Best Direct View HDTV set?

[Maverick]

Sony or Panasonic?

[Rick]

"Maverick" > wrote in message
...
> Sony or Panasonic?
>

Sony. If you're looking for a smaller screen though, the 30 inch Samsung is
a very good buy at $999.

[Brett]

neither....
Toshiba



"Maverick" > wrote in message
...
> Sony or Panasonic?
>

[Scott]

How about Hitachi? I love my 36" HDTV


"Maverick" > wrote in message
...
> Sony or Panasonic?
>

[Steve Grauman]

<< You should take a trip to
Circuit City and watch a bunch of the units. >>

The quality of the store feed at most retail outlets is terrible. It makes it
hard to figure out what you like best because none of them look all that good,
and none of them look as they will at your house. I'll add that I sell Sony
sets most at work, and choose Sonys to use at home. The only direct view HDTV
I've ever liked better than a Sony was Loewe's 34" Aconda series flat screen
(not the older curved screen model). But The Good Guys was the only retail
outlet I know of who carried them, and they've stopped doing so. Personally,
I'd reccomend going with a 16:9 set. Sony has new 30" and 34" XBR sets coming
out, the "old" XBR800 set is going to get a drop in price, lose it's XBR tag,
and be sold as a regular old Sony set. I know that Best Buy is already carrying
a new non-XBR 16:9 set, but the model number is different, so I'm not sure if
it's the same set or not.

[Shaun]

On 29 Jun 2003 20:52:57 GMT, (Steve Grauman) wrote:

> reccomend going with a 16:9 set. Sony has new 30" and 34" XBR sets coming
>out, the "old" XBR800 set is going to get a drop in price, lose it's XBR tag,
>and be sold as a regular old Sony set.

What ? The 34XBR800 is going to be the upcoming 34XBR910. The
KV-34HS510 out now is a new edition to the HS series and not as good
as the current 34XBR800.The xbr800 has a superior warranty and the DRC
V1 line doubler. I just bought one for 1800.00 as a gift two weeks ago
and went through this. The HS was a hundred dollars cheaper if I
wanted it, didn't make sense. Anybody interested in the HS should grab
the remaining 800 at the lower price before they are gone.

[Steve Grauman]

<< What ? The 34XBR800 is going to be the upcoming 34XBR910 >>

No it's not. The 910 has some serious upgrades. The Sony rep. told the manager
at my store that the current XBR800 would be "de-XBR'd" and put into the
standard lineup. I believe there's a press release up on the web that says the
same thing.

<< The
KV-34HS510 out now is a new edition to the HS series and not as good
as the current 34XBR800 >>

This part is correct, I double checked. The XBR800 will slot in slightly more
expensive than the 510 that's already out.

[Maverick]

>The 910 has serious upgrades.

The 910 also has a nice jet-black widescreen cabinet for a change, which
will make black bars on a 2:55:1 aspect ratio image blend in nicely.
Thanks for your responses, guys!

http://news.sel.sony.com/pressrelease/3065

[Shaun]

On 30 Jun 2003 03:40:04 GMT, (Steve Grauman) wrote:

><< What ? The 34XBR800 is going to be the upcoming 34XBR910 >>
>
>No it's not. The 910 has some serious upgrades. The Sony rep. told the manager
>at my store that the current XBR800 would be "de-XBR'd" and put into the
>standard lineup. I believe there's a press release up on the web that says the
>same thing.


>
><< The
>KV-34HS510 out now is a new edition to the HS series and not as good
>as the current 34XBR800 >>
>
>This part is correct, I double checked. The XBR800 will slot in slightly more
>expensive than the 510 that's already out.


So you're saying the Xbr800 will not be technically discontinued but
re-designated and put in the HS series line-up at 100-150 dollars more
than the KV510? Doesn't sound like it makes any sense to me at all,
the 910 is going to take over the Xbr800's original price slot at
2500.00 from what I read a while back. I know the 910 has some nice
changes to the tube etc (higher resolution) but that's just technology
marching on. I didn't find anything about the re-designated 800 your
Sony rep told you about but I did find some other info below.










http://news.sel.sony.com/pressrelease/3407


34XBR910/30XBR910

Super Fine Pitch CRT

Created especially for displaying optimum high resolution pictures
like high-definition broadcasts, the new Super Fine Pitch™ CRT
features a proprietary Super Fine Pitch aperture grill with a 65
percent increase in the number of vertical "slits," which improves
image resolution, for crisp, brilliant, high-quality picture
reproduction from corner to corner. Together with a new High Focus
electron gun and high intensity luminescent phosphor, the Super Fine
Pitch CRT delivers exceptional picture depth. The improvement is
immediately noticeable, with no visible vertical lines on the screen.

