Now a good time to upgrade? - Blu-ray Forum

FF750 · 12-10-2007, 02:53 AM

Hi guys. My question is due to me considering getting a new TV. I've currently got a 42" 720p Sony Wega LCD RPTV hooked up to a PS3, Sony 1080i DVD player, Pioneer DVR/DVD recorder, Xbox 360, and Panasonic home theater system.

I'm quite happy with my current Sony but I've always wanted a big LCD flat-panel. However I thought they weren't cost-effective enough before. And I've also been holding off since I wanted something appreciably larger than my current TV. My thinking was I'd wait until I found something that was around $3K that had the picture quality I was looking for.

After seeing a Sony KDL52XBR4 I think I've found that TV! I have a 10% off coupon from BestBuy so after taxes it comes out around $3300 (I'd rather not buy a big TV online due to shipping concerns and I live in a small city so my choices aren't that huge).

Do you guys think it's possible that a significantly better LCD TV will come along anytime soon and I should wait or should I just pull the trigger? I know the XBRs seem to be the best LCDs out there right now (and I'm a big Sony fan BTW) so I can't see it happening soon but I'm not a die-hard videophile so I'd like to hear from other people on this board.

Kirsty_Mc · 12-10-2007, 03:00 AM

Whatever you buy today, the manufacturers are already tooling up for its replacement. The replacements replacement is already finalising its design. It's impossible to be fully up to date.

You just have to jump in at some stage knowing that what you have bought is already obsolete. Console yourself in the knowledge that you will be getting the benefit from it.

FF750 · 12-10-2007, 03:26 AM

Thanks for the reply but being into electronics for a very long time - I grew up with Beta and 5.25" floppies

- I knew that already. I guess I should have been more clear in that I was asking specifically in relation to the Sony XBR4 and its rivals.

To be more clear maybe I should have said: Does anyone expect a significantly better LCD TV than the XBR4 to come along soon or is it more likely to be just incremental improvements?

This won't be my first HDTV or my last (be my fourth actually) but like a lot of people I'd just like to think I'm making a good pick for the near future. Believe me I don't expect this to last me forever

Kayne314 · 12-10-2007, 03:52 AM

From what I've seen of the next year lineup, the 52" XBR will remain a very impressive television. They may get a little slimmer, or have a slight improvement in contrast, but that is about it.

Supposedly by mid to late next year Sony will be introducing an LCD with 1440p, but as there is currently nothing that can output this resolution, I don't think this will be the watershed Television to end all others.

Your deal on the 52" XBR seems very good to me. If you can, I'd say go for it. If I could have afforded a TV like it, I would certainly have given it serious thought.

Sounds really nice!

EDIT!
Before I get corrected, it looks like the PS3 will be capable of outputting a 1440p signal. No word from software developers if they will be making games for this resolution, though. Even quieter on the Blu-Ray movie support for 1440p. Anyone know more? ( I'm guessing it won't make a difference unless you sit 2 feet from the TV)
END EDIT!

Storm · 12-10-2007, 03:56 AM

Invest in the XBR4. Worth every penny.

quetzalcoatl · 12-10-2007, 07:36 AM

I would suggest waiting until around Superbowl time. That is when the best deals are had for the most part. Not to metion it is after CES so you can see if anything new is comming you feel you cannot live without.

FF750 · 12-10-2007, 07:38 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm going to head over to Best Buy tonight after work and if I still really want the XBR I'm gonna go ahead and get it.

I'm not too concerned about 1440p if it comes to pass since there're probably not going to be any 1440p sources for some time. I'm an avid gamer and I know the devs are having a hard enough time getting games to do native 1080p even on the PS3 so 1440p probably is a long way off.

gand41f · 12-10-2007, 08:13 PM

It's never a good time to upgrade if you keep looking at the next model. But then it's always a good time if you compare it to the previous model.

For me, it was the 1920x1080 resolution with 24p support (5:5 on 120Hz) that triggered the purchase. I figured next year's LCD models are going to have LED backlighting and stuff (they're already starting to show up on Samsung) that's not really a proven technology and it's going to take them a couple of cycles to get it right, so why not now, I don't want to wait for 2 more years.

enjoy
gandalf

Matt X · 12-10-2007, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FF750

Hi guys. My question is due to me considering getting a new TV. I've currently got a 42" 720p Sony Wega LCD RPTV hooked up to a PS3, Sony 1080i DVD player, Pioneer DVR/DVD recorder, Xbox 360, and Panasonic home theater system.

