Colin Quits HDTVTest

It is with sadness and regret that I need to announce that Colin has decided to call it a day, and will no longer be writing reviews for HDTVTest.

For those of you who are new to this website, Colin is the co-founder alongside me. Together we learned and nurtured this website to break into the top 3,500 most visited websites in the United Kingdom. He has never ceased to amaze me with his intense knowledge of the video chain, and his passionate pursuit of the latest display technologies.

But writing reviews as comprehensive as ours consumes a lot of time and effort for little return, so I can fully understand Colin’s decision to explore more rewarding options. In simple terms, here’s a breakdown on what we have to spend on each HDTV we buy ourselves:

  • VIP poll design and data collection: 1-2 hours
  • HDTV purchase (including shopping for the cheapest price): 1 hour
  • Product & PQ photography (including editing/resizing): 2-3 hours
  • Calibration: 2-6 hours per source depending on the complexity of the television
  • Benchmark Testing: 1-2 hours
  • Review writeup (including research): 4-5 days
  • Sale of TV as second hand: £100-£300 capital loss

We generate some revenue through contextual advertising and affiliate links on the website, but it barely covers the cost of bandwidth and £150 loss (on average) per HDTV purchase… and no one is paying us for our time (each review takes about 1 week). I don’t blame Colin’s departure one bit, sometimes I feel like throwing in the towel myself.

With Colin gone, my HDTV purchase fund is even more limited, and I can no longer afford to write 8-page reviews… looking through our page view statistics, most readers jump straight to the Conclusion and maybe the Picture Quality section anyway. On that note, here’s my LG 42LF65 review – I hope you find it more useful than your typical AV magazine/ website review that offers little objectivity, transparency and accountability.

42 comments

  1. It’s very sad that Colin leaves.

  2. Yeah this is sad but understandable. I’ve learnt loads from your site but some of it goes beyond my intelligence. I really want to know how the TV’s qualities might affect my everyday viewing under daytime/evening/movie conditions. Trim it down but be as objective as ever! Thanks for everything so far. Your reviews can be trusted and that makes you stand out.

  3. ditto

    ps, i always appreciate the Audio section

  4. Thanks to Colin for all his help.
    All of us who are regular visitors of your website appreciate the great work that you and Colin have been doing.
    We understand that you do not get much out of it and that’s why I’d like to thank you Vincent for continuing to put together great reviews.
    If it is any help, you can rest assured that your hard work is greatly appreciated. Your reviews have opened my eyes on the world of plasma/lcd hd tvs. No where else can I find the same level of detail, information and objectivity that is present in all your reviews.

    Thank you

  5. You guys are HDTV gods in a lot of our eyes and most of us wouldnt even consider buying an HDTV without reading your reviews first.
    There is no other site on the net or publication which gives the true ins and outs of HD technology quite like you guys portray it.
    Its a very sad day indeed and i hope Colin reconsiders.
    From all AV nuts out there.
    Leeroy ;[

  6. Thanks to you both. Your reviews have been very helpful to me in choosing the right tv. They are detailed and have a critical approach, something very valuable and hard to find. I hope Colin finds a “more rewarding option.”

  7. Please also pass my thanks to Colin for all the hard work he has done and that his knowledge and expertise will be sorely missed.

    Us readers can only imagine the time and effort needed to put together these comprehensive reviews and I have always been appreciative of the work done by Colin and Vincent and that’s why I have donated twice to help out.

    Vincent, I always read every page of all the reviews even though I don’t have all the money yet to buy a hdtv. I”m putting a little bit away every week and hopefully by the time the Panasonic “PZ” range of Plasmas are released I will be ready to buy.

    I know it will be more difficult now for you to do the reviews alone but I would prefer you to do a fewer number of reviews than to do shorter versions of them.

    I’m hoping if you eventually do a review of a Panasonic PZ plasma that it will be a full eight page version as I’m sure there will be many readers hanging out for that one.

    Also, I’m always letting other readers know about this site in various forums I spend time at. Actually, that’s even how I came to know about hdtvtest.co.uk, by someone else recommending it to me.

    cheers.

