Sony to stop making SXRD TV's

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by MadScientist

I have two Sony 70XBR2 and enjoy them everytime I put on a Blu-ray movie. The Picture on these two sets are the best I have seen. This is truly sad if its true on Sony's part.

I agree - I also have a 70XBR2 and it has the best PQ I have seen, and that includes a comparison with Samsung 71 and 81 series and the Pioneer Kuros. It is also much brighter and sharper than the current non-XBR SXRD's. I was hoping to see how the XBR5's handled 120 Hz and 24 fps, looks like that will not happen. Once you see HD (especially blu-ray) on a 70" screen, it is hard to accept anything smaller. I guess we have to place our hope on the new DLP TV's with Dark Chip 4, LED to carry the "true" large TV banner.

[jmy2469]

I have the 60XBR1 also,great set. No plans to upgrade anytime soon

[RickD]

Originally Posted by bhampton

As long as they don't stop making Sxrd front projectors.

The Sxrd front projectors get better and much cheaper with each new generation.

And who doesn't like the big screen you get from projection?

If I replace my Sony G70 CRT Front Projector I would consider a Sxrd front projector like the Pearl.

-Brian

I have the Pearl and it has a beautiful picture. I prefer SXRD over DLP.

Also, if they stop making rear projection TV's they can't use an Auto-Iris to boost the contrast ratio.

Rick

[cawgijoe]

On a film where blacks are very important, those displays look like sh!t.[/QUOTE]

Having spent time viewing both with HD content as well as movies, I will agree that the contrast ratio and black levels are not as good on LCD's, but this particular set is very good.

It's a huge improvement over previous LCD sets.

I don't own either technologies since I own the "king of black levels", a Sony 34" XBR CRT set.

Anyway.....to each his own.

[ArkGuy]

It's a bit surprising that a company that stuck with good technology long after the marketplace moved in another direction (Betamax) would jump ship on such a popular and excellently performing TV.

We've had our 60" XBR2 7 or 8 months and love it. The only set of displays I'd rank higher would be the Elite plasmas. But like others mentioned, the extra price of the biggest plasmas and one or two tech issues kept pushing me over to the XBR2. The picture is stunning and all things considered, it's a good value. And if you're willing to forego a couple of bells and whistles, the little brother A2000/3000 is an even better value.

I think the SXRD's are fabulous and Sony is bailing on them too quickly. People are buying these TV's and I'm not sure anything they'll be replacing them with in the 55-70" size will have as good a picture, no matter how sexy it is.

[GregBlu5]

Are their LCDs going to be bigger than 52 inches (I know they have that uber-expensive 70-inch, but that's not in the equation at that price)? When you're used to 55 - 65 inches, it's tough to downsize, literally.

I had a friend waiting for the 70-inch. He has an old 65-inch Mitsubishi that really needs to be replaced, so I don't know what he's going to do; but he certainly won't want to drop down to a 52-inch.

-Greg

[MadScientist]

I am thinking if this is true and Sony does stop making them whats going to happen to the bulb price? Maybe its time to stock-up?

[gearyt]

Originally Posted by GregBlu5

Are their LCDs going to be bigger than 52 inches (I know they have that uber-expensive 70-inch, but that's not in the equation at that price)? When you're used to 55 - 65 inches, it's tough to downsize, literally.

I had a friend waiting for the 70-inch. He has an old 65-inch Mitsubishi that really needs to be replaced, so I don't know what he's going to do; but he certainly won't want to drop down to a 52-inch.

-Greg

That's my problem, I have the original 73" HD-Ready in 1080i, I want the colors in my plasma... but 65" just isn't enough after 10 years of the 73"

[mrtaber]

Originally Posted by MadScientist

I am thinking if this is true and Sony does stop making them whats going to happen to the bulb price? Maybe its time to stock-up?

Oh man. I was still reeling from the news, and never thought of that! Oy!

Mark

[cawgijoe]

Originally Posted by MadScientist

I am thinking if this is true and Sony does stop making them whats going to happen to the bulb price? Maybe its time to stock-up?

Time to e-mail Sony and ask how long they plan to keep spare parts going.........

[moviefan]

The bad thing here is that the RPTVs made the really large screens affordable. They should have waited until the larger flat panels come down in price.

[SpikesBluBlooded]

Sadly this is just a sign of the times. The good news is that many of us have bought ours in the past couple of years, so either you need to buy a replacement bulb or two now to save some headaches in a couple of years, or for those on the fence about upgrading their sets, now is the time, as once they're gone, they're gone.

