Sony KDL XBR 8

[franklinpross]

Who has seen it?

Who bought it?

Are you sorry that you bought it?

When you viewed the TV, what set did you compare it to . .?

Is it the best thing SONY did so far?

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by franklinpross

Who has seen it?

Who bought it?

Are sorry that you bought it?

When you viewed the TV, what set did you compare it to . .?

Is it the best thing SONY did so far?

I do not own it, but I had the opportunity to compare it to a Pioneer Kuro and Samsung 55 inch LNA950. If the Pioneer Kuro did not exist the Sony XBR8 would be at the top of the list since it is the best LCD on the market, the color accuracy is awesome. But since the Pioneer Kuro Plasma does exist I like the picture on the Pioneer display better. The Sony 55 inch XBR8 off axis performance was excellent for a LCD. I did not like the Samsung LNA950 off exist viewing.
If you go to Best Buy some of the stores have the Pioneer Kuro, Sony 55 inch XBR8 and Samsung 55 inch LNA950 right next to each other for comparison.
Here is a good review to read. Yes it is the best flat panel Sony has done so far.
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=1323677&postcount=567

[Porfie]

I thought the xbr 8 was led not LCD

[JasonR]

LED backlit LCD

[blu-Is]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

I do not own it, but I had the opportunity to compare it to a Pioneer Kuro and Samsung 55 inch LNA950. If the Pioneer Kuro did not exist the Sony XBR8 would be at the top of the list since it is the best LCD on the market, the color accuracy is awesome. But since the Pioneer Kuro Plasma does exist I like the picture on the Pioneer display better. The Sony 55 inch XBR8 off axis performance was excellent for a LCD. I did not like the Samsung LNA950 off exist viewing.
If you go to Best Buy some of the stores have the Pioneer Kuro, Sony 55 inch XBR8 and Samsung 55 inch LNA950 right next to each other for comparison.
Here is a good review to read. Yes it is the best flat panel Sony has done so far.
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=1323677&postcount=567

What about the Kuro made you consider it the better picture over the XBR? I saw the XBR8 and have not had the opportunity to see it beside the Kuro yet. I am very interested in your views.

[BACsader]

I have seen the XBR8 and was not really impressed. I was more impressed with the 46 inch than the 55 inch, which doesn't make that much sense. But, the picture was good, I prefer the Pioneer Plasmas however.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by blu-Is

What about the Kuro made you consider it the better picture over the XBR? I saw the XBR8 and have not had the opportunity to see it beside the Kuro yet. I am very interested in your views.

The black level appeared to be more deep on the Pioneer and I could view it at any angle without brightness loss, etc. This was not a controlled test since it was in a retail store. The TV's most likely were not calibrated at Best Buy. The professional review that was posted is more accurate and will give you more details. Also in the coming soon February Home Theater magazine they are going to publish a face off that includes the XBR8. The great thing about the XBR8 is that Sony is greatly improving on LCD technology with LED backlighting. The quality gap between Plasma and LCD screens is getting smaller every year. With the 55 inch XBR8 at $7,000 and the Pioneer 60 inch Elite at $6,500, the Pioneer is a overall better value and a better picture quality according to two professional reviews.

[Midnightsailor]

I'll take two of each.

[mr.hidef]

+1..........sometimes I don't understand all the fuss over "viewing angles" though. Would you actually sit off to the extreme side and watch your T.V. anyways? Maybe sometimes with company over you might be at a 30 degree angle....but ALL T.V.'s look the same at 30 degrees.

[franklinpross]

Originally Posted by mr.hidef

+1..........sometimes I don't understand all the fuss over "viewing angles" though. Would you actually sit off to the extreme side and watch your T.V. anyways? Maybe sometimes with company over you might be at a 30 degree angle....but ALL T.V.'s look the same at 30 degrees.

That is so very, very true. Who actually watches TV 'from the other room'?

One must learn to sit IN FRONT of their HDTV's.

I even think it is a mistake to wall mount the TV ABOVE eye level.

Why? I tried sitting on the floor (as if the TV were higher in front of me,

and PQ diminishes a tad.

I do so love my XBR 2 very much. (miniscule clouding ,silver/glass frame, ear level speakers,exc black levels,clarity,dynamic PQ w/the best HDMI cables available, and easy to use remote)

[franklinpross]

BTW

Sony's speaker configuration on the XBR 8 should be awesome

for TV only sound:

Speaker(s):

2 x Right/left channel speaker - Built-in - 10 Watt , 1 x Subwoofer - Built-in - 12 Watt

MOUNTED ON THE FRONT OF THE SET (which means speakers are at ear level, unlike Samsungs
mistake of putting speakers mounted downwards, really really odd, don't you think ?)

[Member-38928]

I am happy it is around just because it makes me feel like I stole
my 46z4100 .

[franklinpross]

In the New York area I tracked down the TV at P.C. Richard in Carle Place,
LI.

I was told by the salesman that SONY is in charge of this baby totally.

Stores are under orders from Sony NOT to sell the 46 or the 55

a penny under list until Sony says it's OK.

For that reason, (low profit incentive) the store buries this set in the back

of the store.

FURTHER: they only display it with component video cables.

The picture displayed is a 720p HD Espan station.