I'm quite happy with my current Sony but I've always wanted a big LCD flat-panel. However I thought they weren't cost-effective enough before. And I've also been holding off since I wanted something appreciably larger than my current TV. My thinking was I'd wait until I found something that was around $3K that had the picture quality I was looking for.

After seeing a Sony KDL52XBR4 I think I've found that TV! I have a 10% off coupon from BestBuy so after taxes it comes out around $3300 (I'd rather not buy a big TV online due to shipping concerns and I live in a small city so my choices aren't that huge).

Do you guys think it's possible that a significantly better LCD TV will come along anytime soon and I should wait or should I just pull the trigger? I know the XBRs seem to be the best LCDs out there right now (and I'm a big Sony fan BTW) so I can't see it happening soon but I'm not a die-hard videophile so I'd like to hear from other people on this board.

I have a similar TV. When I upgrade, it'll definitely be a projector - prices on good 1080p projectors are getting very close to lg.-screen HDTVs, so why not go REAL big? the only other thing that MIGHT make me wait (besides the fact I'm not anywhere near being able to afford it) is Laser-based projectors/TVs - the articles I've seen make this tech sound intriguing - better colors, cheaper to produce, and last longer (apparently). But if I see a good deal on a 1080p proj., I wouldn't wait.

FF750 · 12-10-2007, 09:26 PM

I thought about a front projector before as well - nothing like more inches lol - but I'm renting the house I'm in now so I can't really make a proper AV room yet.

The other reason is that I absolutely love the "floating-in-glass" look of the XBR

FF750 · 12-11-2007, 03:32 AM

Waaaaah!!!!!! I went to Best Buy and they sold the last one they had. They're getting another on Thursday that they pre-sold to me with the discount (it was only good 'til today) but I have to wait another three days for my dream TV!!!!

Itsa gonna be hell!

And I was so looking forward to playing Uncharted in full 52" glory tonight...aaargh!

Kayne314 · 12-11-2007, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FF750

Waaaaah!!!!!! I went to Best Buy and they sold the last one they had. They're getting another on Thursday that they pre-sold to me with the discount (it was only good 'til today) but I have to wait another three days for my dream TV!!!!

Itsa gonna be hell!

And I was so looking forward to playing Uncharted in full 52" glory tonight...aaargh!

You have my deep sympathies. I feel your pain. That is on kick tushie TV you've ordered. The wait will make it all the sweeter when you do get it. Good decision on an awesome TV though. Let us know how well it works out for you.

In the meantime, my thoughts go out to you in this troubled time of anticipation.

FF750 · 12-11-2007, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayne314

You have my deep sympathies. I feel your pain. That is on kick tushie TV you've ordered. The wait will make it all the sweeter when you do get it. Good decision on an awesome TV though. Let us know how well it works out for you.

In the meantime, my thoughts go out to you in this troubled time of anticipation.

Thank you for the kind words. You don't know how bad it hurts right now...oh, I feel like crying from the pain!

Seriously though, you're right - my friends will probably have to pry me off the ceiling on Thursday from how giddy I'll be

JohnGalt · 12-11-2007, 07:32 AM

Damn fine time you chose to upgrade. I've been watching HDTV developments for years now and finally upgraded from a 15 year old Toshiba 27" CRT to a 50" Kuro a couple of months back. If it was finally time for *me* to upgrade it must therefore be time for everyone else to do the same.

12-10-2007, 02:53 AM	#1
FF750 Active Member Member since:Jan 2007	Now a good time to upgrade? Hi guys. My question is due to me considering getting a new TV. I've currently got a 42" 720p Sony Wega LCD RPTV hooked up to a PS3, Sony 1080i DVD player, Pioneer DVR/DVD recorder, Xbox 360, and Panasonic home theater system. I'm quite happy with my current Sony but I've always wanted a big LCD flat-panel. However I thought they weren't cost-effective enough before. And I've also been holding off since I wanted something appreciably larger than my current TV. My thinking was I'd wait until I found something that was around $3K that had the picture quality I was looking for. After seeing a Sony KDL52XBR4 I think I've found that TV! I have a 10% off coupon from BestBuy so after taxes it comes out around $3300 (I'd rather not buy a big TV online due to shipping concerns and I live in a small city so my choices aren't that huge). Do you guys think it's possible that a significantly better LCD TV will come along anytime soon and I should wait or should I just pull the trigger? I know the XBRs seem to be the best LCDs out there right now (and I'm a big Sony fan BTW) so I can't see it happening soon but I'm not a die-hard videophile so I'd like to hear from other people on this board.

