HDTV Advice

[CrippyBlunt]

I am in the process of buying a new HDTV as my own gift for my birthday. I currently have an older Panasonic 50" DLP that I purchased back in 2004 and I never really had the need of upgrading to a better TV until a bought my PS3 last year. I've been patient throughout the whole process because HDTVs can be expensive and I want to make sure I invest in a quality TV. The two models I am looking at are the Sony KDS-60A3000 and the (Unreleased) Sony KDS-Z70XBR5. Based on everything I read, the KDS-60A3000 is an excellent TV and the KDS-Z70XBR5 also looks great. I am debating whether it would be worth waiting for the Z70XBR5 to come out or to just go ahead and invest on the A3000. What do you guys think? Is it worth the wait?

Thanks everyone!

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by CrippyBlunt

I am in the process of buying a new HDTV as my own gift for my birthday. I currently have an older Panasonic 50" DLP that I purchased back in 2004 and I never really had the need of upgrading to a better TV until a bought my PS3 last year. I've been patient throughout the whole process because HDTVs can be expensive and I want to make sure I invest in a quality TV. The two models I am looking at are the Sony KDS-60A3000 and the (Unreleased) Sony KDS-Z70XBR5. Based on everything I read, the KDS-60A3000 is an excellent TV and the KDS-Z70XBR5 also looks great. I am debating whether it would be worth waiting for the Z70XBR5 to come out or to just go ahead and invest on the A3000. What do you guys think? Is it worth the wait?

Thanks everyone!

If it was me I would wait for the early 2008 release of the KDS-Z70XBR5. When watching 1080P material the best distance from the screen is 10 feet. You will be able to see more detail resolution on a 70 inch versus a 60 inch. Of course if you seat at about 8 feet on a 60 inch you will see the same detail as a 70 inch.
The KDS-Z70XBR5 will be Sony’s flagship SXRD rear projector and should be a little bit better quality display in theory.

[cawgijoe]

You will be happy with either set. The 70" is of course bigger and will cost more due to size and the XBR moniker.

My brother-in-law has a previous model 60" SXRD non-XBR and his set looks fabulous.

You should be able to get a great deal now on a 60" A3000 set, or if you have the patience, wait for the 70" to come out and compare.

Good luck.

[bootman]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

If it was me I would wait for the early 2008 release of the KDS-Z70XBR5. When watching 1080P material the best distance from the screen is 10 feet. You will be able to see more detail resolution on a 70 inch versus a 60 inch. Of course if you seat at about 8 feet on a 60 inch you will see the same detail as a 70 inch.
The KDS-Z70XBR5 will be Sony’s flagship SXRD rear projector and should be a little bit better quality display in theory.

Yes, if you need a distance calc, just look at my sig.

[Memnoch]

Get a Samsung HLT-6189S

[CrippyBlunt]

Do you guys think the the price difference is worth it? It looks like the KDS-Z70XBR5 will cost around $5,000 - $6,000 and the KDS-60A3000 can be purchased $1,839.99 right now from amazon or $2,199.99 from places like crutchfield. There's a $3,000 to $4,000 difference between these two sets. Do you all think the additional 3k to 4k for the 70" is worth it? If it is I would like to wait, but if its not I will probably get the A3000.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by CrippyBlunt

Do you guys think the the price difference is worth it? It looks like the KDS-Z70XBR5 will cost around $5,000 - $6,000 and the KDS-60A3000 can be purchased $1,839.99 right now from amazon or $2,199.99 from places like crutchfield. There's a $3,000 to $4,000 difference between these two sets. Do you all think the additional 3k to 4k for the 70" is worth it? If it is I would like to wait, but if its not I will probably get the A3000.

The price difference and if it is worth the extra cost depends on the person and how many hours of HDTV BLU-RAY movies they watch a day. Until there is a professional review of the 70 inch Sony that is scheduled for a first quarter 2008 release know one can say for sure if it is worth it or not. If the new Sony has deeper blacks and a better contrast ratio then to me that would be worth it. Now if the picture quality on the 70 inch and 60 inch are almost the same then if the difference in price is going to be $3,000 to $4,000 then to some peoples budget it might not be worth it.
This new 70 inch SXRD rear projector most likely will have a better picture quality then the Sony 70 inch thin wall LCD screen that sales for around $33,000. So in many ways the SXRD 70 inch will be a very good deal.

[Manco]

I have a family to support. Don't have $6K just for a panel.

[richard lichtenfelt]

For that extra $3,500 you could get some serious home theater equipment and still have money left over to increase your blu-ray collection.

[HDTV1080P]

The Sony KDS-Z70XBR5 and KDS-60XBR5 have smaller cabinet depths. Also both of these displays have 4 HDMI 1.3 inputs. What is disappointing is Sony is making these displays cheaper and leaving off features. Removing the one way cable card off this years model is fine until two way cable card technology is ready. But taking off the built in A/B switch function is ridiculous cost cutting move. It is nice to be able to switch between a outdoor antenna and cable TV with a push off a button on the remote. This is a nice feature that was removed this year.
The Pioneer 1080P Kuro Plasma’s have both cable card and a built in A/B switch.

There is an error on the Sony website. In the specification section it mentions that it has a built in A/B switch with 2 RF inputs. But if one looks in the instruction manual on page 17 it clearly mentions that the display only has one RF input and a external A/B switch is needed to switch between cable and a Antenna.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665156111

[mugen302005]

Originally Posted by bootman

Yes, if you need a distance calc, just look at my sig.

By checking the calculator in your link it says that for my tv 1080i 42 inches, the apprpriate distance for viewing is 5.5 feet am I right' did i miss something in the calculation?

[CrippyBlunt]

Originally Posted by richard lichtenfelt

For that extra $3,500 you could get some serious home theater equipment and still have money left over to increase your blu-ray collection.

And you are absolutely right... I also need to purchase a new receiver (my old one doesn't support any of the next gen audio fomats). I truly like the 70" one better, but its killing me because I don't know if I should wait for it or if it's even worth the extra money. The additional cost involved is also hard on my wallet, but it is something I am willing to do if ultimately it is the best choice.

[CrippyBlunt]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

The Sony KDS-Z70XBR5 and KDS-60XBR5 have smaller cabinet depths. Also both of these displays have 4 HDMI 1.3 inputs. What is disappointing is Sony is making these displays cheaper and leaving off features. Removing the one way cable card off this years model is fine until two way cable card technology is ready. But taking off the built in A/B switch function is ridiculous cost cutting move. It is nice to be able to switch between a outdoor antenna and cable TV with a push off a button on the remote. This is a nice feature that was removed this year.
The Pioneer 1080P Kuro Plasma’s have both cable card and a built in A/B switch.

There is an error on the Sony website. In the specification section it mentions that it has a built in A/B switch with 2 RF inputs. But if one looks in the instruction manual on page 17 it clearly mentions that the display only has one RF input and a external A/B switch is needed to switch between cable and a Antenna.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...52921665156111

HDTV1080P

Thanks for pointing that out. I didn't notice that. I agree with you about Sony taking off some features. I read the manual and yes it does says "An optional A-B RF switch (not supplied) is needed." Hmmmm...

By the way... Thanks for adding the link to Sony KDS-Z70XBR5 site. I just melted again... I can't stand looking at the "Shipping in early 2008" red note.