Sony SXRD 1080p HDTV? (1 Viewer)

[Dave Moritz]

While I am not ready to buy a new 1080p display for another 6 months. First I am looking to upgrade my old Yamaha RX-V995. But I am still looking into 1080p displays and am considering a Sony SXRD 1080p HDTV. I am actually considering the Sony KDS-R60XBR2 SXRD 60" 1080p. Is there anyone here that has this model and what kind of feedback do you have?

The other question is what other brands would you recommend that would be the equivalent to the SXRD? What DLP sets are recomended? And would there be any actually advantage of getting a plasma over DLP or LCD? Other than thickness of the display and the basic diffences like screen door effect and or rainbow effect. I have actually never seen the rainbow effect on DLP, so maybe I am just lucky.

These are my only requirements:
50" min. screen size. 60" prefered.
HDMI 1.3a
No off brands

The new display will be replacing my current Sony 50" 720p Wega that has actually worked very well, but its time to go 1080p.

 

[Steve Schaffer]

The XBR2 was last year's model and went out of production over 6 months ago, I doubt if you'll be able to find one in another 6 months other than used.
It's an excellent set.

By the time you're ready to buy the new XBR5 SXRD sets should be available.

 

[Joseph DeMartino]

I bought a JVC 720p LCoS a couple of years ago (the then-new Sony 1080p sets were out of my budget range, and 720p works fine for my viewing distance, etc.) The black levels are not only excellent, they are better than what I was getting from my Toshiba CRT RP set in its last few months. Much better than the 27" LCD panel that I used as a stop gap between donating the Toshiba to a local charity and the arrival of the JVC. (I ran both HD sets side-by-side and there is no question that LCD, while decent, couldn't produce a true black, while the LCoS clearly could.) And my set weighs almost exacty the same as DLP sets of the same size. Finally the I paid $150 for a spare bulb to keep on hand, not "several hundred dollars".

Gregg Loewen will dispute the article's contention that LCoS is immune to burn in (or at least temporary image persistance.) All I can say is I've never seen a trace of it in two years of owning my set, and Gregg's examples seem to involve pretty serious abuse in tradeshow environments. Sounds to me like you can get produce "burn-in" or something like it on an LCoS set, but you have to work at it.

Diagonal inch for diagonal inch, I still think LCoS is the best bang for the buck in the 50" to 65" screen segment among current technologies. It seems to me to have less of the flaws (no rainbows, better pixel fill meaning no screen-door effect) and more of the strengths (bright, vivid image, excellent blacks) of the other technologies and at a better price. I have heard that off-axis viewing is limited. In my living room layout this is a non-issue, but your mileage may vary, and this can be an important consideration.

If money were no object I would definitely have gone with the 60" 1080p Sony XRD when I bought my JVC, even though that would be a little overized for my room.

Regards,

Joe

 

[Dave Moritz]

Thanks for the input I really appreciate it.

I almost purchased a Samsung DLP 50" HDTV but because of my budget at the time ended up with the Sony KDF-F50A10 50" 720p HDTV. It may not be perfect buy I have truely enjoyed this tv and it has worked out nicely. I have well over 100+ HD titles (Blu-ray & HD-DVD), and I can not wait to watch them on a true 1080p HDTV.

If I had the room and could set up all my gear in a large room. I would most likely buy the Sony VPL-VW100 1080p projector with a lovely 120" Stewart Film Screen (Firehawk). Not sure what projector I would own if money was no object but it might be something from Vidikron, Runco or Faroudja? But then I would be looking at McIntosh or Halcro power amplifiers as well.

Here is my current upgrade schedule so far:
New Receiver - Denon or Pioneer Elite
Upgrade Blu-ray Player - Denon or Pioneer Elite
Upgrade HDTV - So far Sony SXRD 60" or 70" if they start making a 70".

 

[Sanjay Gupta]

Not only is the Sony SXRD XBR2 a great television, it also did come in a 70" version. As mentioned earlier in the thread, the XBR2 is now discontinued but there is a XBR5 60" & 70" version around the corner which is estimated to arrive in early 2008. The XBR5 is supposed to be bring even greater improvements in picture quality and black levels than the XBR2. It also adds support for 1080p/24 and 120Hz technology. As icing on the cake, the new XBR5 will also be 40% slimmer than the XBR2. You might want to check out the following links:

Sony SXRD KDS-R60XBR2 60" TV review: http://www.guidetohometheater.com/re...br2/index.html

Sony SXRD XBR5 info: http://www.guidetohometheater.com/ne...xrd/index.html
Sony website: http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665156111

PS: Forgot to mention that the new SXRD XBR5 series is really a beauty to behold. It really is impossible to tell that it is a rear projection tv from it's pictures.

 

[Dave Moritz]

Thanks for the links Sanjay.

I am going to be so jazzed the day I bring that bad boy SXRD home and set it up!

 

[DavidJ]

Yes, those XBR5s look sweet. I did a TON of research before choosing the XBR2 for many of the reasons others have discussed above. I love my 60XBR2 and will not be upgrading anytime soon, but if I were...

 

[Sanjay Gupta]

Although the 70" XBR2 SXRD may have been discontinued, it seems like the 60" XBR2 is still in stock and available for sale. Thus, just in case you might be interested in one of those, you could probably pick one up for a great price. Although, after seeing the XBR5 I know it's hard to even consider the XBR2. I know, because I am in exactly the same boat, ie. waiting for the 60" XBR5 to come out.

Sony website: http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...categoryId=565

Prices are as low as $2275 --> http://www.pricerunner.com/pl/2-6900...Compare-Prices