Sony LCD XBR4 vs XBR5?

dkg999 · November 2007

I'm looking at a new Sony LCD and after reading and researching I am still confused on just what the difference is between the XBR4 and XBR5 series from a technical standpoint? Can anyone enlighten me?

Please note ........ this is not a Plasma vs LCD discussion.

Thanks!

John K. · November 2007

DK, there's essentially no technical difference. The primary difference is that the XBR5 comes in a deluxe glossy piano black finish, while the XBR4 comes standard in a flat black. The 5 also has an 18 month compared to 12 month warranty and an RS-232 control port which isn't of significance to most users.

Onac · November 2007

Pretty much waht John said. I had a friend buy the XBR5 just for the black finish.

Not sure if Sony really needed to have two models so close together. Seems kind of a waste.

fireshoes · November 2007

The XBR4 can also have its flat black bezel replaced with an assortment of other colors like red, white, green, etc. If you are in the Des Moines area, you can can stop by American TV and see me for one.

dkg999 · November 2007

Fireshoes - it will probably be a couple of months until I'm ready to pull the trigger on it. I've pretty much decided on the 46" XBR4. I need the 120hz motion feature to make watching racing bearable on a LCD TV. Can these be transported laying on their side? If I can lay one down in the bed of my truck with the cover over it and get it back to my place in IL, I'll pay you a visit when I'm ready to buy. I'm in the Des Moines area about every other weekend during the winter.

fireshoes · November 2007

I've taken all of my LCDs home on their sides. I don't think it is as big of a deal as it is with plasmas and their thicker glass screens.

mantis · November 2007

I think the 5 has a better picture then the 4. It's black levels seem deeper and the blur you get with motion on LCD seems less.

They both are fantastic models.

MADGSF · November 2007

Saw a XBR-4 over the weekend and the picture was stunning. There was no XBR-5 to compare but it was sitting next to the same size Sony non-XBR model both with the same foot ball game on. You could see how much better the XBR is for sports/action. It also looked better than the Panasonic plasma which unfortuantley had a different signal and the ususal way too bright colors, brightness, etc. At this point the XBR-4/5 is at the top of my wanted TV list.

dkg999 · November 2007

Mantis - I thought the XBR5 that I looked at (and compared directly to the XBR4 hanging beside it) had a slightly clearer picture. I talked to a Sony/Samsung tech and he told me all of the parts/components for the panel and video driver are the same between the two, with the exception of the circuitry for the Rs232 port. The Sony website also seems to indicate this. The main difference is the 18 mos warranty on the XBR5 vs the 12 mos on the XBR4. The weird thing is that for the $300 difference between the 4 and the 5 you can easily buy a much longer extended warranty that covers more than the factory warranty. Not sure what the strategy was from the Sony marketing dept!

And FWIW, the tech told me that Sony and Samsung are becoming one in the same from a service and components standpoint. Most of the internals of the recent vintage Samsung and Sony LCD's are mostly interchangeable.

I don't like the glossy screen on the Samsung LCD's or I would consider that option.

PhantomOG · November 2007

I bought the non-XBR 52" W3000 over the weekend. WOW! I envy you guys having the money for the XBR premiums but I'm in love with the picture on my lowly 52W3000. Stepping up from a 32" Sony HD CRT I'm very impressed. I know alot of people say Sony is overpriced, but so far I haven't been let down. My HD CRT looks just as good as the day I bought it, but the picture is just way too small for my 13' seating distance, especially since its 4:3, making HD/widescreen programming even smaller.

dkg999 · November 2007

Nothing lowly at all about the non-XBR units! My problem is that I watch a lot of racing and I have really been bothered by the pixel trails on LCD's up to this point. The 120 hz technology on the XBR's (and on the Samsung and other brands) is the first time that I haven't really noticed the pixel trailing. I need to take a look at the Samsung units with the 120 hz technology, but Sony has always been my preferred TV brand.

Sony LCD XBR4 vs XBR5?

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