[airwedge1]

The SXRD in my opinion, has the best picture of any tv on the market, including the most expensive plasma, and lcd tvs. I don't think this is a good move by Sony.

[Need0fMany]

Originally Posted by MadScientist

I am thinking if this is true and Sony does stop making them whats going to happen to the bulb price? Maybe its time to stock-up?

As much as those TV have sold (excellent sets) and given that most parts are made in China, there will be a re-seller for these bulbs for years to come. No worry there.

Like most rumors, the final truth will be a little different then the initial FUD spins. Most likely they will fade those models out gradually. I remember when I was shopping for my last HDTV, Sony were still selling some CRT HDTV although they were down to only the two most popular models. I expect the same to happen with their projection sets.

[desmond]

Originally Posted by GregBlu5

Are their LCDs going to be bigger than 52 inches (I know they have that uber-expensive 70-inch, but that's not in the equation at that price)? When you're used to 55 - 65 inches, it's tough to downsize, literally.

I had a friend waiting for the 70-inch. He has an old 65-inch Mitsubishi that really needs to be replaced, so I don't know what he's going to do; but he certainly won't want to drop down to a 52-inch.

-Greg

lcd prices are coming down very fast and at the same time they are vastly improving. by next xmas you will see affordable 60+ inch lcd displays.

[Blu n Gold]

Originally Posted by airwedge1

The SXRD in my opinion, has the best picture of any tv on the market, including the most expensive plasma, and lcd tvs. I don't think this is a good move by Sony.

Everyone is entitle to their opinion

[clyon]

Originally Posted by Jim L;430796

My needs for a display are for something in the 60-70 inch range.

[B

Front projection:[/B] it's overkill for watching television and I'd have to do some major remodeling to control ambient light to the degree needed for this kind of set-up. The new front projection systems are very nice and within my price range, but I'm not ready for that yet.

Rear projection: by far the best bang-for-the-buck. There are several display technologies to choose from. For the most part, they produce a high-quality image on a large display screen at an affordable price.

• CRT: old technology, being phased out
• LCD: poor blacks, refresh rate issues
• DLP:: excellent picture, has improved with successive generations. (RBE may be a problem)
• SXRD: excellent picture, and my favorite of the RPTV variations.

I can see that J6P wants the status symbol of the "flat-screen" which years ago were way beyond most folks' price range (when plasmas first came out). But J6P for the most part is reacting to a marketing gimmick -- the appeal of the slim cabinet and the concept of "hanging your TV on the wall." J6P doen't give a flip about image quality, suitability of application, or price/performance ratio. I'm afraid this is being driven by what's really selling in the marketplace.

Hopefully Sony is readying the next big leap in display technology (OLED?) and we will all forget about Plasma, LCD and SXRD in a few years.

Anyone else's thoughts?

If this is true - Sony better start to push large OLED tv's hard, because plan old LCD just don't cut it, there ok for sports & that is about it. Most people that have a flat planel do not hang them.

I don't think this story is true, I can see them dropping the 3lcd's RP. People now days besides very good PQ, want a big sized tv's for a resonable price, look at sony 70" lcd, $32,000 vs Samsung 72" RP for $3,500. What one sells better?

Sony better not drop there SXRD FP, that would be the most dumpest thing in the world.

[BTBuck1]

I dunno, but I think at this point I'd call Samsungs 81 series LCD with 500,000:1 contrast ratio...."The King of Blacks" It even makes Martin Luther blush

[cawgijoe]

Originally Posted by clyon

If this is true - Sony better start to push large OLED tv's hard, because plan old LCD just don't cut it, there ok for sports & that is about it. Most people that have a flat planel do not hang them.

I don't think this story is true, I can see them dropping the 3lcd's RP. People now days besides very good PQ, want a big sized tv's for a resonable price, look at sony 70" lcd, $32,000 vs Samsung 72" RP for $3,500. What one sells better?

Sony better not drop there SXRD FP, that would be the most dumpest thing in the world.

As stated by someone else......everyone has their own opinion.

[mrtaber]

I think it's probably true. How exactly it will play out is another story. I called Sony today, to see how long they would keep making the bulbs (I mentioned the rumors on the 'Net). Without confirming or denying, the person on the other end put me on hold and came back, saying that since other manufacturers would continue to make rear-projection televisions, the bulbs would continue to be manufactured (okay, reading that sounds like a confirmation, but he just wouldn't come out and say it--I tried!).

I still may buy one or two bulbs, just in case. Given my viewing habits (if the bulb gets close to its rated life of 8,000 hours, it will last me 5-6 years), then I'll buy a couple just to cover untimely catastrophic bulb failure.

Mark