It appears that the Sony KD 34XBR970 is being discontinued - B&H Photo is a fairly well known electronics store here in NYC. I was checking their site for pricing and found that they are listing the tv as discontinued (sorry, I can't post the link here - so that you can directly link to the page and see for yourselves - as per the moderator's rules. If you do a google search for the store, you should find it easily).
Also, it appears Best Buy is no longer selling the tv online, limiting sales to in store only, while lowering the price to $899.99. Is the end of Sony's line of CRT HDTV's almost here?
Uh-oh! Do you think this model is going to be replaced with another CRT? Or are they going to stop making CRTs altogether?

I was planning on buying this set in a few months. But now this TV might be all gone by then.

Crap.

Uh-oh! Do you think this model is going to be replaced with another CRT? Or are they going to stop making CRTs altogether?

I was planning on buying this set in a few months. But now this TV might be all gone by then.

Crap.
No, Sony is still on production for this TV. If the store cancel it, it doesn't mean it's
discontinue. It's either to much maintenance for them or it costing them fortune to
ship it.

Ok, I replugged everything in, and now it is working with the box and the HDMI cable....Interesting. It looks awesome. One thing thugh, on the HD channels there is a slight lip synch issue. Any ideas as to how this can be fixed, or is it the feed from the cble company? Thanks!

Chris

Ok, I replugged everything in, and now it is working with the box and the HDMI cable....Interesting. It looks awesome. One thing thugh, on the HD channels there is a slight lip synch issue. Any ideas as to how this can be fixed, or is it the feed from the cble company? Thanks!

Chris
You really need to contact your cable company to either replace the settop box
unit or reset your signal reception. It's not the TV, it's the box.

Do you mean the lip synch issue is with the cable box? I must say that I love the odor that this tv creates in my family room. It's better than that new car smell!

Chris

Do you mean the lip synch issue is with the cable box? I must say that I love the odor that this tv creates in my family room. It's better than that new car smell!

Chris
Yes and no offense, what the hell are you smoking talking about the TV's oder? :p

I understand, the smell of new electronics as they go through the "burn in" period....lovely smell.

Do you mean the lip synch issue is with the cable box? I must say that I love the odor that this tv creates in my family room. It's better than that new car smell!

Chris

Yeah, mine had that bigtime. It had a smell similar to an electrical fire the first few weeks I had it. It kept making me paranoid because I thought it was burning up inside. But everytime I looked at it everything seemed to be fine, just had a very strange odor for a while.

Yeah, mine had that bigtime. It had a smell similar to an electrical fire the first few weeks I had it. It kept making me paranoid because I thought it was burning up inside. But everytime I looked at it everything seemed to be fine, just had a very strange odor for a while.

I noted this too, especially in my efficentcy apartment! but as the days of use go by, the odor outgasses away, little by little.
I found that if i bought a roll of that wide aluminium foil, and then tore off a huge sheet, and if i drapped it over the tv when I turned it off, the new-smell is even lessened more. do not have this cover on it when the set is on, though!

freestone

Uh-oh! Do you think this model is going to be replaced with another CRT? Or are they going to stop making CRTs altogether?

I was planning on buying this set in a few months. But now this TV might be all gone by then.

Crap.

You may want to read this thread.


http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=812314

As an fyi, I called Sony with the same concern of a smell of "wires buring", whenI first got my xbr970. They (Sony) stated it was common with many new crts as plastics and wiring inside were heated for the first time, and that the smell would go away. I would say my smell have dropped quite a bit in the month I've had it.

I'm in the market for my first HDTV and I was thinking about getting a KD-34XBR970 since I've got the room for a CRT and I've heard nothing but good things about the 970 (I also play alot of video games and I hear CRTs rock for that). What I really wanted is the 960, but since it's been discontinued it seems to be impossible to find (I've also heard of reliability problems with the SFP tube).

My only concern is that I've read that the 970 doesn't do true 1080i since it's a CRT (only displaying 853 X 1080 rather than 1920 X 1080). Is this a noticable thing, or is it only of concern on much larger sets?

I'm in the market for my first HDTV and I was thinking about getting a KD-34XBR970 since I've got the room for a CRT and I've heard nothing but good things about the 970 (I also play alot of video games and I hear CRTs rock for that). What I really wanted is the 960, but since it's been discontinued it seems to be impossible to find (I've also heard of reliability problems with the SFP tube).

My only concern is that I've read that the 970 doesn't do true 1080i since it's a CRT (only displaying 853 X 1080 rather than 1920 X 1080). Is this a noticable thing, or is it only of concern on much larger sets?One of the specs I saw was the Sony SFP tube was a 65% improvement in resolution with a horizontal dot pitch around .5mm. My guess is the 970 is back around the .77mm

Sony, 2003, CESBy comparison, the current 34W-inch XBR Hi-Scan monitor offers 847 lines of vertical resolution, while the new Super Fine Pitch model will offer 1,401 vertical lines.

An aperture grille (tension mask) is one of two major technologies used to manufacture cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions and computer displays; the other is shadow mask.

Fine vertical wires behind the front glass of the display screen separate the different colors of phosphors into strips. Depending on the size of the display, one or two horizontal stabilizing wires are also used, and may be visible as fine lines across the face of the screen, providing the easiest way to distinguish aperture grille and shadow mask displays at a glance. Additionally, aperture grille displays tend to be vertically flat and are often horizontally flat as well

from Sony,Created especially for displaying high resolution pictures like high-definition broadcast, the new Super Fine Pitch CRT features the proprietary Super Fine Pitch Aperture Grill with 65 percent increased number of vertical "slits," which improve image resolution, for crisp, brilliant, highest picture quality reproduction from corner to corner.

Together with a new electron gun and high intensity luminescent phosphor, the Super Fine Pitch CRT delivers exceptional picture performance. The improvement is immediately noticeable, with no visible vertical lines on the screen and higher resolution to all corners.

Glen,

I'm sure you have calibrated both (the 960 & the 970). What percentage increase in detail would you say the SFP models have vs. the 970? I mean based on your viewing experience, not specs. I'm curious.

One of the specs I saw was the Sony SFP tube was a 65% improvement in resolution with a horizontal dot pitch around .5mm. My guess is the 970 is back around the .77mm

Do you know the vertical dot pitch? I have always felt that the 970 and HS420 were about EDTV+ and the 960 around (maybe) 1280x720. I think a lot of people who by the 970/HS420 think the resolution is 1080x850, but I always felt it was far less than this.

Do you know the vertical dot pitch? I have always felt that the 970 and HS420 were about EDTV+ and the 960 around (maybe) 1280x720. I think a lot of people who by the 970/HS420 think the resolution is 1080x850, but I always felt it was far less than this.I'm not sure of the actual vertical resolution, there is no vertical dot pitch because of the aperture grill design.

EDTV vs. HDTV is a pretty good comparison. Only a variable every other line test pattern could answer the actual resolution issue.

The difference between the 960 and 970 is easily noticeable. The 960 is just a better HD picture.

I took a look at three XBR970's that were on display at various stores today. The one at Best Buy looked pretty good, but I did see some fuzziness in the picture. The next two I looked at (at two different Circuit Cities) looked absolutely terrible, I was looking for the coat hanger that they must have been using for the reception.

My question is, is this normal for HD CRT's setup in big box stores or am I not going to be happy with the picture on the 970? I assume they just have a weak signal going to TV and when I get it home and adjust it, it will look much better. The thing that worries me is that the non-CRT HDTV's around it didn't seem to be having similar problems.

I took a look at three XBR970's that were on display at various stores today. The one at Best Buy looked pretty good, but I did see some fuzziness in the picture. The next two I looked at (at two different Circuit Cities) looked absolutely terrible, I was looking for the coat hanger that they must have been using for the reception.

My question is, is this normal for HD CRT's setup in big box stores or am I not going to be happy with the picture on the 970? I assume they just have a weak signal going to TV and when I get it home and adjust it, it will look much better. The thing that worries me is that the non-CRT HDTV's around it didn't seem to be having similar problems.

It should look 5X better once settup right in your home.

It should look 5X better once settup right in your home.

I thought as much. Somehow I suspect they do this on purpose to steer people towards the more expensive LCD and Plasma sets.

Do you know the vertical dot pitch? I have always felt that the 970 and HS420 were about EDTV+ and the 960 around (maybe) 1280x720. I think a lot of people who by the 970/HS420 think the resolution is 1080x850, but I always felt it was far less than this.

Lots of talk on this but I am coming from a 1280 X 720 fixed pixel display and to me, the 970 is far superior in PQ.

Why do so many kick these numbers around? I saw a post that if the numbers went one way the guy would keep his 970. if they didn't, he would swap out. Dudes! How's the fricking pic look? Do you like it? Are there better TV's in the universe? Are there worse?

Rant. rant. OK. but what's with these posts?

Thanks.

chaz

Because specs allow the human mind to determine is something is better or worse than something else when they can't perceive any differences on their own.

Because specs allow the human mind to determine is something is better or worse than something else when they can't perceive any differences on their own.
Amen!

Because specs allow the human mind to determine is something is better or worse than something else when they can't perceive any differences on their own.

What matters is what we perceive. Not a difference that typically makes no difference. Unless what makes a difference is lacking.

What makes a difference? It is a well known fact that the eye responds first and foremost to light/darkness contrast, secondly to color and color accuracay when it comes to discrimination of objects in the perceptual field.

If you find those conditions met the eye tends to go with it and discriminate the perceptual field. Hence the perceived quality of the picture CRTs produce. For those are the strengths of CRT technology.

Hence the artificiality of fixed pixel screens. They even have a hard time getting their pixels right. Not to speak of the fact both light/dark constrast as well as color accuracy is a problem for the technology that utilizes fixed pixels. Especially when compared to CRTs.

Digital technology is only a convenience of our age, the product of a manufacturing that has gone in that direction. Nothing we can do about that. It sells and it works even if sometimes the results are laughable. Understood by a mostly ignorant public who only know a few numbers like resolution. Much like audio where most only know how much wattage their amp puts out. As though that tells us about quality. It doesn't.

In time, perhaps, digital technology of TVs will satisfy us with their fixed pixel screens. Much like superior digital cameras do in some camps. Even so many of the best photography magazines won't allow a digital picture. Some still see a difference. Even if they find digital convenient.

No wonder many yearn for what we know would be the dream CRT, that has so much right about it when it comes to PQ. Still, we don't have to dream, for as it now stands, a few fine CRTs can make a difference.

The differnence that matters to the eye.

Good stuff!!!
A question, and I apologise if this has already been covered. I looked for it in this topic but saw nothing on it. When the 970 is displaying 4:3 mode (standard) channels and it puts the side bars up-is there any way to make those black? As it stands now, they are mostly grey, some are black though. Is there a setting in the menu I am missing? Thanks! I watched Discovery Insectia in HD for the first time last night.........OH MY LORD!!!! I am really diggin' this set!!!
Chris

I thought as much. Somehow I suspect they do this on purpose to steer people towards the more expensive LCD and Plasma sets.

You hit the nail on the hammer!! ;)

Plus they weren't properly settup i bet too.

Lots of talk on this but I am coming from a 1280 X 720 fixed pixel display and to me, the 970 is far superior in PQ.

Why do so many kick these numbers around? I saw a post that if the numbers went one way the guy would keep his 970. if they didn't, he would swap out. Dudes! How's the fricking pic look? Do you like it? Are there better TV's in the universe? Are there worse?

Rant. rant. OK. but what's with these posts?

Thanks.

chaz

Agreed...

In the end if your getting a great picture..who cares!! ;)

Good stuff!!!
A question, and I apologise if this has already been covered. I looked for it in this topic but saw nothing on it. When the 970 is displaying 4:3 mode (standard) channels and it puts the side bars up-is there any way to make those black? As it stands now, they are mostly grey, some are black though. Is there a setting in the menu I am missing? Thanks! I watched Discovery Insectia in HD for the first time last night.........OH MY LORD!!!! I am really diggin' this set!!!
Chris

Really they are grey??

I'm not too familiar with your model tv since i own the HS420 series and the 4:3 bars are black on mine not grey.

Good stuff!!!
A question, and I apologise if this has already been covered. I looked for it in this topic but saw nothing on it. When the 970 is displaying 4:3 mode (standard) channels and it puts the side bars up-is there any way to make those black? As it stands now, they are mostly grey, some are black though. Is there a setting in the menu I am missing? Thanks! I watched Discovery Insectia in HD for the first time last night.........OH MY LORD!!!! I am really diggin' this set!!!
Chris
I think it's probably your cable box that's putting the gray bars on there. Your cable box is likely set up to upconvert everything (even 4:3 SD content) to 1080i 16:9, and it's adding gray bars, not the TV.

The TV's default is black bars, not gray.

When you're watching something with the gray bars, press the "display" button on the TV remote. Then you'll know if you're actually seeing a SD picture (it will say 480i), or if you're watching an upconverted picture from the cable box (it will say 1080i).

If its upconverted, you may want to set up the cable box to "pass through" 480i SD to the TV directly, instead of upconverting it to 16:9 HD.

It's best to let the tv do the upconverting since it does a better job than the cable box.

