Home audio & video: Looking for a new tv help!
Does 34XBR970 have a Super Fine Pitch Tube like 960 or not ?
by BlueHose81 - 2/26/06 4:24 PM In reply to: SOMEHOW THAT SEEMS UNLIKELY by RiverledgeWhether it has the Super Fine Pitch Tube or not I have got to agree that it would likely be an excellent HDTV to own due to the XBR electronics in it.
I guess the main technical question I hope to get answered about the 34xbr970 is "does the 970 contain a picture tube equal to or better than the 960's Super Fine Pitch Tube?". There have been conflicting reports from Sony, but the majority of reports lean towards it not being a SFP tube.
Any further info or discussion appreciated!
Look forward to CNET's review.
SONYSTYLE PUSHING XBR970 AS A REPLACEMENT FOR HS420......
by Riverledge - 2/26/06 5:47 PM In reply to: SOMEHOW THAT SEEMS UNLIKELY by RiverledgeGUESS the rumours might be true. No Super Fine Picture
I'm thinking about avoiding this TV all together
Then I wonder...
by Terry Browne - 3/14/06 4:57 PM In reply to: SONYSTYLE PUSHING XBR970 AS A REPLACEMENT FOR HS420...... by RiverledgeWhich is going to replace the 960? PLUS, isn't the main difference (that's how SOny explained it to me) that the 960 has the Cable Card slot, which doesn't work if you want to watch stuff on demand or the info channels, and something else wit the speakers? If so, I don't see any reason to get the 960. But I could be wrong.
One more. Difference b/w 960 and 960N?
by Terry Browne - 3/15/06 4:15 AM In reply to: Then I wonder... by Terry BrowneIs there a difference in picture quality?
Super Fine Pitch problems?
by anhduc2004 - 3/13/06 3:44 PM In reply to: Will 970 picture quality gonna be as good as 960? by BlueHose81I am looking to get a CRT HDTV for my father and have the choices narrowed to the Sony KD-34XS955N ($1700 w/SFP) and the Sony KD-34XBR970 ($1200 w/o SFP). I understand the most salient difference between the two models is the XS955N's inclusion of Super Fine Pitch technology for improved picture. However, I have been warned (and CNET's user reviews of the discontinued XBR960 is teeming with reports of sub-par reliability) that the Super Fine Pitch is prone to breakdown. I want to get the best picture (even if it means paying an additional $500) without burdening my dad with a 200 pound albatross. Does anyone have experience with a SFP tv (e.g. XBR960, XS955N) or believe SFP to have no adverse effect on reliability? Any input or recommendation would be greatly appreciated.
Akai 42" Plasma HD Monitor (PDP4273M)
by Bretzky - 1/31/06 7:43 AM In reply to: Looking for a new tv help! by wakkoguyI think what the author was orginally referring to is the new Akai 42" HD Monitor from Circuit City. From its specs, this monitor (note it is w/out a tuner) seems like a great deal. The display looks great in the store and the specs are decent. However, after scouring the net to find any sort of review, I can't find anything (even the Akai website doesn't have this model!!!). Earlier Akai plasma tv models have had pretty average/poor reviews, so it makes you think that this one should follow suit.
I'm considering this unit myself. I may sound ignorant here, but if the display looks great and you have a 5-year extended warranty on it, what the risk of buying a non-"major" brand plasma.
The other unit I am considering is a Panasonic EDTV which has had great reviews all around and similar price range, but needless to say is an ED display rather than HD.
Don't buy the Akai
by RoadRunner6 - 1/31/06 9:08 AM In reply to: Akai 42" Plasma HD Monitor (PDP4273M) by BretzkyAkai is a well known brand of electronics, mainly in Japan. They do not import most of their products to North America.
Their plasmas are third rate units made by one of the Chinese or Taiwanese firms. I have only seen one professional review on an Akai plasma and it was awful.
You would be much better off buying the Panasonic EDTV which is an excellent plasma. The HDTV makes little viewing difference (and only on HD signals, on SDTV signals and DVD the EDTV is better). The difference in quality of these two sets is much more important.
