Home audio & video: Sony XBR2/3 vs LCOS
Sony XBR2/3 vs LCOS
by Dan Filice - 10/8/06 10:34 AMIn reading the paper this Sunday morning and scanning the Sony ads that advertised both the XBR2 & 3 1080p TVs, they were placed right next to an ad for the Sony LCOS 1080p set, but the LCOS set was cheaper than the XBR3 by $800 to $1000. I'm assuming that the XBR2/3 sets are not LCOS, which is what everyone seems to be ga-ga over. Is this correct? Maybe the people here who have one of the new Sony's can verify this. If the XBR2/3 are not LCOS sets, how do the new sets compare? Should everyone who was about to buy the LCOS set change their plans?
Xbr 3 is better LCOS
by blklacker - 10/8/06 10:56 AM In reply to: Sony XBR2/3 vs LCOS by Dan FiliceIm a xbr 3 owner, but the reasons why I didnt go with Lcos/DLP is serveral reasons. Today LCD are better than Lcos. LCOS produces a great picture no dout, but for my taste projection tv's dont look as nice as a true flat panal TV. If your into that bulky look of a LCOS/DLP TV then it might be the right choice for you. Since the prices for the LCOS/DLP tend to be cheaper becuase of the backlight issue. It might be a right fit for you.
Reasons not to get a LCOS
#1 The primary weakness of LCOS technology is contrast. Currently most LCOS products are rated in the range of 500:1 to 800:1. So they do not have the contrast performance that most DLP products are able to achieve. The use of the new high contrast screen materials helps offset this weakness to some degree. And if there is indirect ambient light in the viewing space, the differences in contrast become much less of an issue.
#2
Many LCOS projectors also have limited lamp life in the 1000 to 1500 hour range. And on certain models lamp replacements can be much more expensive than they typically are with LCD or DLP projectors. So these details should be checked before a purchase is made in order to get a clear idea of the cost of ownership.
Nuff said on that.
Their was a time a few months back with LCOS/DLP produced better pictures than LCD...... but now the way technology has moved LCD have taken a huge Jump with the sony XBR 3 and the Sharp D62 series.
Sony xbr3 LCD produce the best colors/contrast period. If you compare xbr3 to a 10,000 dollar plasma TV most would say the xbr3 colors pop more. On the Xbr2/3 the blacks are the best. "Yes" their was a time with DLP/LCos was better than LCD, but with the new LCD technology they have swallowed up'ed the competition.
Sony Xb42 vs XBR3
by rvikul - 10/13/06 3:39 AM In reply to: Xbr 3 is better LCOS by blklackerDan, I need some advice and would appreciate your help. Is there ANY mechanical difference at all that you know of between the new Bravia LCD 40" LCD's (xbr2 and xbr3)? I am not able to get a straight answer out of even Sony Canada! I love the new bravia's, they are perfect in my opinion re design, but I want to buy the best one and as far as i can see, the xbr3 simply has a piano black shiny frame vs the silver frame on the xbr2. Can you help me out in making my decision bud? I will be watching tv only on these - no dvd or stereo will be hooked up. Thanks for your help!
differences?
by Dan Filice - 10/13/06 8:43 AM In reply to: Sony Xb42 vs XBR3 by rvikulI'm not sure either. I read a review elsewhere on the XBR2, and although the XBR3 wasn't specifically reviewed as a comparison, it was mentioned there was no difference except for the bezel and/or the ability to buy additional colored bezels to match your decor on one of. the set...probably the XBR3 to justify the extra $300 price.
Here are the specs according to the Sony site:
52" XBR2: $6,499.99
Full HD 1920x1080 native LCD panel resolution
BRAVIA Engine PRO™ with DRC-MFv2.5 digital video processing
7000:1 dynamic contrast ratio1
8ms panel response time
Wide Color Gamut (WCG-CCFL) backlight
3 HDMI™ (1080p) inputs2
XBR3: $6,799.99
Full HD 1920x1080 native LCD panel resolution
BRAVIA Engine PRO™ with DRC-MFv2.5 digital video processing
7000:1 dynamic contrast ratio1
8ms panel response time
Wide Color Gamut (WCG-CCFL) backlight
3 HDMI™ (1080p) inputs2
Looks the same to me. I'd call sony again and speak to someone else and demand that you speak to a tech person who can answer the question. But so far, it looks like a simple case of cabinet design. I's like to compare one of these new XBR sets side-by-side to their LCOS set. I've read too that the LCOS, beign projection, has slightly better blacks, but there was nothing but stellar comments about the XBR.
LCoS=better pixel density
by bevillan - 10/13/06 7:12 AM In reply to: Xbr 3 is better LCOS by blklackerLCoS (SXRD) sets are bigger and bulkier but produce better black levels and have better pixel densities than LCD of DLP.
true but........................
by blklacker - 10/14/06 12:38 AM In reply to: LCoS=better pixel density by bevillanYou have to be sitting in the sweet spot. If you move any where else in the room besides right in front of the TV you will loose 50% of the picture quality.
