21.2 in Dallas, its a local weather radar station


I'm just curious how you know what the resolution of the Dallas 21.2 station is? Does the OSD on your set indicate "240p?" This is very interesting and sounds like a good way to minimize the impact on the primary digital channel.

yes the OSD says 240p, I did not call UPN and ask the local station what resolution is

This is very interesting and sounds like a good way to minimize the impact on the primary digital channel.

its basically the same thing as 480i, just less horizontal resolution and displayed progessively

First I want to thank everyone and there knowledge on helping me decide on what HDTV to buy. I was looking all over for a HDTV to go with a xbox360. I looked at lcd's: poor dark levels, plasma: burn in, DLP: bulb replacement so I decided to go with a tube. I read great reviews on the LG30FZ4D which got a 9.0 reader review on Cnet and people who owned the set from various sites and went to 6th ave and ordered it. Than I read this forum and saw J&R had the XS955 for 699.99 cancelled the LG in time and ordered the sony. If any people have concerns about J&R this should shed some light. I ordered the TV WED online shipped out Friday received email conformation on order placed and order shipped. The delivery service called me on Tuesday asked what time I was home and came when expected. I also looked at the XBR960 but I have a medium size room and can't justify paying an extra $700 for 4". The only problem I had was getting the thing downstairs even with help the Tv now has a small crack on the bottom leg, not near the screen or speakers but Im sure a lot of these mammoths have battle scars from getting into the house. Thanks again everyone tv is great

Regarding the black screen on changing inputs.

Using Powerstrip I set-up two hotkeys for two separate resolutions. Then when I switch back to input 7 I just hit the hotkey to switch away from my previously set resolution and then back.

Hope this helps someone

That is a great workaround Stingray. I implemented it as well. I have my HTPC with ATI Radeon 9800 Pro connected to my KD30XS955 using a DVI to HDMI cable.

In CCC I applied the "720p standard" under HDTV Support and it did not fit the screen. I then tried "720p optimized" and it worked fine, except that the screen was shifted about an inch to the right. As others have mentioned when I implemented 1080i the screen went crazy. I guess I will just live with the 720p optimized until ATI gets the problem fixed.

Has anyone used the DVI to component adapter available from ATI? If so, is it possible to use the 1080i resolution with the video card connected to the KD30XS955 using component cables?

the black out issue with ATI DVI output is now fixed in drivers 6.1 catalyst AFAIK

Has anyone used the DVI to component adapter available from ATI? If so, is it possible to use the 1080i resolution with the video card connected to the KD30XS955 using component cables?

the component dongle will do 1080i output, you can also get 1080i from the newer x series cards from DVI, it seems the implimentation of the DVI out on the 9x00 series does not work well with outputting interlaced resolutions

OK, I think this is the television for me, but I need to know the exact width of the set. Sony indicates the width is 35.38 inches, which - for the cabinet I have to put it in - literally gives me less than 1/4 inch to play with. I'm hoping their stated dimensions have a little fudge factor built in.

Can any owners of this TV please put a tape measure across the widest part of the set and let me know the verdict? Thank you very much!!!

OK, I think this is the television for me, but I need to know the exact width of the set. Sony indicates the width is 35.38 inches, which - for the cabinet I have to put it in - literally gives me less than 1/4 inch to play with. I'm hoping their stated dimensions have a little fudge factor built in.

Can any owners of this TV please put a tape measure across the widest part of the set and let me know the verdict? Thank you very much!!!
I just measured it, and it's pretty darn close to what Sony says. No less.

the black out issue with ATI DVI output is now fixed in drivers 6.1 catalyst AFAIK

the component dongle will do 1080i output, you can also get 1080i from the newer x series cards from DVI, it seems the implimentation of the DVI out on the 9x00 series does not work well with outputting interlaced resolutions

Yes, I installed Catalyst 6.1 and I can now switch inputs and the computer screen is there when I switch back.

I still cannot use any 1080i resolutions. Does anyone know how to fix it so I can use 1080i? Has anyone used the Powerstrip program to get it to work? I am using the 720p optimized resolution which is available in the HDTV Support screen of CCC. Thanks for your help.

Can I install 6.1, which is an older driver, w/o un-installing CCC, which is the latest version? Or do I have to go back to an older version of CCC as well?

Thanks.

I still cannot use any 1080i resolutions. Does anyone know how to fix it so I can use 1080i? Has anyone used the Powerstrip program to get it to work? I am using the 720p optimized resolution which is available in the HDTV Support screen of CCC. Thanks for your help.

you only option with using DVI output, would be to get a newer X series ATI or any 6 series or newer nvidia video card
or you can buy the component dongle if your ATI supports it

what video card is this again?

Can I install 6.1, which is an older driver, w/o un-installing CCC, which is the latest version? Or do I have to go back to an older version of CCC as well?

not sure what you mean, you need to install CCC to get the advanced HDTV timings and settings, and AFAIK 6.1 is the newest version

but whenever you install new drivers, you need to at least uninstall the old drivers and/or use driver cleaner pro in safe before installing the new drivers

you need to install CCC to get the advanced HDTV timings and settings, and AFAIK 6.1 is the newest version



CCC is not a driver, AFAIK. It's software to control your video card display. If you look at the correct info window, CCC has a completely different version number than the actual drivers.

I'm not home right now so I can't quote exactly. But when you say 6.1 you're talking about CCC, right? Perhaps each version of CCC has it's own drivers, that I can't say. But I do know that at this moment, I have the latest CCC and drivers installed for my card.

I could swear last week you suggested I install an older version. Perhaps if was someone else. In any case I haven't gotten around to it yet.

Anyone know if this set is available anywhere besides Belmont TV in the No. VA area?

catalyst control center are drivers
the difference is one using .net (catalyst control center) vs catalyst control panel

actually it does not look like ATI is making the older control panel drivers anymore

https://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894&task=knowledge&folderID=27

are you on dial up? cause otherwise you download the catalyst control center which includes the drivers

and update both together

CCC is not a driver, AFAIK. It's software to control your video card display. If you look at the correct info window, CCC has a completely different version number than the actual drivers.

man cause it sounds like you are just nit picking

I do not think anyone have ever contested that catalyst were not drivers

I could swear last week you suggested I install an older version. Perhaps if was someone else. In any case I haven't gotten around to it yet.

I did suggest that, the 6.1 catalyst drivers were just released this week

Originally Posted by kny3twalker
the black out issue with ATI DVI output is now fixed in drivers 6.1 catalyst AFAIK

thats why I posted this

really not sure how I confused you, but the link is there

properly uninstall your old drivers and then install 6.1 catalyst DRIVERS

Confusing me is not really a challenge. I will try this in the next week.

Thank you

you only option with using DVI output, would be to get a newer X series ATI or any 6 series or newer nvidia video card
or you can buy the component dongle if your ATI supports it

what video card is this again?



ATI Radeon 9800 Pro

Can't find the 30xs955 model on J&R did they just stop selling this model ? and also what was their shipping cost for this set and did they tax ? I need to know soon because I just purchased this set on crutchfield about an hour ago (would consider cancelling order if JR is the better deal). Also i'm from Arizona do they deliver all across the nation. Thanks again guys.

Noticed that too (nothing on j&r) noticed it on bhpohotovideo.com for 799 tho.. not too bad of a price.. dont know how trustworthy they are..

Anyone know what the actual resolution of the tv is? does it display all the lines of 1080i ? (i'm under the impression alot of CRT's or tv's in general dont neccessarily display the full resolution of HD and it gets sampled down?)..

also i noticed this tv came out in 04' has sony came out with a new model to replace it yet (or showed at CES?) just curious if its better to possibly wait a few months or if this is going to be one of those 'tried and true' models that in 4 years people will still be saying holds its own cuz it was so well made? Or at least be compared to becuase it sets standards...

I called J&R yesterday when I couldn't find the 30XS955 either. What they said was that it was out of stock and that it was a discontinued model. I asked if they would be getting anymore in ... they said no. I'd keep looking every so often though, you never know.

As far as B&H is concerned. I can tell you that I've bought lots of stuff from them. (Camera Equipment mainly) and have never had a problem. Their prices aren't always great but if you watch the site you can pick up some decent deals.

Can't find the 30xs955 model on J&R did they just stop selling this model ? and also what was their shipping cost for this set and did they tax ? I need to know soon because I just purchased this set on crutchfield about an hour ago (would consider cancelling order if JR is the better deal). Also i'm from Arizona do they deliver all across the nation. Thanks again guys.

shipping was around to 220 to Texas, not sure about taxes, but I doubt it since they are not located in Texas either

but from other posts it sounds like they do not sell it anymore

Noticed that too (nothing on j&r) noticed it on bhpohotovideo.com for 799 tho.. not too bad of a price.. dont know how trustworthy they are..

B&H shipping should be about the same, but Crutchfield has better policies concerning customer satisfaction and can do returns(as well as they do in home delivery), so you will have to decide whether the >$100 is worth it or not by ordering from Crutchfield,
I ordered mine from them, so I would have to say it is

Anyone know what the actual resolution of the tv is? does it display all the lines of 1080i ? (i'm under the impression alot of CRT's or tv's in general dont neccessarily display the full resolution of HD and it gets sampled down?)..

1080i is the vertical resolution not horizontal, this is determined by the CRT gun
the horizontal resolution is determined by the aperature grill

the horizontal resolution should be the same as the 34" XS and XBR which is 1401 lines

Sony does use a finer CRT gun for the XS955/XBR models though so it will have better chance of displaying all 1080i lines with no overlap or minimal overlap
(since only 540 lines are displayed at once)

also i noticed this tv came out in 04' has sony came out with a new model to replace it yet (or showed at CES?) just curious if its better to possibly wait a few months or if this is going to be one of those 'tried and true' models that in 4 years people will still be saying holds its own cuz it was so well made? Or at least be compared to becuase it sets standards...

only the 34" models got the updated N model (which removed the anti glare treatment AFAIK)

ATI Radeon 9800 Pro

spend the 30 dollars for the component dongle, you will not be dissappointed
it should be the purple DVI to component dongle
and do not buy the Ebay ones, they are junk

Oh well I think I'll just let the order process. I should be getting a call from the delivery guys in about 4-5 days to schedule a drop off date. The free shipping and return policy won me over (No store in my town carries this TV). My only regret is should i have spent the extra 400 dollars for the 34' model? Cuz I still got 2-3 days to change my mind. :confused:

ouch! discotinued? I cant pull the trigger on it for a while.. looks like i may have to look for other models in a few months...

My only regret is should i have spent the extra 400 dollars for the 34' model? Cuz I still got 2-3 days to change my mind.

Crutchfield has a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee for the first 30 days
so take some time and figure it out

Oh well I think I'll just let the order process. I should be getting a call from the delivery guys in about 4-5 days to schedule a drop off date. The free shipping and return policy won me over (No store in my town carries this TV). My only regret is should i have spent the extra 400 dollars for the 34' model? Cuz I still got 2-3 days to change my mind. :confused:
If your budget can handle it I'd say invest that extra $400 for the 34" set. I use a 34" set in the master bedroom and no way is it too big.

Well I'll give the 30' a try for about a week or 2. I'll be watching from an average distance of 5-7 feet so the 30' tv will suffice for my needs i'm thinking. I'm gonna set it on top of my clothes drawers in my bedroom. I'll posts some pics later when she arrives. :cool:

Anyone know if this set is available anywhere besides Belmont TV in the No. VA area?

When I was looking around, Graffiti A/V was the only other place, and I believe you had to special order.

Anyone know if this set is available anywhere besides Belmont TV in the No. VA area?

I got mine from Audio Video Solutions in Laurel a year ago. Don't know if they still carry it. Unfortunately they are/were in the process of phasing out the tube TVs due to sales and space.

any ideas of local stores in clearwater, tampa, st pete florida where i can find this tv still? there's a sony store at a mall here, but the tv is still $1199 on sony's website so i assume it would be the same in store.

I just bought mine from Crutchfield for $1099 shipped. I suggest you get it there. Great retailer.

Got mine Friday from JR. Love it........

any ideas of local stores in clearwater, tampa, st pete florida where i can find this tv still? there's a sony store at a mall here, but the tv is still $1199 on sony's website so i assume it would be the same in store.
Actually the store probably doesn't even have it - the store near here only stocks the bigger 34 model.

I called J&R yesterday when I couldn't find the 30XS955 either. What they said was that it was out of stock and that it was a discontinued model. I asked if they would be getting anymore in ... they said no.

Not too surprised here when I noticed this last week when wanting to show my friend the one I'd bought from them. I'm on their mailing list, and about a week ago they sent out a huge email ad specifically highlighting the 30XS955 in a "get it before the superbowl" kind of push, saying it was on sale for the $699 down from a previous price of $899 (which I'd never seen since they only ever listed "previously $1199, save $500!" on the web site). I figure as soon as people got that email, the last of them went like a flash.

In fact, it looks like there are much fewer instances of the set appearing on the price comparison sites today than just a few weeks ago. It's time to start getting them before they're gone for good. If J&R has it at discontinued, I wonder when the last manufacture date was. The back of my tv says it was made in Nov 2005.

In fact, it looks like there are much fewer instances of the set appearing on the price comparison sites today than just a few weeks ago. It's time to start getting them before they're gone for good. If J&R has it at discontinued, I wonder when the last manufacture date was. The back of my tv says it was made in Nov 2005.[/QUOTE]

I received my set from J&R about a month ago ... at the great $699 pricepoint ... and my manufacture date was also Nov 2005.

AWESOME TV for the money!!!

While 955 itself might be discountinued it seems to me Sony must have plans for a 30" CRT for the foreseable future. It wouldn't leave that market to Toshiba and Samsung. Since all TVs (25"+) must have a tuner after March 1 the HS420 is out. So what's left?

Hey guys.

I just ordered the XS955 today for $800 from a local store here in Wisconsin.

I mainly want it for my bedroom, and to play my XBOX 360 on.

Did I make a wise purchase?

My friend has the 34" XBR960, and its beautiful! But I needed something a little cheaper and a tad smaller.

Does the XS955 have the same tube as the XBR960?

Anything else I need to know about this set?

Also, I asked the guy at the store if Sony is discontinuing this TV, and he said nobody knows. Anybody who says certain TVs are being discontinued are just speculating. He said Sony has never announced it.

Anyways, thanks for any advice/info you can give me! :)

Did you happen to order it from Flanner's? That's where I got mine back in December for $800. Anyways.. I have the set in my bedroom with the XBOX 360 and it works great. There is noticeable overscan when watching TV using the media center extender on the 360 (which is the 360's problem, not the TV), but other than that it works great. I believe the tube is the same other than size... I think the XBR just has some extra features.

Yep, ordered it from Flanners. They were out of stock, but will be getting more in in a week or two.

BTW, the new Flanners is very nice compared to the old location.

What do you mean by overscan while watching tv with the 360? :confused: Sorry, but I don't know much about TVs...lol.

Yeah it is nice. Overscan means the picture is being cut off on the top, bottom and sides by a certain percentage. The TV from the factory has around 5% overscan on all sides, but if you watch TV on the 360 it's even more... mostly with HD content and the menus... I'd say it's between 6% and 8%. But if you don't plan on using the 360 as a media center extender, games are fine.

