I'm planning to buy a new TV in the near future and I'm unsure of whether 50 or 100 Hz is best as I've heard arguments for both. Could anyone offer me some advice on this? Alternatively, are any tv's that offer dual frequencies ie 50 and 100 hz?

Please help this novice!

Hi Paul,

The differences between 50Hz vs 100Hz are largely subjective, although in my experience I would always go for a 100hz set. 100Hz TVs were mainly designed to eliminate a problem (50Hz flicker) that some viewers found distracting. In fixing that problem, there can be some unwanted side-effects - smearing and pixellisation on fast moving pictures being the main one.
However, 100hz is generally thought to offer a better all-round picture, especially with DVD - also most 100hz sets have the option to switch between viewing modes so you can decide yourself which one suits you.

Go down to your local Comet etc. and glance at a line of TV's sort of out of the corner of your eye - the 50Hz ones are immediately apparent.

The only disadvantage to buying a 100Hz set that I have found is that you become more sensitive to the flicker on others!!

Cheers P C/Al. Would you say 100Hz offers a significant enough improvement to fork out the extra cash?

I would definalty recommend 100Hz over 50. I couldn't find anywhere how much you are willing to spend - however try to buy a flat screen (I'm not talking about plasma's and LCD) but a CRT TV with a completly flat screen. In the past I've have a widescreen 28 and 32 inch 50Hz tv with a curved screen (goldfish bold) and then bought my own 100Hz TV with a flat screen - and the biggest difference (apart from better colours and scan rate etc) was the masivly reduced reflections on the screen which gives a much better picture. Also before you buy you should think about buying online - I saved about a couple of hundred pounds by buyer my TV from the Comet website over the Comet's in store price. The delivery was delayed by a couple of weeks but other than that was painless

Thanks Andy. I don't really want to spend much more than £500. Do you think that is a realistic amount to get a CRT with at least 28" screen at 100Hz?

Defnintely. 28" CRTs with 100hz start at about £400 online.

Thanks Alex. What manufacturers should I look for/steer clear of here?

In case you haven't already made that purchase, I would say 100Hz, no question. Delighted with my Panasonic 28", although I wish it had 2 RGB Scarts instead of just one. JVC seem to do 2 more commonly than other manufacturers. Saw my £400 (Comet) set for £320 online (Comet again), 2 weeks later, such is life. £500 should cover it easily.

Simon White

I bought a JVC 32" 100htz and I love it, the picture is so much better than 50htz, and definately worth the extra. I looked round so many tvs when I went to get a new one and JVC came out on top.