Setting DRC to "Interlaced" triggers the upconversion to 960i.

Alright I think I'm going to get the 970 this weekend (Circuit City is having a sale). Some of my friends are trying to talk me into DLP sets, but some of my other friends are telling me that they have to replace a $200 blub every year and a half and I really don't want to deal with that. The LCD sets are rather tempting, but the loss of color depth, true blacks, and the blur from fast moving objects (on the cheaper sets) turns me off. Sure the 970 is a bulky behemoth, but that's the price you pay for quality at this price.

I got mine from CC last Friday, and I love the damn thing. Xbox 360 is amazing! The HD channels are brilliant!!!!!!! Even the standard channels look good!!! Get it, and you will not be dissapointed!!!

I fixed the grey bar issue, but now can not find an option in the cable box settings to allow for the 480i signal to pass through the box to allow the tv to do the upconverting. Any ideas?

I fixed the grey bar issue, but now can not find an option in the cable box settings to allow for the 480i signal to pass through the box to allow the tv to do the upconverting. Any ideas?
You didn't mention which cable box it is.
On the chance that it's a Scientific Atlanta 8300HD, there's a post in this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=772980) that outlines how to get into the "HD setup wizard."

Sorry it is a Pace and it says the normal hub bub on it HDTV Dolby Digital. It is from Time Warner Cable.

Sorry it is a Pace and it says the normal hub bub on it HDTV Dolby Digital. It is from Time Warner Cable.
...then I've got no idea.

A quick search through the AVS HDTV Reception Harware Forum (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=25) yielded nothing. I'd say post your question there and maybe somebody might know...

My only concern is that I've read that the 970 doesn't do true 1080i since it's a CRT (only displaying 853 X 1080 rather than 1920 X 1080). Is this a noticable thing, or is it only of concern on much larger sets?
Only if you have a sever numbers fixation. Pixel count is merely one aspect of image quality...

Why is it that at some points in shows in HD I get lip-synch issues, but at other times it is fine. I assume it is the sgnal coming in and not the TV, or the cable box. Also, what the heck do i need the cable ox for? I can plug straight in to the TV direct from the floor and get all the same channels!?! What exactlyis the box for, other than allowing me to order movies or other channels? Thanks!

Chris

Has anyone reported lag issues when playing game systems on the XBR970? I'd hate to get a nice new TV and not be able to play my PS2, GC, or Wii on it.

Has anyone reported lag issues when playing game systems on the XBR970? I'd hate to get a nice new TV and not be able to play my PS2, GC, or Wii on it.

Lag isn't an issue with CRTs...any CRT. Even an absolute piece of junk CRT will have no lag.

Lag isn't an issue with CRTs...any CRT. Even an absolute piece of junk CRT will have no lag.

That's what I thought, I just wanted to make sure. Looks like it's a XBR970 for me... :D

Also, what the heck do i need the cable ox for? I can plug straight in to the TV direct from the floor and get all the same channels!?! What exactlyis the box for, other than allowing me to order movies or other channels?
To tune channels that the QAM tuner can't pick up.

I'm sure this has already been covered within the 30+ pages, but here's my story.

I was watching tv tonight and changed the output from TV to #4 or 5 (one of the component hookups) and then the tv just died. I thought I accidentally turned it off, but when I try to turn it on...I have made numerous attempts prior to typing this...it will degauss as normal, but the red standby light will blink and then nothing happens. I fear the worst because the manual has an entry for this and all it says is "schedule a repair visit".

I am outside of the return period of 30 days from Best Buy, but I bought their extended service and so someone is scheduled to come out next week to look at it.

Has anyone had this happen to them?

Hey logan did you try unplugging the tv and waiting a few moments then plug it in again and check to see if it works Something like that happened to my 970 and that fixed it.

Yea, that worked.

Is that always going to be the fix or will it one day indeed require a tech visit?

Hi. I've been looking at the 970 model... I'm thinking that if it is still the best tube tv from sony than I will go ahead and get it Tuesday. But does anyone know if they have released a better one?

k thx bye

Hi. I've been looking at the 970 model... I'm thinking that if it is still the best tube tv from sony than I will go ahead and get it Tuesday. But does anyone know if they have released a better one?

k thx bye

Yes there are better CRT's than the 970, but Sony stopped making them over two years ago (the SFP XBR960 and XS955) so unless you get lucky and find a floor model somewhere (or go through ebay) you're never going to get one. The 970 is the best HD CRT out on the market right now, and unless you're in the mid-east somewhere, most likely the last HD CRT that is going to be made.

Yes there are better CRT's than the 970, but Sony stopped making them over two years ago (the SFP XBR960 and XS955) so unless you get lucky and find a floor model somewhere (or go through ebay) you're never going to get one. The 970 is the best HD CRT out on the market right now, and unless you're in the mid-east somewhere, most likely the last HD CRT that is going to be made.

What do you mean "unless you're in the mid-east somewhere" (I live in KY where the borders of WV and OH meet.)

and I still don't understand how a company like sony would discontinue a product that surpassed all in its class (CRT).

What do you mean "unless you're in the mid-east somewhere" (I live in KY where the borders of WV and OH meet.)

and I still don't understand how a company like sony would discontinue a product that surpassed all in it's class (CRT).
It cost a fortune to produce and ship them.

It cost a fortune to produce and ship them.

What exactly are you responding to? The question about my location or my understanding of Sony?

What do you mean "unless you're in the mid-east somewhere" (I live in KY where the borders of WV and OH meet.)

and I still don't understand how a company like sony would discontinue a product that surpassed all in its class (CRT).

No no, I mean the Middle "Middle East". Sony is apparently still making CRT HD sets in India and the middle east where CRT's still have a significant market share.

No no, I mean the Middle "Middle East". Sony is apparently still making CRT HD sets in India and the middle east where CRT's still have a significant market share.

lol sorry about that. Well I guess there is not much I can do about it. The Best Buy in Huntington, WV has 2 KD-34XBR970s still in the box and they have cut the price to $849.97

What exactly are you responding to? The question about my location or my understanding of Sony?I would say it is Sony. There have been so many issues over the environment and the amount of lead in the face of the tube is an issue. It is just not cost effective for them to make them anymore. Just like trying to buy a new car with a 426 HEMI.....

We'll never know why Sony discontinued the SFP 34" tube for the one in the 970, but my guess was cost to produce and the target MSRP to get stores to carry the TV. The trend for general consumers is to buy the latest technology, quality doesn't matter as much as the "look at my new Plasma/LCD" effect.

At this point, I would look at the new Plasmas as an alternative and stay away from LCD. If you like CRT, you wont like LCD. For resolution, the 50" 1080p Plasma is way better.

JMO

What exactly are you responding to? The question about my location or my understanding of Sony?

and I still don't understand how a company like sony would discontinue a product that surpassed all in its class (CRT).

That one.

I would say it is Sony. There have been so many issues over the environment and the amount of lead in the face of the tube is an issue. It is just not cost effective for them to make them anymore. Just like trying to buy a new car with a 426 HEMI.....

We'll never know why Sony discontinued the SFP 34" tube for the one in the 970, but my guess was cost to produce and the target MSRP to get stores to carry the TV. The trend for general consumers is to buy the latest technology, quality doesn't matter as much as the "look at my new Plasma/LCD" effect.

At this point, I would look at the new Plasmas as an alternative and stay away from LCD. If you like CRT, you wont like LCD. For resolution, the 50" 1080p Plasma is way better.

JMO

But Glen,

How close to a true black can a 50" 1080p plasma do? Have you had to chance to view one in a darkened room?

I think CRT blacks are as good as they can get. As long as the color black exists.

But Glen,

How close to a true black can a 50" 1080p plasma do? Have you had to chance to view one in a darkened room?A CRT direct view doesn't have true blacks either. The new plasmas have come a long way, Panasonic seems to be the best black level.

BTW, the 34" TV should not be viewed in a dark room. You should have a bias light or some neutral light in the room.

CRT's Black doesn't produce 100% black and so does Plasma. The best 1080p Plasma right
now is Pioneer.

I have a quick question. I am using the Pace 551 cable box with the 970, as I have spoken about earlier. Anyway, it offers no "pass thru" option, but rather claims in the info that the DVI setting is the same as pass thru, letting the incoming signal pass thru to the TV. I do not want the box doing any converting! I want the TV to do it. When I set the box to DVI and check the signal by pressing display on the TV remote it says 1080i input even when on ESPN, which id 720p?????? Any ideas? Thanks!

Chris

Also, Anyone else get a little jittering on Discovery HD?

A CRT direct view doesn't have true blacks either.

It doesn't? How come I can have it on, turn down the brightness and even in a pitch black room, can't even see the screen?

It doesn't? How come I can have it on, turn down the brightness and even in a pitch black room, can't even see the screen?What do you mean by "turn down the brightness"? Is that the brightness level you watch? If you mean, reducing brightness from a proper, "calibrated" brightness level, then that is just as valid as saying, "I can't see the screen on my Sony when I turn the TV off........."

Just put up a 1/2 white and 1/2 black and see how black your blacks are. The major strong point the CRT has is it's near SMPTE-C colors. When properly set and with proper color decoding it can produce a very accurate picture. The weak points are size and resolution. The pixel pitch on the 970 is about .7mm and on a 50" 1080p plasma it is about .57mm and .75mm on the 65". For size, try gathering around a 34" TV, for HD viewing, at 1.5 x screen width, even 2x.

If you want a better HD picture, get a 20" graphics monitor with a .23mm dot pitch, 1080i is awesome on it. You just need to sit close.

Don't get me wrong, the 970 is a very good TV, accurate color, good color decoding, but not exactly high resolution,.... small picture,.... big & heavy.

What do you mean by "turn down the brightness"? Is that the brightness level you watch? If you mean, reducing brightness from a proper, "calibrated" brightness level, then that is just as valid as saying, "I can't see the screen on my Sony when I turn the TV off........."

No - it is not the brightness I watch. With the correct setting, I can see a little light output in a dark room. On the other hand, If I turn the brightness all the way down on an LCD or Plasma, it is still a well lit dark grey, and with the correct brightness setting it's even a lighter grey.

1080i looks just like 1080p in a screen size like 34'.

No - it is not the brightness I watch. With the correct setting, I can see a little light output in a dark room. On the other hand, If I turn the brightness all the way down on an LCD or Plasma, it is still a well lit dark grey, and with the correct brightness setting it's even a lighter grey.Generally, most TVs today should not be watched in a totally dark room, with the possible exception of a 65"+ CRT RPTV. Most everything is too bright, over 30fL to watch in the dark, then there is size and percentage of your field of view. Smaller than 65" you should consider a bias light.

As for your TV performance, when you have the black level properly set, the new generation Plasmas are there too, but they may have better ANSI CR performance because there is no internal reflections to contaminate the black level..

Glen, In your opinion as a Home Theatre Calibrator, and using 1-10 (10 being the highest) as a scale, how would you rate the xbr970's picture to, say, a good plasma, like a Pioneer or Elite? Strictly picture quality speaking from say 5-6 feet?

Glen, In your opinion as a Home Theatre Calibrator, and using 1-10 (10 being the highest) as a scale, how would you rate the xbr970's picture to, say, a good plasma, like a Pioneer or Elite? Strictly picture quality speaking from say 5-6 feet?At 5-6 feet only the Pioneer Pro-FHD1 and Panasonic TH-50PF9UK, the rest, the 970 and all other non-1080p Plasmas are terrible at that range. You see the pixel/dot structure. At 10 feet things change, but a Plasma may have 4x the screen area as the 970. Similar resolution but BIGGER, you choose....

Glen, Let me rephrase my question: How does the xvr970 rate to you from a 'pleasing picture' point of view? In other words, picture screen size and viewing distance aside, how would you rate the xbr970's picture -- i.e. smoothness of moving images, richness of colors, details in blacks, etc., when watching a movie-- to a plasma or lcd? I know 'Consumer Reports' has their opinion, what's yours? I hope i made sense...

1080i looks just like 1080p in a screen size like 34'.

No to me - not even close. The interlaced flicker and judder is pervasive even with the SFP sets. 1080p would be a huge improvement.

No to me - not even close. The interlaced flicker and judder is pervasive even with the SFP sets. 1080p would be a huge improvement.
1080p vs 1080i on 970 doesn't have any picture quality difference besides the judder
on still images and text. We have a 1080p SXRD and my 1080i FD Trinitron side by
side and there is no difference.

1080p vs 1080i on 970 doesn't have any picture quality difference besides the judder
on still images and text. We have a 1080p SXRD and my 1080i FD Trinitron side by
side and there is no difference.

I could not have said it better :o)

I've done my homework on interlacing and progressive scan in relation to screen size and refresh rate.

And yay to me for I am getting up at 10am tomorrow and going to best buy to get a 970 ( almost $900 after tax) and an Xbox 360 and I might try the PS3s HDMI.

