mastermaybe

SONY XBR 40" LCD or PANNY z77 50" PLASMA...help me decide today!!!

OK, this is it. I never thought I'd put this much time and effort into anything. Firstly, I cant go wrong on either as they're both fantastic sets IMO, and I'm getting a staggering deal on either of them through a friend in the biz (either for sub 2g!).

My position: I'm IN LOVE love the sony. Call me a sucker for the brightness and razor-like resolution, but it is tops in my book. The price (even with my deal) still makes me woozy for a 40" tv, but I find myself justifying it at every turn.

It doesn't hurt that it seems loaded to the gills with features/technology (24fps, 120mhz, 1.3 hdmi etc). This, coupled with my rather bright living space almost makes it a no brainer. I've owned sony units in the past and have had nothing but great experiences with them- but the seemingly endless list of clouding/mura issues with even the new sets has me sweating bullets...I'm just not in the business of exchanging 2-3 thousand dollar televisions.

Then there's the panasonic. I LOVE it. (not IN LOVE with it just yet) Awesome blacks, awesome deal, in short. An extra TEN inches is a huge plus. It does have 1.3, but I've read that it is not particularly stunning with 24fps (fast film essentially)- how much should i sweat this??!!

Secondly, even with the panny's improved glare-coating, I am still concerned with day-time viewing. I have an eight foot bay window in my living room that provides a spectacular view- I do not want to cover it up to watch a football game on a sunday a-noon. Some have said on forums that the glare issue is over-stated. My experience with other's plasmas is that it CAN be bad to horrendous...perhaps it has been handled better these days? Opinions on this?

I'm square on the fence- honestly, feedback here will likely seal the deal either way.

thanks a lot-.....DAMN, 10 more inches!!!!!!!

james

Al.Anderson

Re: SONY XBR 40" LCD or PANNY z77 50" PLASMA...help me decide today!!!

Well that's a pickle to be sure!

While I tend to prefer Panny's overy Sony (to say nothing of the extra 10 inches) given the bright room and your preference to not cover the window I might have to go with the Sony, as long as it wasn't *too* small. How far are you sitting from the set?

As far as the price goes, you seem pretty torqued over sub 2K, but only looking at Amazon, the XBR2 goes for $1700 and the XBR4 is less than $2300.

Personally, I'd add an adjustable curtain. I don't need a good view during a game. I like my viewing dark.

mastermaybe

Re: SONY XBR 40" LCD or PANNY z77 50" PLASMA...help me decide today!!!

It is the xbr 4 for about 1800. That's a ps3 and and a few blu-rays away from 2300! I've seen it at 21-2200 from some questionable on-line retailers- I'm getting it from a local brick and mortar.

While I think I could live with a curtain, a certain other resident loves her view and would likely object to it.

My distance is anywhere from 8-12 feet, which is why the ten inches is weighing heavy. The 46 and 52" xbr is simply more than I am willing to pay...or more exactly: more than WE are willing to pay, I guess. It sucks, though, I tried to get her to to go for the idea that "our price" for the 46" was still cheaper than the 40"s retail, but she didn't bite....damn!!

thanks- james