More HD TV - Sony SXRD

JCL · #1 10-23-2005, 05:26 PM

Lots of good discussion some weeks back about how fast the large-screen HD TV market is moving. Sony was just coming out with the new silicon crystal LCD in 50" and 60" sizes. I was waiting, as I didn't want a 70", apart from the OTT price.

Well, they look as fantastic as the 70" did last year. I picked up an SXRD50XBR this weekend, and am very impressed with it. We only have 7 HD channels here for now, but with the digital cable box, and a DVI-HDMI cable, it looks great. DVDs are pretty good too. I am not setting up a home theatre, it is just on a stand in the family room, so no receiver or additional speakers for now.

Up until now I was still using a Sony widescreen 34" CRT XBR, while I waited for the picture quality to improve with the big screens. For anyone who has been hesitating, I recommend you take a look at them. The SXRD are a big step ahead of past LCD projectors. It isn't just the Sony models, there are lots of new offerings from other companies as well, using other technolgies. Competition is wonderful.

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Juanted · #2 10-23-2005, 10:51 PM

Wow!! Congrats!! I have thoroughly enjoyed my sony HD TV, and I love the picture -- and it's not even that new technology. I can assume that the picture is stunning! Again, congrats!

Juan

Chris F. · #3 10-24-2005, 08:04 AM

Congrats JCL! The SXRD is an AWESOME TV....very very nice. People are suggesting you run it in "PRO" mode to get the best colors. You'll love it, enjoy it and keep us updated on how you like it as time goes by

Bavarian · #4 10-24-2005, 08:42 AM

I think the SXRD is the finest TV one can get right now. Second best is DLP-based projection ones.

HD channels are amazing, eh? You watch one for an hour, and then when you switch back to a normal channel, it looks pixelated and smudged!

In my area we have 32 HD channels so far, and I'm loving it!

JCL · #5 10-24-2005, 04:11 PM

Thanks guys.

I am running it in 'normal' mode, but I have played with 'pro' mode. It seems strange to leave it set it on 'normal' when the picture is anything but normal (based on my previous TV, which was also a Sony HD)

HD certainly is amazing, it does make cable look bad, as Bavarian says, but I have been surprised to see how much better than DVD it is, at least on this new TV. I think it is the digital reality creation (DRC) circuitry. I love that title, as well, it brings to mind images of holo-decks.

Anyway, for those who are thinking about a new large screen, make sure you take a look at this one, with an HD signal.

motordavid · #6 10-24-2005, 04:45 PM

JCL: Congrats on your new Tube. I hunted it up on the Sony site and BM'd for the handwringing purchase process when/IF we get to FLA this winter.

I think I've got theCEO talked "down" to a 60 instead of the "old style" 70" LCD Proj Sony XRB we saw earlier this year.
BR,md

rayxi · #7 10-24-2005, 06:56 PM

Congrats on the new TV. I've heard lots of good things about the LCoS technology and Sony's SXRD models.

Have you considered getting it calibrated by an ISF tech? Very few if any TV's are calibrated correctly out of the box. It'd be a shame to not realize the full potential of your premium TV.

JCL · #8 10-25-2005, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayxi

Have you considered getting it calibrated by an ISF tech? Very few if any TV's are calibrated correctly out of the box.

Interesting. I didn't know anything about ISF, but after reading your post I read up on them. There is a certified tech in a shop less than a km from my office, so I may drop in and see what they have to say.

I agree with one of the first statements on the ISF site, which is that the worst enemy of a quality picture is a consumer with a remote. Many (all?) of the SXRD menus (and there are a lot of them, with lots of adjustments to play with) have a 'reset to factory' option. Seems like it might be required.

I don't see anything to improve with the picture at the moment, but it can't hurt to go learn about what may be possible.

Thanks again.

JCL · #9 10-25-2005, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motordavid

I think I've got the CEO talked "down" to a 60 instead of the "old style" 70" LCD Proj Sony XRB we saw earlier this year.
BR,md

Just one thing you need to do, MD. You both need to look at the SXRD, right next to the older LCD. Make sure you have a good video source, preferably HD. The decision will be easy. Then you just need to see how much she wants the 70" (since the 70" SXRD is positioned at what many generally regard as a car price, not a TV price). The 50 and 60 are remarkably affordable in comparison (OK, it is all relative.....)

JCX5 · #10 10-25-2005, 07:46 AM

How many HDMI inputs does it have? Just curious - ultimately, when/if I make the purchase, I would like to use the HDMI interface for both the DVD player and Cable Box. But the sets that I have looked at only have one HDMI input. How would one go about wiring multiple hook-ups?

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