Yeah it is nice. Overscan means the picture is being cut off on the top, bottom and sides by a certain percentage. The TV from the factory has around 5% overscan on all sides, but if you watch TV on the 360 it's even more... mostly with HD content and the menus... I'd say it's between 6% and 8%. But if you don't plan on using the 360 as a media center extender, games are fine.

So you're saying that while watching TV, the picture will be cut off by 5%? Thats messed up. Why is that? Is it a certainty? Can it be fixed/calibrated?

By friend has the XBR960, and he hasn't mention this. Is it just this TV?

:( :(

5% is normal for any TV.

every TV has overscan, even flat panels, but newer LCDs, Plasmas etc.. are suppose to have less, about 2%

I believe according to DVE, it was a law at one time(or considered for law) that TVs could not show any empty space(black bars) so manafacturers overscanned not to face the problem
and also people wanted to use the entire picture(screen)
I still see people here that complain about 2.35:1 movies not filling their 16x9 TV

furthermore until DVDs and HDTV, usually at the edge of the picture is a lot of garbage (thats why panels still have overscan most probably)
this includes digital SD and analogue SD sources (excluding hollywood DVDs)

overscan is also somewhat good as 1.85:1 movies will display without black bars on our 1.78:1 (16x9) displays

and it makes the bars smaller on 2.35:1 movies

and then what is at the edge of the picture, that last 5%? nothing really

I can view HDTV on my PC monitor (which does not have overscan) and there is nothing important missing

the only place overscan becomes a problem is when trying to use a TV as a PC monitor
overscan will hide the windows start menu and task bar, chop desktop icons in half or cut from view

but most video cards now have the ability to compensate for overscan

Gotcha'! Thanks guys.

Will there also be overscan while playing the XBOX 360?

yes but microsoft should be compensating for it like all console makers do

I just got the 30XS955 from J&R earlier this week. The picture is really great, but I have noticed something that I cannot seem to find any information on.

When watching a high contrast scene that quickly changes to a darker scene there seems to be residual image that remains on the screen for a brief moment. This is most noticiable with images of bright light sources. I believe the same problem is causing the picture to appear to have trails when there is motion on the screen.

I have noticed this on both HDTV and DVD, and have turned down both the picture and contrast settings. These changes have not fixed the problem. Is this a issue that will resolve itself as the phosphors age, or is there anything else that can be done? Has anyone else experienced this on their set?

Hi Guys,

I have been enjoying my new 30XS955 this week. For those of you in the NYC area I purchased it from B&H Photo for $799. B&H has next day white glove delivery in the NYC area. The total was $955 including tax and white glove fee. The delivery was great they were in and out in 5 minutes.

I used component cables for the first few days until my HDMI to DVI cable came from bettercables. I have a Pioneer Voyager 3510 Cable Box from Time Warner. Since the new cable I have noticed artifacts that were not noticable with the component cables. The most evident is during late night with David Letterman in HD I see what looks like a little static in his cheeks. This seems more evident when he moves and it seems to lessen when he stops moving. Again, this is just strange and I am not sure if it is just me, or some shows, etc so wanted to see if anyone else noticed this.

Now the bigger issue is sometimes when using the cable quide the image will turn into multicolor bars mostly yellow bars with some solid patches. Sometimes i can see the tv image underneath, sometimes to the right, but most of the time I can't see anything. The only way I seem to be able to fix this is to reset the cable box buy unplugging it. I switch the cables last night and this has happened 3 times only with the time warner Guide. Has any other 30XS955 users seen this?

SD does look alot clearer but I am not so sure about HD channels with the HDMI/DVI cable. I am considering switching back. Is that crazy?

component cables are known to be better with HD CRTs

I believe the component inputs will bypass some video processing when sending 1080i as well

I am noticing when I watch an OTA HD broadcast of our Fox affiliate that a portion of their logo runs off the screen; it is supposed to be "FOX 28" but all I see is "FOX 2", which means I am missing a good half inch on the right side of the screen. Is it possible that this is a broadcast problem, or does it have to be my TV? (I don't have it on cable to compare).

I don't notice it with the ABC, CBS, or NBC logos, but they are square, rather than oblong, like Fox's; nevertheless, those logos seem to be equidistant from the bottom and the side edge of the screen, suggesting that I am not missing anything on those channels.

Thoughts? Can this be adjusted on the consumer menus?

Your overscan is probably at what is was set from the factory - in the 5-7% range. On FOX HD broadcasts, they put their logo bugs almost all the way to the right, but if you reduce your overscan down to 2.5%, which is still safe, it will be well inside the boundary of the screen.

Read in the SERVICE CODES thread for info on how to reduce overscan in the Service Menu. It involves setting your raster properly and then adjusting the image that's being transmitted to the CRT.

I've noticed that most 30" sets are in the 120lb range but the XS955 is 150lbs. Is that just extra glass or what's the extra 30 lbs for? I move every couple of years and was wondering if the unit being heavier is good or bad thing.

Your overscan is probably at what is was set from the factory - in the 5-7% range. On FOX HD broadcasts, they put their logo bugs almost all the way to the right, but if you reduce your overscan down to 2.5%, which is still safe, it will be well inside the boundary of the screen.

Read in the SERVICE CODES thread for info on how to reduce overscan in the Service Menu. It involves setting your raster properly and then adjusting the image that's being transmitted to the CRT.


Yikes! That sounds like something I'd rather have a professional do; I suppose a profession calibration would take care of that.

If there is 5-7% overscan, is that affecting the resolution of the set? Would the resolution be closer to spec if the overscan were corrected? I have to admit, I really don't exactly understand what the consequences of overscan are.....

Now the bigger issue is sometimes when using the cable quide the image will turn into multicolor bars mostly yellow bars with some solid patches. Sometimes i can see the tv image underneath, sometimes to the right, but most of the time I can't see anything. The only way I seem to be able to fix this is to reset the cable box buy unplugging it. I switch the cables last night and this has happened 3 times only with the time warner Guide. Has any other 30XS955 users seen this?

The 3510 has issues with 720p channels. If you're watching a channel broadcast in 720p (FOX, ESPN, ABC), the box will freeze like that when using the guide or playing the card games on the box. The only way to fix this is to take 720p off of the resolution list in the box settings and let the box upconvert those channels to 1080i.

I've noticed that most 30" sets are in the 120lb range but the XS955 is 150lbs. Is that just extra glass or what's the extra 30 lbs for? I move every couple of years and was wondering if the unit being heavier is good or bad thing.

It has a subwoofer.. plus the cabinet is bigger than most 30" sets. I'm not sure if the combination of those two add the extra weight or not.

Yikes! That sounds like something I'd rather have a professional do; I suppose a profession calibration would take care of that.

If there is 5-7% overscan, is that affecting the resolution of the set? Would the resolution be closer to spec if the overscan were corrected? I have to admit, I really don't exactly understand what the consequences of overscan are.....


It's really not that scary, but you can mess up your set if you don't know what you're doing. You just need the Avia or Digital Video Essentials DVDs, which contain reference patterns that allow you to determine how much overscan there is. But, yes a professional calibrator can fix it for you - but it's likely to cost you a bit.

I'm not positive, but I don't think you lose or gain resolution either way.

If there is 5-7% overscan, is that affecting the resolution of the set? Would the resolution be closer to spec if the overscan were corrected? I have to admit, I really don't exactly understand what the consequences of overscan are.....

you will not lose any resolution, resolution of the CRT is determined by the aperature grill and somewhat by the CRT gun

but thats what Super Fine Pitch is about, finer CRT gun(fine focus electron gun) and by making the vertical slits a finer pitch thats increases the resolution by 65% over the HS series tubes

so overscan has nothing really to do with the resolution,

Yesterday while my D* was tuned to one of the XM Channels, which display either a black or grey solid screen (depending your user settings - mine are at grey so I can easily distinguish the sidebars created by my HR10-250 from those transmitted by an HD channel, which are black 99% of the time).

Anyway, while the grey screen was displayed, I notice three very faint, single pixel height, horizontal black lines running from edge to edge. The first one is about 1/8 - 1/4 from the top. The next one is about 2/3 from the top, and the last one is about 1/4 from the bottom. I have to stand at couple of feet from the screen to see them. I changed to a channel displaying an actual image and noticed the lines were still there, although not as detectable on a non-uniform image.

These could have been there since the day I turned my set on the first time and I just never noticed. Anyone know what this is about? Is it the aperture grill/mask? Is it a defect? Is it something I did while changing user menus? It's not a big deal, but now that I know it's there, I think I'm going to fixate on it.

Thanks KevBeck.

I did a search for how to access the settings on the Pioneer 3510 but I was unable to find anything. Can you point me in the right direction?

Is there any downside to having the TV upconvert 720p to 1080i?

Another maybe related question. I am able to choose normal screen size for 4:3 content from my DVD player but I am not able to choose "normal" for my cable? I don't mind the "full" view of SD channels but I want to see if the normal view will clear it up a little bit.

Thanks.

I have a problem with my KD-30XS955. I am able to pick up unencrypted digital music stations but when I am listening to them, the info bar never disappears from the screen. Has anyone else noticed this problem? Is there a way to fix it? Thanks.

Thanks KevBeck.

I did a search for how to access the settings on the Pioneer 3510 but I was unable to find anything. Can you point me in the right direction?

Is there any downside to having the TV upconvert 720p to 1080i?

Another maybe related question. I am able to choose normal screen size for 4:3 content from my DVD player but I am not able to choose "normal" for my cable? I don't mind the "full" view of SD channels but I want to see if the normal view will clear it up a little bit.

Thanks.

Here's a guide to the setup of a 3510: http://www.pioneerbroadband.com/pdf/HD%20setup%20using%20Passport.pdf

I'm not sure if it'll work for you or not.. depends on the software the box is running. If it's running Pioneer's own software, then it should work fine... though your cable operator might be using something else, like Scientific Atlanta's.

What is the exact size of the box of the Sony 30XS955 (not the TV size)? I want to know if my SUV will be able to carry it.

Thanks.

Anyway, while the grey screen was displayed, I notice three very faint, single pixel height, horizontal black lines running from edge to edge. The first one is about 1/8 - 1/4 from the top. The next one is about 2/3 from the top, and the last one is about 1/4 from the bottom. I have to stand at couple of feet from the screen to see them. I changed to a channel displaying an actual image and noticed the lines were still there, although not as detectable on a non-uniform image.

they are the damper wires which support the aperature grill

WTF, the kd-xs30955 is not on the crutchfield site anymore! Says its no longer available. I ordered mine on the 21st and havent recieved a call from them since. I WAS supposed to be getting a call for delivery date sometime yesterday cuz they said it would be about a week. I think I might of just got F'd over. I don't understand they couldn't have sold them all if i completed an order with them right? they should still have mine in their warehouse right? :eek:

Wow, if they sold mine i'm gonna raise some hell :mad:

have you tried to call them?

they also have online chat before 12 midnight

when I received mine, the delivery guys were running behind and my TV came in (to town) late, so they had to deliver it the next day

Yeah, I'll have to call them first thing tommorow morning it seems evertime i call them afterwork they're closed must be located in the east coast. Anyways I left them an email with my question and copy and pasted the finished order so hopefully everything is ok.

well to let you all know, if your in ny you can get the 30xs955 for $749 at tanger Sony outlet in riverhead....i called about it and they said only 5 left, i was gonna get it but the size of it is just a little too much

I just got the 30XS955 from J&R earlier this week. The picture is really great, but I have noticed something that I cannot seem to find any information on.

When watching a high contrast scene that quickly changes to a darker scene there seems to be residual image that remains on the screen for a brief moment. This is most noticiable with images of bright light sources. I believe the same problem is causing the picture to appear to have trails when there is motion on the screen.

I have noticed this on both HDTV and DVD, and have turned down both the picture and contrast settings. These changes have not fixed the problem. Is this a issue that will resolve itself as the phosphors age, or is there anything else that can be done? Has anyone else experienced this on their set?
Can I assume you are watching in a dark environment? Many refer to this as "persistence" and it can apply to both the tv tube's phosphors and to your eyes.

This usually only happens in dark environments where the contrast is set very high. It's good that you lowered your contrast setting. It is more common on brand new tubes and can "go away" over time. Besides adjusting your contrast, you should also get a light source to place behind your tv that would shine on the wll behind the tv. This technology has been used for ages and really helps with picture quality as well as your eyes. Look here for info:

http://www.cinemaquestinc.com/

I would also buy a calibration dvd (e.g. Avia or DVE) and get your tv set-up properly. If the problem remains then you should place a trouble call.

Good luck! ;)

Thanks for the help, I ordered Avia the other day. Looking forward to getting everything setup completely.

What is the exact size of the box of the Sony 30XS955 (not the TV size)? I want to know if my SUV will be able to carry it.

Thanks.

H - 30"
W - 41"
D - 29"

i have a grand cherokee and the box just made it in hope thathelps

Should I always have my KD-30XS955 set to "Pro" and "Cinemotion"? Here are my connections:

Coax cable connected to cable-in for analog stations
Winegard Sharpshooter 3000 connected to UHF/VHF for OTA stations
Motorola STB connected to Input 1 (composite cables) for digital cable
Sony DVP-NS70H DVD player connected to Input 6 (component video and RCA) for DVD
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro connected to HDMI using DVI-HDMI cable for HTPC usage

At this point I have each of the inputs setup for "Pro" and "Cinemotion" (where available). Do you think that is best?

Should I always have my KD-30XS955 set to "Pro" and "Cinemotion"? Here are my connections:

Coax cable connected to cable-in for analog stations
Winegard Sharpshooter 3000 connected to UHF/VHF for OTA stations
Motorola STB connected to Input 1 (composite cables) for digital cable
Sony DVP-NS70H DVD player connected to Input 6 (component video and RCA) for DVD
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro connected to HDMI using DVI-HDMI cable for HTPC usage

At this point I have each of the inputs setup for "Pro" and "Cinemotion" (where available). Do you think that is best?


Cinemotion is supposedly 480progressive with 2-3 detection of 24fps source material. I leave the input I have my DVD connected to (Vid5) set to cinemotion. For sat/cable and OTA I often select Interlaced, which is supposedly 960interlaced, for program material that I'm pretty sure is not 24fps (most television shows), but return to Cinemotion when movie comes on TV, of when I think the TV show might have been shot at 24fps (Battlestar Galactica?).

Progressive is supposedly 480p without the 2-3 detection. Why it's necessary to have this in addition to Cinemotion is beyond my comprehension. I guess it keeps the set from mistakenly thinkings there's a 2-3 sequence. You could watch regular SD program with Progressive, I guess, but I've never really noticed much of a difference between Int or Pro when watching regular TV (I do notice the difference when watching static images, so this feature is probably meant for displaying Memory Stick Image more than anything else.