Glen, Let me rephrase my question: How does the xvr970 rate to you from a 'pleasing picture' point of view? In other words, picture screen size and viewing distance aside, how would you rate the xbr970's picture -- i.e. smoothness of moving images, richness of colors, details in blacks, etc., when watching a movie-- to a plasma or lcd? I know 'Consumer Reports' has their opinion, what's yours? I hope i made sense...You can't really separate screen size and distance, but if you insist...... For me, the screen resolution is poor, much like a SD TV, Color is very good, no motion issues, black level good, for a DV-TV. IMO anything is better than a LCD FP, I just don't like them,yet. Plasma doesn't go that small. If i had to choose, i would probably pick the Panasonic 37" Plasma over the 970. JMO...

1080p vs 1080i on 970 doesn't have any picture quality difference besides the judder
on still images and text.

The judder and interlaced flicker is pervasive all over the screen at all times...it's just more noticable with text and still images. I guarantee I could spot native 1080p side by side 1080i instantly on a DV CRT - not even close.

The judder and interlaced flicker is pervasive all over the screen at all times...it's just more noticable with text and still images. I guarantee I could spot native 1080p side by side 1080i instantly on a DV CRT - not even close.
Do you own a 1080p TV or do you go to Best Buy or Circuit City to judge? My family
have both feeding both their native resolution. The way you say it is just plain ignorance
and confusing the consumers, no offense.

Do you own a 1080p TV or do you go to Best Buy or Circuit City to judge? My family
have both feeding both their native resolution. The way you say it is just plain ignorance
and confusing the consumers, no offense.

The perceivable difference between interlaced and progressive has little to do with native resolution and/or the size of a display. I'm also talking about 1080p DV CRT vs. 1080i DV CRT or any progressive vs. interlaced comparison with all other things being equal. The difference is easily noticable to me. I also believe that side by side, most people could tell the difference...they just think that the interlaced flicker and interlaced judder they are seeing with 1080i is regular beam flicker when it is not.

The difference between the quality of interlaced vs. progressive has been well documented. Do a web search on the "interlaced factor" and you'll find many studies that have shown that progressive scanning provides equal picture quality/clarity to interlaced at significantly lower resolutions (as low as 50% resolution).

The perceivable difference between interlaced and progressive has little to do with native resolution and/or the size of a display. I'm also talking about 1080p DV CRT vs. 1080i DV CRT or any progressive vs. interlaced comparison with all other things being equal. The difference is easily noticable to me. I also believe that side by side, most people could tell the difference...they just think that the interlaced flicker and interlaced judder they are seeing with 1080i is regular beam flicker when it is not.

The difference between the quality of interlaced vs. progressive has been well documented. Do a web search on the "interlaced factor" and you'll find many studies that have shown that progressive scanning provides equal picture quality/clarity to interlaced at significantly lower resolutions (as low as 50% resolution).

Numbers and figures doesn't equal to real world situation. I own both. I don't judge
by different location. I judge from what I see side by side. Sure, you can convince
yourself 1080p has a big difference according to your "web search". I conduct and
make my own studies and put that in real word so people can know what the is what.
720p doesn't even have difference on 1080p, my judge between SXRD and 3LCD.
I don't judge by the numbers of what the corporation give me or whatever studies
the source tell me, I go by what's real and what you see.

Is this juddering the super fast shaking I see, especially on Discovery HD when there is a near still shot? Very fast shaking that my wife does not notice, but it makes my eyes hurt? It seems to be on that channel only though! Thanks!

Chris

Numbers and figures doesn't equal to real world situation. I own both. I don't judge
by different location. I judge from what I see side by side.

To my knowledge, there aren't any 1080p Direct View CRTs so I don't see how you can compare them side by side???


Sure, you can convince
yourself 1080p has a big difference according to your "web search". I conduct and
make my own studies and put that in real word so people can know what the is what.

What makes you the end all authority on the subject? You could simply state that you personally don't see a difference and leave it at that.


720p doesn't even have difference on 1080p, my judge between SXRD and 3LCD. I don't judge by the numbers of what the corporation give me or whatever studies the source tell me, I go by what's real and what you see.

You don't have my eyes.

Just bought one with an xbox 360 and a bunch of games. I'll post link to pics once I find someone to help me bring it upstairs :(

is this the best tv available (crt, lcd, plamas, projection, etc) in the $900-$1100 price range?

how does it compare to this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16889234001

is this the best tv available (crt, lcd, plamas, projection, etc) in the $900-$1100 price range?

how does it compare to this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16889234001
(For those that choose not to follow the link, that's a Westinghouse LVM-37W3 1080p LCD)

It really depends on what specific features you're comparing the two TVs on. Both have advantages in certain areas, so it depends on what's actually important to you in a TV.

If "thin" is important to you, then of course the Westinghouse.
If you're talking about screen resolution, then the Westinghouse wins.
If DVI or VGA inputs are important, then get the Westinghouse.

If "black" that looks "black" (and not gray) is important to you, the Sony is better.
If accurate color reproduction is important, then it's the Sony.
If rapid response time is important, to reduce "streaking," get the Sony.

so sony has the better PQ?

is this the best tv available (crt, lcd, plamas, projection, etc) in the $900-$1100 price range?

how does it compare to this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16889234001
IIRC, the Westinghouse states only 75% of the NTSC color gamut.

so sony has the better PQ?
It really does depend on what is more important to you. I think a broad contrast range (contrast ratio) and accurate color reproduction are most important to me, so I bought a XBR970. But in doing so, I made sacrifices in other areas... other areas that could be very important to some people. The XBR970 does not have the resolution of a 1080p LCD. Nor does it have the perfect geometry and perfect focus of a 1080p LCD. Therefore, some fine detail is lost on the 970 that would be seen on the 1080p Westinghouse. If you want your High Definition TV to be as "highly defined" as possible, and that's more important than anything else to you, then you'll probably be unhappy with a XBR970.

"PQ" is a subjective measure. You should look at as many TVs as you can with your own eyes and decide for yourself what you like the best.

I can explain to you all day long why I think Thai food is better than Mexican food, but when it's time for you to eat, the only thing that really matters is whether you like what's on your plate, not what I think.

I can explain to you all day long why I think Thai food is better than Mexican food, but when it's time for you to eat, the only thing that really matters is whether you like what's on your plate, not what I think.

Thank you.

and I still don't understand how a company like sony would discontinue a product that surpassed all in its class (CRT).
You need to look at recent history. The products that excel technically aren't always the best performers in the marketplace for various reasons. Consumers want flat panel TV's whether they're LCD or plasma or whatever.

so sony has the better PQ?

My Vizio ($999 42") has better PQ

My Vizio ($999 42") has better PQ
No. Hell no.

No. Hell no.

I agree.

My question to most of the recent replies here, including Glen Carter (who is a calibrator), is why you're on this forum. Yes, we're all due our opinions, and everyone's entitled to theirs, but isn't this a forum for xbr970 enthusiasts. Most of information I needed before buying my set was here. Thank you to all. But once the purchase is made, it's made. There must be something attractive about the xbr970, or why would Glen ( and please understand I'm not picking on you) and others spend time sending replies? If the xbr970 isn't the 'best' tv, then maybe other forums would be better suited for them...

Hi all,

New user here. I just got my 34XBR970 today and think it's great! I did have one question though - how do I adjust the vertical center in full mode? I am playing some PS2 games on it, and I notice there seems to be a black bar at the bottom of the screen.

One in particular is Guitar Hero 2 - I'm set to widescreen progressive mode and that seems fine, but the whole image seems to be shifted up about an inch off the top of the screen.

Do I need to get to a service menu or something? Any help would be appreciated.

Hi all,

New user here. I just got my 34XBR970 today and think it's great! I did have one question though - how do I adjust the vertical center in full mode? I am playing some PS2 games on it, and I notice there seems to be a black bar at the bottom of the screen.

One in particular is Guitar Hero 2 - I'm set to widescreen progressive mode and that seems fine, but the whole image seems to be shifted up about an inch off the top of the screen.

Do I need to get to a service menu or something? Any help would be appreciated.

Go to settings and put the down a little bit to your liking.

How far apart are the feet on this set? I plan on getting one soon, and need to know if it will fit on the TV stand I have now. I know the stand will be wide enough, but I don't know if it will be deep enough to hold the TV.

How far apart are the feet on this set? I plan on getting one soon, and need to know if it will fit on the TV stand I have now. I know the stand will be wide enough, but I don't know if it will be deep enough to hold the TV.
This was my response to someone with a similar question about the depth. He wanted to know if he could set the TV on a desk that's only 19" deep.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9657842&&#post9657842
If you scroll down from that post, you'll see photos of his set-up. He did end up placing the TV on that 19" deep desk.

Can anyone recommend a good screen cleaner and cloth for my 970?

Can anyone recommend a good screen cleaner and cloth for my 970?
My owner's manual says the following:
"Clean the TV with a soft, dry cloth."
And
"Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a cloth slightly dampened with water for cleaning the exterior of the set."

I use a soft, dry cloth (an old cotton T-shirt) to lightly dust the screen when it gets dusty, which is every couple days. Then I use water on an old cotton T-shirt for a more thorough cleaning every few weeks as needed.

After reading horror stories of people who scratch or damage the screen or screen coating, I never rub the set with any force. I never use any cleaning products. I only use water and I'm always very gentle with the screen. I've had no problems so far.

I figure, if I ever do run into any problems with the screen, I'll have a case for a warranty repair since I've never deviated from the instructions in the owner's manual.

Hi there,

I just got my new HDTV and I have to say that I am impressed with the knowledge that folk have in this forum. However, even after reading a lot of useful info and still learning, I have a few basic questions about this TV that I hope folks can help me with :

1) Does pass thru for Digital out only work for broadcast and not for DVD connected via HDMI - maybe I am doing something wrong ?

2) Can I tweak hue, contrast, brightness color etc... in each of the picture modes (i.e. vivid , cinema etc..) or they are all set at the factory. If one can do it , how and what people recommend as a good overall rule of thumb settings for this TV - I don't like over saturated colors by the way so i am looking at ways to achieve that.

3) What's your recommendation for watching 4:3 content as far as different modes are concerned i.e. what's the most or close to being natural zoom mode is it Full or Wide Zoom ?

4) What version of HDMI does this TV have : 1.1 or 1.3 - my set has been manufactured in August 2006.

5) Is there a service menu and how does one enter it ? Should I even bother with that and if so with what reasons ?

6) Any other words of wisdom from folks that have had this TV for some time , that I shoudl know about ?

So far my experience has been great - SD looks OK and upconverted HDMI 1080i DVDs looks great too - I am alwayas lookin at ways to improve PQ. Maybe yu can recommend DVD player as I am currently using Philips DVP 5960 with HDMI upconverting. Shuld I upgrade my player for better PQ ?

Thanks so much for all answers in advance!

HDSONY

My TV was just repaired, after 3 weeks, and i get it back the original problem is still there but all of the geometry issues are fixed, but now there is more problems, it is like there is a piece of surran wrap over the right side of the screen, and the purple blob that was orignally there is still there, what should my next step be? Call sony demand a new tv, i am not wating to get it reapried again,

Any ideas...???

I would call sony about a possible replacement and ask what their policy is. They may have a three strike rule. I love the pq on this set but after having a month of on again off again purple screens, it's being exchanged for a Hitachi plasma. I know the pq will not be as good but I am not gambling any longer. Set is being swapped out on day 29 of 30 day no questions asked return policy.

BTW-if you buy one of these get the delivery from your local B&M. Mine was defective and the store wouldn't send anyone to pick it up even though I offered to pay. 200 lbs is heavier than you may think.

edit-just read one of your old posts. BB EW should cover. I would call them and get things rolling.

what is BB EW? just out of curiosity, and what problems were you having exactly?

Some type of magnetic pic distortion causing purple corners. The pic posted is blurry but the purple would appear for days then go away for days, then reappear.

BB EW=Best Buy extended Warranty


34xbr970 serial purple number 2

How do I add a pic?

OH i got ya, this pruple has been there for about 3 months, and today when i got it back, i plugged in my 360 to the HD inputs and then got this terrible shadow effect on the right side, it almost looked like a mittor was there. The repair sop was great, but my BB warranty might not kick in until the sony one is up, and from browsin on the net, sony really don't like to give out new tv's regardless of how bad they are performing.

Im just pissed since i am a poor college student and put 1/2 of summer earnings into this TV, and i really don't have time to deal with all of this stuff with my TV. I was just so excited to get it back today, and then this garbage happens.

Next thing you know they will say the 360 caused it, you can slightly see it when the cable box is plugged in, even if the 360 casued it, it worked fine when i first used the 360 with it.


and thank you for responding

OH i got ya, this pruple has been there for about 3 months, and today when i got it back, i plugged in my 360 to the HD inputs and then got this terrible shadow effect on the right side, it almost looked like a mittor was there. The repair sop was great, but my BB warranty might not kick in until the sony one is up, and from browsin on the net, sony really don't like to give out new tv's regardless of how bad they are performing.

Im just pissed since i am a poor college student and put 1/2 of summer earnings into this TV, and i really don't have time to deal with all of this stuff with my TV. I was just so excited to get it back today, and then this garbage happens.

