New Sony W4500 series

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › New Sony W4500 series

georgea

49 posts

Geek

#28168 21-Nov-2008 10:11

Hi.

Does anyone own one of the new Sony W4500 bravia tvs? I'm trying to decide whether I splash out on this or just go for a cheap 32 HD Ready until the LCD motion blur thing is totally solved. I'll be using it for ps3/xbox as well as normal tv and movies.

I have found a couple of overseas reviews (below) but am keen on hearing a NZ opinion on it

http://whathifi.com/Review/Sony-KDL-40W4500/

http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/sony-...0081116135.htm

With a council employee discount I can get it for $2950 and for an extra $99 I can get a PS3 (games, bluray, PVR with PlayTV).

1 | 2

189 posts

Master Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#180385 26-Nov-2008 10:27

I bought a 46W4000 instead of 46W4500 for the following reasons.

1) After reading this review, it seems W4500 series aren't as good as W4000

http://www.trustedreviews.com/tvs/review/2008/10/28/Sony-Bravia-KDL-46W4500-46in-LCD-TV/p1

2) W4000 is $200 cheaper

3) 40W4000 received a really positive review, so I assumed 46W4000 won't be too far off. Quoting the review "In fact, this TV isn't just good, it's shockingly good."

http://www.trustedreviews.com/tvs/review/2008/05/22/Sony-Bravia-KDL-40W4000-Full-HD-40in-LCD-TV/p1

Regarding motion blurring, either my eyes are not sharp enough or there's none. Again quoting the review for 40W4000 "40W4000 is one of the most accomplished motion-handlers we've seen in the LCD world, even without 100Hz.".

Also, a reminder that in case you didn't know, if you eventually decided to get a Bravia TV, you can get 1 year extended warranty for free if you purchase the TV directly from Sony. Alternatively, you can earn Fly Buy points if you purchase from Noel Leeming.

JimmyLizar

321 posts

Ultimate Geek

#180391 26-Nov-2008 10:50

The new Z4500 are being advertised in Oz (on Sydney Morning Herald website) at the moment, but I dont think they are in NZ yet.

Check it out here http://www.sony.com.au/article.jsp?id=4194

Z4500 boast 200hz technolgy

.....c'mon sucker lick my battery........
binary solo...0000110000110000111...

georgea

49 posts

Geek

#180401 26-Nov-2008 11:22

You can get the Z4500 from dse, but its just too much $$$.: http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/492c752e020f94762740c0a87f3b06bd/Product/View/G6689

Thanks Siyuan for your input - I had come across that review, but from other forums it looks like there may have been some batch issues in the spaish produced version for the UK and certainly not everyone had this same issue. I didn't see the clouding issue in the one I saw in store.

Do you use your W4000 for gaming at all? Thats what I am most concerned about regarding the motion blurring. Also the W4500 in store did seem to have better contrast.

I can get the W4500 for $2950, and I could get the W4000 for $2530 about 3-4 weeks ago although that might not be possible any more if they have run out of stock. So hmmm.... maybe the savings of $400 is worth the trade off of 100Hz... it s a tricky decision.

siyuan

189 posts

Master Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#180454 26-Nov-2008 16:16

I'm not using my TV for gaming just yet, but I can try it out. I have very briefly tried Call of Duty 4 once, but I wasn't testing for fast motion, I was testing the contrast of the TV. I think the black level of 46W4000 is quite impressive, of course a plasma is definitely better, but the black level is never the less quite good considering it's an LCD.

Edit: I've just tried Quake 3 running in time-demo mode (@~140fps, 1920x1080), I didn't detect any ghosting effects, but maybe it's just my eyes aren't very sharp

westwing

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#181315 1-Dec-2008 10:41

I received my new Sony 46W4500 on Friday. It displays noticable light leakage at 3 corners. Its not visible under normal viewing unless its a dark scene where it is really annoying. After years of German (Loewe) TV's I went with Sony and I think this is really poor for a $3500+ set. What do I do now? I need LCD as Plasma is not an option due to reflection (my house). I'll tey a swap and if that is bad too I'll try another brand I guess.