Should I always have my KD-30XS955 set to "Pro" and "Cinemotion"? Here are my connections:

Cinemotion is only and I repeat only for DVDs player outputting 480i and film based content

Cinemotion does 3-2 pulldown, for other 480i sources use interlaced (960i)

Progressive is supposedly 480p without the 2-3 detection. Why it's necessary to have this in addition to Cinemotion is beyond my comprehension. I guess it keeps the set from mistakenly thinkings there's a 2-3 sequence. You could watch regular SD program with Progressive, I guess, but I've never really noticed much of a difference between Int or Pro when watching regular TV (I do notice the difference when watching static images, so this feature is probably meant for displaying Memory Stick Image more than anything else.

progressive mode is for still motion sources

Should I always have my KD-30XS955 set to "Pro" and "Cinemotion"? Here are my connections:

Coax cable connected to cable-in for analog stations
Winegard Sharpshooter 3000 connected to UHF/VHF for OTA stations
Motorola STB connected to Input 1 (composite cables) for digital cable
Sony DVP-NS70H DVD player connected to Input 6 (component video and RCA) for DVD
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro connected to HDMI using DVI-HDMI cable for HTPC usage

At this point I have each of the inputs setup for "Pro" and "Cinemotion" (where available). Do you think that is best?
I'm confused by the connection for your digital cable. You indicate you're using a composite cable. Have you tried component cables to see if your digital cable PQ might not be better than with composite cables?

I'm confused by the connection for your digital cable. You indicate you're using a composite cable. Have you tried component cables to see if your digital cable PQ might not be better than with composite cables?

Sadly my STB only has composite connections. So I chose the composite instead of using up my cable-in connection.

I have another question about the KD-30XS955 settings. How many of you use the ClearEdge feature? Right now I have it turned off. Is it helpful? What setting do you set it to if you are using (High, Medium, or Low)? Thanks.

I have another question about the KD-30XS955 settings. How many of you use the ClearEdge feature? Right now I have it turned off. Is it helpful? What setting do you set it to if you are using (High, Medium, or Low)? Thanks.
Most folks set ClearEdge to Off or Low. This circuit is adding to the signal elements that were not there originally. The intent is to sharpen the image by making "edges" stand out more. This is done by "tracing" and enhancing the edges by adding a darker line of pixels along edges that have significant contrast between dark and light.

Some folks like this effect, but most do not and don't want anything added to the original signal. Try it out and see what you enjoy most. During the early months after I got my set I would set ClearEdge to Medium or High, especially for HD material. I really felt it sharpened the picture. As time went on I began to see that the original signal was actually sharper than it was with ClearEdge turned On.

It's all about personal preference. ;)

Cinemotion does 3-2 pulldown, for other 480i sources use interlaced (960i)



Kny3twalker - is there no advantage at all to using Cinemotion when watching a movie broadcast on a 480i station? I would think that the same interlaced sequence that comes from a DVD player would also be coming from the OTA, Cable, or Sat transmission for a movie - 60 interlaced fields per second of material original composed at 24 frames per second. Won't the 2-3 detector work for this material also?

I'm sure you know what you're talking about, I'm just trying to understand more. From my understanding 2-3 detection is not 100% dependent on flags, but also performs self recognition of a 2-3 sequence. It that's true, then it would seem cinemotion would work well for movies broadcast on TV? Thanks!!

Most folks set ClearEdge to Off or Low. This circuit is adding to the signal elements that were not there originally. The intent is to sharpen the image by making "edges" stand out more. This is done by "tracing" and enhancing the edges by adding a darker line of pixels along edges that have significant contrast between dark and light.

Some folks like this effect, but most do not and don't want anything added to the original signal. Try it out and see what you enjoy most. During the early months after I got my set I would set ClearEdge to Medium or High, especially for HD material. I really felt it sharpened the picture. As time went on I began to see that the original signal was actually sharper than it was with ClearEdge turned On.

It's all about personal preference. ;)


After following some of KenTech's tweaking suggestions in the service menu, I set ClearEdge to Low or even Medium when watching good quality 480i TV sources, and actually prefer it. I don't use ClearEdge for any HD sources or DVD.

...is there no advantage at all to using Cinemotion when watching a movie broadcast on a 480i station? I would think that the same interlaced sequence that comes from a DVD player would also be coming from the OTA, Cable, or Sat transmission for a movie - 60 interlaced fields per second of material original composed at 24 frames per second. Won't the 2-3 detector work for this material also...
As I understand it, most movies broadcast for tv have already undergone such processing are are now truly video, without the need for 3:2 detection.

I don't believe CineMotion can do any harm, except that it limits the display to 480p, when "Interlaced" could be providing 960i.

Maybe someone more knowledgeable on this could chime in?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jediphish
...is there no advantage at all to using Cinemotion when watching a movie broadcast on a 480i station? I would think that the same interlaced sequence that comes from a DVD player would also be coming from the OTA, Cable, or Sat transmission for a movie - 60 interlaced fields per second of material original composed at 24 frames per second. Won't the 2-3 detector work for this material also...

As I understand it, most movies broadcast for tv have already undergone such processing are are now truly video, without the need for 3:2 detection.

I don't believe CineMotion can do any harm, except that it limits the display to 480p, when "Interlaced" could be providing 960i.

Maybe someone more knowledgeable on this could chime in?

not sure either, but I do know I have used it with broadcast movies that have not been formatted for 4:3 TVs, and it did make the image clearer
which is what 3-2 pulldown is for

100fps.com has a great explanation of 3-2 pulldown

not sure either, but I do know I have used it with broadcast movies that have not been formatted for 4:3 TVs, and it did make the image clearer
which is what 3-2 pulldown is for

100fps.com has a great explanation of 3-2 pulldown


I'm pretty sure I understand it. The purpose of telecining a 24fps film is to get it to display at 30 frames (60 fields interlaced) per second. Taking four film frames and turning it into 5 video frames/10 video fields (i.e., 2-3 pulldown) is what introduces the odd interlaced artifacts to begin with (mismatched frames interlaced together). So, I can't understand how a 480i broadcast movie is anything but telecined, including the mismatched frames. I could be wrong.

Re: movies that have been formatted for 4:3 TVs, I thought the only changes were to screen ration, removal of inappropriate content, and reduction of length for time constraints. I'm unaware that they do anything to reorder the frames, but maybe its possible.

I have heard that for 720p HD broadcasts, the broadcaster performs reverse 2-3 pulldown so that the progressive image broadcast is matched properly. I have no idea what 1080i broadcasters do, becasue it would seem the inherent 60i nature of that format would require the telecining to remain intact.

I'm sure some of what I've just written is off. This is a subject for which I'm very interested in getting the facts straight. I'd like to know, with 100% certaintly when I should be using 2-3 detection (i.e., cinemotion).

Based on my assumptions, as written above, leaving it on would not seem to hurt (except to prevent the possibility of seeing 960i for true video sources, in which case I agree with Justsc and Kny3).

Good topic!!

I have an HD-DirecTivo, connected via component. What different picture options (on the Sony) should I use? On the Tivo, I have it set to 1080i - should I change it 720p when viewing 720p channels (ABC, Fox, ESPN)?

I have the Oppo DVD player connected via DVI/HDMI - same question, what settings should I use on it and the TV?

Thanks a lot.

I have an HD-DirecTivo, connected via component. What different picture options (on the Sony) should I use? On the Tivo, I have it set to 1080i - should I change it 720p when viewing 720p channels (ABC, Fox, ESPN)?

I have the Oppo DVD player connected via DVI/HDMI - same question, what settings should I use on it and the TV?

Thanks a lot.


I have the HR10-250 connected via component to the 30XS and I can't tell ANY difference when watching FOX or ABC with the output set to 720p versus 1080i. While I've notice a great deal of difference between the Sony scaler and the HR10's scaler for 480i sources, I just haven't seen much difference between the two scalers for 720p. Let your eyes be the judge. If you can't tell a difference then use 1080i for all your HD viewing and eliminate 720p from the "up arrow" toggle (I use only 480i and 1080i outputs, so I can toggle between them with the "up arrow).

I don't have the Oppo, so i can't comment.

I have an Oppo with my 34" Sony set. I use the "Standard" picture mode. I'll list my settings below, but I have the Color Temp at "Neutral," and ClearEdge at "Low." In the SM, I have adjusted for overscan and sharpness (SYSM to 3). I've also made adjustments to correct some mild geometry issues. I have not changed any of the settings on the Oppo. It looks fantastic as is - but I do use its DVI at 720p. At 1080i I get jumpiness or what I call "pulsing."

Here's my user settings on the Sony calibrated together with the Oppo:
Standard Mode
Picture 42
Brightness 49
Color 34
Hue 32 (exactly 50%)
Sharpness 19

Re: movies that have been formatted for 4:3 TVs, I thought the only changes were to screen ration, removal of inappropriate content, and reduction of length for time constraints. I'm unaware that they do anything to reorder the frames, but maybe its possible.

oh I do not watch formatted movies, thats way my comment was what it was

I have an HD-DirecTivo, connected via component. What different picture options (on the Sony) should I use? On the Tivo, I have it set to 1080i - should I change it 720p when viewing 720p channels (ABC, Fox, ESPN)?

it would depend on how good the scaler is in the TiVo, the 720p to 1080i scaler in the Sonys are excellent IMO

Anyone care to comment on how much a used one of these should fetch?
A local store carries it new at $867 - though I don't know how many are left.

Anyone care to comment on how much a used one of these should fetch?
A local store carries it new at $867 - though I don't know how many are left.

If you mean BelmontTV, I was just about to post that I noticed a few left on their site today for that price. I really haven't seen any used around anywhere, unless you check eBay since most open-box deals are gone by now. Especially since they were going for $699 new up until recently. Judging from stores getting no more shipments in, you might just want to grab it new there before it's gone.

Looks like I might be too late - Belmont says they don't have any more. A quick check on pricing web sites reveals few places sell them anymore and the lowest price is up to almost $950.

So we had the aborted ad from Sony for the new 34XBR970, what about the 30" market? There's gotta be some repalcement for this model, right?

Looks like I might be too late - Belmont says they don't have any more. A quick check on pricing web sites reveals few places sell them anymore and the lowest price is up to almost $950.

StreetPrices seems to be listing a few 30XS955 sellers left for decent prices, but you might want to check the vendors.

These are getting harder and harder to find.. all the video only's here are sold out, (some say they are back ordereD) but if sony discontinued these, there's no hope right?).. One place has it but they want 899 and a 40 dollar delivery fee thast not including the WA 10% sales tax!

So we had the aborted ad from Sony for the new 34XBR970, what about the 30" market? There's gotta be some repalcement for this model, right?

certainly sounds like there will NOT be a replacement model, the XBR970 lacks the SFP tube which made the XS model

it sounds like Sony will rely on the HS420s to be the 30" CRT for the next year

These are getting harder and harder to find.. all the video only's here are sold out, (some say they are back ordereD) but if sony discontinued these, there's no hope right?).. One place has it but they want 899 and a 40 dollar delivery fee thast not including the WA 10% sales tax!

Looks like I may have got one of the last from Video Only about 4 weeks ago. Yes!!

Also, WA State sales tax is 8.8%, not 10%.

certainly sounds like there will NOT be a replacement model, the XBR970 lacks the SFP tube which made the XS model

it sounds like Sony will rely on the HS420s to be the 30" CRT for the next year
Ah, they can't do that - by law all new sets 25" and up after 3/1/06 must have ATSC tuners. Look at the Toshiba line up they announced after CES - all of theirs (including SD sets) have an ATSC tuner.

We're only a year away from everything, not just TVs, will need to have ATSC tuners including VCRs and DVD players.

uh not true, I believe that is all 36" or larger and half of all smaller TVs

so like I said the HS420 is what we will be seeing for the next year, I figure

uh not true, I believe that is all 36" or larger and half of all smaller TVs

so like I said the HS420 is what we will be seeing for the next year, I figure
From the FCC:

Adopted: November 3, 2005 Released: November 8, 2005

By the Commission:



I. INTRODUCTION
1. By this action, the Commission is modifying its rules to advance the date on which new television receivers with screen sizes 13-24” and certain other TV receiving devices such as VCRs and digital video recorders must include the capability to receive broadcast digital television signals from the current date of July 1, 2007 to March 1, 2007. The Commission is also amending its rules to apply the digital television reception capability requirement to new receivers with screen sizes smaller than 13” on this same schedule. The DTV reception requirement, which also often is termed the “DTV tuner requirement,” is being implemented under an approach that applies it first to large screen receivers and then progressively to smaller screen receivers and other devices over a period of several years. The modifications made herein affect the final step of this phase-in plan. With these changes, the scheduled implementation plan will provide for all new TV receiver equipment to include digital reception capability as of March 1, 2007.
2. This action follows our previous decision in the Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Report and Order/Further Notice) in this proceeding to advance the date on which 100 percent of TV receivers with screen sizes 25-36” must include digital reception capability to March 1, 2006. In this regard, we continue to believe that it is essential that DTV reception capability be provided to consumers in new TV receivers as rapidly as possible in order to promote an expeditious completion of the transition from analog to digital broadcast television service. Consistent with that objective, our goal in this further action is to advance the schedule on which all new television receivers must comply with the DTV tuner requirement. We conclude that advancing the DTV tuner mandate effective date for 13-24” TV sets and other TV receiving devices to March 1, 2007 and applying this requirement to receivers with screens smaller than 13” will most effectively ensure that products in these categories are equipped to receive digital television signals as quickly as possible consistent with the manufacturing and product distribution capabilities of manufacturers and retailers.

ok I got my sizes wrong but this only applies for new TVs being built, Sony could simply stock pile a bunch of HS420s to sell for the next year
anyways until there is something new, its all speculation

but from the recent XBR970 posts/topics/sonystyle description, you can assure yourself there will be no equal replacement for the KD-30XS955 or any of the other current XS955s and XBR960s


the new models may have ATSC tuners, but will not be the same quality of hardware as the current generation

Most folks set ClearEdge to Off or Low. This circuit is adding to the signal elements that were not there originally. The intent is to sharpen the image by making "edges" stand out more. This is done by "tracing" and enhancing the edges by adding a darker line of pixels along edges that have significant contrast between dark and light.

Some folks like this effect, but most do not and don't want anything added to the original signal. Try it out and see what you enjoy most. During the early months after I got my set I would set ClearEdge to Medium or High, especially for HD material. I really felt it sharpened the picture. As time went on I began to see that the original signal was actually sharper than it was with ClearEdge turned On.

It's all about personal preference. ;)

I did the same thing, High all the way. It now remains at the off setting

ok I got my sizes wrong but this only applies for new TVs being built, Sony could simply stock pile a bunch of HS420s to sell for the next year
anyways until there is something new, its all speculation

but from the recent XBR970 posts/topics/sonystyle description, you can assure yourself there will be no equal replacement for the KD-30XS955 or any of the other current XS955s and XBR960s


the new models may have ATSC tuners, but will not be the same quality of hardware as the current generation

I doubt Sony would take a chance to stock pile a years worth of anything.

I'd venture to guess that they will just add a tuner to the HS420 and call it a day. Compared to the rest of the other non Sony 30" tubes it's still one of the best there is.

Like many other products, TVs have a pretty long lead time to develop and manufacture. I'd venture to guess that replacements are already in the pipeline, we just don't know about it.

Hi all:

I've had my 30xs955 for about 7 months now, and have noticed that it occasionally has problems powering up. Tonight, for example, when I attempted to power it on, the front panel red light blinked while it was warming up and degaussing, then it made the clicking sound as if it was ready to go... but alas, no picture, no button response (neither on the remote nor on the front panel itself). A power off resulted in the audible "off" click. I power cycled three times, and it finally came on, good as new.

