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Sony Wega HDTV Monitor

spoma

Banned
I am currently in the process of buying a large screen tv. I am leaning towards going with a Sony because I have always heard that make the highest quality. I am looking at two different models. There is the KV32HS20 and the KV32XBR450. The XBR model is more expensive, is it better? I always thought the last letter was which was better the higher the letter the better, but that doesn't fit here. If someone could kind of give me some insight into these two televisions and the pros and cons of them. Also if anyone knows of any other brands and models that are comparable price and better I would be open to looking at those also. Thanks for the help.
 
Right now I am trying to gather inofrmation over the internet and I was wondering if anyone here could help me out with my search.
 
WEGAs are way overpriced. Esp. for the XBR series. They've not gotten rave reviews at The Spot nor at AVS Forum

I'd go for a flat-screen Toshiba or Hitachi or even go rear projection with a Mitsubishi (guess I'm biased there cuz I own one 🙂 )
 
Actually, now that I re-read the specs, it looks like they both have Picture in Picture ... The only obvious difference is that the XBR has 3:2 Pulldown Reverse which would allow you to take a DVD movie and display it in Progressive scan w/o a Progressive scan player. Otherwise I dont see much of a difference, other than different remotes and different stands that are compatible ... Maybe you can find something in the specs that I didn't see..

Check the specs and see for yourself:

KV32HS20
KV32XBR450
 
I don't know much about the television area and the technology. What does it mean to play dvd in a progressive scan?
 
I don't know much about the television area and the technology. What does it mean to play dvd in a progressive scan?

Progressive scan is the opposite of interlaced, it means that every line of resolution is drawn on every pass instead of odd/even alternately. It produces a much brighter, clearer picture than interlaced displays. You need to have a progressive scan DVD player to take advantage of the capability.

Viper GTS
 
Stay away from WEGAs or anything made by SONY. Their stuff breaks real easy and only comes with a 30-day warranty. And besides, it's totally overpriced. Also, you said you're looking for a large-screen TV, and WEGAs are tiny, they only go up to 40". When you watch widescreen movies on them you have to sit right in front of the TV just to see anything. What you really want is a good widescreen HD RPTV set from Toshiba, Mitsubishi, etc. Go to Audioreview.com for a pretty good list of models/ratings and to AVSForum.com for more info.
 
Thanks Viper.
Conjur you say to look at some of the Toshibas. What is a Toshiba model number htat can be compared to the Sony models I was looking at?
 
I looked at those Hitachi's and they are not flatscreen and do not do 16:9. I was intersted in both of these features.
 
Hitachi 36" specs

Granted, it's not a pure flat screen but it's darn close and some pure-flats have convergence issues in the corners. And, yes, the UDX series DO have 16:9 modes. And, the 36" goes for $1599 at Circuit City. Not bad.
 


<< Hitachi 36" specs

Granted, it's not a pure flat screen but it's darn close and some pure-flats have convergence issues in the corners. And, yes, the UDX series DO have 16:9 modes. And, the 36" goes for $1599 at Circuit City. Not bad.
>>



The Hitachi TV's are amazing! I have a 32" Hitachi, and even though it isn't perfectly flat, I think the picture quality is better than that of your base model WEGA. For the price you are paying for WEGA XBR, you could buy this. This is my next TV.

Also, the Hitachi won't break down. I don't trust Sony after my PS2 AND my mini-disc player broke within the first six months of owning them.
 
Do you guys know anything about the Panasonic 32" Digital Flat Screen HDTV Monitor?
Brand/Model: PAN CT32HX41
 
spoma, WEGA isn't 16:9 either in case you haven't noticed. If you want native 16:9, you will not find it on a tube set.
 


<< spoma, WEGA isn't 16:9 either in case you haven't noticed. If you want native 16:9, you will not find it on a tube set. >>



Uhh...

Phillips, RCA, Toshiba and others all make direct-view 16:9 sets.
 


<<

<< Hitachi 36" specs

Granted, it's not a pure flat screen but it's darn close and some pure-flats have convergence issues in the corners. And, yes, the UDX series DO have 16:9 modes. And, the 36" goes for $1599 at Circuit City. Not bad.
>>



The Hitachi TV's are amazing! I have a 32" Hitachi, and even though it isn't perfectly flat, I think the picture quality is better than that of your base model WEGA. For the price you are paying for WEGA XBR, you could buy this. This is my next TV.

Also, the Hitachi won't break down. I don't trust Sony after my PS2 AND my mini-disc player broke within the first six months of owning them.
>>



Damn that's a nice TV.
 
I believe that means it can compress 4:3 material into the 16:9 format. Either that, or it can display 16:9 material with the bars. Either way the tube itself is not 16:9.

There is only one Sony WEGA with a 16:9 tube, and it is out of EVERYBODIES price range. 🙂
 
I came across some info that the RCA F38310 might be dropping in price right now. 38", 16:9, built-in DTC-100. It can be had at eBay for $1795 + shipping (refurb units that apparently had the recall problem fixed before they shipped). A 38" 16:9 tube with built-in HDTV DirecTV tuner (can do OTA HDTV, too) for under $2k is a BARGAIN!!
 
So the fact that the UDX Hitachis are not flat is kind of a deterrant to me. Should it be? I am just trying to buy the best tv I possible can in my pricerange. I appreciate everything you guys are helping me out with. If I got a Wega it would prob be the KV32HS20. Is this Hitachi better than that for DVD, VHS, and every day television? I am big into watching ballgames and I have heard some of the HDTVs have problems where everything is blurry for regular tv. Also could someone respond to that panasonic I posted.
 
Depends on the built-in line doubler. Check out AVS Forum for some info on that RCA 38" 16:9 set. I can't remember if people have like the line doubler or not. If you are going to put a satellite feed into it or analog cable, the picture quality may not be like you expect (picture running 640x480 on a 21" monitor...not pretty is it?) The better the source the better picture. These sets were made to look great when running a DVD or HD input.
 
I currently have regular cable but I am prob going to switch over to DirecTV soon. Which one would be best with this.
 


<< I currently have regular cable but I am prob going to switch over to DirecTV soon. Which one would be best with this. >>



I'd look long and hard at the RCA F38310, then. Already has the DirecTV receiver (and does HD to boot!). Granted, DirecTV only has HBO and HDNet (24/7 sports - might show some of the Olympics per deal with NBC) and a PPV channel (DISH network has CBS HD and Showtime HD but doesn't have HDNet).
 
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