Wish I could afford the Loewe :)

siyuan

189 posts

Master Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#181319 1-Dec-2008 10:59

westwing: I received my new Sony 46W4500 on Friday. It displays noticable light leakage at 3 corners. Its not visible under normal viewing unless its a dark scene where it is?really annoying. After years of German (Loewe) TV's I went with Sony and I think this is really poor for a $3500+ set. What do I do now?? I need LCD as Plasma is not an option due to reflection (my house). I'll tey a swap and if that is bad too I'll try another brand I guess.

Wish I could afford the Loewe :)

It's rather unfortunate to hear 46W4500 having light leakage problem. Did you have the chance to read the review of 46W4500 mentioned above? light leakage is one of the problems mentioned in the review.

DaveB

1139 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#181323 1-Dec-2008 11:06

westwing:
I need LCD as Plasma is not an option due to reflection (my house).

Plasma is still an option for you. We purchased a 50 inch Panasonic Plasma with non reflective glass for our main lounge area. I also tried it out in what is our (very bright and sunny) Family Room and, for TV viewing and movies, it left our LCD panel for dead.

Cheers Dave B

Equinox IT

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

georgea

49 posts

Geek

#181381 1-Dec-2008 16:23

Hi Westwing.

From what I have read in other reviews you may just need to reduce the backlight setting down from its factory default of maximum - see here for details http://whathifi.com/blogs/television/archive/2008/11/11/backlight-settings-for-sony-bravia-lcd-tvs.aspx

Please let me know how you go!

And Dave.. whats the deal with burn in now with Plasmas? A salesman was trying to get me to buy one of there old 42" Plasmas for $1300 which is admitidly a way cheaper option then buying the W4500 or W4000. But on talking to him it sounds like trying to avoid burn in would be a pain in the butt. With my gaming and also watching cricket I wouldn't want to have to remember to switch channels for 5 minutes every couple of hours, same with channel logos. The problem is I am useless at remembering stuff like that... especially in the middle of a gme. So, what is the burn in time these days?

DaveB

1139 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#181966 4-Dec-2008 10:53

georgea:
And Dave.. whats the deal with burn in now with Plasmas? A salesman was trying to get me to buy one of there old 42" Plasmas for $1300 which is admitidly a way cheaper option then buying the W4500 or W4000. But on talking to him it sounds like trying to avoid burn in would be a pain in the butt. With my gaming and also watching cricket I wouldn't want to have to remember to switch channels for 5 minutes every couple of hours, same with channel logos. The problem is I am useless at remembering stuff like that... especially in the middle of a gme. So, what is the burn in time these days?

Hi georgea .... sorry about the slow reply.
Burn-in is not the issue that it was with Plasma a few years ago, but you do need to be aware that a Plasma cannot replace an LCD as a PC monitor. Our Plasma is the centrepiece of our Home Media Center but also gets used for a little gaming and a little surfing (no longer than an hour at a time). It's main use is for watching Hi-Def programming such as Bluray, Freeview HD and Sky HD Sports. In that respect it leaves any LCD for dead. It is also on a lot when we listen to music (although sound is piped through the AV receiver), because the wife loves the visualisation or picture show with Hi-Def images.

Simple rule of thumb - be aware of the POTENTIAL for burn in and most people are better off (in terms of more bang for the buck) with Plasma. News tickers and channel logos are not a threat with normal usage, but a static image is. Cricket certainly is not a threat.
Cheers Dave B

JimmyLizar

321 posts

Ultimate Geek

#181968 4-Dec-2008 11:04

DaveB:
We purchased a 50 inch Panasonic Plasma with non reflective glass for our main lounge area. I also tried it out in what is our (very bright and sunny) Family Room and, for TV viewing and movies, it left our LCD panel for dead.

DaveB, Is this the TH-50PY800 or TH-50PZ850?

We want a Panny (probably 42") for our new house. Do all of them have non-refelective glass or only certain models?

.....c'mon sucker lick my battery........
binary solo...0000110000110000111...

georgea

49 posts

Geek

#181985 4-Dec-2008 12:09

Thanks for the reply Dave.

But aren't channel logos and cricket score panels static images?! Or are you saying that it would take 8+ hours for the images to burn in? Do you know what the guideline is for your plasma i.e. what does the manual say is the most time you should leave it on static images?