Now, I don't recall having this problem before I switched to Comcast (a Moto 6412 pII box). A very similar issue also has arisen once in a great while when switching inputs on the xs955... the screen will go completely blank when switching inputs past the cable box (say, from antenna, to receiver, to cable, then to DVD, the TV trips when going past the cable box and goes dark for a few seconds).

Is it possible that the new cable box is the source of the problem (though that doesn't seem likely)? Have there been any other reports of this issue?

Is it possible that the new cable box is the source of the problem (though that doesn't seem likely)? Have there been any other reports of this issue?

(I think) it happened to me twice when mine was new, not entirely sure though, cause I thought at the time I hit the power on button but was not sure,
I just know, I never had to powercycle the TV,
if it was the same thing, the next time the TV powered up perfectly

since that first month, the TV has worked perfectly

Thanks for the quick reply, kny3t... A friend of mine who also has the 30xs955 has had it on occassion as well. I'm not overly concerned, but just worry a bit that it might be indicative of some lurking problem that might get worse over time....

(I think) it happened to me twice when mine was new, not entirely sure though, cause I thought at the time I hit the power on button but was not sure,
I just know, I never had to powercycle the TV,
if it was the same thing, the next time the TV powered up perfectly

I thought this happened to me a couple of times, but I also wasn't sure if I actually hit the power button. Weird. Hasn't happened in a while, and now I pay closer attention to the set when I turn it on, making sure I have engaged the power with the button. So far, it hasn't happened again.

I should be getting my 30xs955 sometime this week, so I wanna make sure I have everything ready so I can watch the NBA all star game in High Def. :). I've never had High def. so whats the best way to hook it up and get all the cool channels? because we only get NBC in high def in my small town of Yuma. I think the allstar game is gonna be on ABC. And also Adelphia is our local Cable provider.

TIA

does your cable co offer HD service? with all the locals in HD?

I think this would be your only option if the only channel broadcasted over the air in HD is NBC

if you get an external HD cable or satellite box, use component cables, and do not let the HD box do any scaling, have it output everything at its resolution and have the TV do all scaling

Does anyone have the dimension on how deep the 30XS955 is?

I love my Sony XBR. I still think its a great picture

kny3,

Are you saying you prefer component cables instead of DVI to HDMI cable from the cable box to the TV?

Actually, more importantly, how deep is the base of the 30XS955, I have a little room beyond the tv stand...

Are you saying you prefer component cables instead of DVI to HDMI cable from the cable box to the TV?

yeah, the component input should by-pass some of the internal processing on the TV, giving a better image,
I think its better color more than anything else

and save the HDMI input for a device that requires it, like upscaling DVD players, Blu Ray or HD DVD (if it even makes it past 6 months)

HDTV cable/satellite/over the air boxes do not require a digital video path with HDCP protection

Actually, more importantly, how deep is the base of the 30XS955, I have a little room beyond the tv stand...


http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?CategoryName=tv_hdtv_tube_27%22to32%22&ProductSKU=KD30XS955&TabName=specs&var2=

• Dimensions (WxHxD)
• 35 3/8" x 23 3/4" x 22 1/4" (898 x 604 x 564.5mm)

I think thats just the whole TV, I know the back extends out a little bit....

have no idea what you are talking about

the depth was there....22 1/4"....

Yea, thats measuring from the front of the screen all the way to the complete back, Im talking about where it just sits, the bottom base of it, like my FS120, the base is only about 16.5 inches, but the actual depth is 20

I see what you mean !! But i can't help you cuz i dont have the T.V. yet.

Also, do you think the 30XS955 box will fit in a small/mid SUV? And will it even fit through a standard door entrance?

Yea, thats measuring from the front of the screen all the way to the complete back, Im talking about where it just sits, the bottom base of it, like my FS120, the base is only about 16.5 inches, but the actual depth is 20


The base is the exact same depth as the back of the set, 22 1/4". There's no overhang at all.

Also, do you think the 30XS955 box will fit in a small/mid SUV? And will it even fit through a standard door entrance?

Here's the dimensions of the shipping box -
H - 30"
W - 41"
D - 29"

I had to take it out of the box to get it through my door. It's BIG!!

Speaking of measurements, can somebody measure the width and height of the back end of their 30xs955 set (as opposed to the measurement of the front end reported in the spec)? I need to open up the back wall of my entertainment center to fit this TV's depth and I would like to know how big of a hole I need. The TV will stick out around 1.5 inches in the back.

Thanks.

Looking forward to receiving my new TV.

i hope it will be okay on my TV bench, it supports 220 lbs but is only 19 5/8" deep

i hope it will be okay on my TV bench, it supports 220 lbs but is only 19 5/8" deep

most of the weight is at the front of the TV

Speaking of measurements, can somebody measure the width and height of the back end of their 30xs955 set (as opposed to the measurement of the front end reported in the spec)? I need to open up the back wall of my entertainment center to fit this TV's depth and I would like to know how big of a hole I need. The TV will stick out around 1.5 inches in the back.

Thanks.

Looking forward to receiving my new TV.

its about 24" from about 1.5" from the back of the TV
I just put a yard stick across the TV about an inch or two from the back on the top of the TV

but I would not cut anything until you receive the TV, to do better measurements

also the height is not as high in the back as the front
just another reason to wait to cut until you get the TV

Yea, thats measuring from the front of the screen all the way to the complete back, Im talking about where it just sits, the bottom base of it, like my FS120, the base is only about 16.5 inches, but the actual depth is 20

it maybe about 1/4" to a 1/2" shorter than on the base, but not much at all

the TV has a slight arch on the back that makes it stick out a slight bit more

Wow got to see one in person today!! not bad!! not bad!!! definately matched the LCDS in terms of quality.. I really couldn't notice a HUUUUUUUUUGE difference between the 420 and 955 they had, cept the 420 MIGHT have been a TINY bit grainier.... Hoping to pick it upf or 849.99 before tax tomorrow or the next day.. i'm excited!! i would like the 34, but dont have 450 extra bucks and its VERY large and VERY heavy, i think i'll get used to 30...


Man when i went into the menu and changed it from vivid to pro,standard, and what was it, theater? I was like HOLY COW it was sooo dark.. then i noticed NONE of the levels were set, for a second i was like "Holy crap this tv sucks if its not on vivid!!"..


but then i adjusted pro, and put the brightness up to about 75% (is this not going to be realistic for long life?)
also the picture needed to be 100% is that also a non realistic number? I really liked how bright it was on vivid with picture at 100% but i know some settings need to NOT be set that way cuz it can cuase premature life.. and i want to know what to expect..

Even with the brightness down to 50% (were the circle is, half way point) it wasn't too bad on vivid with the picture at 100% basically no matter what the setting, the picture setting at 100% was definately a major plus....

Also i noticed that the bass needed to be up to like 90% to get any kind of good bass response, then again maybe its cuz i was in a HUGE store with a 20 foot ceiling rather than my small bedroom?

Basically to seal the deal, can someone give me settings that are going to be what i'm gonna want to use, yet still make it look bright and nice? (thougth i read no on here uses vivid and you shouldn't?) so i wana walk in, set a few settings and see if it looks okay to me.. (and yess i'll understand that seeing it next to another sony that has brightness MAXED and is on vivid it may not look as bright and cheery).... Just want to be DOUBLE sure befoer i punk down 925!

what do you guys think of this tv stand for one?

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15561&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=42127&langId=-1&parentCats=15561*15641*15962

I really couldn't notice a HUUUUUUUUUGE difference between the 420 and 955 they had, cept the 420 MIGHT have been a TINY bit grainier....
go back in anothe week after owning the XS955 and do the comparsion again

the phosphor dots on the H420 will stick out and then you will see the XS955 which phosphor dots are tiny

then do comparsion of HD content, the XS955 will show every little detail

Man when i went into the menu and changed it from vivid to pro,standard, and what was it, theater? I was like HOLY COW it was sooo dark.. then i noticed NONE of the levels were set, for a second i was like "Holy crap this tv sucks if its not on vivid!!"..


but then i adjusted pro, and put the brightness up to about 75% (is this not going to be realistic for long life?)
also the picture needed to be 100% is that also a non realistic number? I really liked how bright it was on vivid with picture at 100% but i know some settings need to NOT be set that way cuz it can cuase premature life.. and i want to know what to expect..

Even with the brightness down to 50% (were the circle is, half way point) it wasn't too bad on vivid with the picture at 100% basically no matter what the setting, the picture setting at 100% was definately a major plus....

its just cause you were in a bright showroom
where only Vivid mode on any TV seems bright

I calibrate my XS955 during the day with all lights off, so only the ambient light from outside my blinding were lighting my room

anyways what settings do you want?

I use pro for all HD content(tuner and HTPC), movie for DVDs from my HTPC, standard for DirecTV and my DirecTV recordings on my HTPC
but I have calibrated all picture modes for every input

my HTPC settings will probably not help you and unless you have digital cable or satellite my DirecTV input settings will probably not help

my HD tuner settings in pro mode are
40 picture, 44 brightness, 31 color, middle for hue, 31 for sharpness(default)
color neutral, Color Axis Default, and VM off

here's movie mode as well calibrated for the HD tuner
39 picture, 48 brightness, color 31, hue middle, sharpness 31, color Warm, Color Axis Default, VM off

I use interlaced for all 480i content, except unformatted movies which I use Cinemotion


widezoom is not bad for 480i content but I tend to keep it in normal mode

for DirecTV
standard mode is picture 34, brightness 40, hue middle, color 31, sharpness 29, VM off, Color Axis Default, color temp neutral

movie mode picture 34, brightness 40, hue middle(0), color 28, sharpness 31, VM off, Color Temp Neutral, Color Axis Default

pro mode picture picture 34, brightness 40, hue middle, color 31, sharpness 31, VM off, Color Axis Default, color temp neutral

Also i noticed that the bass needed to be up to like 90% to get any kind of good bass response, then again maybe its cuz i was in a HUGE store with a 20 foot ceiling rather than my small bedroom?

my treble is at 40 and my bass is at 35
I use Tru Surround XT

Basically to seal the deal, can someone give me settings that are going to be what i'm gonna want to use, yet still make it look bright and nice? (thougth i read no on here uses vivid and you shouldn't?) so i wana walk in, set a few settings and see if it looks okay to me.. (and yess i'll understand that seeing it next to another sony that has brightness MAXED and is on vivid it may not look as bright and cheery).... Just want to be DOUBLE sure befoer i punk down 925!

Vivid sucks, artificial color, highly grainy and overprocessed, its noisey and makes people look like they were in a nuclear accident (they glow)

just wait until you get it home and see a new TV that has not been abused and left on for hours on end for months on end

and maybe you lived in a showroom, you would want to use Vivid
or lived outdoors where there is alot of bright sunlight

what do you guys think of this tv stand for one?

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15561&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=42127&langId=-1&parentCats=15561*15641*15962

Looks nice and is pretty cheap at 59.99. I know now y you were so interested in the base of this tv cuz the depth is cutting it pretty close at about 1/4 of an inch to work with. But since most of the weight on this set is in the front it'd probly be a good idea to let the tv hang about half and inch off the stand. Just in case the stand is not very sturdy.

Well the thing is, my current TV stand is only 19" so IM kinda scared of 3 inches hanging out the back.

Lol, I currently have my 27in. rca analog tv hanging about 5 inches off my clothes drawer and its very sturdy because 95 percent of the weight is in the front half of the tv. So I'm assuming that since the 30xs955 is widescreen and is not as tall it should have a lower center of gravity and be even more sturdy. But i guess the only way to know for sure it to try it first and if you don't like it order the bigger stand. :)


P.S. I love my 27in. RCA for watching 480i sources Dvd's and Games are awsome hooked up to component. Cant wait to finally see some real high Definition!

Yea Ill try it first, I had a 27" SDTV also on it before and it was fine, and a 26" HDTV and it was pretty fine also, hopefully this 30" will be okay cause I dont wanna spend anymore money than I am

go back in anothe week after owning the XS955 and do the comparsion again

the phosphor dots on the H420 will stick out and then you will see the XS955 which phosphor dots are tiny

then do comparsion of HD content, the XS955 will show every little detail



its just cause you were in a bright showroom
where only Vivid mode on any TV seems bright

I calibrate my XS955 during the day with all lights off, so only the ambient light from outside my blinding were lighting my room

anyways what settings do you want?

I use pro for all HD content(tuner and HTPC), movie for DVDs from my HTPC, standard for DirecTV and my DirecTV recordings on my HTPC
but I have calibrated all picture modes for every input

my HTPC settings will probably not help you and unless you have digital cable or satellite my DirecTV input settings will probably not help

my HD tuner settings in pro mode are
40 picture, 44 brightness, 31 color, middle for hue, 31 for sharpness(default)
color neutral, Color Axis Default, and VM off

here's movie mode as well calibrated for the HD tuner
39 picture, 48 brightness, color 31, hue middle, sharpness 31, color Warm, Color Axis Default, VM off

I use interlaced for all 480i content, except unformatted movies which I use Cinemotion


widezoom is not bad for 480i content but I tend to keep it in normal mode

for DirecTV
standard mode is picture 34, brightness 40, hue middle, color 31, sharpness 29, VM off, Color Axis Default, color temp neutral

movie mode picture 34, brightness 40, hue middle(0), color 28, sharpness 31, VM off, Color Temp Neutral, Color Axis Default

pro mode picture picture 34, brightness 40, hue middle, color 31, sharpness 31, VM off, Color Axis Default, color temp neutral



my treble is at 40 and my bass is at 35
I use Tru Surround XT



Vivid sucks, artificial color, highly grainy and overprocessed, its noisey and makes people look like they were in a nuclear accident (they glow)

just wait until you get it home and see a new TV that has not been abused and left on for hours on end for months on end

and maybe you lived in a showroom, you would want to use Vivid
or lived outdoors where there is alot of bright sunlight

I guess i was just searching for the brightest i should set it for while i'm at the store (within safe limits of a good long lasting brightness setting for years of enjoyable viewing) and see how it looks in the store, but it sounds like your saying it might not work cuz the store is too bright, althought this store was fairly dark inside.. no real overhead lighting in the back of the store.. this info was still good! thanks..

so definately picture wont be at 100% thast a definate no no?

Hi all. I'm new to this forum. Great site and info. Thanks!

After a modest amont of research, I bought the 30XS955 last week. I picked this set because I prefer quality over size, especially given my room geometry.

I'm so pleased with it. I briefly had a 34HS420 about six months ago, and I returned it because SD looked so bad, and HD with Dish was too complicated and limited. I'm amazed how much better the 30XS955 is. SD looks decent--better than my previous low-quality SD set. I'm still stunned by how great HD looks. Wow! For now, I'm using a small indoor antenna for OTA. I get the locals without too much hassle. I'm plannign a Dish upgrade, but still wading through my options.

The old XBOX and the XBOX 360 are so much better. The games are completely new to me with this setup. I've learned that this set allows you 4 custom picture settings for each input (each of the pre-sets can be customized). For example, I've set up a special Call of Duty 2 input for the XBOX 360 that's much brighter than the preset. I'm not sure if dark house interiors is supposed to be part of the game's challenge, but I feel like I've got night-vision googles with this new setting. I can't believe what I was missing before.