  8. This is the best site for LCD/Plasma testing and evaluation. It’s sad that Colin left and i surely hope that Vincent can keep up the good work.

  9. It’s a sad day, this site is easily the best HDTV review site bar none. It’s a shame you both don’t do it as a business.

    I wish Colin all the best and now dread the day when you, Vincent decides to quit. Simply this site is quality.

  10. I would like to thank you! Your review site is the best!
    Your reviews are very good and professional!

  11. Most interesting and informative website on this topic. Your efforts are appreciated. Good luck Colin.

  12. I haven’t yet liked, or bought a plasma or LCD (at the price I need), but have just recently found this site.
    It’s unbiased expertise makes this the premiere review site I come to. Very sorry to see Colin leave, and I wish him well. You guys are much appreciated.

  13. Hi Vincent,

    I presume your reviews are being read widely. Is there any feasible method to charge viewers to read each review?

    I don’t want to subscribe, but would gladly pay a small fee to read a review of a TV I was thinking of getting.

    Cheers,

    Roger

  14. Hi Chaps, I would like to re-iterate everyone elses comments and thank you to both of you for what I regard as the BEST independant advice. I am also happy to pay a small fee to read the reviews I want to and look fwd to your PZ review like Phantoma. All the best to Colin for the future and Vincent full credit to you for carrying on with the website.

  15. Hi,

    Very good site , Iam french , and I just can’t find a french website with so many good reviews.
    Easy to read and to understand , Thank you for this.
    I tell everyone ,who is looking to buy an HDTV, to go to this website.

    “bonne chance” for the future !
    Best regards.

  16. sORRY TO HEAR YOUV’E HAD ENOUGH OLD BUDDY.HOPE THAT YOU DONT GO OFF TO WORK FOR SOME GROTTY MAG REVIEW SECTION WITH ALL ITS HANGERS ON AND OFFILIATIONS.tHANKS A BUNCH FOR ALL THE HARD WORK..

  17. I only just discovered this website recently and I’ve been happy to experience the high quality material which has been offered. In my opinion this website provide unique information through it’s high quality articles and reviews.

    You should be rewarded for writing with such honesty and accuracy. You should have fun doing it and it should be worth your while. It’s sad to learn that isn’t the case.

    You actually save people time and money – why isn’t any of that coming back to you? I guess we, the readers, should take note of this.

    Your work so far should serve as a benchmark for on-line reviews in general.

    Thanks for a great website. Please keep up the good work!

  18. This is a shocking news to the HDTV fans.
    Instead of appreciating the prodigies why don’t some of you contribute ?

    P.S : I don’t live in the U.K.

  19. As you guys can return the goods within certain time frame I think some of prospective owners of HDTVs can get your telly evaluated by Vincent and pay some royalty charges so that he doesn’t incur overhead costs.

  20. Very sad to hear that your excellent work is not paying off.

  21. You must put more space on the site for advertisement. take a look at http://www.tomshardware.com . they started just like you without any support, and now after upgrading the site to hold more adds – they are celebrating their 8th or 9th year.
    You are one of the top 3500 sites in the u.k. – surely you can take advantage of it.
    good luck !
    Ido.

    p.s. you are doing an extremely important job for the public. it will be a shame if you stop.

  22. Hi guys,

    I love the reviews here. Without a doubt exactly the stuff that new buyers want to read before buying a tv.

    To be honest, I do think Colin is taking the easy way out. The fact that this site is quickly rising shows you have a winning formula that you can start to use to keep growing and make some (and later on even lots of) money out of it.
    First you could create a big ass “support us” button on the site, and dedicate an article once in a while (like the one you just made) showing the cost and time it takes to keep up this site so people will make a donation (go paypal!)
    After the LCD/Plasma producers note how well your site is performing (and this can take some time), you will probably have a lot less trouble getting tv’s for less or free for testing purposes.
    IMHO there are enough options, but on the other side, I’m just sitting here comfy behind my PC, so it’s easy talking for me.
    Good luck in whatever you do!

  23. I’d like to echo the sentiments from most of the viewers here. You guys do a fabulous job. Perhaps you could think about setting up some sort of ‘contributions’ fund where we, the readers might want to donate to help support your good work? Just an idea?

