Has anyone seen or bought new Sony 55' LCD?

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Has anyone seen or bought new Sony 55" LCD?

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3449 posts

Uber Geek
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Trusted

#313214 30-Mar-2010 22:28

Bolly: Hey gang, few questions about my Maddness!!!
Cool here we go, please note these are my thoughts and I'm sure people will correct me if I'm wrong as we are all in search of the truth! (No xfiles pun intended lol)

openmedia: So what is so wrong with Sony's recent TVs. Most of the reviews of the new EX series seem to be pretty positive?

Not sure what reviews your reading, I never trust reviews anyway I like to see for myself. For a start a couple of models back we saw the first W series Sony lcd tv's which were 10bit (colour) processing panels but the last of the W's and the current EX range is (if not mistaken) gone back to 8bit panels.Why???
Blu-Ray at the moment can process colour at 12bit while a cheap nasty $1000 720p plasma is around 14-16bit. Thats one of my gripes the other is I went into a retailer with free reign over the KDL40EX500 and the LA40B650 with there remotes and couldn't get the Sony anywere near the picture quality on the Samsung (note the B650 is 10Bit panel) The picture had like a fine blur over it and I couldn't get it sharp, plus not sure if Motionflow actually does anything at all anymore? The LA40B650 was clear winner.

Interesting as I've compares EX500 and an LA40B650 and think they are very close on quality. Most of the guys in the shops I've spoken with also tend to prefer the Sony, and are deeply shocked at the price Sony are bringing these units in for.

Saying that the b650 range are going to be replaced in April and I'm interested to see how the newer Samsung's compare.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

samwooff

219 posts

Master Geek

#313283 31-Mar-2010 00:40

What you say is by and large true Bolly but I feel there are a few flaws in your arguements. While it was true the old w4500 had a 10 bit panel and blu ray does support this also at this current point in time there is no source material available over 8 bit so for the time being I think it should be a less than crucial aspect in someone's buying decision.

Motionflow tends to give a very strong soap opera effect in my experience and it's personal preference.

The b650 is also a nice LCD but it is competing at a completly different price bracket at the moment it seems. I'm not calling your calibration ability into question but a shop floor is not the perfect place to compare tvs even LCDs.

As for reviews I've not seen any on any of the new CCFL sony models from any site I trust, if anyone has found a good review I'd like to read it. I have however been reading many reviews from customers over on AVS forum which has several very reputable members and they are largely positive.

Sony has put itself in rather a good position in my opinion by releasing it's 2010 models a good month before everyone else so theoretically SHOULD have the best and most up to date range of LCDs at the moment.

Desktop: i7 920, GTX 275, asus P6T, antec 1200, 6gb ram, 1tb spinpoint f1, 1tb spinpoint f3, Logitech Z2300, Zero DAC, Shure SRH440
Laptop: Toshiba satellite, T5300, Go 7300
Home Theatre: 32" loewe CRT, Harmon kardon amp, dvd player, image 418 speakers, rega planar 25 turntable :)

BigFella

105 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#313322 31-Mar-2010 08:14

trig42: It's pretty hard to get that 55" Sony.
I heard from someone at Sony today, he reckons they have people paying full price for them at the Sony stores, with delivery expected mid- to end-April. They have pretty much sold through their next shipment (of course, that includes sales to other retailers).

I know Magness have a few, and they are discounting them. If you want one, go get it tomorrow, there won't be any left at Easter.

Bought mine on Monday from Bond&Bond (great price too) - delivered tomorrow apparently....

Comments are my own, don't blame my employer...

Bolly

68 posts

Master Geek

#313325 31-Mar-2010 08:18

Dunnersfella: I wouldn't be surprised to see an 8 bit panel on the 500's, as it's a replacement for the V series... not the W's.
As a side note, if you really want to calibrate a Bravia, you'll want to get into the Service mode and tweak everything to your liking. A 'how to' is here.
http://lyris-lite.net/bravia_tips.html
Remember, not all TV's from a range will be calibrated the same in the factory - so get tweaking.

I would have thought the EX400 was the carry on from the V and the EX500 a carry on from the W? as 50hz & 100Hz? Maybe the W's don't have a replacement then as the NX700's are edge LED's.