Even better, after reading posts on this forum, I now realize I got an increadible deal on the set. It was on-sale at Fry's in Sacramento last weekend for $500 off list, or $699. The box fit in my wagon, so I was enjoying HD in time for the Superbowl. I now almost wish I'd bought another set at that price. If you're looking for this set, keep an eye out at Frys. Most of their sales usually return.

what do you guys think of this tv stand for one?

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15561&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=42127&langId=-1&parentCats=15561*15641*15962


The only problem I would have with that stand is that it is too low, @ 19". I have mine on the purpose built Sony Stand, which I think is 22", and I still would prefer to have the television higher. I feel like I am looking down on the television from my couch, and so it makes the screen look smaller than it should. But that's just me.

- msc

so definately picture wont be at 100% thast a definate no no?

yes, you will not like in your home at 100% picture

the whites will be just too bright and have no detail aka
-bloomed

I'd stay away from that Ikea stand. I was initially going to get it for this TV, then I went to Ikea in Chicago and looked at it...what a piece of crap! It's much smaller than the pictures make it look, and is not made well at all. I ended up making my own oak stand for $10 less.

well I was wondering, how safe is it to let the back hang out 2 inches or so?

Its fine, the back weighs nothing compared to the front anyway.

well I was wondering, how safe is it to let the back hang out 2 inches or so?
Yeah, probably 90% of the weight is in the front 6".

I guess i was just searching for the brightest i should set it for while i'm at the store (within safe limits of a good long lasting brightness setting for years of enjoyable viewing) and see how it looks in the store, but it sounds like your saying it might not work cuz the store is too bright, althought this store was fairly dark inside.. no real overhead lighting in the back of the store.. this info was still good! thanks..

so definately picture wont be at 100% thast a definate no no?
Unless you can get the store to lower it's lights there's no way to do the evaluation you want to do. On this one you need to trust the folks here. We've all done everything possible to get the best set and then to calibrate it to it's best PQ.

I have the HS420 and it does indeed show the scanlines more so than the XS/XBR sets. However, from where I sit at about 5' I don't notice the lines. If the 34XS hadn't been $500 more than the 34HS420 I'd be watching an XS right now. If an XS is within your budget do yourself a favor and get it. I promise you'll have no regrets.

Unless you can get the store to lower it's lights there's no way to do the evaluation you want to do. On this one you need to trust the folks here. We've all done everything possible to get the best set and then to calibrate it to it's best PQ.

I have the HS420 and it does indeed show the scanlines more so than the XS/XBR sets. However, from where I sit at about 5' I don't notice the lines. If the 34XS hadn't been $500 more than the 34HS420 I'd be watching an XS right now. If an XS is within your budget do yourself a favor and get it. I promise you'll have no regrets.


If my credit card comes today i'm doing just that! thank for your post it helped me feel better about my purchase decision.. (not that i wasn't already set that SONY was the best 30 inch tube to get currently and that their quality looks like its gonna go down hill with the xbr790 is it? supposedly not going to have the super fine pitch tube).. I just wanted to make sure i didnt get it home and go "Oh man, its not as bright white, or as cheery as my old JVC 27 inch D series tv....

Change is a wierd thing and hopefully it will be plenty bright in my room hehe :)

30XS955 Availability Midwest

American TV [based in Wisconsin I believe] has stores in the Midwest which have the 30XS955 for about $800

jim

Jinx, A safe limit for contrast is about 40 no higher or blooming will occur.On my set it's different though in that if i set it any higher than 37 the picture blooms so i find a setting of 36 to be best for my situation.

Oh and since sony does'nt use numbers for therir picture controls each little line is a # it goes from 0-63, with 31 being the middle setting.

30XS955 Availability Midwest

American TV [based in Wisconsin I believe] has stores in the Midwest which have the 30XS955 for about $800

jim

I saw that.. but I wonder if it's any cheaper now that the employee discount is being offered (until tomorrow).

Oh and since sony does'nt use numbers for therir picture controls each little line is a # it goes from 0-63, with 31 being the middle setting.

my Sony KD-30XS955 has numbers

I have a question about watching HD with the 30XS955. I currently have a HD cable box which I will normally use, but what if I want to watch OTA HD channels? What port do I plug my cable into, and how do I get the HD channels?

I have a question about watching HD with the 30XS955. I currently have a HD cable box which I will normally use, but what if I want to watch OTA HD channels? What port do I plug my cable into, and how do I get the HD channels?
You need an antenna which you plug into the antenna port and then scan for available channels.

Availability - Midwest

I saw that.. but I wonder if it's any cheaper now that the employee discount is being offered (until tomorrow). [at AmericanTV]
kevbeck122
-----------------

Would think that if SOny has given them a price break [reducing their landed cost] the selling price until 2/12/06 [currently today] would be less. For the record beore the recent price drop they had it for $1199 - the same as on SonyStyle. Let us know how you make out - certainly worth trying to negtiate.

jim

Not sure if this link will work, but American has the 34XBR970 listed for $1200 - typo? http://www.americantv.com/elec/e_listing.html?xid=1139179461123443&cat=5019&page=2&price=0-99&subcat=0000&vendor=ANY

I have the Sony HDTV 30 inch crt and am having trouble hooking up my samsung DVD/VCR combo. I can watch tapes and DVDs but I can't record on my VCR. There is a program that I really want to record tonight for my parents but everything I have tried will not allow me to record at all. I am using RCA cables and component cables going from my DVD player to the TV but I have to be missing something. Please help!!!

I have a question about watching HD with the 30XS955. I currently have a HD cable box which I will normally use, but what if I want to watch OTA HD channels? What port do I plug my cable into, and how do I get the HD channels?

there is an antenna in on the back of the TV, but can you not receive your locals via your HDTV cable box?

Not sure if this link will work, but American has the 34XBR970 listed for $1200 - typo? http://www.americantv.com/elec/e_li...0000&vendor=ANY

the XBR970 will not have the super fine pitch tube, which makes the XS and XBR Sonys so great
and furthermore has not been released yet
so if you want a KV-34HS420 with an ATSC tuner for 1200 that Sony named the XBR970
you will have to wait until they are available next month most likely

I have the Sony HDTV 30 inch crt and am having trouble hooking up my samsung DVD/VCR combo. I can watch tapes and DVDs but I can't record on my VCR. There is a program that I really want to record tonight for my parents but everything I have tried will not allow me to record at all. I am using RCA cables and component cables going from my DVD player to the TV but I have to be missing something. Please help!!!

you need to plug your source into the VCR, either like composite from a digital cable or satellite box OR use a splitter to split your analogue cable from the wall to the VCR

composite and component are not two way

Not sure if this link will work, but American has the 34XBR970 listed for $1200 - typo? http://www.americantv.com/elec/e_listing.html?xid=1139179461123443&cat=5019&page=2&price=0-99&subcat=0000&vendor=ANY
Like other retailers they are assuming this TV will be available in the near future and are trying to sell it early.

They have a good price on the 30XS955.

Would think that if SOny has given them a price break [reducing their landed cost] the selling price until 2/12/06 [currently today] would be less. For the record beore the recent price drop they had it for $1199 - the same as on SonyStyle. Let us know how you make out - certainly worth trying to negtiate.

jim

I already have this TV and I've had it too long to return.. so it wasn't worth going there (30 min from my house). I got it for $779 at a local home theater store though.

Just got mine today!!! he said it was the last one, and they had a delivery on thursday (7 total- 3 were already sold, leaving 4 and i got the last one today according to him).. 849.99 before tax.. Not TOO bad (i know lots of you have done better).. brand new in the box.. Man it was heavy!!!

So far i only have ONE major complaint about this tv... and that is that you cannot have the variable/fixed audio AND the tv's speakers on at the same time.. my 27" jvc SD tv had this option and i loved it becuase i use smaller speakers for bass mostly around the sides of the tv, and now i have to have one OR the other, its very convienent when i dont have a receiver for the tv specifically and i have 6 consoles i'm hooking up, to just get that signal out of the tv.. But i guess i'll get over it..

Also i noticed the convergance seemed a bit off in the corners (or at least the upper right corner), tho that was in VIVID mode so maybe thats why... Dunno if you can ajust convergance in the service menu or not? other than that this tv is pretty nice!!

cant say DVD's look fabulous on it, as in my mind dvd's aren't that great of quality compared to HD (they seem cartoony to me).. but the tv doesnt look bad with them, it just shows off how they truely look) only can get 2 HD channels for some reason from comcast? even tho normally we have alot more?, they look pretty nice out of the box!!

I definately see why you dont wana use VIVID, i'm using pro with picture up to about 41 and brightness at 31.. not to shabby, didnt really have to adjust much, cept to turn the bass up :)

Overscan is definately there.. But it seemed worse on some channels? (some news channel the info bar at the bottom was cut off at the bottom couldn't reading the second line, do some channels do it more than others?) But in HD on PBS HD half of the "D" was cut off on the right hand side of the screen.. not sure if thats a normal amount or not? Is it adjustable at all in the Service menu?

Lastly, Is there any option on this tv to JUST display HD channels? I had to search channel by channel to find the 2-3 HD channels i have, i wonder if there are any other's hiding? (they were up in the 80's)...

so far i have a pretty hugh smiley on my face i.e. i'm pretty happy with my decision, just wish i had a BLUE RAY disc to play!:)
:D
Here's a pic!

http://home.comcast.net/~kkristek/tv019.jpg

thats funny I was just watching serenity last night on my XS955

only can get 2 HD channels for some reason from comcast? even tho normally we have alot more?, they look pretty nice out of the box!!

probably will need a cable card to get the rest of the channels

Overscan is definately there.. But it seemed worse on some channels? (some news channel the info bar at the bottom was cut off at the bottom couldn't reading the second line, do some channels do it more than others?)

what screen mode are you in? widezoom and zoom will cut off more than using Normal or Full

you should be able to see the news info scrolling bar with normal or full

But in HD on PBS HD half of the "D" was cut off on the right hand side of the screen.. not sure if thats a normal amount or not? Is it adjustable at all in the Service menu?

this is probably not worth messing with IMO

it is probably the normal amount

Lastly, Is there any option on this tv to JUST display HD channels? I had to search channel by channel to find the 2-3 HD channels i have, i wonder if there are any other's hiding? (they were up in the 80's)...

you can try using the guide, anything ending with .1 or .2 or .3 etc.... will be digital

I had to manually removed the channels I did not want though

Ahh i see.. Yea i only use FULL so tha what it was cut off in.. I guess i could switch to 'standard' and anything cut off is not my tv fault? or is that not true either?

I have some wierd channels like 93.1015 or some junk like that, its amazing how many channels they were sneaking in one main chanel with sub frequencies i guess? oneo f them was like 82.10 then 82.12 then 82.1205 .. it was really wierd.. I dont totally understand that.. How do i use the guide?


also does anyone else have comcast? I get NO program information what-so-ever and i thought some people said thats what happens when you go directly into the tv from the wall with comcast? (would be nice to get SOME info, my JVC was able to get info from the cable lineup after i specificed the correct channels)...


AHHHH also, my tv just did something that scared me, I was watching serenity here, and the tv made a loud click and the picture kind of...umm faded for a sec and came back on? Almost like a power surge, but a bit more suddle.. A loud click which seemed to come from the back of the tv? Its been on for about 2 hours solid right now.. Is this something normal ? should i keep an eye out for something? I'm a bit concerned with that! (the movie is still playing and the screen looks fine no effects of any kind after that click.. just a quick picture adjust or something?).

Ahh i see.. Yea i only use FULL so tha what it was cut off in.. I guess i could switch to 'standard' and anything cut off is not my tv fault? or is that not true either?

Full mode does not hide anything, for HD sources, its the correct aspect ratio, for SD sources it stretches them horizontally only, for anamorphic DVDs it is also the correct aspect ratio

and yes the TV just like all CRTs have about 5% overscan

I have some wierd channels like 93.1015 or some junk like that, its amazing how many channels they were sneaking in one main chanel with sub frequencies i guess? oneo f them was like 82.10 then 82.12 then 82.1205 .. it was really wierd.. I dont totally understand that.. How do i use the guide?

there is a guide button on the remote
also you can see the manual

also if you goto the add/remove channels, you can go through all the channels to see whats available

also does anyone else have comcast? I get NO program information what-so-ever and i thought some people said thats what happens when you go directly into the tv from the wall with comcast? (would be nice to get SOME info, my JVC was able to get info from the cable lineup after i specificed the correct channels)...

not sure I can answer this, but my over the air channels most of the time have info
if your does not, its probably cause of Comcast

I would check the programming forum here at AVS

AHHHH also, my tv just did something that scared me, I was watching serenity here, and the tv made a loud click and the picture kind of...umm faded for a sec and came back on? Almost like a power surge, but a bit more suddle.. A loud click which seemed to come from the back of the tv? Its been on for about 2 hours solid right now.. Is this something normal ? should i keep an eye out for something? I'm a bit concerned with that! (the movie is still playing and the screen looks fine no effects of any kind after that click.. just a quick picture adjust or something?).

mine definitely made some strange noises when I first had it, but it has not lost signal (with analogue sources)
is this from component or HDMI?

I have had some signal lose issues with HDMI, but I am sure it was cause of my video card drivers
I had to use betas to get DVI to HDMI support when I first got my TV

with newer drivers I have not had any issues

Umm neither, its just the cable from the wall plugged right into the TV.. I dont think i can pick up ANY over the air stations right now, i have no antenna..

thats the scary thing, i have no HDMI device to test the connection with, what do i have, a 3 month warranty from sony in case its defective? :confused: (so far component #7 works fine with my ps2).

Overscan is definately there.. But it seemed worse on some channels? (some news channel the info bar at the bottom was cut off at the bottom couldn't reading the second line, do some channels do it more than others?) But in HD on PBS HD half of the "D" was cut off on the right hand side of the screen.. not sure if thats a normal amount or not? Is it adjustable at all in the Service menu?


I had the EXACT same issue when I was watching PBSHD, which eventually made me
get into the service menu and fix that problem. I now have about a 1/2 inch space between the D and the edge of the screen. Get into the service menu and go to 2170D-1/VSIZ and VPOS to adjust vertical size/position. 2170D-2/HSIZ and HPOS for horizontal. It will take some trial/error to get it right, so write down your original settings and have some patience ready.

Is there a way to fill more of the screen (without quality loss) when watching SD shows that are in letterbox, like Battlestar Galactica? It ends up with the normal bars on the side for SD shows, but then still has the bars on top. I'd think you could eliminate both, since it's the same aspect ratio as HD material?

Umm neither, its just the cable from the wall plugged right into the TV.. I dont think i can pick up ANY over the air stations right now, i have no antenna..

thats the scary thing, i have no HDMI device to test the connection with, what do i have, a 3 month warranty from sony in case its defective? :confused: (so far component #7 works fine with my ps2).
Hey Jinx!

Congrats on your new set! You made a great choice. ;)

I have Comcast. And I get the guide. But, you have to get at least the Digital Classic service with either the STB or the CableCard to do so. You are getting the available local HD channels via the straight-out-of-the-wall method, the unencrypted HD channels. This is their basic "analog" service and does not include their guide.

