Why are Sony Brava X, Z, EX and ZX LCDs good ?

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Why are Sony Brava X, Z, EX and ZX LCDs good ?

xlinknz

1141 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 168

Trusted

#43537 20-Oct-2009 08:39

I see Sony have a promotion where if you buy one of the above you get a Z Series Netbook worth $1200 but I see that for the $3K one of these would cost [40"] I can buy a 42" Toshiba for $1700 or a 46" LG for $3K

That makes me ask if this promotion is any good ? [ I ask as I am in the market for a small laptop and an LCD]

Cadriel

134 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 5

#265215 20-Oct-2009 09:05

It depends what you're after. As far as I'm aware, the X series Sony Bravia's are top of the line for LCD televisions. The panel they use is very high quality (Same as the Samsung panel last I heard) and the image enhancement (bravia engine etc) is awesome.

However - in saying that, you can still get a decent picture with cheaper set's. So - if the promotion you're looking at is for the X series, then you're getting a quality set - hence the price. If it's for one of the lower models, then you might be better getting your set and laptop separately.

Oh - a note on the Sony Vaio's. We've just replaced ours, due to the software being overly bloated on it - and sony not providing default drivers - so we couldn't easily rebuild the laptop ourselves without going through hoops to find appropriate drivers. Second to that, the build quality on the Vaio's was no where near the quality of other brands.

My 2 cents. :)

--
Craig.

CASE: Zalman HD160; MOTHERBOARD: Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3; VIDEO: Geforce Asus GT240 HDMI;
SOUND: HDMI Passthrough; CPU: Intel E8200; RAM: Corsair XMS2 2GB;
HDD: 160MB 2.5" Hitachi; TUNER: Hauppage HDR 2200; DISPLAY: Sony 46" 1080p X Series;
SOFTWARE: Windows 7, XBMC;

--
In a mad world, only the mad are sane.

ilovemusic

1469 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 307

#265277 20-Oct-2009 11:56

If you are after a deal go for it.

Manufacturers often do these sort of packages to shift slow or dead stock.

As to why the Sony LCD costs so much more.

Some is advanced technology such as true RGB LED backlighting on some models, the advanced video processing engines etc and the better perfomance this (sometimes) brings.

Some is a premium they think the brand deserves.

Some is the flab built into the RRP, allowing for some amazing "deals" and customer satisfaction.

xlinknz

1141 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 168

Trusted

#265365 20-Oct-2009 16:49

I popped into a Sony store to understand the product differenators

- The X 46" @ $5K has RGB LED backlighting which makes a noticeable difference to black areas [this is "top of the line technology"]
- The Z Series is 200Hz which apparently is better for sports or other fast moving imagery
- The EX and EZ are wireless so no hdmi cables are needed [but power obviously is] so I wonder what the big deal is there since to hang on a wall would still need one cable [power]

Now to compare to similar features and price from other manufacturers

openmedia

3449 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 878

Trusted

#265379 20-Oct-2009 17:33

All of the existing X/Z models are older Bravia 2 with limited DLNA support. Often the picture isn't a lot better than a modern Bravia 3 W series set.

I've been comparing the W/X/Z with the Samsung B650 series and at the moment the Samsung comes out ahead.

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.

CM

141 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 12

#265542 21-Oct-2009 08:53

openmedia: All of the existing X/Z models are older Bravia 2 with limited DLNA support. Often the picture isn't a lot better than a modern Bravia 3 W series set.

I've been comparing the W/X/Z with the Samsung B650 series and at the moment the Samsung comes out ahead.

And of course until 3 Nov Samsung give you a free 22 inch LCD if you buy the 650. The Appliance Shed have the 650 at $2440 and will buy the 22 inch back off you for $400. So you essentially can get the 650 for $2040 and don't need to botherr with the hassle of selling the 'freebie'. Sounds like a great deal to me!

As a side point, it's interesting that Samsung have twice extended that 'get a free 22 inch LCD' deal. Apparently the promotion has worked so well that they are reluctant to stop it. So it won't be a surprise if they extend it again.

Asus Eee Transformer TF101 (16Gb) with keyboard/dock
Samsung LA40B650
WD TV Live
My Sky HDi
Custom-built PC with Hauppauge Nova-T-500
iRiver h120

xlinknz

1141 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 168

Trusted

#265586 21-Oct-2009 10:43

openmedia: All of the existing X/Z models are older Bravia 2 with limited DLNA support. Often the picture isn't a lot better than a modern Bravia 3 W series set.

I've been comparing the W/X/Z with the Samsung B650 series and at the moment the Samsung comes out ahead.

Yes it appears the promotion is on the Bravia 2 models so maybe they are trying to reduce that stock pending more new Bravia 3 models

I don't know how much noticable difference there is between a Bravia 2 and Bravia 3 I also note there is a Bravia 2 Pro

What is the big deal with DLNA - it appears that all that means is that I can stream content via ethernet to the LCD, how is that an advantage over feeding my PC vidio to the LCS via hdmi ?

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

Ragnor

8279 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 585

Trusted

#265653 21-Oct-2009 13:48

How bad is the 650's latency for gamers/consoles? I've seen a few reviews point out it has fairly high latency,

CM

141 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 12

#265713 21-Oct-2009 15:56

I'd like to know about that too, particuarly compared to the Sony equivalent (KDL40W5500).

Asus Eee Transformer TF101 (16Gb) with keyboard/dock
Samsung LA40B650
WD TV Live
My Sky HDi
Custom-built PC with Hauppauge Nova-T-500
iRiver h120

richms

29098 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10208

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#265864 21-Oct-2009 22:58

Most tvs seem to have a game mode that disables all the picture features to get the lag down.

Problem is with a home theater reciver you have to change the audio delay between modes - there is nothing to sort that out automatically for you.

Richard rich.ms