I have heard of the service calibrations in your link and doing that seems a bit silly, If you buy a TV average joe shouldn't have to go into service menus to get it to look good. Thats just me.

"They mostly come out at night...........mostly"

Bolly

68 posts

Master Geek

#313331 31-Mar-2010 08:31

samwooff: What you say is by and large true Bolly but I feel there are a few flaws in your arguements. While it was true the old w4500 had a 10 bit panel and blu ray does support this also at this current point in time there is no source material available over 8 bit so for the time being I think it should be a less than crucial aspect in someone's buying decision.

Future proofing a TV isn't high on your buying decision list? Interesting.

Motionflow tends to give a very strong soap opera effect in my experience and it's personal preference.

Agreed, Fuzzy blur/haze

The b650 is also a nice LCD but it is competing at a completly different price bracket at the moment it seems. I'm not calling your calibration ability into question but a shop floor is not the perfect place to compare tvs even LCDs.

When I was comparing the two the other week in Harveys (love the place!) The sony was $1599 and Samsung $1588, Guy reconed the samsung had had price drop. The comparison was apples for apples.

Sony has put itself in rather a good position in my opinion by releasing it's 2010 models a good month before everyone else so theoretically SHOULD have the best and most up to date range of LCDs at the moment.

Hummmmm strong prediction! But remember when was the last time sony had a top TV in its class? Hang on let me rephrase and put in front of it "When they weren't the only one on the market with the particular type of TV."
ES29 & ES34 Awesome TV's!!!!!!! (showing my age ;P)

Cheers!

"They mostly come out at night...........mostly"

BigFella

105 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#313379 31-Mar-2010 10:01

Bolly:
ES29 & ES34 Awesome TV's!!!!!!! (showing my age ;P)

I have to get rid of my ES34 to make way for the EX500 55"... offers welcome...

Comments are my own, don't blame my employer...

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Bolly

68 posts

Master Geek

#313404 31-Mar-2010 10:47

BigFella:
Bolly:
ES29 & ES34 Awesome TV's!!!!!!! (showing my age ;P)

I have to get rid of my ES34 to make way for the EX500 55"... offers welcome...

LOL!!!!! Thats awesome! If you put them side by side I bet the ES will look better!!!
They were great TV's DRC1250 if I remember correcty no other TV came close to getting the picture they could produce, alloy surround, weigh a ton and a half!. Yeah great TV Sonys hay-day.

Memory lane link! lol
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/TVs/Standard/CRT/Over-32-81cm/auction-271599164.htm

"They mostly come out at night...........mostly"

hangon

398 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 41

#313483 31-Mar-2010 14:30

As for reviews I've not seen any on any of the new CCFL sony models from any site I trust, if anyone has found a good review I'd like to read it.

funny that i should say as i've been looking at this on "trusted reviews"
http://www.trustedreviews.com/tvs/review/2010/03/23/Sony-Bravia-KDL-40EX503-40in-LCD-TV/p1

it gets the recommended sticker there.

Bolly

68 posts

Master Geek

#313507 31-Mar-2010 15:38

hangon:
As for reviews I've not seen any on any of the new CCFL sony models from any site I trust, if anyone has found a good review I'd like to read it.

funny that i should say as i've been looking at this on "trusted reviews"
http://www.trustedreviews.com/tvs/review/2010/03/23/Sony-Bravia-KDL-40EX503-40in-LCD-TV/p1

it gets the recommended sticker there.

Its a very neutral review site, Very rarely says anything to damaging about the TV's he reviews and very rarely gives a TV below 7/10. He rated the W5500 9/10 the same as EX500! Hummm.
What I though funny was he admitted having trouble putting the batteries in the remote.

"Trusted Reviews" eh, Like choosing a Builder because his company name is " I'm the best Builder!"

Also note the UK version has the ethernet but NZ hasn't so none of those ground breaking internet features for us. :(

Nah, I like to see gear in the flesh and play with and COMPARE AGAINST OTHERS myself.

