paul wrote:

Hi,

I read somewhere it is possible to upgrade my BV 7-40" (mk3..dvd, but not blu ray)  to a higher screen spec and possibly even 3D? Im assuming this means replacing the actual screen?

You can simply swap out the BV7 panel for a new one (by "panel" I mean the entire upper unit, separate from the speaker and stand). Your dealer can quote you on this, but sadly the MKIII isn't going to get you a great deal of cash. You might get only £1500 for the panel, if you are lucky, and a brand new 3D BV7-40 is going to cost quite a chunk more. Another £7K? That's a LOT of money for the same TV, albeit with a better picture.

IMHO you'd be better moving up to second hand MKIV. The difference will be relatively small. Maybe £1000 upgrade? But there's a big difference between a MKIII and MKIV, in terms of picture quality, based on my experience.

opps...im an idiot...its a Mk1V i have, not an MK111. apologies....

anyway, same questions apply....see original post above....

Thanks

paul

paul wrote:

opps...im an idiot...its a Mk1V i have, not an MK111. apologies....

I wouldn't bother. Seriously. I owned a MKIV for ages and traded it in against a BV10-46 (brand new). The BV10-46 has a slightly better picture, but it's very very marginal. I didn't upgrade for a better picture, but simply as I love the look of the BV10-46, particularly the interchangable frets.

The difference between your MKIV and the latest 3D BV7-40 will be tiny. Very marginal. Could you really justify the £5K+ upgrade for a slightly improved panel? And would you use the 3D?

The BV7-55 is a different argument entirely. This has far improved lighting and the black-level is immense. It's the best picture I've ever seen on any TV. But the upgrade price from a BV7-40 MKIV will be huge.

Paul,

you can upgrade to a non DVD version 3D panel 2000 euros less than the in built DVD version. For the extra 2000 euros saved i would buy some 2nd hand BO speakers. Your MKIV screeen only version will definitely cost more than £1500 pounds. My MKIII version with BR was worth £2750 pounds in december 2011 so an upgrade is not as bad as you might think. I like BV10-46 but for upgradability in the future i decided to stick with 7-40 and it also looks nice. THe new panel is not LCD but an LED panel and the picture is very good. Furthermore sound quality is better IMHO with the 7.

Vince

vlohjr1 wrote:

you can upgrade to a non DVD version 3D panel 2000 euros less than the in built DVD version. For the extra 2000 euros saved i would buy some 2nd hand BO speakers. Your MKIV screeen only version will definitely cost more than £1500 pounds. My MKIII version with BR was worth £2750 pounds in december 2011 so an upgrade is not as bad as you might think.

The £1500 was for the MKIII (he said he had a MKIII). He'll get more for the MKIV, sure. However, the jump is still significant, for little gain. For example, Le's say he gets £2500, you're still looking at at least £5000 for a slightly improved panel. Not really worth it, IMHO. The difference in picture quality between the MKIV and latest BV7-40 panel isn't massive - not worth that upgrade fee.

If someone has money to burn, sure, but then you might as well go for the BV7-55, which is a big leap in picture quality.

I paid less than £2000 to upgrade from the BV7-40 MKIV to the BV10-46, so that was a deal I couldn't refuse.