Next thing you know they will say the 360 caused it, you can slightly see it when the cable box is plugged in, even if the 360 casued it, it worked fine when i first used the 360 with it.


and thank you for responding

I hear you. Sony tech support sucks really bad so everytime I buy a Sony product
I pray so no defect. What you really can do is complain to Sony and Sony will do
everything they can like the last time I did it. You just have to be patient.

I recently picked one of these up at Circuit City. Overall the picture is good. Better than I expected because its an open box item. One problem I do have though is overscan and geometry issues.

My question: Does Sony really send a tech to your house to correct these problems? My set is under the standard 2 year warranty through Sony. Overall I'm happy with the color and image but the geometry surely needs work.

A second part to this is - how hard is the service mode to use? I'm no expert when it comes to TVs - this is my frist big TV purchase - but I'm a techie. Computer science student, work in IT, etc.

I've read 2 days worth of posts about the 970 as well as the service menu but I haven't found anything that really talks about fixing geometry - can someone point me in the right direction?

I've looked all over this board and haven't been able to find an answer for this problem I'm having, so I figure I might as well ask here.

I just bought a XBR970 about a week ago and there is this overscan that is just killing me. If I go to the menu I can move the image up or down, but that just ends up giving me the decision between cutting off the top or bottom of the screen. It's impossible to actually center the image because it's too big.

I looked in the Service Code thread, but I couldn't find anything to fix what I'm talking about. Could somebody point me in the right direction? :confused:

look at THE SONY SERVICE CODES topic posted by KenTech.
go to page 81 - post 2401

hyghwayman

So is this set vastly inferior to the 960 series??

So is this set vastly inferior to the 960 series??

"Vastly inferior" is probably a gross overstatement. The 960 is a SuperFinPitch tube. The 970 is not. Some good points to both, some bad points (as produced in these Sony models).

I can tell you that it would be very hard for me to imagine the 960 having a far superior picture than the 970. I have owned the 970 for about 3 weeks now and have seen insects on Discovery HD programs, and it has blown me off my feet. I can't see it getting much better!!!!

Has anyone had a problem with the remote on their 970?

Mine will reset itself often. I will set video 5 and then switch to the DVR tuner for switching channels. After awhile you will switch channels and it switches back to the TVs tuner and screw everything up. Have to switch back to video 5 often and back to DVR tuning repeatedly each day.

I can tell you that it would be very hard for me to imagine the 960 having a far superior picture than the 970. I have owned the 970 for about 3 weeks now and have seen insects on Discovery HD programs, and it has blown me off my feet. I can't see it getting much better!!!!

I've heard that although the 960 is quite a bit more sharp it is also more dark...and the 970 is already pretty dark imo. I've played around with the settings on my 970 to no end and I just can't get the picture as bright as I'd like without washing out detail and making everything look flat. Currently I have the picture set to 60 and brightness to 50. This setting has good detail and good color but is darker than I'd prefer, especially with 360 games. I also tried the picture at 50 and the brightness at 60 and that didn't look too bad but everything was kind of flat looking so I switched it back. I'm really curious what settings people have who have gotten a professional calibration. I don't really care about hearing about settings people have arrived at from personal tweaking but anyone who has gotten a professional calibration I'd really be curious to see what the calibration guy put your picture settings at.

Looks like Circuit City is getting rid of all their XBR970 inventory. It is on sale this week for $699.99. Check this week's ad.

Looks like Circuit City is getting rid of all their XBR970 inventory. It is on sale this week for $699.99. Check this week's ad.

Sheesh and I just paid 950.00 5 months ago.

And I appears that Best Buy no longer lists it on their web page.

Best Buy still has them in the stores - $850 was their clearance price last week - don't know if they will match.

Bought mine at BB but got the last one. Returned it due to defect and could not locate another 970 in this area. Got a Hitachi plasma. The 970 had a "clearer", less artifact pic. While the Hitachi appears to show more detail, and has very good depth, it can't compete on black levels and picture smoothness. To those of you with working 970's, your TV's PQ is up at the top and would be tough to beat.

Enjoy.

My mom bought one of these today. Her 10+ year old RCA gave up the ghost last week. I shopped this tele just yesterday. I liked it but wished that it wasn't 1k. Well my wish was answered an hour later as I hit FRY's. FRY's has it red tagged at $709. The FRY's sales rep mentioned that no one wants them and they will probably get cheaper. They had one in the store where I was Irving,Tx and 11 in Arlington,Tx

I get home and hit this board and find out last night that it would go on sale at CC this week for $699. Which worked out great because she lives in Oklahoma City and I was trying to figure how to price match out of town etc.

So if you are in DFW and you want this television then it can be found.

So she is getting her new tele delivered this afternoon.

I will tell her to make sure the brightness is turned down and to reduce the sharpness. I will probably head up there next week to make general adjustments for her.

I just hope she gets a good one.

She will get a good one, and tell her to take out of vivid and put into pro mode right off.

Best Buy still has them in the stores - $850 was their clearance price last week - don't know if they will match.
Yes, Best Buy will price match it with no problem.

hi guys
I am new to this great forum and need some help
living in europe and having received a 34xs955 from a relative coming from usa,i need a transformer for 220v to 120v.However with startup surge ,the 955(with 250w)draws a lot more power,but i don't know how much.So would appreciate some power number that let me purchase a correct transformer.

Have been searching around for a cheap floor model HDTV CRT for my 360. I walked into BB last Tuesday and they had brand new 970's for 599.99. I went back to HH Greg where they had a floor model 970 that they were dumping for 582.00. I thought maybe I could get another couple hundred off of that. NO DEAL! That was probably good. HH Greg scares me. My wife had given me the green light 2 months ago, but that was 2 months ago. I passed on the BB deal. On the way home I stoped at Sears still looking for that one time floor model deal. They had nothing. I told the sales guy about the BB price. He said they beat it, plus 10% the difference in price. Sears still had them listed at 999.99. After they called BB a couple times they made the deal. I got a brand new one in the box for 560.00 from Sears. I still got yelled at, but it looks good.

Originally Posted by sivartk
That depends....you would have to find a DVD player that does a better job at upconverting (upscaling) the picture to 1080i than the TV does...so you are already viewing an upconverted image even with a standard DVD Player. If it wasn't, it would be in "windowbox" mode when watching any DVD's.

So would me buying an upconverting DVD player be a waste of my money with this TV?

This is a question I have as well. I'm in need of a new HTIB and am going to get this XBR970 soon, but is there going to be a quality enhancemnet with an upconverting player as over a more 'generic' player?

The HTIB I'm looking at is the Sony HT-7000DH 5 disc player with HDMI, and I know a few of the drawbacks with this particular HTIB - and I can live with them. Has anyone else tried this system on this TV?

Also, does anyone have the actual screen measurements? Top to bottom, left to right...the 34" diagonal means nothing to me. I've heard that widescreen TV's measure left to right, so 34" would be the screen width but I still don't know the height. Also, sony's site mentions that they are measuring corner to corner and that doesn't help if you don't know the angle of the corners (since it's a rectangle, not a square). Clarification on this point would be very helpful.

On another note, went to sears this weekend with the wife and saw it (have her approval - yay!), the salesperson looked at me like I was a fool when I told him I wanted this TV. He told me that I could get an LCD for the same price, and it be a better quality picture. My wife and I looked at all the other TV's on display, and none of them were as crisp and clear as this unless you started browsing towards the ones that were over 2k. The TV's in stock there that were near 1000, were nowhere near as crisp.

Thanks in advance for the answers, excited about getting this TV. Will have to end the boycott on Circuit City if they're selling them for $700.

all TV's screens are measured on the diagonal. a 34" Widescreen has about the same height as a 28" standard (4:3) TV.

See this calculator (http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-7608_7-1016109-4.html) for any comparisons.

Also, does anyone have the actual screen measurements? Top to bottom, left to right...the 34" diagonal means nothing to me. I've heard that widescreen TV's measure left to right, so 34" would be the screen width but I still don't know the height. Also, sony's site mentions that they are measuring corner to corner and that doesn't help if you don't know the angle of the corners (since it's a rectangle, not a square). Clarification on this point would be very helpful.
That TV is 34" on the diagonal. So given that the aspect ratio is 16:9, that means the viewable area of the screen is approximately 29.6" wide by 16.7" high.

i went to circuit city to look at this set and while I was watching the video loop i noticed that the picture near the left side was slanting downward.

I currently have a 27" Sony crt and notice the same thing on it. I am just curious if other people see this.

Can it be dialed out?

i went to circuit city to look at this set and while I was watching the video loop i noticed that the picture near the left side was slanting downward.

I currently have a 27" Sony crt and notice the same thing on it. I am just curious if other people see this.

Can it be dialed out?
Yes, a competent technician can do a great deal of adjustment and correction to geometry problems such as these through the TV's built-in service menu. This "SONY SERVICE CODES" thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=531494) has a lot of information on making adjustments within the service menu. Your 27" Sony CRT can likely be adjusted in the same manner.

ya, ive also noticed my tv, when displaying widescreen images has a slight bend to it, almost like a frown, and another thing, it trims the very edges of the image off. When watching HD TV, sometimes the little network "Bug" is slightly trimmed off, like, when watching HD NBC NEWS, the H in hd is half gone, and on ABC, the squared HD icon, doesnt completly display the square. is there a way to fix this. i know im not in zoomed mode....


Like i said, real minor complant, but, from a perfectionest, its anoying

I see some bending in the upper and lower corners (like on CBS' score bar at the bottom of the NCAA games) - its not bad but my 40XBR800 doesn't have the bend. Of course, the 800 HDTV picture does not go the corners which may be why it doesn't bend. The bend does seem to get better as the TV warms up. Not a huge issue.

On the trimming off of the bug, it's just overscan. If you move the picture up with a vertical adjustment then you can see the whole bug but of course you lose the top part of the picture. I had a set with underscan and it was much worse to see the white line and junk at the top of the screen.

55 sounds a little high. Are you in "Pro" mode? Also, you are better off using component with this set - it is sharper than HDMI by about 15-20%.

Hi, I just bought the 970. Can you tell me why the component connection on this set would be 15-20% sharper ? Also, can you recommend the
"best" component cables to use with this set connected to the SA8300 STB ?
Jim

Hi, I just bought the 970. Can you tell me why the component connection on this set would be 15-20% sharper ? Also, can you recommend the
"best" component cables to use with this set connected to the SA8300 STB ?
Jim


I still have never used my HDMI port. My 360 doesn't support HDMI and my cable DVR box has a HDMI output but it is disabled. So I can't verify if there is a difference or not. But since the set is a tube I suppose that component might look better because I've heard that the benefits of HDMI are mostly apparent on digital devices like LCDs and Plasmas.

There is a lot of arguing in this thread, and I don't have time to sort through it. I saw this TV on clearance at Best Buy today and was wondering if it's a good TV. Could someone list the pro's and con's of it?

There is a lot of arguing in this thread, and I don't have time to sort through it. I saw this TV on clearance at Best Buy today and was wondering if it's a good TV. Could someone list the pro's and con's of it?

LOL. Is this for real?

Pros: Excellent picture, HDMI input, smartly designed universal remote control
Cons: No CableCARD slot, very heavy cabinet

typed in 34xbr970 review into browser and this came up on page one. took a few seconds...

There is a lot of arguing in this thread, and I don't have time to sort through it. I saw this TV on clearance at Best Buy today and was wondering if it's a good TV. Could someone list the pro's and con's of it?

Pros: PICTURE QUALITY
Cons: HEAVY

is there any specific settings that are universal or does it vary by tv? i am a noob to this so anyhelp will be greatly apprecoated. my problem is that i have international free tv on my 970 and it is zoomed to fit the screen but it comes out somewhat pixelated, is there anyway to adjust this. I have a pansat reciever and my old 13year old tube sony seems to have a better picture than this does! what is my problem

LOL. Is this for real?

Pros: Excellent picture, HDMI input, smartly designed universal remote control
Cons: No CableCARD slot, very heavy cabinet

typed in 34xbr970 review into browser and this came up on page one. took a few seconds...
Yes it's for real. This entire thread is full of people arguing with each other about whether it has this tube or that tube, etc. I don't have time to read through 20+ pages just to find out a few details.

I'm mainly concerned with PQ. The heavy cabinet doesn't bother me.

Thanks for the input.

lets see....the 960 version (which some have said is better) hasn't been available for over a year....so make your decision with that in mind. If size / weight doesn't bother you and 34" is large enough, the picture quality of a tube HDTV will outshine any LCD or rear projection unit.

Hi all,

I'm still working out the kinks in my setup it seems. For some reason, every so often when I power up the TV I can see a horizontal dark line that moves up the screen from the bottom to the top. I had a rats nest of wires behind the set (PS2, Xbox, Wii, DVD, cable box, and a receiver) so I thought that with all of the power lines etc. that may be causing the issue.

Today I took everything out of the cabinet and rewired it one item at a time, and the dark line seemed to go away. I bundled up all of the slack wires and there's a lot less crossing of the lines. I thought it was all cut and dried, until I turned it on a few minutes ago.

The dark line was back! I am still confused as to what's causing this. I turned off the TV and turned it back on again after only a few seconds, and the dark line disappeared. Can anyone think of what may be causing this? I've got the PS2, Xbox, and the Wii connected to a component switch box that is connected to Input 4 on the TV, and the audio is running to a receiver.

