Analog TV on a 34 inch WEGA XBR (1 Viewer)

[Josh Varghese]

Someone locally is selling a 34 inch (HD-ready) Sony Wega XBR for a veeery tempting price. However, I am wondering for me personally whether it is worth buying if I don't plan on getting HDTV for quite awhile. I've seen how terrible analog tv looks on projection tv's and was wondering how bad it is on tubes.

Does it still look terrible. I really want to get the tv because I know how sweet my DVD picture will be, but if my television signal looks terrible I may be better off just sticking with my analog television for now.

Any thoughts and advice would be well appreciated.

Thanks
Josh
[email protected]

 

[John_Williams]

Analog TV usually looks not so good on HDTVs because of the upconversion of the set to 480p or whatever. It is the nature of the beast, in other words. On the other hand, the 34XBR800 is considered one of the best HDTVs out right now. Sony's are also known for unmatched tweaks/settings in the service menu. So, maybe someone can help dialing in better picture quality with analog sources

I say go for it! You can still get plenty of enjoyment with watching DVDs in progressive scan quality, plus you will have a very good set when you do decide to move up to HDTV

Good luck

 

[Jack Briggs]

Pretty much what John said. Far better to get a future-compatible set. As a rule, the more accurate the display the more clearly evident the flaws in a standard-def NTSC image. You're just seeing an already mediocre picture more clearly. An old-technology display simply masks those same flaws due to its lower resolution.

Go for the XBR, by all means.

 

[JamesHl]

There's a period of adjustment, at first you think the picture on the set is awful, and then you realize it's just the source.

 

[Michael TLV]

Greetings

Keep your priorities straight. Do not purposely degrade your DVD images for the sake of the poor sources. YOu will see all the sources for what they really look like. No more rose coloured glasses.

Regards

 

[SeanA]

Josh,

I got mine for just a tad over $2k and at a high end dealer, so your deal should be at least that good. BTW, I am very happy with the Sony's performance. And if you are getting such a good deal, why don't you go ahead and buy an OTA receiver like the Samsung SIR-T151 or Zenith HDV420 with all the $$$ you save !?!? That way you don't have to wait to enjoy HD.

 

[Josh Varghese]

The deal is at least that good (if its still available). I call and left a message and haven't been called back yet.

Well, I'm only a college student; I've never even had cable at my house before (have it during the year through the dorms) but yes because I'm moving back and forth so much I've never looked into getting HD soon.

Also I am new to the HD game. I've read tons n tons on audio but not near up to date on HD. I don't know the options when it comes to who to get HD from (though cable provider vs just getting local stations for now). Basically I know next to nothing right now as far as subscribing to get HD.

Know any sites that summarize this information well?

Thanks
Josh

 

[DaveF]

I've got a 36" HD Wega and analog cable looks fine on it. It doesn't seem to overly amplify signal problems.

 

[dan fritzen]

Josh,

I have the 34XBR800 and Direct TV was pretty bad at first, for the reasons described above. Sony has something called DRC palette that I played around with and I use preset 3 and now Direct TV is much improved, albeit not DVD quality. This TV also has the coolest picture in picture mode I have ever seen, it will take your analog cable and scroll through the channels on the right hand side, you have to see it.

 

[Jamie^MEE]

Hey,

I recently purchased this tv (34xbr800)...absolutely amazing w/ Time Warner's Hi Def Cable Box! However, standard def is not so hot. Someone told me to turn off the upscaling so the tv isn't trying to turn everything to 480p. Anyone know if this is possible? I keep hearing about the service menu...is that where this would be accessible? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Michael TLV]

Greetings

You cannot turn off the DRC / Line doubling of the set.

Regards

 

[John_Pang]

I also bought this TV recently and I am very happy with it. I have digital cable and HD and the picture is stunning. It is so-so with analog cable but acceptable. Not sure what the store options are for you, but Sears had this set on close out last week for $1499. I had my local Circuit City price match Sears +10%, plus I got free delivery and a $200 Circuit City Gift card. Final price=$1249 an absolute steal. I am thinking I should buy a second one at that price.

 

[Daniel Becker]

I just got my Sony 36HS510 recently and i've got to say i'm suprised at how well the new Sony's convert regular cable. I saw a Sony HDTV a couple years ago running a regular cable feed and it looked pretty bad but with my new set I think they've really improved it. Some channels look especially good while others look ok. Overall i've been quite impressed though.


Dan.B

 

[dan fritzen]

You cannot turn off the DRC / Line doubling of the set.

Michael I have this set, are you sure, I know shuts off DRC on HD signals? I hear that Pro video setting does not use some of the line doubling DRC stuff, any truth?

 

[Nathan_W]

I also bought this TV recently and I am very happy with it. I have digital cable and HD and the picture is stunning. It is so-so with analog cable but acceptable. Not sure what the store options are for you, but Sears had this set on close out last week for $1499. I had my local Circuit City price match Sears +10%, plus I got free delivery and a $200 Circuit City Gift card. Final price=$1249 an absolute steal. I am thinking I should buy a second one at that price.

John,
Are you talking about the 34XBR800? Wow, I've been thinking of waiting for the new XBR910 to come out, that makes it a lot tougher! By the way which Sears? Ala Moana?

Oh yeah, you have Oceanic's digital cable? What model HDTV box do you have?

 

[John_Pang]

What's up Nathan. It's the 34XBR800. I did not see it at Ala Moana, but Pearlridge has them on close out. They are expecting more on the 25th. You can get someone a CC to price match, but sometimes they need Sears to have the item in stock.

I have a Scientific Atlanta box from Time Warner (Oceanic). I was lucky that they have them in stock now, usually there is a wait list. They have ABC, CBS, HBO and Showtime in HD. HD Discovery wil be online soon.

 

[John-Miles]

Take a look at Toshiba, allot of people agree that they do some wonderful things with analog signals.

Personally I find their line doubler is light years beyond sony, at least for analog sources.

 

[Nathan_W]

Thanks John(_Pang).

I didn't realize they had CBS in HD also. Their website has only ABC, HBO, and Showtime. More about the SA box...Is it the 3100HD? Did you have to exchange an old one for it or did they bring it at the time of installation?

Thanks again

 

[Jamie^MEE]

Hey Nathan,

I live in Manhattan and have the 3100HD...it's pretty sweet, just does not have DVI which would be very useful with this TV. BTW, CBS HD is amazing, especialy CSI.

 

[John_Pang]

Nathan,

Its the 3100HD I think. I did have to trade my old digital cable box for this one, at no cost. It plugged right in and uses the same remote so I did not even have to reprogram. HDCBS is channel 907 and CSI is amazing, the only bad thing is that it does not play at the same time as the regular telecast, it plays at 6pm, not 8pm. You need to have light control in the room to block the early evening sun. Alias is also quite good in HD. Get it before you miss the HBO HD plays of Attack of the Clones this month!