Sony KLV-40ZX1 - Would you buy it?

[RacerX]

I have an opportunity to pick up this display for a very good price. New, from Sony Style. What are the drawbacks? I see some reviews rate it at 6.5 or so out of 10, while others rate it 9.0 out of 10. It will be for the bedroom, as I have a 55" Sony in the living room.

Constructive thoughts, suggestions and comments are welcome.

Thanks,
Dave

[SquidPuppet]

I am confused by this product. There are a number of SONY TV models for far less money and with equal or better features and specs. Bravia Engine #3 and multiple HDMI inputs etc.

What is your reason for selecting this model?

[RacerX]

Mainly price. I have the opportunity to get it for less than $1000. Which is what others in this size range are running. Isn't this supposed to be a rather high end display?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by RacerX

Mainly price. I have the opportunity to get it for less than $1000. Which is what others in this size range are running. Isn't this supposed to be a rather high end display?

Good price. Yes it has a 10 bit panel and proccessing, and edge LED back lighting. But it only has the Bravia 2 engine and only ONE HDMI input. I dont mean to sound condescending, but you are aware that it has no tuner or speakers, right? I'm sure it delivers a good picture, though I have not seen it in person.

[RacerX]

No, you're not condescending at all, rather you are educating, and I truly appreciate it. If I could ask a few more questions then.... Having no tuner should not be a problem, since I would be hooking it up to my cable box, right? But if I wanted to watch a Blu-ray, I would either have to get a splitter, or swap cables? That might be a deal breaker.... No speakers! ouch. As a bedroom TV, I was not really wanting to invest in another home theater, the one I have already takes up my coin when I have it.

I might have to re-think this.

You mention that it has the Bravia 2 engine. What is the current level of Bravia engines?

[ZoetMB]

I don't have my "comparison charts" with me, but I believe that the primary feature of that set is its "thinness" and not necessarily its other features.

The Sony lines are tiered as follows (best to worse):
XBR
Z
W
VE
V
S
L

The 40ZX1M is an "oddball". While it's very thin, it's only 120Hz vs. 240 Hz for the XBR and Z lines. It uses Bravia Engine 2 whereas the sets above it use Bravia Engine 3. It claims a 20,000:1 Dynamic contrast ratio whereas the Z series claims 100,000:1.

But $1K is a very good price (did it fall off a truck?). Sony Style online has it priced at $2999. Street price is about $2200. But you can get a 52XBR9 for about $2200 street and that's a much better set and a much larger picture. You can get the 40XBR9 for $1400 street.

And until SqudPuppet's comments (which I've confirmed), I didn't realize that it was only a monitor - no tuner, etc.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by ZoetMB

I don't have my "comparison charts" with me, but I believe that the primary feature of that set is its "thinness" and not necessarily its other features.

The Sony lines are tiered as follows (best to worse):
XBR
Z
W
VE
V
S
L

The 40ZX1M is an "oddball". While it's very thin, it's only 120Hz vs. 240 Hz for the XBR and Z lines. It uses Bravia Engine 2 whereas the sets above it use Bravia Engine 3. It claims a 20,000:1 Dynamic contrast ratio whereas the Z series claims 100,000:1.

But $1K is a very good price (did it fall off a truck?). Sony Style online has it priced at $2999. Street price is about $2200. But you can get a 52XBR9 for about $2200 street and that's a much better set and a much larger picture. You can get the 40XBR9 for $1400 street.

And until SqudPuppet's comments (which I've confirmed), I didn't realize that it was only a monitor - no tuner, etc.

What he said.^

I would shop around for an XBR, Z or W. I personally own a couple XBRs. Yes they are more money, but I could SEE a significant improvement in picture quality. To me, PQ mattered more than price. If your budget wont allow that, I can say that the Z ans W look fantastic. My sister has a 52"W and it looks darn good.

And yes, the ZX1M is only a monitor. No speakers or tuner and only one HDMI.

Snoop around here for data, then start lookin' for deals.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...3&N=4294966128

[RacerX]

Nah, it didn't fall off a truck. I'd have to buy directly from Sony Style store and show my company badge with photo ID. BUT, if it's only a monitor, it would not work too well for a bedroom TV. I'll keep looking and save myself the 90 minute each way drive.

Once again the great folks at Blu-ray.com have saved me from myself.

Sincere THANK YOU to you both!

Dave

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by RacerX

Nah, it didn't fall off a truck. I'd have to buy directly from Sony Style store and show my company badge with photo ID. BUT, if it's only a monitor, it would not work too well for a bedroom TV. I'll keep looking and save myself the 90 minute each way drive.

Once again the great folks at Blu-ray.com have saved me from myself.

Sincere THANK YOU to you both!

Dave

Happy shopping.