If I turn on the TV with nothing connected to it, I can still see a faint interference pattern on the dark background. Am I too close to a power line or under an antenna or something? When the line isn't there, I love the TV. When it is there, it's all I can see! A little anal, I know. But any help would be appreciated.

I'm mainly concerned with PQ.
If that's the case you need to look at one in person. PQ is subjective.

Hi all,

I'm still working out the kinks in my setup it seems. For some reason, every so often when I power up the TV I can see a horizontal dark line that moves up the screen from the bottom to the top. I had a rats nest of wires behind the set (PS2, Xbox, Wii, DVD, cable box, and a receiver) so I thought that with all of the power lines etc. that may be causing the issue.

Today I took everything out of the cabinet and rewired it one item at a time, and the dark line seemed to go away. I bundled up all of the slack wires and there's a lot less crossing of the lines. I thought it was all cut and dried, until I turned it on a few minutes ago.

The dark line was back! I am still confused as to what's causing this. I turned off the TV and turned it back on again after only a few seconds, and the dark line disappeared. Can anyone think of what may be causing this? I've got the PS2, Xbox, and the Wii connected to a component switch box that is connected to Input 4 on the TV, and the audio is running to a receiver.

If I turn on the TV with nothing connected to it, I can still see a faint interference pattern on the dark background. Am I too close to a power line or under an antenna or something? When the line isn't there, I love the TV. When it is there, it's all I can see! A little anal, I know. But any help would be appreciated.

I might have the same problem or something similar. I have an intermittent dark horizontal noise line that shows up when I'm using 480i inputs or on my analog tuner. The line is slightly darker than the image, about 1/4 inch wide, and scrolls down to the bottom very slowly, takes almost 15-20 minutes. The line is at different vertical positions when I change the channels. If I use 480 progressive, HD, or the HD digital tuner the line is gone. If I turn off the TV and back on the line is gone. But it will come back intermittently if I cycle through the channels. I've had warranty service performed on the set a couple times. My B-board was replaced, then my Qbox was replaced but I still have the line. My TV is going in for service a 3rd time. I'll post again if the problem gets fixed.

Warning, replacing the Qbox resets EVERYTHING!

:eek:

I have a question.

When watching Cnn, Fox, MSNBC, the text that comes across the bottom kind of curves up and down as it comes across. I also notice if there is to be a straight line going across the bottom is more curvy at the ends then straight. It seems the geometry is a little off. Is this normal or should I call tech support?

got BB to match a CC $699 price. NICE. got the 4 year service plan for $99. So, out the door for under $850 12 mo/SAC fin. flawless unit. TODIE4 picture. My first entry into HD. Now... how about a stand... will the stand for the 34XBR910 fit?

This thread rules. Thanks Guys.

One question:

I have a 27" SD Wega right now and I love it. I'm primarily wanting to get the 970 because I just got a 360 and I learned that the CRT TV's are being discontinued by retailers.

Possibly the biggest thing with a TV for me right now is displaying videos through my PC's video card on my TV. I currently use S-Video to hook up my PC to Wega and then display .avi files or dvd's though VLC player. It looks fantastic in my opinion.

Can I expect at least equal quality hooking up my PC to the 970 though either DVI/HDMI or S-video?

I imagine that since it is widescreen, all else being equal it will be able to display a bigger picture.

All I want to know is that I wont loose anything going from my SD Wega to a HD Trinitron

This thread rules. Thanks Guys.

One question:

I have a 27" SD Wega right now and I love it. I'm primarily wanting to get the 970 because I just got a 360 and I learned that the CRT TV's are being discontinued by retailers.

Possibly the biggest thing with a TV for me right now is displaying videos through my PC's video card on my TV. I currently use S-Video to hook up my PC to Wega and then display .avi files or dvd's though VLC player. It looks fantastic in my opinion.

Can I expect at least equal quality hooking up my PC to the 970 though either DVI/HDMI or S-video?

I imagine that since it is widescreen, all else being equal it will be able to display a bigger picture.

All I want to know is that I wont loose anything going from my SD Wega to a HD Trinitron
No, you really shouldn't lose any quality going to the HD set. The high-definition display may allow you to see all of the flaws in the original source material that would normally have been "smoothed out" by a lower-resolution set. But high quality SD material looks very nice on the HD wega.

Hi all,

I'm still working out the kinks in my setup it seems. For some reason, every so often when I power up the TV I can see a horizontal dark line that moves up the screen from the bottom to the top. I had a rats nest of wires behind the set (PS2, Xbox, Wii, DVD, cable box, and a receiver) so I thought that with all of the power lines etc. that may be causing the issue.

Today I took everything out of the cabinet and rewired it one item at a time, and the dark line seemed to go away. I bundled up all of the slack wires and there's a lot less crossing of the lines. I thought it was all cut and dried, until I turned it on a few minutes ago.

The dark line was back! I am still confused as to what's causing this. I turned off the TV and turned it back on again after only a few seconds, and the dark line disappeared. Can anyone think of what may be causing this? I've got the PS2, Xbox, and the Wii connected to a component switch box that is connected to Input 4 on the TV, and the audio is running to a receiver.

If I turn on the TV with nothing connected to it, I can still see a faint interference pattern on the dark background. Am I too close to a power line or under an antenna or something? When the line isn't there, I love the TV. When it is there, it's all I can see! A little anal, I know. But any help would be appreciated.


I think I have this same issue. When I switch channels, you can see the small dark line across the screen. Problem is, I don't know if it has always been there or if I just started noticing it. :confused:

Hi Everyone,

I have this TV and have read that it has a Native Res of 1080i, and it will except all res from 480i/p up to 1080i.

My question is will this TV display a 720p res input at 720p or is it upscaled to 1080i?

Thanks for any and all replys,
hyghwayman

Hi Everyone,

I have this TV and have read that it has a Native Res of 1080i, and it will except all res from 480i/p up to 1080i.

My question is will this TV display a 720p res input at 720p or is it upscaled to 1080i?

Thanks for any and all replys,
hyghwayman
As I understand it (mostly from what others have said previously here on this forum):

1080i is displayed as 1080i (natively)
720p is upscaled to 1080i
480p is displayed as 480p (natively)

Regarding 480i:
When the DRC mode is set to "Interlaced" or "CineMotion," I believe 480i is upscaled to either 1080i or 960i, although I'm not sure which.
When the DRC mode is set to "Progressive," I believe 480i is deinterlaced and displayed as 480p.

Regarding 480i:
When the DRC mode is set to "Interlaced" or "CineMotion," I believe 480i is upscaled to either 1080i or 960i, although I'm not sure which.
It's 960i.

As I understand it (mostly from what others have said previously here on this forum):

1080i is displayed as 1080i (natively)
720p is upscaled to 1080i
480p is displayed as 480p (natively)

Regarding 480i:
When the DRC mode is set to "Interlaced" or "CineMotion," I believe 480i is upscaled to either 1080i or 960i, although I'm not sure which.
When the DRC mode is set to "Progressive," I believe 480i is deinterlaced and displayed as 480p.

If you have incoming 1080i signal, the resolution is 853x1080i
If you have incoming 720p signal, the resolution will be upconverted to 853x1080i
When DRC is set on Interlaced, the resolution is 853x960i
When DRC is set on Progressive, the resolution is 853x480p
When DRC is set on CineMotion, the resolution is 853x480p having applied reverse 3-2 pulldown.

What version of HDMI does this set support?It doesnt say it in the manual.Something im curious about,thxs.

What version of HDMI does this set support?It doesnt say it in the manual.Something im curious about,thxs.
According to service menu, it's HDMI 1.2. Basically all of 2006 version below is that or
lower. The only TV that I know that supports HDMI 1.3 is those high-end TV like the
Sony BRAVIA 70" that supports more color (xvYCC). Why are you even curious about
this, it's nothing to worry about. If you are talking about PS3, just flush that out of
your brain about HDMI 1.3.

According to service menu, it's HDMI 1.2. Basically all of 2006 version below is that or
lower. The only TV that I know that supports HDMI 1.3 is those high-end TV like the
Sony BRAVIA 70" that supports more color (xvYCC). Why are you even curious about
this, it's nothing to worry about. If you are talking about PS3, just flush that out of
your brain about HDMI 1.3.

Cool,I was just curious.I have a 360(and love it) and dont have a PS3.Yeah i know 1.3 isnt even for the games on PS3 anyway.Thxs for responding.

can anybody please tell me what would be the best *component video cable for this tv that would give the best possible picture quality????
Thanks in advance

also i want to know if there is a component-to-HDMI cable available?

can anybody please tell me what would be the best composite video cable for this tv that would give the best possible picture quality????
Thanks in advance

Best Composite or best cable? If you are looking for a specific Composite (cable), there
will be no difference between brands. If you are looking for the best cable that provides
higher bandwidth, use HDMI if not use Component.

try monoprice.com....good cables and great prices. Maybe you meant component cable? Don't fall prey to the monster (brand)

If you have incoming 1080i signal, the resolution is 853x1080i
If you have incoming 720p signal, the resolution will be upconverted to 853x1080i
When DRC is set on Interlaced, the resolution is 853x960i
When DRC is set on Progressive, the resolution is 853x480p
When DRC is set on CineMotion, the resolution is 853x480p having applied reverse 3-2 pulldown.

Ok that's confusing to me. I can understand how with a resolution of 853x1080 it would still be HD since there's just as many pixels as 720p (about 921,000), but how can it be widescreen? In order to have a 16:9 aspect ratio it needs 16 horizontal pixels for every 9 vertical pixels right? But that's not the case at that resolution. Also how can it resolve all the detail of say 720p for example? It doesn't have enough horizontal pixels (853 instead of 1280) and it has has too many vertical pixels (1080 instead of 720). Sorry I know to some of you that probably sounds really stupid but I've only recently become interested in home theater (been researching for about 3 months). I don't typically get caught up in the numbers game but how this TV can display 720p or 1080i without any detail loss is rather confusing to me.

Ok that's confusing to me. I can understand how with a resolution of 853x1080 it would still be HD since there's just as many pixels as 720p (about 921,000), but how can it be widescreen? In order to have a 16:9 aspect ratio it needs 16 horizontal pixels for every 9 vertical pixels right? But that's not the case at that resolution. Also how can it resolve all the detail of say 720p for example? It doesn't have enough horizontal pixels (853 instead of 1280) and it has has too many vertical pixels (1080 instead of 720). Sorry I know to some of you that probably sounds really stupid but I've only recently become interested in home theater (been researching for about 3 months). I don't typically get caught up in the numbers game but how this TV can display 720p or 1080i without any detail loss is rather confusing to me.

Do me a favor and stop confusing yourself. It's HD period regardless of the aspect
ratio. That's its pixel and you can't change it. It's better than any of the LCD mid-range
level. Have you seen this TV in action? Perhaps not. I suggest stop fussing over the
numbers and start watching it instead of judging by specification.

It's HD period regardless of the aspect
ratio.

All programming isn't HD so how can "everything" be HD. There are a few HD programs that are 4:3, but not many (King of the Hill?)

All programming isn't HD so how can "everything" be HD. There are a few HD programs that are 4:3, but not many (King of the Hill?)
This isn't based on programming you know. If you read the whole thing, we are talking
about the TV in specific.

try monoprice.com....good cables and great prices. Maybe you meant component cable? Don't fall prey to the monster (brand)
I also highly recommend firefold.com Great cables at a extremely great price. Great customer service as well.

Ok that's confusing to me. I can understand how with a resolution of 853x1080 it would still be HD since there's just as many pixels as 720p (about 921,000), but how can it be widescreen? In order to have a 16:9 aspect ratio it needs 16 horizontal pixels for every 9 vertical pixels right? But that's not the case at that resolution. Also how can it resolve all the detail of say 720p for example? It doesn't have enough horizontal pixels (853 instead of 1280) and it has has too many vertical pixels (1080 instead of 720). Sorry I know to some of you that probably sounds really stupid but I've only recently become interested in home theater (been researching for about 3 months). I don't typically get caught up in the numbers game but how this TV can display 720p or 1080i without any detail loss is rather confusing to me.Basically you all are confusing an analog display with digital parameters. A CRT draws a line from one side of the screen to the other, nothing more. The same line is drawn whether it is a 960 or 970 or a 6" or 9" projector. The only visual difference is the displays ability to resolve the image. Resolution is mainly in how many horizontal lines are drawn. I have never seen any definitive number published by Sony stating how many horizontal lines of resolution the 960 or 970 will display. Just the input resolutions it will accept and internally scale for display. It may max out at 540p/1080i.

Is the Sony KD-34XS955N available anywhere? Or should I just forget it and buy the KD-34XBR970? I really like the super fine pitch on the 955....bummer :(

........ I have never seen any definitive number published by Sony stating how many horizontal lines of resolution the 960 or 970 will display. Just the input resolutions it will accept and internally scale for display. It may max out at 540p/1080i.A Sony troubleshooting manual states that the DA4 chassis, which includes the XBR800 through the current XBR970, has a fixed display horizontal scan frequency of 33.75kHz, which is the scan rate for 1080i/540p. All inputs are converted to that scan rate for display.