Well, it truly looks horrible. They said Sony will reconsider re-pricing after

Xmas. This will give sellers a higher motivation to even advertise and push the thing.

And possibly display it with hi-grade HDMI cables and a 1080p source.

And also, the reviews in the major publications will start surfacing in Feb. 09.

[saprano]

Whats the reason sony doesn't want to sell the 46 or 55" yet?
and the stores are using component video cables?

Maby thats the reason when i saw the 40" it looked like crap. (and no store calibration)

[franklinpross]

Originally Posted by saprano

Whats the reason sony doesn't want to sell the 46 or 55" yet?
and the stores are using component video cables?

Maby thats the reason when i saw the 40" it looked like crap. (and no store calibration)

I think the stores are not interested in selling yet because they are not

making enough profit off the product yet. They don't even feature the set in a
decent display area either.

Why the comp vid connections? Who knows? Why even sell the thing if they can't make a grand off of it.

Sony is waiting for the next big selling time-frame(Super Bowl) & the reviews. Consumer Reports(Mar)
Home Theater(Feb) Stereo&Vision (Feb or Mar) Probably then - there will be deep discounts.

[blu-Is]

My local Sony store had the 46" XBR8 right beside a 46" XBR6 and under a 46" Z and W in the front of the store with a picture that blew the other 3 away. No way was it not HDMI. There was no price posted but the 6 had a retail of 2499-canadian dollars that is. I didn't have time to talk to a salesman-the place was packed. You're probably right about not budging on price-they sure are discounting the other LCDs though- it is a new model after all.

[coolmilo]

I saw the XBR8 next to other Sony models recently at the Sony store. The XBR8 has a superior picture when compared to the other Sony models (probably most other LCD's too). The XBR8 was so good it made the other displays look dull as they looked like they had the color, contrast, brightness turned all the way down. By the way, I noticed the same phenonimum during a demo of LaserTV sitting next to other LCD's or plasma's.

I did not buy the new XBR8 for 2 reasons: it's way too expensive and Sony wastes too much real-estate with bezels on the side (or speakers).

I ended up buying the Pioneer Kuro Elite Pro-111FD because Magnolia had a great sale on it a few weeks ago. I am so blown away buy the Pioneer's performance, especially when watching Blu-ray. My previous TV was a 46" XBR4.

[blu-Is]

I am trying to decide between the same 2 units. How do you like the Pioneer so far.

[SDBlu]

Originally Posted by coolmilo

I saw the XBR8 next to other Sony models recently at the Sony store. The XBR8 has a superior picture when compared to the other Sony models (probably most other LCD's too). The XBR8 was so good it made the other displays look dull as they looked like they had the color, contrast, brightness turned all the way down. By the way, I noticed the same phenonimum during a demo of LaserTV sitting next to other LCD's or plasma's.

I did not buy the new XBR8 for 2 reasons: it's way too expensive and Sony wastes too much real-estate with bezels on the side (or speakers).

I ended up buying the Pioneer Kuro Elite Pro-111FD because Magnolia had a great sale on it a few weeks ago. I am so blown away buy the Pioneer's performance, especially when watching Blu-ray. My previous TV was a 46" XBR4.

How does the Kuro compare to your old XBR4? Is it significantly better or slightly better?

check out the price tag on this XBR7 UNREAL!

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665532063

[RIPSeanTaylor21]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

I do not own it, but I had the opportunity to compare it to a Pioneer Kuro and Samsung 55 inch LNA950. If the Pioneer Kuro did not exist the Sony XBR8 would be at the top of the list since it is the best LCD on the market, the color accuracy is awesome. But since the Pioneer Kuro Plasma does exist I like the picture on the Pioneer display better. The Sony 55 inch XBR8 off axis performance was excellent for a LCD. I did not like the Samsung LNA950 off exist viewing.
If you go to Best Buy some of the stores have the Pioneer Kuro, Sony 55 inch XBR8 and Samsung 55 inch LNA950 right next to each other for comparison.
Here is a good review to read. Yes it is the best flat panel Sony has done so far.
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.php?p=1323677&postcount=567

I completely disagree with you, on that one buddy. I work at Magnolia, And I compare the Pioneer Elite, Samsung 950, and XBR 8. It my opinion. You can't touch the Pioneer Elite, no way...no how. BTW I've hated LCD's with a passion. I'm plasma guy, but the 950 made me turn my head. HANDS DOWN The 950 HAS A HELL OF A LOT BETTER BLACK LEVELS, and THE 120HZ, still doesnt have any ghosting with it. IF I HAD TO CHOOSE, THE 950 HANDS DOWN. AND AS FAR AS PEOPLE BUY IT, FOR THE SIZE 55" the Sony is 7g's and the 950 is 4199.99 (at best buy)....The 950 has outsold the XBR 8, both based on price and PQ. We put a DEMO of KING KONG on BLU RAY on BOTH the 950 and XBR 8, and TRUST ME, GO WATCH THAT DEMO AT BEST BUY....950 GIVES U PLASMA LIKE BLACKS....THEIR LED ENGINE KICKS ASS! I LOVE MY PLASMA...BUT LCD...it's the 950...

btw....the sony xbr8 looks good, appereance of the structure, but pq, lol, not even close