The KV-34XBR910 and KV-30XBR910 WEGA TVs will be available in July for
about $2,500 and $2,000, respectively



KV-34HS510/ KV-30HS510

Picture Enhancement Features
The new KV-34HS510 and KV-30HS510 models embody state-of-the-art
picture performance, convenience features, and trend-setting design.
This year's HS models incorporate these performance-enhancing features
including:
HD Detailer™ wideband video amplifier, which reproduces finer image
details when utilizing such high definition sources as an HD set top
box and HD satellite receiver; and
ClearEdge VM™ wide-bandwidth velocity modulation scanning, which
doubles the bandwidth capacity from last year's models, enhancing not
only conventional bandwidth, but higher frequency sources like DVD
players and satellite receivers to take full advantage of the 1080i
widescreen chassis for exceptional clarity and depth.

[Ann Meffert]

Steve, while I'm a die-hard Sony person, I think the 34-inch 16:9 is too
small compared to the 40-inch or even 36-inch. Have you heard any rumors
about Sony bringing out a 38-inch widescreen CRT? I'm hoping.

"Steve Grauman" > wrote in message
...
<< You should take a trip to
Circuit City and watch a bunch of the units. >>

The quality of the store feed at most retail outlets is terrible. It
makes it
hard to figure out what you like best because none of them look all that
good,
and none of them look as they will at your house. I'll add that I sell
Sony
sets most at work, and choose Sonys to use at home. The only direct view
HDTV
I've ever liked better than a Sony was Loewe's 34" Aconda series flat
screen
(not the older curved screen model). But The Good Guys was the only
retail
outlet I know of who carried them, and they've stopped doing so.
Personally,
I'd reccomend going with a 16:9 set. Sony has new 30" and 34" XBR sets
coming
out, the "old" XBR800 set is going to get a drop in price, lose it's XBR
tag,
and be sold as a regular old Sony set. I know that Best Buy is already
carrying
a new non-XBR 16:9 set, but the model number is different, so I'm not
sure if
it's the same set or not.

[Steve Grauman]

<< Steve, while I'm a die-hard Sony person, I think the 34-inch 16:9 is too
small compared to the 40-inch or even 36-inch. Have you heard any rumors
about Sony bringing out a 38-inch widescreen CRT? I'm hoping >>

I wish, but no. I was hoping for a 40" 16:9 myself. But I can try to corner the
Sony rep. next time he's at my store, and ask if he's heard anything. BTW, I
double checked, and the 510 that's out now in the standard "non-XBR" line is
98% identical to the outgoing XBR800. That's straight from the Sony Rep. and I
can back it up with a URL if anyone wants.

[Shaun]

On 30 Jun 2003 19:27:44 GMT, (Steve Grauman) wrote:

><< So you're saying the Xbr800 will not be technically discontinued but
>re-designated and put in the HS series line-up at 100-150 dollars more
>than the KV510? >>
>
>I called work and found out, I was right the first time, the 510 and the 800
>are pratically the same set.

No, you said this below

> reccomend going with a 16:9 set. Sony has new 30" and 34" XBR sets coming
>out, the "old" XBR800 set is going to get a drop in price, lose it's XBR tag,
>and be sold as a regular old Sony set.

And this is not true as I already explained. The HS510 **Does NOT**
have an User adjustable "DRC V1" , this greatly improves the quality
of old analog NTSC video material. The 800 also comes with better
internal speakers, XBR styling and a full two year warranty opposed to
one year for the HS.

As I already mentioned for the 150-200 difference the XBR800 is the
obvious smart buy before they disappear from stock. As the 510 *is not
a retagged Xbr800 but rather castrated XBR800.

Glad I could clear that up...

[Steve Grauman]

<< And this is not true as I already explained. The HS510 **Does NOT**
have an User adjustable "DRC V1" , this greatly improves the quality
of old analog NTSC video material. The 800 also comes with better
internal speakers, XBR styling and a full two year warranty opposed to
one year for the HS. >>

I said that the XBR800 would lose it's XBR tag and be sold as a standard set,
and I was 99% correct. The only thing else that's changed (in terms of
hardware) is the DRC chip. I don't think the speakers have changed at all,
although I've got to go and do a side by side comapro (or ask the Sony rep). I
don't know why you're arguing with me, because it's obvious that the 510 and
800 are pretty much identical. All they did was drop the XBR tag and lose the
DRC.

<< As I already mentioned for the 150-200 difference the XBR800 is the
obvious smart buy before they disappear from stock. As the 510 *is not
a retagged Xbr800 but rather castrated XBR800. >>

I wouldn't call the XBR510 "castrated". It's an XBR800 minus the tag, the DRC
chip, and a few hundred dollars in price. It's a pretty damn good deal for 98%
of the people looking at these types of sets.

[Steve Grauman]

<< The 200 dollars is
made up on the extra year warranty alone. >>

I'd agree, many others wouldn't. I've seen people buy $3,000 + TVs, and cheap
out on spending a couple hundred bucks to protect it.

<< The DRC V1 is important to
people who know what the hell their talking about as well. >>

Wonderful. But most people don't know crap. The brightest of all of us would
wait untill the 900s are in, and buy a leftover 800 then. At that point, you'll
probably score an 800 for the same price as the 510. You're giving society to
much credit if you think more than 5% of the population has any idea what
they're buying when they get into HDTVs. I watch people buy TVs all day, I've
noted the behavior, and most people would rather pocket the $200 than spend it
on a TV with nothing more than what they'd call a "fancy chip".