There is a thread here (http://archive2.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=682879) where this was discussed at length, if you can wade through the garbage posts. :rolleyes:

Hi, everyone. I just received my new Oppo 970 dvd player this week and hooked it up to my xbr970 with both component and HDMI to compare the two. First I compared both in Pro mode at factory settings. The component connection looked A LOT better. Outdoor daytime scenes over HDMI look like they took place in the late afternoon. Faces looked masked in excessive shadows.

I then calibrated both using my Avia dvd. The color, hue, and sharpness for both ended up being the same, and the brightness only had a difference of 2. The big difference between the two was the picture (contrast). I like to watch movie at night with the lights off or dimmed and don't like really bright white levels. I kept the component's picture setting at 50. In order to achieve the same white level over HDMI, I had to set the picture to 90! I downloaded the hack firmware for the Oppo so now I can upconvert over the component cable and don't need the HDMI. I'm just wondering if this huge difference between component and HDMI is consistent with your experiences. Thanks!

I just need to fix an overscan problem, but I can't get into the service menu.

I looked at the SM thread, and the code given to access the service menu doesn't seem to work. I asked this question about 10 or 11 pages back, but didn't get a response.

Thankyou in advance.

hey guys, i just purchased this set a week ago to replace my old sony 32 inch tube tv that is 13 years old. Now when i connect my dish network to this tv, it is very grainy and almost pixelated, i was wondering if this is normal or if there was a setting to make it look nice, the reason i ask this is because my old sony tube looks much better than this set when watching dish network, when i purchased this set i was expecting it to outperform a set that is over a decade older. Please let me kno if you guys have any tricks or settings to help me out, thanks in advanced

upgrade to Dish HD? Then use the old TV for SD programming. Its a give and take, you basically "blew up" the digital image from dish about 3 fold to view on the new TV at 1080i

mmesallem, i just purchased this TV and im having the same problem as you are, I tried composite , S-video and component, but all looked the same, and the picture was still grainy (actually composite was making picture little bit better and softer),Can anybody tell us how can we make a SD picture from a regular dish network receiver on this TV better ????????I know it can't be 100% like HD but is there any other way without upgrading to HD or switching back to old TVs????????
Please help
Thanks in advance.

that is just the compromise of an HDTV....your SD image won't look quite as good. Think about a 640x480 picture file on your computer. Now blow it up and stretch it to fit your 1280 x 1024 display. Would you expect it to be just as sharp? No, you would expect a "grainy and jagged" appearance because you have done a digital zoom on the image. In laymans terms, that is what your TV is doing to your SD image.

If you bought the TV without planning on using any HD service (even the free OTA), then you may have made a mistake....or fell prey to the "HDTV" hype (misinformation). HDTV's will produce a great HD image, but you should expect your SD to look worse (all other things being equal -- viewing distance, vertical height).

that is just the compromise of an HDTV....your SD image won't look quite as good. Think about a 640x480 picture file on your computer. Now blow it up and stretch it to fit your 1280 x 1024 display. Would you expect it to be just as sharp? No, you would expect a "grainy and jagged" appearance because you have done a digital zoom on the image. In laymans terms, that is what your TV is doing to your SD image.

If you bought the TV without planning on using any HD service (even the free OTA), then you may have made a mistake....or fell prey to the "HDTV" hype (misinformation). HDTV's will produce a great HD image, but you should expect your SD to look worse (all other things being equal -- viewing distance, vertical height).

This is what I have always heard about HDTV's, but so far my experience has been the opposite! My DVDs look better than they ever did on my old SDTV, or any of my friends' SDTV's. Even when I first got my XBR970 and only had my old DVD player hooked up over composite (and therefore only 480i), I could already see an improvement! Now I have my new Oppo 970 hooked up over component and upscaled to 1080i and the picture is the best I have ever seen for DVDs! Even old movies like "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" look awesome! Maybe DVDs are the exception though. I get my cable installed this weekend and will see how SDTV content looks.

mmesallem, i just purchased this TV and im having the same problem as you are, I tried composite , S-video and component, but all looked the same, and the picture was still grainy (actually composite was making picture little bit better and softer),Can anybody tell us how can we make a SD picture from a regular dish network receiver on this TV better ????????I know it can't be 100% like HD but is there any other way without upgrading to HD or switching back to old TVs????????
Please help
Thanks in advance.

don't use Vivid, and keep your contrast low and your sharpness either in the middle or lower.

If your using vivid or Standard and have a high contrast setting then theres your issue ,the picture should look awefull. :eek:

I just purchased the XBR970 a week ago and I'm struggling to decide on my picture settings. I've read to avoid "Vivid" on several occasions, but my HD picture seems to look the best with a high contrast setting. Needless to say, SD looks terrible. I tried using the "Pro" mode and my HD just didn't look as sweet. Can someone please recommend some specific picture settings that may help me? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I just purchased the XBR970 a week ago and I'm struggling to decide on my picture settings. I've read to avoid "Vivid" on several occasions, but my HD picture seems to look the best with a high contrast setting. Needless to say, SD looks terrible. I tried using the "Pro" mode and my HD just didn't look as sweet. Can someone please recommend some specific picture settings that may help me? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Is this the first TV you've calibrated or adjusted in any way? If so, you might be so used to the torched look that "proper" settings won't look right at first or second glance (this was the case for myself, at least.)

How are the typical lighting conditions of your watching room (very bright or barely lit?)

Buy a calibration disc (like Avia (http://www.amazon.com/AVIA-Guide-Home-Theater/dp/630551982X) ) and set it up somewhat proper under your typical room lighting conditions (for your DVD/HDDVDplayer.) Use INHD Tune Up (assuming you have an HD cable service and access to INHD. INHD Tune Up Listings (http://www.inhd.com/products/viewProduct.jsp?prodId=23585 ) ) to calibrate your broadcast TV viewing settings (if you don't use Tune Up the DVD player settings gathered using the Avia disc should be somewhat close enough to use for your TV watching, anyway.)

Use these settings for a good week or so and allow yourself to become accustomed to how it's "supposed" to look, afterwards go back to Vivid and see how that treats your eyes (I'm willing to bet it'll feel unnnaturally bright and sharp, like you might feel the urge to put on sunglasses and turn away.)

If you still prefer the torched look by all means use it (but keep in mind that an unusually high brightness or contrast will negatively affect tube life,) it's all about what looks best to you. Remember though, if you're really used to the artificially bright look with inaccurate colors it will take a little bit to get comfortable with how it's "supposed" (short of being ISF'ed) to look.

As for the settings, I don't know - I'm sure someone here could help you out with 'em. I own a XBR960 and I don't know if the settings are completely compatible with the 970.

In the end, it's all about what suits your eyes the best.

just a heads up to those of you joining us from the stone age (like me);

connecting a cheap antenna will get you HD channels.
it's pretty weird getting channels in 1080i and 720p (3 of each here) with just rabbit ears from the 99¢ store.

what's the tuner that this called? (able to recieve digital channels with an analog antenna)

If I used an HDMI-to-DVI adapter could I use this TV as my computer monitor? Would it look any good or would it look awful?

just a heads up to those of you joining us from the stone age (like me);

connecting a cheap antenna will get you HD channels.
it's pretty weird getting channels in 1080i and 720p (3 of each here) with just rabbit ears from the 99¢ store.

what's the tuner that this called? (able to recieve digital channels with an analog antenna)
ATSC tuner.

yea, about the overscan, ive searched though these boards for a good 2 hours and havent found a clue how to fix it. does anyone have a steep by steep way of doing it!

yea, about the overscan, ive searched though these boards for a good 2 hours and havent found a clue how to fix it. does anyone have a steep by steep way of doing it!

Use search. I've answered this too many times.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10173486

ya know what, i dont want to ruin the set, so ill let a pro do it

The ad in todays paper Has the KD-34XBR970 for $649.99 at Circuit City. Wow!
Happy Easter everyone. :)

The ad in todays paper Has the KD-34XBR970 for $649.99 at Circuit City. Wow!
Happy Easter everyone. :)
Wow, I'm glad I didn't buy it last week. I think this is definitely the set for me now. :D

i just did the overscan tweek. worked like a charm. anyone know a steep by steep way to correct as much as possable the geomitry (sp) issue? i hate to be a pain in the ass, but i want to get the tv as close to perfection as i can

This is what I have always heard about HDTV's, but so far my experience has been the opposite! My DVDs look better than they ever did on my old SDTV, or any of my friends' SDTV's.
SD signal will look like crap or at least not as good as on the old CRT on all HD sets: LCD, Plasma or CRT.

Any idea's when this TV is getting discontinued? I've been considering buying one but I don't quite have the cash yet (even with Circuit City's sale this week) and I know once they're gone they're gone for good.

Any idea's when this TV is getting discontinued? I've been considering buying one but I don't quite have the cash yet (even with Circuit City's sale this week) and I know once they're gone they're gone for good.

They're discontinued now.

Hey guys, I gotta question about this tv. I bought this thing about 15 days ago, and ever since I've owned it, I've been looking at a major flaw in the picture. My tv has pretty pathetic horizontal linearity. My picture stretches out about 8 mm on the left and the right. No, it's not on widezoom. On everything this happens. I know that flat widescreen crts have difficulty being perfectly linear from left to right due to the tube not being curved but I would think that it could be adjusted closer than it is. It's annoying seeing someone walk from the left to the right on screen and watch their heads stretch, shrink in the middle, and then stretch again on the right side. My main question is, Does everybody experience this, or is my tv defective? The color accuracy and pic quality is second to none on this set, but this linearity problem really spoils the whole thing. Again, I'm not talking about widezoom, I know that the picture badly distorts on this setting. I'm talking about every other mode including normal. I know that there is an electronic adjustment called SLIN. I have adjusted it and either direction it makes the problem worse. I had a technician out to look at it and he says nothing can be done about it and thats the way it is because of the flat tube design. I'm not totally inlined to believe him since I knew more about the tv than he did. If someone could please help, because I can still return the set. Thank you in advance.

I was at BB a few days back picking up some DVDs. Just for fun I walked through the TV section.

Of course they had dozens and dozens of LCD / Plasmas ranging from $1000 - $5000, but I didn't see the XBR970 sitting where it usually rests.

Then I found it, in a back corner, sitting there crooked on the bottom shelf, with no price tag, and no list of features. Just a dusty old, unmarked HD CRT TV.

Sad.

Glad I got mine when I did.

well Penarin that is so sad indeed. I guess there are fewer and fewer of us left evryday who appreciate what others consider "old fashioned". Fools think nothing about spending thousands for a technology that quite frankly has crappy PQ.

The manufacturers and their advertising firms must be laughing their a**** off all the way to the bank.

Folks just gotta try to be like evryone else and they willingly buy into the hype.

just purchased the KD34XBR970 and when watching non HD programming in the 4x3 normal mode there is a white line that runs along the left side with the start of the picture. It is not on the right side. It is not there when watching 4x3 hd. It is also not there when put in the full mode and stretches it out....would like to know if this is normal or if I have a bad unit, would like to even exchange before circuit city runs out. Also when switching from video 1, 2 etc...sometimes a red and blue line flashes. Is that normal? Response would be appreciated.

well Penarin that is so sad indeed. I guess there are fewer and fewer of us left evryday who appreciate what others consider "old fashioned". Fools think nothing about spending thousands for a technology that quite frankly has crappy PQ.

The manufacturers and their advertising firms must be laughing their a**** off all the way to the bank.

Folks just gotta try to be like evryone else and they willingly buy into the hype.
There are a lot of legitimate reasons why CRT's are going away. One of the main reasons is the size/weight. I was seriously looking at this Sony for the basement gaming room, but at 200 + pounds and living in a old house with narrow stairways, it just wasn't practical. So I went with a 37" LCD. Now I'm looking at a 46" LCD/Plasma for my home theater. CRT's just don't go big enough for this room. And, after lurking at this forum for a couple of weeks, I noticed that CRT's have their fair share of problems too. CRT HDTV's are wonderful and have their place, but they aren't the "Holy Grail" of HDTV.

just purchased the KD34XBR970 and when watching non HD programming in the 4x3 normal mode there is a white line that runs along the left side with the start of the picture. It is not on the right side. It is not there when watching 4x3 hd. It is also not there when put in the full mode and stretches it out....would like to know if this is normal or if I have a bad unit, would like to even exchange before circuit city runs out. Also when switching from video 1, 2 etc...sometimes a red and blue line flashes. Is that normal? Response would be appreciated.


I don't think there's anything wrong with your set. CRT tvs don't do anything perfectly except black levels and color accuracy. Everything else like shrinking and expanding the screen, the microdisplays can do those perfect. I'm returning my 970 today because of some issues mensioned above. My tv had the same white line on the left side on normal just like yours. It was annoying at first, but didn't bother me after while. Especially after seeing all the geometrical and horizontal linearity issues. About the red and blue lines, thats probably normal. Especially if you're video sources are different resolution or scan type. These tvs sure are querky. The color and the detail are second to none, but you might find that the things this set can't do perfectly really piss you off.

