If you had to pick a 40" Sony LCD, which would it be?

[brigden]

Sony currently sell about a half dozen 40" LCD TVs. If you had to choose one, which would it be and why. I know zip about TVs.

If you're anti-Sony, please save your comments; the TV must be Sony.

Thanks.

 

[Shawn]

Why must it be Sony?

 

[SLCentral]

Best quality, hands down, is the 40XBR4/5. Can't go wrong with either. The XBR5 is the same TV as the XBR4 with a piano black frame, and an 18 month warranty opposed to the 12 on the 4.

The W-series is similar to the XBR, without the 24fps technology the XBR's have. The XBR's, AFAIK, do have a few processing tweaks that should give it a better picture. It also looks cooler.

The V-series lacks the 120Hz technology both the W and the XBR's have, so your picture won't be quite as smooth as the latter.

The S-series are 720p, have lower processing power, contrast ratio, features, etc. The bargain set, basically.

If you can afford it, do the XBR. If you can't, do the W. If you can't afford that, do the V, and so on. Each model has it's share of improvements that, IMO, make it worth the extra money. Just spend as much as you can find to be reasonable.

 

[Snakexor]

Originally posted by: SLCentral
Best quality, hands down, is the 40XBR4/5. Can't go wrong with either. The XBR5 is the same TV as the XBR4 with a piano black frame, and an 18 month warranty opposed to the 12 on the 4.

The W-series is similar to the XBR, without the 24fps technology the XBR's have. The XBR's, AFAIK, do have a few processing tweaks that should give it a better picture. It also looks cooler.

The V-series lacks the 120Hz technology both the W and the XBR's have, so your picture won't be quite as smooth as the latter.

The S-series are 720p, have lower processing power, contrast ratio, features, etc. The bargain set, basically.

If you can afford it, do the XBR. If you can't, do the W. If you can't afford that, do the V, and so on. Each model has it's share of improvements that, IMO, make it worth the extra money. Just spend as much as you can find to be reasonable.

wrong, the v series has 24fps input. neither the w series or the v series have 120hz based on sonys website. the difference is the backlite remote, extra hdmi input, and "picture freeze".

 

[SLCentral]

Originally posted by: Snakexor

Originally posted by: SLCentral
Best quality, hands down, is the 40XBR4/5. Can't go wrong with either. The XBR5 is the same TV as the XBR4 with a piano black frame, and an 18 month warranty opposed to the 12 on the 4.

The W-series is similar to the XBR, without the 24fps technology the XBR's have. The XBR's, AFAIK, do have a few processing tweaks that should give it a better picture. It also looks cooler.

The V-series lacks the 120Hz technology both the W and the XBR's have, so your picture won't be quite as smooth as the latter.

The S-series are 720p, have lower processing power, contrast ratio, features, etc. The bargain set, basically.

If you can afford it, do the XBR. If you can't, do the W. If you can't afford that, do the V, and so on. Each model has it's share of improvements that, IMO, make it worth the extra money. Just spend as much as you can find to be reasonable.

wrong, the v series has 24fps input. neither the w series or the v series have 120hz based on sonys website. the difference is the backlite remote, extra hdmi input, and "picture freeze".

Jeez, I was completely off. That's what happens when you go by memory on what you think they have!

Looks like the V-series has a 13,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, while the W/XBR has a 18,000:1. Not sure as to how much a difference that'll make. Keep in mind the XBR does have more advanced processing to display 480i content (the DRC MultiFunction Circuitry), so if you watch a lot f HD, that should be important to you

 

[dphantom]

I have the 40" V series and am very happy with it. I am not an videophile so really had a hard time distinguishing picture quality between it and the XBR. Not enough for me to pay the $400+ difference in price at the time.

 

[PianoMan]

I've been eyeing the XBR2 LCD's, since those seem to be gradually phasing out stock.

I bought my parents a 32" Trini XBR CRT in '91 when I graduated from college. It still looks great (but man, that's a BIG TV).:Q Dad wants an LCD now. :roll:

+1 for an XBR. :thumbsup:

PM

 

[Playmaker]

Having looked at them heavily in the past week, obviously the XBR4/5. It's the only Sony LCD (and almost the only LCD) that competes with a Panasonic plasma (at a cheaper price) if you can manage your ambient light. But really, in that price range, you might be able to afford a Pioneer Kuro.

 

[thegimp03]

How about a Samsung LNT4065 or LNT4081? I've been hearing and reading really good things about both.