The Panasonic is a no-brainer here and forget the extended warranty, a dealer profit making rip-off.
RR6
Lesson learned: Don't impulse buy
by Dan Filice - 1/31/06 9:47 AM In reply to: Don't buy the Akai by RoadRunner6Akai even makes third-rate stereo equipment. Lesson learned: Don't impulse buy. To many people walk by a monitor, get wowed, and immmediately plunk down $1200 for a piece of junk. Take time. It's OK to get wowed, but write down the model specifics and do some exhaustive research before buying. I almost impulse-bought a 23" Samsung at Costco until I did research and found out that Costco's Samsung wasn't the same as what CC or BB sold. There was a reason why the Costco TV cost $200 less. But, after doing more exhaustive research and more side-by-side comparison, I finally bought a Sony. Glad I did, even though it cost another $150 more than the Samsung.
Good Call
by wakkoguy - 1/31/06 10:27 AM In reply to: Lesson learned: Don't impulse buy by Dan FiliceThat's what I thought, I am now looking at the sony 34" CRT or the 42" Samsung DLP. There is a 400-500$ price difference. However, I heard that bulbs need to be replaced in DLP. Best buy's warranty plan covers the bulb replacement so is it still worth it to get the 4 year warranty for $400?
Bulbs..
by Dan Filice - 1/31/06 10:47 AM In reply to: Good Call by wakkoguyWell, we've heard that we can get flat tires in our cars too, so shouldn't we carry four spare tires at all times? First, I would adjust your brightness and your image display to a lower level. Most TVs on the showroom floor are set to 100% brightness, so they look great in a bright room, but that will limit the life to your bulb. If you adjust the display to a lower "professional" mode, your display should give you 60,000 hours. If on full-bright, the display may only be rated at 30,000 hours. If you need to replace your bulb in 3 or 4 years, is it worth to pay for it now? Just think what you can do with $400 now. If you put aside 75 cents a day, you could collect the money to replace your bulb down the line.
Good Point, But...
by wakkoguy - 1/31/06 6:45 PM In reply to: Bulbs.. by Dan FiliceThat is a good point, but what about the tv dying or something else happening in that 4 years. How realistic is that happening?
Make Sure on the DLP... what about the Sylvania 6248?
by HammerRock - 2/1/06 5:12 AM In reply to: Good Point, But... by wakkoguyI bought one and had to take it back. I saw the Rainbow effect. Not pretty. Take a dark movie in with you, like Batman Begins, and see how it looks on the DLP first. If you go from left to right (or vice versa) in dark scenes (with a few bright places, like faces) that's when it's most see-able... then think of all the movies that will become difficult to watch.
I'm thinking of going with the 42" Sylvania 6248 EDTV plasma... it's around 1200. Either that or the Sony LCD projection. Until they get rid of the color wheel I'm avoiding DLPs.
Any thoughts on the 6248? anyone?
(NT) Sorry... I mean the 6842.... (Whoops!)
by HammerRock - 2/1/06 5:45 AM In reply to: Make Sure on the DLP... what about the Sylvania 6248? by HammerRockSome suggestions
by emprof - 3/13/06 5:55 PM In reply to: Looking for a new tv help! by wakkoguyYou have already done some important homework. You checked out the hdtv in a store, and you checked online for reviews. My suggestion is to continue looking. Read the reviews of real customers, too. I'm assuming you want a 42-inch widescreen hdtv. Make sure it is hd and not ed then. You don't need a separate tuner and cable card set. You will likely use a cable or satellite box. A cable card is not worth much to me because it won't let me use the supper-efficient TV Guide that is accessible with the cable or satellite box. Vizio is coming out with a new 42-inch plasma that has similar specs to their 50-inch plasma. It is available March 20. I'm guessing it will go on sale for $1800 with free shipping from Vizio's website for at least a week during the NCAA tournament. I have read in CNET that Vizio's service department is excellent. CNET has given Vizio's 50-inch high marks (though not as high as the reviewed Pioneer and Panasonic).
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