So I was planning to buy a used Wega CRT HDTV from Craigslist, and I even went to the bank last night so I'd have the cash if the right deal came along. Then I went to CC just to look at TVs, so I could get a feel for screen size, 4:3 vs 16:9, etc. I looked at the XBR970 on sale; tempting, but a little more than I wanted to spend. Farted around and was about ready to leave when I passed down flotsam alley : all the miscellaneous open box stuff they were trying to get rid of. And there it was, a 34xbr970 for $509. Boom, deal over. Yes, it came with the remote - pfew ! Some dude whose name must have been Moose or Rocco carried it out to my car. (If you have tried to budge this beast, you know what I'm talkin' about !)

Anyway, I (foolishly) wrastled the thing into my apartment using a furniture dolly and fired it up with a UHF antenna. I am blown away ! My old TV is a 21" Wega, maybe 8 years old. Don't know what others are referring to about SD quality, but the images on my xbr's screen are awesome. Even the analog channels are much better than the old wega. (Is this the 3-d comb filter ? the upconversion ?) And high def is downright scary. When viewing "real people", I kind of wish it had a blur button - acne scars, turkey necks, mustache bleach, oh my.

I haven't had time to scrutinize every detail, but my newbie eyes didn't detect any problems with geometry, color, artifacts, or anything that would detract from pure viewing pleasure. I am a geek, though, so I'll prolly buy a calibration DVD just for the helluvit.

I've got to thank people on this forum who posted (rather strongly) in favor of the 16:9 format screen. I was really leaning towards 4:3, but now that I've had a chance to watch a few different types of broadcast on my set I really like the wider screen.

One (very minor) issue I'd like to know if I can fix. I have it in a smallish room with wood floors and plaster walls, and I really don't like the sound very loud. I find I keep it in the 3-5 range. Any adjustment I make is either one click or maybe 2, so its not hard to end up totally muted or much louder than I want. Is there any way to add some attenuation so I can get the same (low level) sound with the adjustment in the middle range (20 or so) ? I tried adjusting treble and bass to lower values, but that didn't do the trick. Don't think I want to duct tape pillows on the front, or use an external sound system either. I can definitely live with it as is, but if there's a secret fix I'd sure like to know.

ATSC tuner, cool. thanks GVLSandlapper.

i have my cable box and dvd player connected to video 4 and 5.
does the TV output audio too? i tried the connecting the red/white audio wires from the Audio Out on the TV to my reciever, but i got no sound, did i miss something in the menu? (the TV's speakers work fine)

Hello,I purchased the KD-34XBR970 back in March and since then I've had a bit of an issue. When I'm watching a show on my HR20-700 HD-DVR I get this really weird distortion in the upper right hand corner of the screen. It looks like some of the " pixels" are almost bleeding thru,it almost looks like the "dead pixel" issue that happens with LCD televisions. But when I adjust the picture mode to Pro or Movie the pixels go back to normal?

It seems to happen after about an hour of watching something either recorded or live,I am using a Monster HDMI Cable for my HR20-700 HD-DVR. When I watch a DVD I don't get that issue,I am using component cables for my DVD player. :confused:

Has anybody ever seen this happen on their Sony?

just purchased the KD34XBR970 and when watching non HD programming in the 4x3 normal mode there is a white line that runs along the left side with the start of the picture. It is not on the right side. It is not there when watching 4x3 hd. It is also not there when put in the full mode and stretches it out....would like to know if this is normal or if I have a bad unit
I too have this issue. Just like this (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9814307&&#post9814307) guy's post. After adjusting my settings using the Avia disc, it's noticeable. But if I change it back to the default Vivid setting it's virtually gone. So something I changed to make it look better made it look worse. I wonder if that's why Sony set these things to Vivid by default, to hide this flaw.

Could this by the problem of convergence that these sets have? It kind of gets annoying after a while when you know it's there. Kind of like a big brown mole on someone's face, ya can't help but to stare at it.

So I was planning to buy a used Wega CRT HDTV from Craigslist, and I even went to the bank last night so I'd have the cash if the right deal came along. Then I went to CC just to look at TVs, so I could get a feel for screen size, 4:3 vs 16:9, etc. I looked at the XBR970 on sale; tempting, but a little more than I wanted to spend. Farted around and was about ready to leave when I passed down flotsam alley : all the miscellaneous open box stuff they were trying to get rid of. And there it was, a 34xbr970 for $509. Boom, deal over. Yes, it came with the remote - pfew ! Some dude whose name must have been Moose or Rocco carried it out to my car. (If you have tried to budge this beast, you know what I'm talkin' about !)

Anyway, I (foolishly) wrastled the thing into my apartment using a furniture dolly and fired it up with a UHF antenna. I am blown away ! My old TV is a 21" Wega, maybe 8 years old. Don't know what others are referring to about SD quality, but the images on my xbr's screen are awesome. Even the analog channels are much better than the old wega. (Is this the 3-d comb filter ? the upconversion ?) And high def is downright scary. When viewing "real people", I kind of wish it had a blur button - acne scars, turkey necks, mustache bleach, oh my.

I haven't had time to scrutinize every detail, but my newbie eyes didn't detect any problems with geometry, color, artifacts, or anything that would detract from pure viewing pleasure. I am a geek, though, so I'll prolly buy a calibration DVD just for the helluvit.

I've got to thank people on this forum who posted (rather strongly) in favor of the 16:9 format screen. I was really leaning towards 4:3, but now that I've had a chance to watch a few different types of broadcast on my set I really like the wider screen.

One (very minor) issue I'd like to know if I can fix. I have it in a smallish room with wood floors and plaster walls, and I really don't like the sound very loud. I find I keep it in the 3-5 range. Any adjustment I make is either one click or maybe 2, so its not hard to end up totally muted or much louder than I want. Is there any way to add some attenuation so I can get the same (low level) sound with the adjustment in the middle range (20 or so) ? I tried adjusting treble and bass to lower values, but that didn't do the trick. Don't think I want to duct tape pillows on the front, or use an external sound system either. I can definitely live with it as is, but if there's a secret fix I'd sure like to know.

can't answer your question but congrats on your set. I got the last boxed set from my local BB but it was defective and ended up going plasma. The plasma has it's pluses, but these 970's are tough to beat.

I too have this issue. Just like this (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9814307&&#post9814307) guy's post. After adjusting my settings using the Avia disc, it's noticeable. But if I change it back to the default Vivid setting it's virtually gone. So something I changed to make it look better made it look worse. I wonder if that's why Sony set these things to Vivid by default, to hide this flaw.
Not quite the same thing, but when I was at Circuit City looking at a display model, they had "transparent" bar going from right to left periodically, so maybe that type of problem isn't an isolated incident.

does the TV output audio too? i tried the connecting the red/white audio wires from the Audio Out on the TV to my reciever, but i got no sound, did i miss something in the menu? (the TV's speakers work fine)
let me answer my own question;
yes, go to menu, audio, speakers off (and fixed audio to control the volume with the reciever's remote). the TV does NOT output audio with the TV's speakers set to on.

is it me, or does the TV do something to the audio? sounds too filtered and too much bass. (not in a good way, but not horrible either)

i must say that this is the best sounding TV i've ever heard (though even a cheap stereo is better than the best TV's audio)

Okay, day 2 and I found a problem with my set : the progressive modes (480p , 720p) aren't working. Status screen shows OTA antenna strength at 95-ish and "locked". Audio is clear. The image is coming through, but is all screwed up. Imagine the image is made of ink floating on the surface of water. Then you take a rake and drag it through the image from right to left. So there are streaks of what should be in the center of the image extending off into the left edge of the frame. If one video line is shifted way to the left, the next will be a little less so, and so on, until some lines are in the correct place. Then all of the sudden a line will be shifted way to the left again. If I try moving the antenna around it makes absolutely no difference.

When I first set the TV up, I figured I just wan't getting good OTA reception on a couple of stations. But then I realized that it was strictly a p vs i problem : 1080i and 480i work flawlessly, and the antenna diagnostics look good. Also, in both cases the p subchannel is adjacent to an i subchannel (e.g., 13.1 is 480p, 13.2 is 1080i) with essentially the same content.

Does anybody have any ideas what this could be ? Is there anything in the service menu that might fix this ?


UPDATE: Just in case anybody is reading this, I called a Sony tech who came and replaced the "M board" (which handles video processing) and everything works perfectly. All covered by warranty. So the set is definitely a :keeper" :)

Wow, you guys make me go back and forth on this TV. I was all set to buy this TV today but then I read some more scary reviews. Then I'll read how great it is and it makes me want to buy it again. What to do, what to do....

Wow, you guys make me go back and forth on this TV. I was all set to buy this TV today but then I read some more scary reviews. Then I'll read how great it is and it makes me want to buy it again. What to do, what to do....

I'm in no position to compare to other TVs, but (on the channels that work :) ) it really is awesome. Keep in mind 2 things :

1) I bought an "open box" unit, which judging by the minor scuffs on the sides was a customer return, not an in-store display model. They are supposed to check over all the returns and make sure they're in perfect shape, but its probably easier for them to let the customer do some of that for them :(

2) A forum like this is for people with questions. That means shoppers, tweakers, and people having problems. 99.9% of happy customers are not gonna show up on a forum like this. I used to be on a great forum for my car and it kind of freaked me out how many problems people had. I eventually handled the stuff that was wrong when I got it, and haven't been back since.

Anyway, good luck to you.

Thanks js22. I will more than likely end up getting this set. My current TV is a 6 year old Wega, and just like this one, the forums did nothing but talk about the problems that plagued it. Granted, my set ended up having some of the flaws that people had talked about, but they aren't so drastic that it makes me dislike the TV. It produces a image, and is still going strong after a ton of use over 6 years.

My only issue now it what to put it on! I just got back from CC, and I brought back the measurements from the set. Nothing I currently have in my house will hold this TV!!!! Oh well, I'll figure out something.

Thanks js22. I will more than likely end up getting this set. My current TV is a 6 year old Wega, and just like this one, the forums did nothing but talk about the problems that plagued it. Granted, my set ended up having some of the flaws that people had talked about, but they aren't so drastic that it makes me dislike the TV. It produces a image, and is still going strong after a ton of use over 6 years.

My only issue now it what to put it on! I just got back from CC, and I brought back the measurements from the set. Nothing I currently have in my house will hold this TV!!!! Oh well, I'll figure out something.


as you figured out already, it takes a good sized stand. make sure it can handle 200 lbs. i had to get a new stand because this beast wouldn't fit in my armoire. personally, i didn't want one of those modern looking stands. i find them unattractive and difficult to hide all the cables. i was looking more for a stand/cabinet that had more of a furniture look to it. i found what i was looking for at circuit city of all places. it's the Bush TV Stand (VS53936). it's not cheap ($278) but it's very sturdy, well built and looks nice. good luck.

My only issue now it what to put it on! I just got back from CC, and I brought back the measurements from the set. Nothing I currently have in my house will hold this TV!!!! Oh well, I'll figure out something.


Mine is precisely positioned on the floor in the exact spot where it came off the dolly. And its staying there until I'm certain that its all working okay and I've made my final decision about where I want it.

Fifteen years ago I made a nice wooden TV table. Shaker style, with tapered legs and a shelf for a VCR. When I got divorced, my ex-wife took the TV and I got the table, so I shopped for a TV to fit the table. I got a Wega, but I think it was the absolute smallest they made (20-21"). Those days are gone ! If I make a table for this beast, I'm thinking "dorm style" : lots of 4x4's and 3/4" plywood. Or maybe do some welding... Or maybe get one of those wheeled metal carts with a scissor-lift and a hydraulic cylinder. Decisions, decisions.

Not quite the same thing, but when I was at Circuit City looking at a display model, they had "transparent" bar going from right to left periodically, so maybe that type of problem isn't an isolated incident.
My prob seems to be there all the time though. Only while watching 4x3 material in Normal mode where you have a letterbox on the left and right. On the left side of the image at the border there a slight discoloration about a centimeter think going from top to bottom.

I wonder if adjusting the shutter or geometry in the service menu would help any. It just looks like an image misalignment at the edge and seems it could be corrected. I could always mask it by setting the letterbox color to gray, but that's not really fixing the problem.

Bell'O TV Stand Model: AVS-422T from Best Buy
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=5302914&st=avs-422t&type=product&id=1051806239501

perfect fit for the TV, very strong (up to 286lbs)

as you figured out already, it takes a good sized stand. make sure it can handle 200 lbs. i had to get a new stand because this beast wouldn't fit in my armoire. personally, i didn't want one of those modern looking stands. i find them unattractive and difficult to hide all the cables. i was looking more for a stand/cabinet that had more of a furniture look to it. i found what i was looking for at circuit city of all places. it's the Bush TV Stand (VS53936). it's not cheap ($278) but it's very sturdy, well built and looks nice. good luck.

I found this setup at walmart for 90 bucks. The two audio piers were 90 bucks each as well. I doesn't look modern at all and is insanely sturdy. Not to mension a ton cheaper than all that cold modern looking stuff.

Hey Vega, I'm glad you posted that picture, it reminded me of something I need to ask. What does everyone do with their center channel speaker? This TV is curved on the top so you can't simply just place it on top of the TV.

