I don't agree with him I do acknowledge that most Samsung TVs do look a bit cooler with their glossy black finish. But that is not really a consideration for me. Will rate in response. 

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