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Toys R Us busts £600 barrier for 32in HD LCD TV

by Bob Crabtree on 8 May 2006, 14:18

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Kids' superstore Toys R Us is set to introduce what looks to be far and away the cheapest 32in LCD HDTV set sold in the UK to date. The Medion-branded MD 20099 - due at the end of the month in all 65 of the company's UK stores and via its netshop - will be pitched at just £599 yet is HD ready and promises to include a number of key future-proofing features.

Most notable are two relating to digital-rights management that aren't necessarily found even on far more expensive sets. These are HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) and a single HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) socket. Together, they will allow the set to show protected material from a range of forthcoming high-def consumer electronic devices such as set-top receivers and optical disc players.

Medion MD 20099

Medion - best know in the UK as a supplier of decent desktop and laptop PCs, notably machines sold through Lidl at knock-down prices - has three HDTV models in its range back home in Germany and already supplies Toys R Us with a selection of 14in Disney-branded, standard-definition sets.

The 32in set supports the 720p hi-def format and has a native picture resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. A 3D comb filter and noise-reduction technology are reckoned to help enhance picture quality aided by a contrast ratio said to be 1000:1 (pretty respectable) and a claimed brightness level of 550cd/m2. On the sound side, Nicam stereo is accompanied by a five-band equaliser and output rated at 2x10WRMS through speakers located either side of the screen

Also on the features-list are picture-in-picture (PIP), allowing you to watch a second video feed in a small window on the main screen, and split-screen PAT (Picture-and-Text) that shows the picture on one side and teletext on the other.

As well as a single HDMI socket, the set is expected to carry inputs for aerial, a PC (VGA), S-video and L/R audio, plus a headphone socket and two Scarts - wiring unknown as yet. The package is rounded off by a wall mount, a free-standing base, a "multifunction" IR remote and a two-year warranty described as being in-home repair or swap out. The only obvious shortcoming we can see is that the set only receives analogue terrestrial TV, rather than analogue and digital, which would be our preference.

But it would be unreasonable to quibble at the price especiallly when the Medion offers all the features and connections needed to display high-definition images from the UK's two satellite and cable HD broadcast sources - Sky HD and Telewest TVDrive system - and the forthcoming rival high-def disc formats, Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD.

According to Medion's UK product manager Rick Munday, the MD 20099 is likely to sell out quickly - and, with that price and features set, we reckon he's not far wrong. Fortunately, though, this shouldn't be a here-today-gone-tomorrow deal like many of those that have frustrated would-be buyers of Medion PCs in supermarkets. Munday says there is plenty of stock for Toys R Us to call upon after the first round and that the MD 20099 will also be appearing in other outlets soon.

Medion MD 20099

Although the Medion looks a very attractive proposition, there are even cheaper 32in alternatives that are also badged HD ready. Samsung has two models that undersell the Medion, though these are CRT, not LCD, and are considerably bulkier. Comet sells one version for £450 - the WS32Z409TQ. This has an analogue TV tuner and, we think, a single HDMI socket - we're still try to check this and also whether HDCP is included. Samsung is likely to introduce the second model next month and this - the WS32Z4419D - will be fitted with digital and analogue terrestrial tuners and priced, we expect, at £500.

Things are really starting to get interesting with HD in the UK at last. Let us share your thoughts and experiences over in the HEXUS.community.



HEXUS Forums :: 25 Comments

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absolutely loverly price tag.

Its just such a shame after the news that sky will be doing 1080i for all their channels, that the highest this box goes is 720p.

(if only it was 1080p!)
I just bought a Hyundai 32" LCD HDTV from ebuyer for same price.
what's 720p? rather, whats a “p”?
Progressive Scan it stands for doesn't it? (not sure tho)

Nice screen nice price. My wallet is quaking :p
TheAnimus
absolutely loverly price tag.

Its just such a shame after the news that sky will be doing 1080i for all their channels, that the highest this box goes is 720p.

(if only it was 1080p!)

Get real - you're not likely to find 1080 on many 32in sets in the near future.

As for one that's £599, well, really!

Clearly, it's going to be necessary to have a look at the product to see how well it performs, so let's hope Toys R Us has the wit to do sensible dems - shouldn't be hard if it only has one HD set on show per store (but might also mean it won't bother).

But on paper, this does look a seriously-interesting proposition for anyone wanting a smaller HD ready set.

Don't know what experiences people here have had with Medion kit - PCs or anything else - but over on DVdoctor, the general consensus was been pretty positive with prices being considerably lower than the spec would have suggested.

Bob