LCD= 170 degreee of viewing angle. The sweet spot on a LCD is anywhere in the room.
Plus in during the day LCOS arnt good for day time viewing. Great in the dark thou
Well. . .
by Coryphaeus - 10/14/06 5:17 AM In reply to: true but........................ by blklackerI beg to differ. I've seen'em all as I used to sell'em all. Mine is the KDS-55A2000. I can't honestly think of any better picture. Zero screen door effect and mosquito noise. And you don't know what you're talking about as far as daytime viewing. In fact, after I got it, one of the wife's first remarks was, "It's so bright".
Sweetspot on DLP/LCOS
by blklacker - 10/14/06 9:35 AM In reply to: Well. . . by CoryphaeusIm really not comparing the pictuer quality in my last post. LCOS and DLP have "great picture" if you are in the sweet spot you basically have to be setting direcly in from on the TV if you move around the room the picture will deminish. You do not get 170degree viwing angle on these TVS like you would on a "good" LCD. Im comparing off axis viewing, flat panal vs bulking LCOS/DLP and im talking about glare you get from and during daytime light from IE....windows, skylights, high florecent lighting.
I question your comments if you really sold TV. becuase you should know all about the sweet spot issue slappy.
I know exactly what a "sweeet spot" is. . .
by Coryphaeus - 10/14/06 6:24 PM In reply to: Sweetspot on DLP/LCOS by blklackerBut I question why anyone would want to view an HD program from the side. As anyone who owns a large HD TV will attest, you watch them from the front, not the side. The hype on viewing angle is only a selling point. Yes, the resolution and picture is very good on a plasma and LCD when viewed from the side. But why would anyone want to see this type of picture from an extreem angle? If I move around the rooom I'm not watching the TV. My LCoS has a sweet spot, and I sit right in it when I watch.
If you want to spend a couple grand on a TV to watch from the side, go for it. It's all hype to sell a TV to someone who doesn't know what they're looking at.
Its freedom
by blklacker - 10/14/06 8:24 PM In reply to: I know exactly what a "sweeet spot" is. . . by CoryphaeusWhen your able to view the tv from anywhere in the room it allows you to do alot of other things slappy. Also you get no glare from windows or any other type of ambiant light. big plus in my book.
example...
1# If you have alot of people over, no matter where your sitting in the room, you will have a great picture. I recently had alot of peeps over for a monday night game, and they where very impressed with that fact they didnt loose any picture quality sitting off angle from the TV. ie...Everybody didnt have to hoard to the sweet spot.
2# I live a busy life, I dont always have time just to plunk down and stare at the TV, so its really nice to watch TV and have the freedom to do other things also like work from home on my pc/dishes/cook/workout etc. Its really nice that I can be at my cpu from a off angle location and still get a fabulous picture from my TV. I dont loose any picture quality. It really comes in handy if I want to make the most out of my time weather I want to bust out some situps/pushups or just having a bunch of people over and yet still have a great picture for everyone.
Oh and the lamps on LCOS/DLP go out on the avg, every 1-2yr ***(depending on usage)**** soooooo much faster than Plasma or LCD, that gets expensive slappy, and its just a hassle. but thats another story Im not even going their
nuff said
answer
by masterying01 - 10/8/06 11:48 AM In reply to: Sony XBR2/3 vs LCOS by Dan Filicea simple visit to www.sonystyle.com can comfirm this. i havent been on there for a while and i can't really check it out at the moment (even though i'm on here ;p ).
essentially, sony has 40xbr2, 40xbr3, 46xbr2, 46xbr3, 52xbr2, 52xbr3 which are lcd FLAT-PANNELS. their sxrd's are 50", 55" and 60". the first few letters in their model numbers usually tell the story, but they are so hard to remember in my opinion. but they are different.
All Good Info
by Dan Filice - 10/8/06 12:11 PM In reply to: answer by masterying01Thanks for the replies. Very interesting. I did visit the Sony website but I didn't see the information anywhere as described by the replies. Thanks!
Dan
Apples and Oranges, sometimes.
by jcrobso - 10/13/06 11:09 AM In reply to: Sony XBR2/3 vs LCOS by Dan FiliceWhen some say LCD, I ask Direct View or RP?
There is a big difference between the two.
I don't lump DLP and LCoS together, there is big difference in the way they create the image on the screen.
I don't like current crop of LCD RP sets, DLP and LCoS RP sets just have a better picture. But Direct View LCDs have made a big jump in quality this year.
The biggest advantage the DV-LCDs have is the life of the back lamp, which will last much, much longer than the projection lamp used in LCD, DLP, LCoS RP sets. But that may change when LED light sources take over.
I know that some sets are claming very large contrast ratios, You will one see a big difference in a completly black room.
Also you eyes/brain are easly fooled, just watch a series of still pictures that change every 1/30th of second and you think that you are watching full motion.
As for contrast, turn off your TV and look at the screen, note the shade and color. That shade and color will look like black when the set is on, you eyes/brain will compaire the bright area of the picture and then make that grey you saw when the set was off to be black, fooled again. john
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