Hitachi fail to hit the heights with this mediocre 32-inch HD ready LCD TV. It features an integrated digital (Freeview) tuner but the EPG is frustratingly slow to upload programme information. Sound quality is awful and picture quality nothing to get excited about.The standard definition picture is soft but this actually helps mask some digital artefacts (side-effects from all that digital picture processing). Our expert panel had mixed feelings about the high definition picture. Some felt it lacked some depth but others felt the level of detail made up for it. Sound-wise the bass is on the poor side and higher frequencies are somewhat unrefined for instance there was some distortion on some female vocals. The Hitachi also makes a slight buzz but it's barely audible.There are 2 awkwardly placed RGB Scart sockets and 2 HDMI sockets for connecting to high definition equipment. Neither Scart features Scart link (which can trigger a suitable VCR to record).There are sockets situated at the rear, but facing sideways, for connection to a camcorder or headphones. It can't be connected to a surround sound set-up but does have a stereo audio output for connection to a hi-fi system. A coordinating pedestal stand is supplied but the TV can be wall mounted. Unusually for a flat panel TV the wall mounting kit actually comes supplied.Pros: Wall mounting kit supplied, high definition picturesCons: Terrible EPG, bad sound
so I have to purchase a new one tomorrow. Am looking at the Hitachi L26H01 for €499.99. Does anyone have an opinion on that telly, or any other make/model? My budget is €500 and for ease and simplicity it has to be purchased from Argos (there is one 5 minutes down the road from me)