  24. Ditto, you should have a donation option loud and proud on your website, the work you guys do for us mere consumers is Gold! How about selling your reviews for say £1? I (and I’m sure others) wouldn’t mind paying a nominal ammount for them and it should generate some return for you. I guess money isn’t everything here, your reviews are very time consuming. Thanks for all your efforts.

    We salute you!

  25. oh bugger

    well we all want and expect the internet for free

    honestly the solution is micropayments – we all pay just a few pence/cents/euros – cost to us irrelavent, income to Colin/Vincent significant.

    then you get the unimaginative selfish greed of the banks and the whole concept is scuppered before it gets off the ground

    oops … ranting – sorry ;-)

    good luck Colin and thanks m8 you’ve helped a me and, I guess, lot of us out here.

  26. Outside the sky is dark, fit with the gloomy mood reading yr decision to quit, Collin.

    In my country I read What…. Magazine regulary, being the best of the worst (still reading it as hv no other options) and If u decided to make a business and compiling yr review and issue it in a magazine (find a dedicated Hi Fi reviewer as well) I’m sure that others magaziens will be crawling to survive.

    Always highly appreciated yr excellent reviews, and Vincent, now our pleasure for reading all the reviews is all rely on yr shoulder, Please.. please…. don’t take it fm us :p

    PS : Am living in Southeast Asia

  27. HI

    SORRY TO GO LITTLE OFF TOPIC HERE – BUT WHATS HAPPENED TO THE MONEY FOR THE PS3 AND WHEN ARE WE GOING TO HAVE THE FIRST PS3 REVIEW???????? SOUNDS LIKE YOU’VE TAKEN PEOPLES MONEY JUST TO GET YOURSELF A PS3 AND NOW TRYING TO CLOSE THIS SITE DOWN BY COMING UP WITH SOME CRAPPY STORY ABOUT COLIN LEAVING AND HOW YOURE WONDERING IF YOURE GONNA SURVIVE ALONE. SOUNDS LIKE A MAJOR SKANK JOB TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  28. Hey pete d,
    The PS3 has already been used in a hdtv review.
    http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/LG-42LF65/Picture-Quality.php

    You’re embarrassing yourself. :)

  29. It would be great if the D3000 review is updated with PS3 since the D3000 has 24p!

    Ime

  30. I BOUGHT MY LCD ON YOUR RECOMENDATION. BOTH A CLASS ACT. GOOD LUCK COLIN.

  31. @ pete d

    There is a button in your keyboard that says “Caps Lock” , please try to press it next time before typing.

  32. Hi there lads,

    Its a shame Colin called it a day, I’m amazed that you two did this for so long with so little in return. I owe you two immensense gratitude for your thorough analysis and indepth reporting for us first timers. You’re obviously doing a great job as when I googled I found you guys straight away – but you are under-selling your website’s accessibilty and hence not making any returns. Perhaps you should change the layout of the website so as to catch the traffic and have a rating system for the casual browser. That way you could justify increasing returns. Otherwise you’re not getting anyone leaving feedback other than leaving comments – which I wouldnt do – except for Colins departure.

    May I just say – never give up mate, I really appreciate this and really admire your honesty in telling us about your struggles and difficulties but perhaps you should consult some1 for marketing advice because you have a really great site that covers topics in an easy to understand way in far more depth than mainstream magazines!

    I think you should also have a star rating for your conclusions. Good luck to you pal!

  33. Please do not lower your standards. Whilst it will be twice as difficult there are many out there like me that will appreciate the work you do more. Many of us have a simple core knowledge – because we are interested, but what we dont have is comparative knowledge and experience. Thats what you bring to the party and the more tests you do the more valuable your reports become. If there was a way of selling your reports for say a quid through paypal then I too would go for it. Alternatively a membership of a fiver that get you to the more detailed parts of a review section and perhaps into a forum.

  34. so sad. best wishes to colin.
    and PLEEEEEEEAAASE, don’t quit this site. every review is a pleasure to read, especially because every aspect a tv-nerd would look for gets covered. maybe you can work out some “sponsorship” with a retailer, at least, that’s what areadvd.de does over here in germany. they get all their things from hifi-regler.de, a well known shop for electronics. just an idea…

  35. Sorry to hear of your departure. Although I live in the USA I have enjoyed this site’s expertise since discovering it earlier this year.