12-10-2007, 03:52 AM	#4
Kayne314 Senior Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Blu-ray reviews:1	From what I've seen of the next year lineup, the 52" XBR will remain a very impressive television. They may get a little slimmer, or have a slight improvement in contrast, but that is about it. Supposedly by mid to late next year Sony will be introducing an LCD with 1440p, but as there is currently nothing that can output this resolution, I don't think this will be the watershed Television to end all others. Your deal on the 52" XBR seems very good to me. If you can, I'd say go for it. If I could have afforded a TV like it, I would certainly have given it serious thought. Sounds really nice! EDIT! Before I get corrected, it looks like the PS3 will be capable of outputting a 1440p signal. No word from software developers if they will be making games for this resolution, though. Even quieter on the Blu-Ray movie support for 1440p. Anyone know more? ( I'm guessing it won't make a difference unless you sit 2 feet from the TV) END EDIT! Last edited by Kayne314; 12-10-2007 at 04:02 AM. Reason: 1440p clarification

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12-10-2007, 03:00 AM	#2
Kirsty_Mc Power Member Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:UK Blu-ray collection:536 Blu-ray reviews: 21	Whatever you buy today, the manufacturers are already tooling up for its replacement. The replacements replacement is already finalising its design. It's impossible to be fully up to date. You just have to jump in at some stage knowing that what you have bought is already obsolete. Console yourself in the knowledge that you will be getting the benefit from it.

12-10-2007, 03:26 AM	#3
FF750 Active Member Member since:Jan 2007	Thanks for the reply but being into electronics for a very long time - I grew up with Beta and 5.25" floppies - I knew that already. I guess I should have been more clear in that I was asking specifically in relation to the Sony XBR4 and its rivals. To be more clear maybe I should have said: Does anyone expect a significantly better LCD TV than the XBR4 to come along soon or is it more likely to be just incremental improvements? This won't be my first HDTV or my last (be my fourth actually) but like a lot of people I'd just like to think I'm making a good pick for the near future. Believe me I don't expect this to last me forever

12-10-2007, 03:56 AM	#5
Storm Senior Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:North Carolina, USA Blu-ray collection:320 Trading Score:3	Invest in the XBR4. Worth every penny.

12-10-2007, 07:36 AM	#6
quetzalcoatl Special Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Grants Pass, OR	I would suggest waiting until around Superbowl time. That is when the best deals are had for the most part. Not to metion it is after CES so you can see if anything new is comming you feel you cannot live without.

12-10-2007, 07:38 PM	#7
FF750 Active Member Member since:Jan 2007	Thanks for the replies guys. I'm going to head over to Best Buy tonight after work and if I still really want the XBR I'm gonna go ahead and get it. I'm not too concerned about 1440p if it comes to pass since there're probably not going to be any 1440p sources for some time. I'm an avid gamer and I know the devs are having a hard enough time getting games to do native 1080p even on the PS3 so 1440p probably is a long way off.

12-10-2007, 08:13 PM	#8
gand41f Special Member Member since:May 2007 Location:San Jose, California	It's never a good time to upgrade if you keep looking at the next model. But then it's always a good time if you compare it to the previous model. For me, it was the 1920x1080 resolution with 24p support (5:5 on 120Hz) that triggered the purchase. I figured next year's LCD models are going to have LED backlighting and stuff (they're already starting to show up on Samsung) that's not really a proven technology and it's going to take them a couple of cycles to get it right, so why not now, I don't want to wait for 2 more years. enjoy gandalf

12-10-2007, 09:26 PM	#10
FF750 Active Member Member since:Jan 2007	I thought about a front projector before as well - nothing like more inches lol - but I'm renting the house I'm in now so I can't really make a proper AV room yet. The other reason is that I absolutely love the "floating-in-glass" look of the XBR

12-11-2007, 03:32 AM	#11
FF750 Active Member Member since:Jan 2007	Waaaaah!!!!!! I went to Best Buy and they sold the last one they had. They're getting another on Thursday that they pre-sold to me with the discount (it was only good 'til today) but I have to wait another three days for my dream TV!!!! Itsa gonna be hell! And I was so looking forward to playing Uncharted in full 52" glory tonight...aaargh!

12-11-2007, 07:32 AM	#14
JohnGalt Senior Member Member since:Sep 2007 Trading Score:4	Damn fine time you chose to upgrade. I've been watching HDTV developments for years now and finally upgraded from a 15 year old Toshiba 27" CRT to a 50" Kuro a couple of months back. If it was finally time for me to upgrade it must therefore be time for everyone else to do the same.

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