Also in regards to gaming, I have read various reports on green trailing (phosphur trails?) - have you noticed this at all? Also in terms of the Plasma warm in period (150 hours is it?) are you not able to play any games during this period?

Thanks,
George.

Nety

2584 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#181994 4-Dec-2008 12:34

DaveB:It's main use is for watching Hi-Def programming such as Bluray, Freeview HD and Sky HD Sports. In that respect it leaves any LCD for dead.

In your humble opinion....

Comes down to what people prefer. Some prefer the softer more movie like look of Plasma some prefer the sharp look of LCD.
People should let their own eyes decide what look they like more in a TV screen rather then someone else's opinion

Media centre PC - Case Silverstone LC16M with 2 X 80mm AcoustiFan DustPROOF, MOBO Gigabyte MA785GT-UD3H, CPU AMD X2 240 under volted, RAM 4 Gig DDR3 1033, HDD 120Gig System/512Gig data, Tuners 2 X Hauppauge HVR-3000, 1 X HVR-2200, Video Palit GT 220, Sound Realtek 886A HD (onboard), Optical LiteOn DH-401S Blue-ray using TotalMedia Theatre Power Corsair VX Series, 450W ATX PSU OS Windows 7 x64

DaveB

1139 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#182240 5-Dec-2008 10:49

Nety

You are of course quite correct, in my humble opinion and it is just that - an opinion based on owning two very different technologies and being able to use them side by side. I'm not sure nowadays with the 1080p sets that there is even a difference with the sharper and softer picture scenario that you mention. My Panny looks every bit as sharp as the LCD, but has the added advantage of much better 3D depth. However, I'm quite sure Jimmy and George will let their own eyes (and individual needs) be the deciding factor rather than my opinion.

GeorgeA

Yes, they are static images, but it is my understanding that the broadcasters actually move these images slightly to stop this problem (and any potential lawsuits). The sets also have anti-burnin protection built into them based on this concept (I think). If mine does, I cant see it. I purchased my set in March of this year ready for Freeview HD and we have not had a problem. Now if I was to pause a Bluray or DVD for 45 minutes or more - I suspect I could leave myself wide open for a burn-in problem.

I have used that TV for web browsing for a good 90 minutes on occassions and again, the browser bars and start menu button have not caused a problem.

The green trailing I have heard about, but not experienced. My only gaming is with MS FlightSim and again that is only for short periods of time. If I was to go back to my online 3 or 4 hour gaming stretches - I would NOT use the Plasma - just in case.

Jimmy

The model I purchased was the previous one to the one you refer to, so I really cant answer. If you go instore and look at the storelight reflections on the panels, it will become quite obvious what to look for. At my local Bond and Bond (Hutt City) they have a Samsung Plasma next to the Panasonic Plasma and the difference in reflection is startling.

Guys check out the VERY GOOD article pinned to the top of this forum. It is one of the best threads I have seen.

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?ForumId=34&TopicId=24554

Good luck with the shopping and enjoy your new toys.

westwing

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#182941 9-Dec-2008 11:01

Well, I've had the Sony 46W4500 for over a week now. The light leakage IS still there but I've managed to minimise it to a certain extent. Its still unacceptable for any $3000+ TV.

My retailer (100%) has been great ... new TV is enroute as we speak.

I must say I'm VERY happy with the TV is normal use. There is no lag and picture quality is mostly excellent. If I can get one with no backlight leak I'll be happy.

I'll let you know how the new box goes ....

georgea

49 posts

Geek

#182994 9-Dec-2008 14:19

Hi Westwing,

Yip that would be great if you could let us know - could very much impact my decision.

I've decided i'm going to stick with LCD (suits my situation better) and am looking at the following:
- Sony 40W4500 ($2950)
- Sony 40W4000 ($2550 - its cheaper and I havent heard of light leakage problems, but doesnt have 100Mhz and lower contrast)

- Samsung Servies 4 LA37A450 ($999)

The Sonys come with a $99 PS3 which with PlayTV will be a PVR, Bluray player and games machine. Although the Samsung does seem like a good deal even if it is HD Ready and no integrated tuner. Decisions, decisions.

1 | 2