Is there a way to fill more of the screen (without quality loss) when watching SD shows that are in letterbox, like Battlestar Galactica? It ends up with the normal bars on the side for SD shows, but then still has the bars on top. I'd think you could eliminate both, since it's the same aspect ratio as HD material?

Wide Zoom mode just about eliminates the bars for Battlestar Galactica.

Wide Zoom mode just about eliminates the bars for Battlestar Galactica.


On my set zoom cuts part of the edges of BG. Wide zoom distorts the picture.

Is there a way to fill more of the screen (without quality loss) when watching SD shows that are in letterbox, like Battlestar Galactica? It ends up with the normal bars on the side for SD shows, but then still has the bars on top. I'd think you could eliminate both, since it's the same aspect ratio as HD material?

Zoom would probably be your best bet.. even though it'll cut off some of the picture. Wide Zoom is meant more for 4:3 non letterbox material. Otherwise get Universal HD and you can watch BG in HD :D

Hi guys, I've done some searching both in this forum and on the internet, and I can't seem to find anyone else with my problem. If this has been posted before elsewhere, I apologize.

My TV seems to be severely distorting the image. Everything is horizontally squeezed to a semi-4:3 aspect ratio, except the sides are wavy. Sometimes rebooting the TV will fix it. Sometimes it will go away after changing inputs, and some times it won't go away for a long time no matter what I do. And when it does fix itself, it just snaps back into place. It doesn't happen every time I turn the TV on, but it's pretty frequent. All of my inputs are 16:9 at the moment, so I don't know if having a 4:3 input changes anything. Changing from 720p to 1080i inputs makes no difference.

I just want to know if anyone has come across this before, and if anyone knows the cause. The TV is pretty new. I've had it for about 3-4 months, and it just started happening a couple weeks ago. It's one heavy mo-fo, so I'd rather not take it someplace to get fixed if I can avoid it.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Zoom would probably be your best bet.. even though it'll cut off some of the picture. Wide Zoom is meant more for 4:3 non letterbox material. Otherwise get Universal HD and you can watch BG in HD :D
I have it...but the new eps aren't on for months :(.

Something i noticed today with my tv.. (anyone else notice this?) that on usualyl fast motion bright (read white or nearly white) scenes, i can see shadowing in the GLASS of the tv.. Like very very faint shadow line horizontally and one vertically.. My suspicion is that this an area of the tube that just has a tiny bit more glass than another area? I would have to guess they cant get these tubes absolutely the perfect thickness to not have this effect, and these tubes have to be relatively thick to handle the flat (darn near concave! hehe) appearance they have.?

along with this, if i am watching a nearly white back ground (think the expedia commercial at the end where its all white with their logo). Some area's of the white are slightly more blue then white.. I think i experience this exact same effect with my 21 inch Mitsubish Diamond pro 2070 Diamondtron monitor (think their version of the trinitron)...

Just a normal thing with flat screen tubes?

Other than that, loving this set!

Hi All,

I bought the KD30XS955 a few weeks ago and I must say, as my first foray into HD HT goes, I'm really happy with this TV. I have all the kinks worked out and I even bought the Sony Integrated Remote Commander (RM-AX4000) to control all my components.

I am having one issue, I cannot figure out how to connect my PC to my TV. I bought a Monster Calbe DVI-to-HDMI cable and a VGA-to-DVI adapter (my video card only has 2 VGA connections and an S-Video connection). That setup did not work, fortunately I only spent $8 on the adapter. I also purchased a VGA-to-Component cable that has not arrived yet, but I actually read something on the internet that this won't work either.

I'm assuming now that I have to upgrade my Video Card in my computer to something that supports DVI, so then I can just use my DVI-to-HDMI cable. Anybody have experience with this? I searched the entire thread and didn't really find any concrete answers. I appreciate any help you can give.

Thank you,
Quik

Umm neither, its just the cable from the wall plugged right into the TV.. I dont think i can pick up ANY over the air stations right now, i have no antenna..

what were you referring to Jinx?

thats the scary thing, i have no HDMI device to test the connection with, what do i have, a 3 month warranty from sony in case its defective? (so far component #7 works fine with my ps2).

HDMI sources are treated as component sources once the signal reaches the TV
as I understand it so I would not worry

and I have no component sources

Is there a way to fill more of the screen (without quality loss) when watching SD shows that are in letterbox, like Battlestar Galactica? It ends up with the normal bars on the side for SD shows, but then still has the bars on top. I'd think you could eliminate both, since it's the same aspect ratio as HD material?

use the zoom option in the screen mode

Wide Zoom mode just about eliminates the bars for Battlestar Galactica.

wideszoom does both stretching and zooming which distorts the image
its not for postage stamped material

I have Comcast. And I get the guide. But, you have to get at least the Digital Classic service with either the STB or the CableCard to do so. You are getting the available local HD channels via the straight-out-of-the-wall method, the unencrypted HD channels. This is their basic "analog" service and does not include their guide.

Justsc he means the program info, on the channels
the XS models get the program data if its available
and he is watching unencrypted digital TV from Comcast
so even with a cable card it sounds like he would have no data on the channels

Originally Posted by Jinx
Umm neither, its just the cable from the wall plugged right into the TV.. I dont think i can pick up ANY over the air stations right now, i have no antenna..

yeah you will need an antenna to get over the air

I am just referencing my different sources
its pretty normal for people to have different sources
although you would probably get the channel info with an antenna

My TV seems to be severely distorting the image. Everything is horizontally squeezed to a semi-4:3 aspect ratio, except the sides are wavy. Sometimes rebooting the TV will fix it. Sometimes it will go away after changing inputs, and some times it won't go away for a long time no matter what I do. And when it does fix itself, it just snaps back into place. It doesn't happen every time I turn the TV on, but it's pretty frequent. All of my inputs are 16:9 at the moment, so I don't know if having a 4:3 input changes anything. Changing from 720p to 1080i inputs makes no difference.

are you sure its not a 4:3 upscaled content on a 1080i or 720p station????

thats what it sounds to be
cause just because a station is airing at 1080i or 720p does not mean that every show is HD (which is actually 16:9)

Something i noticed today with my tv.. (anyone else notice this?) that on usualyl fast motion bright (read white or nearly white) scenes, i can see shadowing in the GLASS of the tv.. Like very very faint shadow line horizontally and one vertically.. My suspicion is that this an area of the tube that just has a tiny bit more glass than another area? I would have to guess they cant get these tubes absolutely the perfect thickness to not have this effect, and these tubes have to be relatively thick to handle the flat (darn near concave! hehe) appearance they have.?

Sony CRT do have damper wires to support the aperature grill
try googling them
maybe thats what you are seeing???

along with this, if i am watching a nearly white back ground (think the expedia commercial at the end where its all white with their logo). Some area's of the white are slightly more blue then white.. I think i experience this exact same effect with my 21 inch Mitsubish Diamond pro 2070 Diamondtron monitor (think their version of the trinitron)...

get a DVD calibration disc, and see if you can correct it using the test patterns and filters

my TV has perfect or nearly perfect color purity I have found

I am having one issue, I cannot figure out how to connect my PC to my TV. I bought a Monster Calbe DVI-to-HDMI cable and a VGA-to-DVI adapter (my video card only has 2 VGA connections and an S-Video connection). That setup did not work, fortunately I only spent $8 on the adapter. I also purchased a VGA-to-Component cable that has not arrived yet, but I actually read something on the internet that this won't work either.

VGA to component
it will not work, you waste your money, those are for projectors which can accept RGB over component, our TVs cannot
VGA and component are different color spaces
so you need a transcoder to convert the signal or your TV will not sync the signal

as for DVI to VGA
DVI I on PCs outputs both analogue and digital
thats why you can convert DVI I to VGA
but you cannot convert VGA (analogue) to DVI D (which is backwards compatible with HDMI)

I'm assuming now that I have to upgrade my Video Card in my computer to something that supports DVI, so then I can just use my DVI-to-HDMI cable. Anybody have experience with this? I searched the entire thread and didn't really find any concrete answers. I appreciate any help you can give.

return everything, do not use DVI to HDMI
get a video card with component output
all new ATI cards support it and any nvidia card which has HDTV out support has component output
component will allow you to save your HDMI input for a device which requires it, like a Blu Ray, HD DVD, or upscaling DVD player

and component should give you better color at least at 1080i cause the signal can be passed thru without processing

but yes you will need a new video card

anyways what are your plans for PC use, 1080i is not a good resolution for text and/or reading
the flicker tends to give me a headache

and none of the consumer CRTs display 720p, they all do conversion to 1080i

Thanks for the info. I figured it would be like that. I want to use the computer for gaming and general web surfing. I'm certain the readability will be fine. I sit about 5' away from the TV.

I want to use the computer for gaming and general web surfing. I'm certain the readability will be fine. I sit about 5' away from the TV.

well CRT HDTV are not PC monitor replacements as some LCD TVs are referred to

CRT HDTV only perform certain scan rates
normally 1080i and some do 480p or 540p

480p or 540p maybe a decent option, but 1080i is not progressive like a PC monitor
PC monitors are progressive thats why the text is clear and sharp
and they are multiscan rate devices with much smaller dot pitches

at 1080i (1920x1080 interlaced) your TV will have tiny text and a nasty flicker which will strain your eyes

the flicker comes from it being an interlaced TV, meaning only half of the picture being drawn is displayed at once, first all the even lines, then odd lines

if you use anyother resolution than 1080i, there will stil be flicker and the image/text will not be as sharp cause other resolutions get scaled to 1080i

I will not go into overscan as modern video card drivers now have the ability to deal with overscan through scaling the desktop image

at 5 feet away you will not be able to read anything without increasing the text size(to its largest option if not bigger) and/or DPI OR sending the TV 480p (720x480)
but you will need to experiment yourself to see what suits you

for gaming check out the widescreengamingforum.com to find info on how to play your games in widescreen

are you sure its not a 4:3 upscaled content on a 1080i or 720p station????

thats what it sounds to be
cause just because a station is airing at 1080i or 720p does not mean that every show is HD (which is actually 16:9)



Yes, I'm certain it isn't just upscaled 4:3 content. I'm inputting from my Xbox 360, from my HD channels, and my modded Xbox, all in HD. I'm familiar with the formats and resolutions, so this isn't something simple that's overlooked. The only thing I can think of is that the Xbox 360 is drawing too much power, because that's the only recent addition. However, I unplugged it, and the TV is still doing the same thing. Any ideas?

there's vertical stretch for HD sources as a screen mode

but otherwise I am at a loss

can you post a picture? after you still under warranty?

what were you referring to Jinx?

Mainly, that I get no channel info with the cable from the wall going directly into the TV, i would think comcast would include the channel info and the tv would be able to decode.. according to my tv i have nothing lower than channel 13.. which seems wierd...



Sony CRT do have damper wires to support the aperature grill
try googling them
maybe thats what you are seeing???


Naww its definately not these (i know these well) what i'm seeing is more like just area's of the glass that would apear thicker.. either that or it might be some kind of daker coating coming from being a new tv and the beam will burn it off after a while of usage? (i thought someone told me monitors do this) it just looks like certain area's are slightly shaded.. you cannot notice it on a solid white background, or a moving picture background that doesnt have alot of brightness (like when they are showing the olympics and someone snowboard jumps into the air and its a bright sky, or the snow, you can kind of see just a fant darkness in certain area's of the glass.. its not straight or thin lines, they are more like someone took a thick marker on a peice of paper and 'tried' to draw a straight line, but marker pens bleed out a little bit) and again its a VERY VERY VERY fant effect, some eyes might not even be able to catch it...(i'm VERY PICKY!) having said that, this tv AINT going back or anything! Just asking about it.



also i just purchased a DVI to HDMI cable off ebay to try my computer on my tv.. Was this a bad idea? (I have a few movies download in HD i wouldn't mind watching on my tv, will it work for that?) I have an ATI 9800 pro i have a feeling i'm gonna get hosed :) but the cable was only 15 bucks i cant cry too much!
I'll only use it occasionally.. I mainly got it to test my HDMI connection to make sure it works.. watch an HD movie or two, and maybe possible play a game or two and display it on the tv.. wonder if games can play on a monitor AND display out to a tv so someone else can wach? :)

also i just purchased a DVI to HDMI cable off ebay to try my computer on my tv.. Was this a bad idea? (I have a few movies download in HD i wouldn't mind watching on my tv, will it work for that?) I have an ATI 9800 pro i have a feeling i'm gonna get hosed but the cable was only 15 bucks i cant cry too much!
I'll only use it occasionally.. I mainly got it to test my HDMI connection to make sure it works.. watch an HD movie or two, and maybe possible play a game or two and display it on the tv.. wonder if games can play on a monitor AND display out to a tv so someone else can wach?

I use DVI to HDMI cause my 6800 does not support component output

your ATI 9800 supports component output through the purple ATI DVI to component dongle

they cost about 30-35 dollars
you can buy it through the ATI store or from like newegg

AFAIK the ATI 9x00 series cards have trouble outputting interlaced resolutions(480i or 1080i) over DVI, but not over component

if I had the option I would be using component


Mainly, that I get no channel info with the cable from the wall going directly into the TV, i would think comcast would include the channel info and the tv would be able to decode.. according to my tv i have nothing lower than channel 13.. which seems wierd...

well some of my OTA channels simply say DTV programming or something
not much better than the no data available info banner

Naww its definately not these (i know these well) what i'm seeing is more like just area's of the glass that would apear thicker.. either that or it might be some kind of daker coating coming from being a new tv and the beam will burn it off after a while of usage? (i thought someone told me monitors do this) it just looks like certain area's are slightly shaded.. you cannot notice it on a solid white background, or a moving picture background that doesnt have alot of brightness (like when they are showing the olympics and someone snowboard jumps into the air and its a bright sky, or the snow, you can kind of see just a fant darkness in certain area's of the glass.. its not straight or thin lines, they are more like someone took a thick marker on a peice of paper and 'tried' to draw a straight line, but marker pens bleed out a little bit) and again its a VERY VERY VERY fant effect, some eyes might not even be able to catch it...(i'm VERY PICKY!) having said that, this tv AINT going back or anything! Just asking about it.

if you are using Standard or Vivid trun down the VM to low or turn it OFF
but not really sure what you are seeing???

are you seeing a bunch of horizontal lines?

Actually after playing my ps2 (Dragon quest VIII) I can see a little better whats going on here.. its basically 2 verticle lines that appear to be about half an inch thick.. they aren't so much as lines, as they are 'area's' of the glass that are slightly brighter than the rest.. and you really can only notice it when your move the viewable screen around, think like in a first person shooter game, how you can look around.. there is one on each side of the screen (left and right) and they are about 4 to 5 inches from the edge of the glass.. and appear to run from top to bottom.. I'm not thinking this is a defect in the glass anymore, i'm thinking this might just be how the tv's are made and i'm one of the FEW people to ever notice it? I would try to use my digital camera to take a picture of it but i seriously doubt it could capture it..

...Justsc he means the program info, on the channels
the XS models get the program data if its available
and he is watching unencrypted digital TV from Comcast
so even with a cable card it sounds like he would have no data on the channels...
Gotcha.

