Choosing a New Sony LCD TV????

orgthtogod

Hi,

Anyone here got one of the new Sony LCD set's being offered this year? I've been having a heck of a time deciding which will be the right choice.

So far I know this much, that it will need to be a 40" set to fit in my existing entertainment center that my wife is rather attached to, wife approval factor weighs heavy in this decision!

I've seen all three offerings in person, KDL40V4100, KDL40W4100 and the KDL40Z4100. I guess what I wonder is, how much does the 120hz processing really matter? Also, the Z series uses the Bravia "2" engine (new this year) as well as a 10 bit panel vs. the 8 bit panel used in the 2 lower tier sets, not sure how much difference anyone sees with any of this???

Anyone here got one of these? Anyone have any pros or cons with one to the other or the other?

My head is REALLY swimming with all the data and I'm looking for anyone with experience with any of these sets....

Your input / advice is much appreciated!

howie777

I have a 40" XBR4 I purchased in Nov. All I have to say is watch the TV very closely in the store! I have motion blur pretty on moving objects or whole screen pans. It annoys the hell out of me. Otherwise I like my set. One of these days I'm going to try 720p instead of 1080p to see if it makes any improvements. I would think my issue is the TV can't process much 1080p or there is too much noise and too much data is being dropped.

I have noticed no improvements with 120 Hz especially seeing as I have this motion blur issue. There was another issue with pink saturation that Sony fixed by sending me a usb memory stick with a patch. That was pretty cool.

Oh and don't trust any mag reviews, go to http://www.avsforum.com/ to read up on those models to see what others have experienced. Wish I did.

Howie

Frank840

the 120hz thing i would not worry about that yet.. It will be a few years untell blu ray or what ever other HD will move from 60hz to 120hz. what ever sony you get make sure it has that Bravia engine. I have a KDL3200 i think not FullHD 1080p but at 720p it has a better picture then a lot of 1080p t.v's do to the color engine.

orgthtogod

howie777 wrote: »

I have a 40" XBR4 I purchased in Nov. All I have to say is watch the TV very closely in the store! I have motion blur pretty on moving objects or whole screen pans. It annoys the hell out of me. Otherwise I like my set. One of these days I'm going to try 720p instead of 1080p to see if it makes any improvements. I would think my issue is the TV can't process much 1080p or there is too much noise and too much data is being dropped.

I have noticed no improvements with 120 Hz especially seeing as I have this motion blur issue. There was another issue with pink saturation that Sony fixed by sending me a usb memory stick with a patch. That was pretty cool.

Oh and don't trust any mag reviews, go to http://www.avsforum.com/ to read up on those models to see what others have experienced. Wish I did.

Howie

Actually,

I have been reading on these sets on this forum for DAYS now and it has been quite informative as well as one of the sources of headache!

Lots of good information but it can be a bit overwhelming after a few days of it! I can say I have learned a lot about each set there and have found satisfied customers of each of three as well as the XBR4 of last year by many posters.

Ultimately it boils down to personal preference but I also know that Sony is a solid product and which ever model I choose will most likely last 8 to 10 years, so that being said I want to make a choice that will "roll with the changes" as it were....

Keep the feedback coming!

dkg999

I have a Sony 46" XBR5 LCD and couldn't be much happier. I watch a lot of racing and the 120 hz seems to really help out with the pixel trailing I see on other LCD's. The whole motion options thingy is a take it or leave it depending on what you like. On some movies I think it works well, on others I hit the button to turn it off. Overall if you want LCD vs plasma, I think the Sony's are a good choice.

todd_raleigh

Does anyone know when the XBR4 and XBR5 will be replaced? They've been out for a few years now. I plan to get a TV soon and I'm wondering if I should wait to see what Sony comes out with next. I know there's no difference between the XBR4/5, but what's the difference between them and the V and W series? There's no information on the sony web site.

Thanks.

leroyjr1

you also might want to look into samsungs 750 series. You can put a 46 inch samsung thin bezel where a 40 inch Sony xbr would fit. I have both Sony xbr and samsungs 650 series and I like the picture on the new samsung line better. Just my opinion.

orgthtogod

todd_raleigh wrote: »

Does anyone know when the XBR4 and XBR5 will be replaced? They've been out for a few years now. I plan to get a TV soon and I'm wondering if I should wait to see what Sony comes out with next. I know there's no difference between the XBR4/5, but what's the difference between them and the V and W series? There's no information on the sony web site.

Thanks.

Actually,

Sony has already replaced the XBR 4/5 with the XBR 6. It currently is offered in a 37" size screen and it is rumored larger screen sizes will be released in October or so. Additionally, Sony will have XBR 7 & 8 models as well.

What distinctions there will be between them is to me currently a mystery....

As far as the difference between the V and W models, the V series has a 60hz processor and the W a 120hz.

Marty913

+1 on DKG999's comments regarding 120hz. They will eventually all be 120 or higher simply because the faster refresh rate handles motion better. If this is a 8 - 10 year purchase and you watch movies (or racing), then you want 120hz. My Sony 60" SXRD (late 2006) uses the older Bravia engine and I couldn't be happier with it. I have relatives with the thin-bezel Samsung mentioned by leroyjr1 and you do seem to get more screen in less space so that might be worth looking at (I'm for the largest size space & money will allow). I do think the 120hz is important regardless of brand.

orgthtogod

Marty913 wrote: »

+1 on DKG999's comments regarding 120hz. They will eventually all be 120 or higher simply because the faster refresh rate handles motion better. If this is a 8 - 10 year purchase and you watch movies (or racing), then you want 120hz. My Sony 60" SXRD (late 2006) uses the older Bravia engine and I couldn't be happier with it. I have relatives with the thin-bezel Samsung mentioned by leroyjr1 and you do seem to get more screen in less space so that might be worth looking at (I'm for the largest size space & money will allow). I do think the 120hz is important regardless of brand.

The more I think on it the more I'm leaning to the Z. It should last a long time and has not only 120hz but also the 10 bit panel vs. the 8 bit panel on the W or the V.

It really is a nice set!

higgins79

the z has x.v. color which the w and the v do not. This is worth while if you have a blue ray player as you can expand the color spectrum displayed on the tv. Over all if you can get your hads on a xbr4 or 5 get one. Especially that you can find some awsome sales on them as they are nearing the end of their run. I think all the current sony TVs seem to be lacking the picture that the xbr has. However as someone stated above dont rule out the Samsung a750 series its rather nice and usually comes out at a lower price point than the xbr.

BB3

orgthtogod, checkout www.cnet.com. they talked about the new Sony's coming out in the fall. XBR8 with L.E.D. backlighting...sounds impressive. Just scroll down to the CRAVE section under televisions and click on Sony's HDTV Technology. Take Care, BB3