Recommend me a TV for Parents Xmas present?

[w_n_s]

Ok - here are the facts:

It will be receiving an NTL pace box signal via RGB scart. Obviously at the moment, their TV being CRT, the image is pretty sharp - but not the best quality as they are using an old one . They won't be updating to HD in the future, if at all.

I need to buy them a 26 - 28" TV ~£300.

We bought them a Samsung thin CRT for another room in the house for my dads 60th. Again, this was mainly due to the fact that the TV would only be receiving RGB scart from DVD player and freeview.

Is there anything comparable in the LCD range today. Back before my dads 60th, we had a look around and all LCD's displaying an RGB scart picture were poor, which is why I decided on the Samsung thin CRT as being the best option - as they would only be getting a better picture than their current, and not a poorer one, which they would complain about.

[w_n_s]

noone wanna touch this one?

[rwniel]

Budget is a bit tight for an lcd in that size range - you'd probably be looking at models like the Mirai DTL-527V200 (http://www.teleland.co.uk/item--Mirai-27-LCD-HD-TV--MiraiDTL-527V200.html) which typically aren't sold in shops (though you could return it under DSR if you found it wasn't suitable). It has an analogue but no freeview tuner, although you can of course connect up a separate box. If you want to look at more mainstream and readily available models like the Samsung LE26R87BDX (http://www.hdtvorg.co.uk/reviews/lcd/Samsung_le26r87bdx.htm) or Panasonic TX26LMD70 (http://www.hdtvorg.co.uk/reviews/lcd/Panasonic_TX26LMD70.htm) then you'd have to increase your budget; £400-£450. I would have a look at both these models as it shows the state of LCDs today. If you aren't happy with these then it will save you time having to look at other models.

Under you're circumstances, it sounds like you'd probably be better of with another CRT given you're looking for a television in a smaller size, SD source connection and more of a known quantity viewing-wise. Plasma models would give more of a CRT-like image but of course there's nothing smaller than 37" (and you go beyond your budget anyway).

Robert