<< 50 dollars for an
extended year warranty on a 2k TV eh ? >>

No, it was an example. But Best Buy offers a better warranty for $150 than Sony
does for $200, bottom line.

<< You're wrong about
everything >>

Actually, I'm wrong about very little. The Sony rep. told me that the 800 would
be carried over as a non-XBR model, which I repeated. Guess what? He was right!
If the speakers and the DRC chip are the only differences in hardware, most
people will just buy the 510, and if they choose to spend the extra $200 at
all, it'll be on a store-provided warranty or on a progressive scan DVD player.
I see it almost every single day!

<< I gave you a
chance to back out gracefully but Mr Know it all can't keep his fat
trap shut. You are pathetic. >>

Bottom line is, I shared info that mostly correct. And I'm correcting what was
wrong with that info now. You're en eliteist who can't accept the fact that
most consumers don't know **** about TV sets, and most don't care to learn. I
hope you don't behave this way in the business world and with your family, I
can't believe anyone would stick around.

[Shaun]

On 01 Jul 2003 01:59:02 GMT, (Steve Grauman) wrote:

><< The 200 dollars is
>made up on the extra year warranty alone. >>
>
>I'd agree, many others wouldn't. I've seen people buy $3,000 + TVs, and cheap
>out on spending a couple hundred bucks to protect it.
>
><< The DRC V1 is important to
>people who know what the hell their talking about as well. >>
>
>Wonderful. But most people don't know crap. The brightest of all of us would
>wait untill the 900s are in, and buy a leftover 800 then. At that point, you'll
>probably score an 800 for the same price as the 510. You're giving society to
>much credit if you think more than 5% of the population has any idea what
>they're buying when they get into HDTVs. I watch people buy TVs all day, I've
>noted the behavior, and most people would rather pocket the $200 than spend it
>on a TV with nothing more than what they'd call a "fancy chip".
>
><< 50 dollars for an
>extended year warranty on a 2k TV eh ? >>
>
>No, it was an example. But Best Buy offers a better warranty for $150 than Sony
>does for $200, bottom line.
>
><< You're wrong about
>everything >>
>
>Actually, I'm wrong about very little. The Sony rep. told me that the 800 would
>be carried over as a non-XBR model, which I repeated. Guess what? He was right!
>If the speakers and the DRC chip are the only differences in hardware, most
>people will just buy the 510, and if they choose to spend the extra $200 at
>all, it'll be on a store-provided warranty or on a progressive scan DVD player.
>I see it almost every single day!
>
><< I gave you a
>chance to back out gracefully but Mr Know it all can't keep his fat
>trap shut. You are pathetic. >>
>
>Bottom line is, I shared info that mostly correct. And I'm correcting what was
>wrong with that info now. You're en eliteist who can't accept the fact that
>most consumers don't know **** about TV sets, and most don't care to learn. I
>hope you don't behave this way in the business world and with your family, I
>can't believe anyone would stick around.

Drop dead Steve, most 20 year olds are hummble enough to realize they
know **** yet. Get a job, get a life, grow up and stop trying to act
grown up. It doesnt suit you yet.

[Shaun]

On 01 Jul 2003 00:44:58 GMT, (Steve Grauman) wrote:

> So when I sad that the 800 would be
>re-tagged as a non-XBR model, I was pretty much right. The DRC chip may be a
>big deal to you, but it is *not* to 99% of the people buying TVs from me.

Yea well Steve, guess what Einstein....This NG is for imforming people
of whats the best way to spend your money. To get the most of your
dollar and avoid clueless little droids who sell TV's at best buy.
Nobody here gives a **** of how many assholes open their wallets
blindly at your ****n summer job, ya idiot !

[Steve Grauman]

<< Yea well Steve, guess what Einstein >>

I'm aware of this. And when you added that the 510 doesn't have the DRC chip
present in the 800, I made a note of it, and I've been very clear in re-stating
it. You were right, but that doesn't make me wrong, it just meant my info was
incomplete, it's been fixed, and we're done!

[Shaun]

On 01 Jul 2003 02:44:22 GMT, (Steve Grauman) wrote:

><< Yea well Steve, guess what Einstein >>
>
>I'm aware of this. And when you added that the 510 doesn't have the DRC chip
>present in the 800, I made a note of it, and I've been very clear in re-stating
>it. You were right, but that doesn't make me wrong, it just meant my info was
>incomplete, it's been fixed, and we're done!

Very good, see how easy that was ...But for your future information,
all Sony Direct View HD readies have a DRC circuitry. The difference
is the DRC V1 is User adjustable. And yes we are done !

[John Carrier]

> Steve, while I'm a die-hard Sony person, I think the 34-inch 16:9 is too
> small compared to the 40-inch or even 36-inch.

Actually, the 34" displays a 16:9 picture that's almost identical in size to
the 40" and slightly larger than the 36. Of course, its 4:3 image is
considerably smaller.

R / John