"They mostly come out at night...........mostly"

samwooff

219 posts

Master Geek

#313562 31-Mar-2010 17:36

While 10 and 12 bit could help eliminate banding issues that I dislike generally future proofing doesn't rate that highly in my tv preferences, I much prefer accurate colours and deep blacks and I don't need ethernet ports or dejudder processing to get that in my picture.
Weeeell actually sony has had the top LCD in the world up until very recently with their x4500 LCD, although it was about $13,000 at one point for the 55" version.
The "trusted review" review seems better than most but I'll still wait until my favourite site (CNET) releases anything for the non LED sonys. While a nice tv it probably shouldn't be getting a 9/10 for image quality.

Dunnersfella

4100 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 887

#313599 31-Mar-2010 20:25

Bolly:

I would have thought the EX400 was the carry on from the V and the EX500 a carry on from the W? as 50hz & 100Hz? Maybe the W's don't have a replacement then as the NX700's are edge LED's.

To be honest, the new Sony range seems to be speculation on the behalf of interweb peeps right now.
If it was a case of carrying on lines, Sony would have kept the same model names (S/V/W/Z/X etc) but tweaked the numbers (5500 to 6000 etc).

Bolly:
I have heard of the service calibrations in your link and doing that seems a bit silly, If you buy a TV average joe shouldn't have to go into service menus to get it to look good. Thats just me.

Bolly:
Hope I made sence and not sound like some stupid fanboy! I'm just a geek whom loves home theatre!

I was suggesting it for you to try.

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timestyles

424 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#313627 31-Mar-2010 21:51

I've been in the market for a new 40" TV, and settled on the Sony KDL-40EX500, when the price drops at Noel Leeming, I'll buy one. One thing to consider is how much depreciation these screens will have. A new 42 inch plasma has depreciated by about $8 a week in the last 5 years, which is a hell of a lot (for me, anyway). There will always be a better screen out there, I don't see much point in paying top dollar now, when the market settles down and manufacturers aren't releasing a new TV every 3-4 months, then it might be worth buying the best.

wreck90

780 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#313637 31-Mar-2010 22:11

I bought a top of the line Sony 46" X-series a couple of years ago, for about $6000.

The TV out of the box had a terrible picture - caused by what I found out to be "Mura" .

Here is an explanation...

http://sonyclouding.blogspot.com/2007/01/what-is-mura.html

After much stuffing around, Sony replaced my unit.

The new unit was marginally better, leaving me with a slightly less terrible unit. I could not face going through another round of returning and arguing that the picture was crap.They were making me sound like the fussy bad guy the first time round.

So, I'm left with a 'top of the line' set with a very poor picture. I just put up with it now and have got used to it.

I vow never to buy another Sony lcd (and maybe for other brands too). Unless, I can guarantee the picture beforehand.

Plasmas must be careful too - i notice in the quiet of a living room they can make and audible 'buzz'. At least with the earlier models , not sure about the newer ones.

Bolly

68 posts

Master Geek

#314008 1-Apr-2010 20:38

wreck90: I bought a top of the line Sony 46" X-series a couple of years ago, for about $6000.

The TV out of the box had a terrible picture - caused by what I found out to be "Mura" .

Here is an explanation...

http://sonyclouding.blogspot.com/2007/01/what-is-mura.html

After much stuffing around, Sony replaced my unit.

The new unit was marginally better, leaving me with a slightly less terrible unit. I could not face going through another round of returning and arguing that the picture was crap.They were making me sound like the fussy bad guy the first time round.

So, I'm left with a 'top of the line' set with a very poor picture. I just put up with it now and have got used to it.

I vow never to buy another Sony lcd (and maybe for other brands too). Unless, I can guarantee the picture beforehand.

Plasmas must be careful too - i notice in the quiet of a living room they can make and audible 'buzz'. At least with the earlier models , not sure about the newer ones.

That sux bro, but remember stick to your guns, The customer is always right!

And yeah plasmas can give a bit of a buzz still, some worse than others.

"They mostly come out at night...........mostly"

Esteban

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#314832 4-Apr-2010 23:01

Got mine on Thursday. Up on the wall now. LV Martins have it for $2400 this weekend so there's no excuse. I love the size - it's just so much better than the old 40". So glad the Easter bunny was so kind to us.

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