    Best wishes!

  36. thats sad news..this is easily the best place to go if yo want to buy a new tv.im getting the new 1080p samsung just from reading about it here..it was a toos up with the sony and the samsung and your review helped a lot..so cheers..
    its a shame you couldnt get some cash from one of the big names..but then again they would pressure you to say something is good when its not..just like a very well know hi-fi and visual mag out there!

  37. I find the funding issue is something that a lot of independent specialist sites face. Perhaps you could look into setting up a voluntary donation/contribution system.

    I’d hesitate to recommend a subscription service, since I suspect many people are probably like myself, in that they are only motivated to come to HDTVTest when they’re in the market for a new tv. Personally, I’m still holding out on my first entrance to HD but I expect to make the jump in the next 6 months.

    I would have absolutely no hesitation at all in making a donation to see this site continue *and* to see the hard work of the reviewers/founders rewarded. Additionally, setting up a donation system (a lot of people have paypal accounts, which makes payment trivial) is something that wouldn’t require a great deal of effort. Even if the attach rate is low, the income stream would still be in excess of the effort required to set up and maintain a donation system. I suspect that the only negative aspect of my idea is in terms of taxation. IANAA (I am not an accountant!), but would donations be considered revenue for a business/service? If that is the case, would it be worthwhile to register HDTVTest as a business? As an offset to the cost of setting up a business, there would be potential savings in the way of VAT on purchases (hosting / server hardware, television purchases, fuel expenses, equipment).

    Anyway, that’s just a couple of the thoughts from a very appreciative reader who has introduced this fantastic website to a number of colleagues, friends and family to great acclaim.

    I salute you both, Vincent and Colin, and wish you both great success in both your personal and professional lives.

  38. Im so sorry to hear that colin has had to quit ,vincent,what u have here is the best site i can find for an in-depth read on a hdtv performance,there has to be a way to make this more cost affective 4 u but at the same time try to cover all the bases,eg all forms of input devices,lots of different popular lcd’s and plasma’s,i know that if your site were to stop doing what it is doing ,it would be missed,as the other sites i have visited dont really criticise on what r and/or could be bad points of a television,and they defo dont do as much of an indepth review which is what makes this site so good, your in depth testing has allways gave me piece of mind on wether or not i am going to be completly happy with a decision or not,if your site is so popular,where are all the sponsors for god sake come and help this man keep doing the good job that him and colin have been doing,maybe you need more banners and linkage to other sites to and from here somehow,im not an expert on web site stuff,but there has to be a way to create more revenue for you to do these reviews,do you currently work full time ??

  39. It is too bad that Colin turned to the dark side. I hope you can somehow keep up the excellent work.

    Your obsession with 1:1 pixel mapping and the D65 standard are spot on!

    Best Wishes and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Colin returns or some other miracle happens!

  40. I am an HDTV “newbie”. I’ve scoured the web in search of Sony and Panasonic 32″ LCD reviews.

    Around the world, HDTV review coverage, content, and reporting quality is quite wonderful… but … collectively it is repetitive and overkill. So too, within the over collection, your reviews are especially thorough, honest, well written, and more ! Thank you so much. Both of you should take a bow.

    But you have to eat and you have to grow your family’s wealth. If you are not paying yourselves fair wages, then I support Colin’s decision to pack it in. You are playing in a big pond and perhaps you just cannot grow your current business model. Not to worry. There are thousands of related opportunities waiting for guys with your tech & writing knowledge and skill, some perhaps with “Big Guys” like CNET. In 40 years, when LCD has been superceded by 3D, you’ll be glad you did.

    Best of luck to you both.

  41. Juan De Fenceopper

    You should ask the manufacturers to give you the TVs to test….if you can show them the traffic…they will easily write it off as an advertising expense.

    TVs that are not reviewed….don’t sell as many.

  42. i think its in everyones best interest colin called it a day
    i have some reviews for some popular mags and are disturbed
    at some of colins poor settings posted ,