Thanks! ;)

Actually after playing my ps2 (Dragon quest VIII) I can see a little better whats going on here.. its basically 2 verticle lines that appear to be about half an inch thick.. they aren't so much as lines, as they are 'area's' of the glass that are slightly brighter than the rest.. and you really can only notice it when your move the viewable screen around, think like in a first person shooter game, how you can look around.. there is one on each side of the screen (left and right) and they are about 4 to 5 inches from the edge of the glass.. and appear to run from top to bottom.. I'm not thinking this is a defect in the glass anymore, i'm thinking this might just be how the tv's are made and i'm one of the FEW people to ever notice it? I would try to use my digital camera to take a picture of it but i seriously doubt it could capture it..

I have played some first person shooter games from my PC and have never seen this

try taking a picture

I was debating what stand to get for my Sony, then decided to build my own. Here it is...only cost me $60 in materials, and about 12 hours of work. A good weekend project if you're looking for a high quality stand for not much $$$. It's all 3/4" oak plywood, and the top is solid oak. Used a golden oak stain, 2 coats of poly.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/aktick/P2130195.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/aktick/P2130193.jpg

I've tried to take pictures, and its impossible to show on a non moving screen.. Like i said if the image isn't moving you cant notice it.. think of it like that scene from indiana jones 3, where he's at that bridge thing that if you look straight on, you cant tell there's a bridge there, but when the camera starts to pan to the left, you can see there's something there.. and as i said its a VERY VERY slight effect, its you have to scroll left and right back and forth,and then you'll notice it.. and you have to almost stair through the image on the screen and just look at the glass almost.. its hard to describe it, and i'm sure all the tv's probably have it and no one else notices it..

Btw my tv did that flicker thing again last night.. loud CLICK in the back and the picture almost dimmed, its almost unnoticable aside from the click, i'm starting to wonder if its some kind of auto degauss or something? its done it 2 times now in the 2 days i've had it.. should i be worried?

I was wondering...why cant I change the DRC when Im using my xbox 360? I wanna try CineMotion when watching movies but I cant change it.

Also, do you guys have color axis set to Default or Monitor?

Also, do you guys have much overscan?

I was wondering...why cant I change the DRC when Im using my xbox 360? I wanna try CineMotion when watching movies but I cant change it.

Also, do you guys have color axis set to Default or Monitor?

Also, do you guys have much overscan?

I believe Cinemotion is for 480i sources only? It's meant to improve the quality of these SD sources. Since Xbox 360 is already in HD, you can't use Cinemotion with it.

As I said in another post, I'm not experiencing a lot of overscan at all.

I believe mine is set to "Default"

I had a fair amount of overscan at first, but I think I've adjusted it enough where I'm happy and finished with it.

Has anyone tried connecting their computer via their VGA output to the TV's HDMI input. I assume you need a VGA HDMI connector or some type of converter. I am asking this because I would like to be able to use the sony tv to surf the web and to run dual screen.

Has anyone tried connecting their computer via their VGA output to the TV's HDMI input. I assume you need a VGA HDMI connector or some type of converter. I am asking this because I would like to be able to use the sony tv to surf the web and to run dual screen.

VGA to HDMI won't work cuz its an analog signal to a digital one. If you have a DVI or Component output on the back of your video card, use a DVI 2 HDMI cable or use an adapter to connect via component cables.

Has anyone tried connecting their computer via their VGA output to the TV's HDMI input. I assume you need a VGA HDMI connector or some type of converter. I am asking this because I would like to be able to use the sony tv to surf the web and to run dual screen.

you will not be able to convert analogue VGA to HDMI without come expensive equipment

VGA to HDMI won't work cuz its an analog signal to a digital one. If you have a DVI or Component output on the back of your video card, use a DVI 2 HDMI cable or use an adapter to connect via component cables.

almost got it, but component is either supported by the video card
or you can use a VGA to component transcoder

"an adapter" is just too vague not to be clarified

all ATI cards after the 9500 series support component output
and all new nvidia video cards which support HDTV out have component output
it will be a 6x00 series or newer

but HD CRTs are not replacements cause of their 1080i native scan rate
its not progressive, so text is blurrly and flickers


Quote:
Originally Posted by jeri534
I was wondering...why cant I change the DRC when Im using my xbox 360? I wanna try CineMotion when watching movies but I cant change it.

Also, do you guys have color axis set to Default or Monitor?

Also, do you guys have much overscan?




DRC is for 480i aka SD content only

just wondering
is anyone else able to access the DRC palettes on their XS955

mine is from November 04

here is what I am talking about
it is suppose to be a XBR only function
I cannot customize though I only have the three presets

sorry the pictues look bad from my cell phone

just wondering
is anyone else able to access the DRC palettes on their XS955

How would I go about accessing it if it were on my TV? I think mine was made 11/05 or somewhere around there.

the date is on the back of the TV
I have a palette button on my Universal Remote

well not a hard-coded button, but its on my LCD on my remote, and the remote downloads the codes for the hardware during the setup online

its a Harmony 680

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?CRID=2078&PAGE=products/features/harmony&countryid=19&languageid=1

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/detailsharmony/US/EN,CRID=2084,CONTENTID=9568

Okay I managed to get some video and put it onto my computer, Now its in DIVX format, and becuase of that it lost some of the sharpness.. I cant seem to find a basic video converter that lets me controll the amount of.. (virtua dub wont read raw DV for some reason??)...

Lets see if anyone else can see one.. I have 2 avi's here.. one labeled (cant see it, which i cant notice it when i look).. and a second one labeled CAN see it, which is a desert scene, and if you look to about 3-4 inches from the right or left edge when the camera is panning around, you should be able to notice a slightly lighter line, going vertically from top to bottom, its VERY tough to see.. see if you can see it?

CAN see it.. (http://home.comcast.net/~kkristek/Can_see_it.avi)
and
CANNOT SEE IT (http://home.comcast.net/~kkristek/Cant_see_it.avi)

Lets see if anyone else can see one.. I have 2 avi's here.. one labeled (cant see it, which i cant notice it when i look).. and a second one labeled CAN see it, which is a desert scene, and if you look to about 3-4 inches from the right or left edge when the camera is panning around, you should be able to notice a slightly lighter line, going vertically from top to bottom, its VERY tough to see.. see if you can see it?

I think I can see the line on the right side. My set seems to have the same kind of line issue in that spot, though it's only noticeable on very bright scenes and is a light pinkish color. Damn hard to see though. Anyone know what this is and how to fix it?

I could see it clear as day, and its normal
its cause your source is underscanning a little bit (they do this for games so you can see the entire picture and its not hid by overscan on older 4:3 TVs)
also you will see TV show which do the same thing

only DVDs and HDTV have the picture all the way to the edge
SDTV digital or analogue sometimes even has garbage near the edge of the picture thats why overscan is nice
but video games are just underscanning so you do not miss anything

and thats the edge of the 4:3 picture the TV displays

I would not worry about it at all

Woah woah woah slow the boat down.. I wonder if your seeing something else? Cuz i am getting this on HD as well..

See the pics here, i've circled where the lines are, and you can ALMOST make them out in the pictures, but its far easier if you just watch this area of the screen during the motion. (the first pic its very visable in the movie)... Are we on the same page?

If my hunch is right, EVERY flat screen tv will probably have some sort of this, i suspect its part of the creation process and i'll just need to get used to it.. They are too even and too perfectly spaced from the edge, to just be a 'defect' i suspect.. and since I'm very very very analyitcal and picky i just happen to notice these.. I suspect returning the tv would not yield anything better.. and this tv in my eyes has some good geometry, and looks great, and has minor overscan, so i'd like to keep it! But we'll see if anyone else chimes in with similar experiences..
(for anyone who doesnt know, the discolored top half of the image is not the tv, its just what happens when you try to film a (interlaced?) tv with a camcorder that has its own refresh rate)..

http://home.comcast.net/~kkristek/example.jpg
and
http://home.comcast.net/~kkristek/example2.JPG

here use this crosshatch pattern and see what it looks like

you can disregard my other post cause I still cannot what lines you are talking about

What i am looking at this crosshatch pattern for? convergance or geometry?



Okay, so in the pictures i posted, if you look hard you might be able to make out slightly slightly white kind of 'ghosty' shadow effect.. If you watch those area's very very very closely in the movies you can see that when the camera pans around, those two area's have a line going up and down where whatever passes by that line is slightly lighter than the rest of the screen... like i said its very very touch to catch.. your not looking for a digitally created line, ...

think of this way.. when you use an etch-a-sketch and you sketch a line in the grey stuff you can kind of see through the grey stuff.. Thats almost what these lines appear to be to me.. and you have to look at the effect of the glass vs's the scrolling backing...

I'm not crazy, but it is hard to see.. Anyone else if you see it please chime in :)

I know exactly what you're talking about. Like I said before, I seem to have the same kind of issue. I can really only notice it during very bright scenes on HD and DVD. On my set it seems to be not just a line, but a VERY VERY VERY light pinkish bar that starts in that same area and continues all the way to the edge of the picture. I've been noticing it most while watching the Olympics in HD. The white background makes it easier to spot, even though it's still somewhat hard to see. During a fast panning shot, such as a crowd shot, it looks like a small bending of the picture where that line starts. I notice it only because I'm specifically looking for it, but I can live with it if it's not fixable.

the date is on the back of the TV
I have a palette button on my Universal Remote

well not a hard-coded button, but its on my LCD on my remote, and the remote downloads the codes for the hardware during the setup online

its a Harmony 680

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?CRID=2078&PAGE=products/features/harmony&countryid=19&languageid=1

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/detailsharmony/US/EN,CRID=2084,CONTENTID=9568


I have the 680 also.. palette button does nothing for me.

I know exactly what you're talking about. Like I said before, I seem to have the same kind of issue. I can really only notice it during very bright scenes on HD and DVD. On my set it seems to be not just a line, but a VERY VERY VERY light pinkish bar that starts in that same area and continues all the way to the edge of the picture. I've been noticing it most while watching the Olympics in HD. The white background makes it easier to spot, even though it's still somewhat hard to see. During a fast panning shot, such as a crowd shot, it looks like a small bending of the picture where that line starts. I notice it only because I'm specifically looking for it, but I can live with it if it's not fixable.

thats a color purity issue
mine does not have that but its difficult to correct

What i am looking at this crosshatch pattern for? convergance or geometry?

goemetry
I was wondering if there was any bowing at that point

I have the 680 also.. palette button does nothing for me.

well thats why I put up my build date, mine was very early and other earlier XS owners have other XBR features as well

http://home.comcast.net/~teh534/pgr3.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~teh534/2k6.jpg

Okay i used a few test pattersn, my particular tv, shows that the right hand side has some bad geometry (see the lines going up near the edge), that side of the tv also seems to get blurrier than the crisp center, the left side gets a tad blurry, but not as much as the right side.. also when i use the WHITE jpg background, i can see the left side of the screen has a SLIGHT SLIGHT SLIGHT bluish tinge to its white, and pretty much is that side fo the screen, you cant tell from the digital camera pics tho..

again i state, i suspect EVERY CRT flat screen tv probably has these effects and most people just dont notice.
Oh yea, your grid pattern makes my tv squeel like a pig (a high pitched noise) does anyone else know when your volume is up a bit (like 10 or 12) that your #2 av input has some noise as well? mine does, while my rear inputs seem to be much quieter.. (i asume cuz the connections run under the tv to the back and pick up some hum along the way?

http://home.comcast.net/~kkristek/HDTV003.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~kkristek/HDTV005.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~kkristek/HDTV006.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~kkristek/HDTV007.jpg
http://home.comcast.net/~kkristek/HDTV008.jpg

My screen also has a bit of blurriness on the right side...


Where did you get those pictures? I wanna try and fix my overscan now.

well one of them was posted on the previous page of this thread, the rest are scattered in the official sony calibration thread someone else has been talking about.. he posts various test patterns...

I have not TOUCHED my screen's service menu except to adjust the audio settings, the rest i'm afriad to touch.. My tv's not that bad, I just want to make sure the shadowing i see is normal, and that the clicking goes away and i'm happy!

anyone else watching the olympics lately and notice those guys who wear the SUPER brighter than the sun orange colors? On my tv its deathly bright, but nothing else is.. I'm just wondering if certain colors are just gonna do that.. I guess i could have it too bright i think my picture is at 40 and my brightness at 33..

Okay, so in the pictures i posted, if you look hard you might be able to make out slightly slightly white kind of 'ghosty' shadow effect.. If you watch those area's very very very closely in the movies you can see that when the camera pans around, those two area's have a line going up and down where whatever passes by that line is slightly lighter than the rest of the screen... like i said its very very touch to catch.. your not looking for a digitally created line, ...

think of this way.. when you use an etch-a-sketch and you sketch a line in the grey stuff you can kind of see through the grey stuff.. Thats almost what these lines appear to be to me.. and you have to look at the effect of the glass vs's the scrolling backing...

I'm not crazy, but it is hard to see.. Anyone else if you see it please chime in

Yes, mine has this same effect. I think it may be a byproduct of the Trinitron Tube design. After I calibrated the picture, mine was less visible, but still there.

anyone else watching the olympics lately and notice those guys who wear the SUPER brighter than the sun orange colors? On my tv its deathly bright, but nothing else is.. I'm just wondering if certain colors are just gonna do that.. I guess i could have it too bright i think my picture is at 40 and my brightness at 33..


Did you turn off the red push in the advanced video menu?

My screen also has a bit of blurriness on the right side...

Where did you get those pictures? I wanna try and fix my overscan now.

You can use the test patterns that are under the QM section of the service menu.

Did you turn off the red push in the advanced video menu?


Nope! afriad to mess with that even... only touched audio controlls...

Isn't there an option somewhere in the basic menu that turns the reds down a bit?

is it pretty much required to turn down the red push? can someone explain to me why there is even red push?

Yes, mine has this same effect. I think it may be a byproduct of the Trinitron Tube design. After I calibrated the picture, mine was less visible, but still there.


Good to know i'm not the only one that notices it.. Is yours in the shape of two bards in the same places as my tv? I agree i think its just some kind of by product, it might simply be becuase we have widescreens and when making a trinitron tryp tube, maybe it needs some support that damper wires going veritcally wouldn't support so this is some other kind of re enforcement they use.. again i would be surprised to see one that did not have this effect if my hunches are correct.. I would call sony and ask, but i know that a homeless person off the street knows more about their tv's then their own customer services reps do.

Nope! afriad to mess with that even... only touched audio controlls...

Isn't there an option somewhere in the basic menu that turns the reds down a bit?

is it pretty much required to turn down the red push? can someone explain to me why there is even red push?
It's not in the service menu, just the regular menu

Go to Video>Advanced Video>Color Axis and set it to Monitor

I absolutely hate Monitor
it looks good for PC inputs, but horrible for video sources

It dims the TV too much, maybe properly calibrated (ISF?) monitor looks great

but I think that feature alone gives the XS/XBRs a bad rap for being dim

Monitor is what it should be at, Default is red push, what they put on the display TVs.


When default, everything that should look red looks orange, its nasty

I used DVE to make sure my colors (Red, blue, green) are correct
I get a little closer on Monitor but its too dull
to make it worth using

default is slightly orange, but mostly red
monitor is freakin' maroon, the red is just too dark

I would rather have the slight orange tint, in comparsion to maroon(Crimson?) (well just really dark red, not purple like some maroons/brugandys)

Well did you calibrate it on Monitor or Default?

I tried both that why I was saying all that above

(and I used both settings for extended periods of time)
use monitor a while, then switch to default and back the color down, so people are not sun burnt
you will be surprized as to how much brighter the picture is

Good to know i'm not the only one that notices it.. Is yours in the shape of two bards in the same places as my tv?

Yes they are. The models I looked at in stores also had them. I think it is likely every set has them to some degree; some people may just not notice them.

I need some help here. I've been looking at video cards for my computer in order to hook it up to my TV, and this new interface has popped up since I last bought a video card. PCI Express x16 is what I'm referring to. Can you use a video card with this interface in a normal PCI slot, or is this a completely new slot only found on brand new motherboards?

TIA,
Quik

I need some help here. I've been looking at video cards for my computer in order to hook it up to my TV, and this new interface has popped up since I last bought a video card. PCI Express x16 is what I'm referring to. Can you use a video card with this interface in a normal PCI slot, or is this a completely new slot only found on brand new motherboards?

TIA,
Quik

It's a whole different type of slot... not compatible with PCI.

I wanted to run this past everyone here. I tried posting this on the calibration board, but still didn't get a solution (if one exits):

Sony 30XS955 service menu geometry adjustments

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Does anyone know if there is an upper horizontal and lower horizontal pin adjustment for this set? I bought the service manual, but it doesn't cover all the adjustable parameters. The horizontal lines that run along the top of the screen are curved down a little at the edges, and I would like to straighten them if it can be done. Would appreciate any input. Thanks.

Thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=641497

I have already tried VCEN with no luck. Adjusting VCEN does straighten the top edge lines, but significantly bows up the bottom ones. If anyone knows anthing else I could try, I would appreciate the input...thanks.

Does anyone know why this TV is so loud? When watching TV the max I can set it to is like 10-12 before it gets really loud, and playing on xbox 360, 6-7 is already pushing it...does anyone know how I can fix this?

thats normal
only content I have ever had to turn up was HDTV cause of the quiet AC3 audio

Anybody have their PS2 hooked up to the XS955? God of War seems to be the only game that doesn't allow display positioning. I need to move the image just a little bit horizontally and it won't let me. There's a good inch of empty space on the left side of the TV while the game is playing in "Full" mode. I see a vertical and tilt adjustment option in the menu, but no horizontal. If anyone can help, I appreciate it.

thats normal
only content I have ever had to turn up was HDTV cause of the quiet AC3 audio
Even with HDTV programming 14-15 is pretty loud already....

It'd be nicer to have a wider range so you can fine tune it, instead of having a big sound difference in 1 click of the volume.


There are no service menu items to fix this?




Also, do you guys use TruSurround, or just leave it off?

I use TruSurround
but are you sure it was all HDTV programming or was it just TV shows on a HDTV channel
cause only true HD is normally AC3

I have to turn HD movies on like Fox or CBS to up about 24, and then commercials are so loud!

Well Im watching Rush Hour on TNTHD right now and at 14 its already loud.



Also to Jinx, you know that click your tv made and the screen turned off and on? How loud was the click, and how fast did the screen turn on and off? I noticed when watching TV that the screen came off and on, but very fast it was barely noticeable, I think I heard a click but Im not sure, it was very faint and I could barely hear it.

Does anyone know why this TV is so loud? When watching TV the max I can set it to is like 10-12 before it gets really loud, and playing on xbox 360, 6-7 is already pushing it...does anyone know how I can fix this?

How big is the room it's in? 12 is a decent clip for me, 15 is about the max.

Well Im watching Rush Hour on TNTHD right now and at 14 its already loud.

well then thats stereo audio not AC3 cause you are using red and white RCAs for the sound, I was referring to using the ATSC tuner

if you got cable card, then you would get the AC3 sound as well

Oh, yea Im just using my cable box.

How big is the room it's in? 12 is a decent clip for me, 15 is about the max.

Its a small room =\ 10x11 or so

Oh, yea Im just using my cable box.

How big is the room it's in? 12 is a decent clip for me, 15 is about the max.

Its a small room =\, 10x11 or so, must just be really good speakers cause on my Dell LCD I could crank it up to 50.

yeah I found it was really loud over the analogue audio inputs

if you are not using a HD DVR, have you considered switching to cable card, cost less and better image quality

I did but Cox doesnt offer a cable card with all the menus and stuff.....

I did but Cox doesnt offer a cable card with all the menus and stuff.....

could not do channel surfing huh?

well its not just cox, thats how cable card currently works, you do not get a guide and menu etc....

you simply have your tuner in the TV receive and decrypt the digital cable

Jinx, I don't know if this is related to your problem, but I get a "speedbump" in the same two spots you marked in your picture. Any time there is a camera pan, I can see the image warp when it hits those two spots. It almost makes it look like a fisheye lens, and it's very annoying. Does anyone know if there is anything one can do to correct this problem? If it's a geometry problem that can be solved via the service menu, can anyone tell me the names of the values I should be adjusting? Thanks.

Well Im watching Rush Hour on TNTHD right now and at 14 its already loud.



Also to Jinx, you know that click your tv made and the screen turned off and on? How loud was the click, and how fast did the screen turn on and off? I noticed when watching TV that the screen came off and on, but very fast it was barely noticeable, I think I heard a click but Im not sure, it was very faint and I could barely hear it.


I would say it was a little bit louder than the set makes when you first turn it on (think click-bzzzz) just a tad louder and without the bzzz, and it doesnt turn off, the screen just like QUICKLY flickers almost like its deguassing, but i dont get that degauss effect, I dont think i ever lost the image, its almost like a power skip, but i know its not my power cuz the lights dont dim or anything like that.. and its only done it 2 times, and after being on for a few hours.. Then again i sit in my bed about 4-5 feet away so the click might have been far more audiable to me, and the tv volume was on about ohh 4 or 5... I dont think my set is broken, its probably something the tv does after its been on a while?

Jinx, I don't know if this is related to your problem, but I get a "speedbump" in the same two spots you marked in your picture. Any time there is a camera pan, I can see the image warp when it hits those two spots. It almost makes it look like a fisheye lens, and it's very annoying. Does anyone know if there is anything one can do to correct this problem? If it's a geometry problem that can be solved via the service menu, can anyone tell me the names of the values I should be adjusting? Thanks.


Let me go on to state, that COULD be wait I/WE are seeing and i just dont know how to classify it any better, do you have one on each side? Again i have a feeling this is a physical part of the inside of the tv and probably due to the fact that its widescreen, if i'm correct, alot of flat glass screens will probablhy have this if not all.. But I could be wrong and just a few of us have defective tv's (but i doubt that).. I think i will probably get used to it.. its definately mostly only visable during brighter scenes.. I haven't noticed it at all playing a first person shooter on the xbox really..

Both sides, right where you had your circles. I could live with it if it wasn't distorting the image. I have seen this distortion referred to as speedbumps, and if anyone knows if this can be corrected either through the service menu or through a service technician with magnets, let me know. It's distracting enough that the set might have to go back otherwise.

I would say it was a little bit louder than the set makes when you first turn it on (think click-bzzzz) just a tad louder and without the bzzz, and it doesnt turn off, the screen just like QUICKLY flickers almost like its deguassing, but i dont get that degauss effect, I dont think i ever lost the image, its almost like a power skip, but i know its not my power cuz the lights dont dim or anything like that.. and its only done it 2 times, and after being on for a few hours.. Then again i sit in my bed about 4-5 feet away so the click might have been far more audiable to me, and the tv volume was on about ohh 4 or 5... I dont think my set is broken, its probably something the tv does after its been on a while?

This exact same thing has happened to me several times. I've posted elsewhere and was reassured to see that many folks have seen it, but it hasn't become chronic for anyone. I don't have any other info, just wanted to chime in that I've experienced this as well ---

This exact same thing has happened to me several times. I've posted elsewhere and was reassured to see that many folks have seen it, but it hasn't become chronic for anyone. I don't have any other info, just wanted to chime in that I've experienced this as well ---



So wait, are you saying its not chronic as in some tv's just dont have it? or as in they haven't made a big deal of it? I would say most casual a watcher wont even notice this or be able to see what we are talking about.. Are you also saying most people see it cuz its on all the tv's?

Both sides, right where you had your circles. I could live with it if it wasn't distorting the image. I have seen this distortion referred to as speedbumps, and if anyone knows if this can be corrected either through the service menu or through a service technician with magnets, let me know. It's distracting enough that the set might have to go back otherwise.


Wow, thats too bad.. I wouldn't take mine back for this, its a minor thing that is really only prevenlant in a few situations, and can be overlooked for the most part, and with the slew of other bad problems to have from other tv makers, i think its a minor thing i can put up with.. sorry if you cant tho...

Well, I'm still collecting data right now. If this is a problem that can be corrected--either in the service menu or by calling a tech--that'll be great. Maybe my "take it back" is just the frustration talking. I had to take back a Samsung that had far worse geometry problems, and I hated to see geometrical issues with this set. But, some are to be expected, I guess.

Both sides, right where you had your circles. I could live with it if it wasn't distorting the image. I have seen this distortion referred to as speedbumps, and if anyone knows if this can be corrected either through the service menu or through a service technician with magnets, let me know. It's distracting enough that the set might have to go back otherwise.

mine also has some bumps in the geometry near the sides, but they are gradual so I have never worried about them

if I ever get up the nerve to work through the service menu or patience to read Kentech's "work of art", got scared first time in and turned off TV before changing anything, I would be adjusting the red to get it closer to dead on

Monitor is too dark on my set and default is just a tad too light

Well, I'm still collecting data right now. If this is a problem that can be corrected--either in the service menu or by calling a tech--that'll be great.

Most geometry issues can be fixed or minimized via the service menu. Your best best bet is to purchase the service manual because it has diagrams for the adjustments. If you post a picture of your problem, I could suggest adjusting certain things in the service menu. Without a picture, it's hard to say what to try.

Most geometry issues can be fixed or minimized via the service menu. Your best best bet is to purchase the service manual because it has diagrams for the adjustments. If you post a picture of your problem, I could suggest adjusting certain things in the service menu. Without a picture, it's hard to say what to try.

Jinx's post #687 gives a very good description with pictures of the issue some of us seem to have.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=446406&page=23&pp=30

Jinx's post #687 gives a very good description with pictures of the issue some of us seem to have.

Tough to see anything in those pictures.

Okay I was very surprised last night when I tried to calibrate my TV using DVE..I had it set to pro, and every brightness/color test it was almost spot on with the default settings, I had to do 1-2 clicks here and there but other than that it was almost spot on..did anyone have a similar experience when using DVE?

I shold be receiving my set tomorrow, what do I need as far as antenna equipment to receive OTA digital channels? Does the TV come with everything I need or is a seperate antenna necessary?

the TV does not include an antenna nor any cables
you will need both

the TV does not include an antenna nor any cables
you will need both

Any recommendations?

Thanks

I shold be receiving my set tomorrow, what do I need as far as antenna equipment to receive OTA digital channels? Does the TV come with everything I need or is a seperate antenna necessary?
What kind of antenna you need depends on where you are relative to the boradcast antenna(s)...your profille doesn't indicate anything about your location....

there's a standard site for checking about antennas, etc, ....ah, found it:
www.antennaweb.org (http://www.antennaweb.org)

If you're very near the antenna, even a rabbit ears may work, further away, a better antenna, and maybe even one on the roof.

By the way, the digital signal is often even easier to get than the analog, so don't let a salesman tell you you need a special digital antenna. When I got my Sony 32 incher in 2003, I just hooked the same cable (from my antenna) that I had been using for more than a decade, and it worked fine...so whatever you'd been using before may work fine..

I was correcting for overscan last night using Avia, but that disc is non-anamorphic. I had to use zoom to get it to full screen. Will that give me an accurate test pattern?

Wow those lines on my mine were viewable alot more during nascar.. its the fast panning that makes them apparent, and the bright colors of the cars and such.. its is a tad bit more than an annoyance at that level...They keep catching my eye..

I was correcting for overscan last night using Avia, but that disc is non-anamorphic. I had to use zoom to get it to full screen. Will that give me an accurate test pattern?

not for adjusting things in the service menu

I am getting my XS955 next week. I downloaded the manual to get a head start on hookup options. I currently have an all-Sony setup (see my profile) with an STR-DE945 (no video upconversion capability) being used for all audio processing as well as video switching. I live in the "sticks" and have no access to cable, so I will only have access to HD via OTA channels. I have Dish, but I don't plan on going with the HD upgrade quite yet. After looking at the 955 info, it looks like I will have to change my setup, i.e. letting the TV switch the video and the reciever switch audio, in order to get full functionality from the 955's capabilities. Is there an alternative or should I just leave the audio on the reciever, send all video to the 955, and then invest in a universal remote like a Harmony 880 or Sony-3100 to eliminate all the button-pushing? All of my old (5 years) analog Sony 32" setup info seemed geared primarily toward using the TV as a monitor when in a home theater configuration. I don't see any mention of home theater integration in the 955 manual. Is Sony intentionally steering the video switching functions back to the TV for some reason to be revealed in the future?

This forum is great. Thanks to all of you who contribute and freely share your knowledge. Hope I can return the favor some day.

since you will be using the TV's internal HD tuner for HD content, its time to leave the AVR to audio switching only and get a Harmony

not for adjusting things in the service menu

I guess my zoom allowed it to be pretty close, because I bought the anamorphic DVE and didn't need to adjust my overscan settings from what I did last night. I also found that my basic settings didn't need to be changed at all from Avia to DVE, which I guess has to be the case if they are really setting it to a standard. The positive about DVE is that it includes some test footage, and it is looking pretty gorgeous on my set right now. Some of it almost looks HD, at least to my admittedly untrained eye.

I'm confused about something. I set up a 16:9 image using an overscan pattern, and it looked like it was nicely centered and with minimal overscan. But, this has caused the 4:3 window to be shifted to the left. Is there a way to avoid this? I was using the HPOS, HSIZ, VPOS, and VSIZ controls.

Looking for some basic help with geomtery and overscanning. I am using input #5 for my 360 and I would like to adjust the overscan a bit. What exactly do I need to do. I read through a thread about the service menu but I am a bit confused. Does each input have its own settings in the service menu or does a change in geometry affect all inputs for example? What about for different sources/signals? Does 1080i have to be adjusted differently than a signal that is 720P? For the most part I am mainly concerned with getting a quality display from the 360 running at 1080i. The analog signals from my cable box running through input 1 are also somewhat important or an area I may like to adjust. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. I think I will leave the color and white/black levels as is for now. However if you have any suggestions for quick a dirty color adjustments I am listening.

Thanks

ETA: I did some of the suggestions with 2107D-1 and 2107D-1 (IIRC), but I did not see the setting under MID3 that other posters have suggested for tweaking geometry. I was able to see some changes in geometry, but I am unsure if I have done everything correctly. Also regarding the raster or background and foreground adjustments, after making both layers fill the screen so there is zero overscan do you then increase both layers to achieve the necessary overscan? Or do you only adjust one of the layers? Again thanks for the help and let me know of any quick ways to adjust contrast, brightness etc.

I have a KDL-32XBR950. I can not receive unencrypted QAM256 bradcasts from Comcast cable. Is this a Sony problem? I'm really pissed.