Vega, you look like you have yours mounted somehow. What did you do? Any input from anyone is appreciated.

holyl manloaf that thing is huge! If it were 40 inches I would dive on it but I don't think its going to be that big of a step in size from my 27' SDTV

Hey Vega, I'm glad you posted that picture, it reminded me of something I need to ask. What does everyone do with their center channel speaker? This TV is curved on the top so you can't simply just place it on top of the TV.

Vega, you look like you have yours mounted somehow. What did you do? Any input from anyone is appreciated.

That is a mount that I bought at Circuit City for 40 bucks. It is exclusively a center channel shelf that has a lip on the front so you can angle the center down like you saw in the picture. This is the link to buy it. (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/OmniMount-Center-Channel-Speaker-Shelf-CCH1P/sem/rpsm/context/99001307/oid/121849/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do) You can also find it in the stores. I refuse to shop at Best Buy, but they have it for 8 bucks cheaper in store.

holyl manloaf that thing is huge! If it were 40 inches I would dive on it but I don't think its going to be that big of a step in size from my 27' SDTV

Actually, it's a big step up if you have alot of stuff that runs in widescreen. If you watch 4:3 ratio stuff, it's not any bigger. However the picture is many times the size with a widescreen or letterbox movie. If you watch movies mostly, its a huge step up.

I posted an earlier message but nobody has responded :mad: I need to know if anybody else has had the same problem as me.

In the upper right-hand corner of my tube I am seeing some of the "pixels" that almost look mis-aligned from the rest of the tube. It only happens when I'm watching something using the HDMI Cable and after the tv has been on for an hour or so. There is nothing that I'm aware of that could be causing any kind of interference,no speakers/electrical wires,etc.

Please help!!

27" SD to 34" widescreen will be almost the same vertically- the 27" screen will be less than 1" smaller vertically than the widescreen (16.7" vs. 16.2"). Horizontally you give up about 8" of real estate (29.7" vs. 21.6"). Of course this is huge if you are watching hi-def content or letter-boxed movies. Then the SDTV gives up a ton in this case. I am not going to figure out how much though ;-)

It took me about 15 minutes to remember all my high school trig and figure that simple math out!

I posted an earlier message but nobody has responded :mad: I need to know if anybody else has had the same problem as me.

In the upper right-hand corner of my tube I am seeing some of the "pixels" that almost look mis-aligned from the rest of the tube. It only happens when I'm watching something using the HDMI Cable and after the tv has been on for an hour or so. There is nothing that I'm aware of that could be causing any kind of interference,no speakers/electrical wires,etc.

Please help!!


Try a new HDMI cable or try to hook that device up via some other method (component et al) or try to change your setup with regards to your cabling (where it's all run) make sure you aren't running near any fluorescent lights or other high-interference devices.

That is a mount that I bought at Circuit City for 40 bucks. It is exclusively a center channel shelf that has a lip on the front so you can angle the center down like you saw in the picture. This is the link to buy it. (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/OmniMount-Center-Channel-Speaker-Shelf-CCH1P/sem/rpsm/context/99001307/oid/121849/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do) You can also find it in the stores. I refuse to shop at Best Buy, but they have it for 8 bucks cheaper in store.
Dude, you're awesome. That looks perfect. :)

I have already swapped HDMI cables,no effect. It doesn't seem to happen using component cables. My tv isn't near any cables that could interfere with my tv..

just purchased the KD34XBR970 and when watching non HD programming in the 4x3 normal mode there is a white line that runs along the left side with the start of the picture. It is not on the right side. It is not there when watching 4x3 hd. It is also not there when put in the full mode and stretches it out....would like to know if this is normal or if I have a bad unit, would like to even exchange before circuit city runs out. Also when switching from video 1, 2 etc...sometimes a red and blue line flashes. Is that normal? Response would be appreciated.
I have that line too. It's more noticeable now that I've calibrated with Avia. But I was able to make it virtually disappear :) after tweaking some service menu settings. Optimized the convergence in the D-CONV area, and turned off edge enhancement using a suggestion from another member setting VMLM VMFO VMDL SHOF VMH VMM VML all to 0. I think the options that had the biggest affect were VMH VMM & VML. Adjusting those settings seemed to affect the bright line the most. Setting high really made it stick out, so the 0 setting was optimum.

So if anyone else has the bight white or green vertical line on the left side of your 4x3 material, then try tweaking the above settings to minimize its affect. As for the line flashing on video change, I haven't noticed anything myself.

My only issue now it what to put it on! I just got back from CC, and I brought back the measurements from the set. Nothing I currently have in my house will hold this TV!!!! Oh well, I'll figure out something.

Check out tvstands.com if you don't mind buying online. I got the one I linked to below and it has worked great! Really sturdy and a perfect fit for the 970. You get $10 off if you use google checkout.

http://www.tvstands.com/Ameriwood-Industries-12621GUS-AR1278.html

I bought the one from Wal-Mart that Vega78 recommended for $90. It works well for the price. The fit is a little hit and miss which is the luck of the draw with whoever cut it out and drill the pilot holes. My drawer is a little crooked and one of the trim pieces wasn't exactly square. The TV does stick out a little in the back but not enough to be unstable but you will have to keep it back from the wall a bit.

Oh, I forgot to mention, just picked my 970 up Saturday at Circuit City last one in stock for$650. So, I have a ton of questions. Everyone please forgive my lack of knowledge as I proceed. :)

I have a standard Dish Network setup. Don't want to buy a new HD receiver, dish, etc and pay more in monthly fees. Anybody tried a video scaler to improve the standard video from Dish or other satellite provider? Given what's going on inside the 970, I don't know if additional processing would help. Also, I have a little ghosting. I am using standard cables, S-video from the receiver. Don't want to spend a ton of money on high grade cables if the improvement is negligible. Also, any primer on settings?

I have a standard Dish Network setup. Don't want to buy a new HD receiver, dish, etc and pay more in monthly fees. Anybody tried a video scaler to improve the standard video from Dish or other satellite provider? Given what's going on inside the 970, I don't know if additional processing would help. Also, I have a little ghosting. I am using standard cables, S-video from the receiver. Don't want to spend a ton of money on high grade cables if the improvement is negligible. Also, any primer on settings?


i also use dish network (non HD) and i get my HD via OTA. i found using the pro mode works best for SD. you have to tweak the settings some. i'd be interested to hear from others how they achieve the best picture for SD. for me, it varies greatly from channel to channel; obviously the source signal will be different between an i love lucy re-run and a brand new program like planet earth.

Sorry if this has already been covered - has it been confirmed that the 970 is no longer being manufactured, and do we know how much longer they'll actually be for sale?

I want a good CRT and I know there's not going to be another XBR tube after this.

Thanks.

Hi guys, first post... I hate that I got tricked with the 970 over the 960 cause I thought it was an up grade. Didn't check or have a choice really. I just got one for $600 even and I have the older Panasonic CT-34WX52. So my ? to you guys is. Will the 970 have a better pic than my older Panasonic...? Thx --- D

YES!!!! And, you did not get "tricked" into anything! The 970 is a great tv! The 960 pq may be slightly, and I mean slightly better, but most would not notice the difference. Also, if you want to buy int all of the propaganda then the 960 has reliability issues with the SPF tube being too delicate! $600!!!!!!! You did great!

Is the 970 better then any lcd or plasma for the same $999 cost? Or are there any lcd or plasma tvs the same or better then the 970 for right around the same cost?

I ask because the 970 is only 34" and major heavy, but it is a tube. an lcd and plasma i would hang on my wall and would get 42" probably.

i am leaning towards the sony 970 though.

Cool, Thx it looks great and better than my old 34. Does anyone know anything about the lines bow - ing in on the corners and the Blue light coming in on the top left corner?? I have a guy from sony coming out tomorrow the check it out. Thanks D

Hi,

I recently bought this TV and just noticed that when watching SDTV and anything in normal mode the bars are different sizes on the left and right? Has anyone else experienced this? Is this something I should have a service tech come out and adjust?

Thanks in advance!

Cool, Thx it looks great and better than my old 34. Does anyone know anything about the lines bow - ing in on the corners and the Blue light coming in on the top left corner?? I have a guy from sony coming out tomorrow the check it out. Thanks D
I'm curious to know what he says. I have a similar horizontal geometry problem in the corners and have been contemplating contacting the local licensed Sony service establishment.

Ianzarlaluna, I will def post after the guy leaves he's coming between 2-5pm est. Its not that big of a deal but I don't think it shouldn't be there. Now that I know it's there, it bothers me. If you press display button you can see the line get lazy in top left corner. ---D

Ianzarlaluna, I found a link on page 40, this might be what were talking about. It wont let me post it, until I post 5 time first.

It will be on the 6th post

Here you go

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/show....php?p=10173486

Hey, I am thinking about buying a Toshiba 34HFX84 tv (yeah, i know it is not a sony, but i am in college), my question is does anyone know if Refurbished Electronics.com is a good site to purchase a product from,?? anyone know of anyone having experience from them??

The Sony Tech came to my house and made my Tv worst...haha Hes ordering me a new 1... Oh well, Do you guys think I should keep the 1 I bought from CC 4 $650. I also got 1 at BB 4 $555. I love pic do I need two 4 a game rm when I get my house next yr....? Thx ---D

I have noticed a bright green vertical bar on left side while watching SD in 4:3 mode on my TV, Is there anyway to fix this, please advice, Thanx

I noticed that I had the green line on the left hand side of the screen,it was especially when the picture was black. I found that if you adjust the color settings it seems to go away,at least it did for me. :D

I did a lot of research trying to find an inexpensive way to improve the SD picture on my 970. My wife is not happy with the fuzziness and would like to return the TV. I bought a LG V194H upconverting DVD/VCR combo unit yesterday. Radio Shack has it on sale for $99. Why I bought this unit is because it has the ability to upconvert all signals. I have a Dish Network receiver and do not want to upgrade to a HD receiver nor pay the additional programming fees. Last night I hooked my receiver to the V194H via composite and outputed through component to 970. In my opinion, it did a good job of cleaning up the fuzziness. I didn't see much difference between 720p and 1080i. I have a HDMI cable on the way and as soon as it comes in, I will try output through HDMI and see if it is better. The V194H will upconvert through component or HDMI. It also will play DIVX which was a requirement for me.

I have the new LG DVD/VHS combo recorder (797T) and with HDMI it upconverts a 4:3 image to 16:9....so watching all your VHS tapes will be stretched...just an FYI. If you hooked it up via composite, it wasn't upconverting....no unit can upconvert over composite and there are very few players that will upconvert over component. Component may actually be best in order to keep the correct aspect ratio and let the TV scale the component image like it was doing with the composite image. You should get a lot better picture.


DVD 1080i Upconversion with HDMI Output
A special video processing circuit upconverts all signals to 1080i (more than a thousand lines of horizontal resolution) via HDMI output for use with compatible televisions.

It only upconverts over HDMI, so you were not upconverting the composite signal.

The Sony Tech came to my house and made my Tv worst...haha Hes ordering me a new 1... Oh well, Do you guys think I should keep the 1 I bought from CC 4 $650. I also got 1 at BB 4 $555. I love pic do I need two 4 a game rm when I get my house next yr....? Thx ---D
My head hurts after reading that. :eek:

Well, today is the day! I'm buying a TV! More than likely it's going to end up being this Sony.

Go to Radio Shack's website and search for LG V194H. On the web page, you will find the product manual in pdf. Go to page 12 and you will find where it talks about resolutions for each out. It lists 720p and 1080i over component. The unit will also show you a blue screen that says that it is in high resolution. I can only go by that and the fact that the image was improved. I have a HDMI cable on order and I am anxious to see if that further improves the image. Again, I am not a videophile, so I can only go by what the manual says and my experience with the V194H and the 970.

I have the new LG DVD/VHS combo recorder (797T) and with HDMI it upconverts a 4:3 image to 16:9....so watching all your VHS tapes will be stretched...just an FYI. If you hooked it up via composite, it wasn't upconverting....no unit can upconvert over composite and there are very few players that will upconvert over component. Component may actually be best in order to keep the correct aspect ratio and let the TV scale the component image like it was doing with the composite image. You should get a lot better picture.



It only upconverts over HDMI, so you were not upconverting the composite signal.

Here is LG's response to my question regarding upconversion over component.

"Thank you for inquiring of LG Electronics. We appreciate your interest in this unit. Your Satellite signals will be upconverted through the COMPONENT connection, although the DVD signal will not, due to copyright restrictions. They will only be available over the HDMI port. "

For those interested, I also asked about the difference between the V194H and the LG's RC199H in terms of upconversion. The RC199H is a DVD recorder/VCR combo with component and HDMI out. It differs also from the V194H in that it has a S-video in. I wondered if the upconversion would be better on the RC199H because S-video is a step above composite. LG confirmed that the performance is the same. There is no advantage to the incoming signal coming over S-video vs composite. The RC199H also offers upconversion of all signals. So if you are in the market for a DVD/VCR combo that also acts somewhat like a video scaler, look in the V194H. If you want a recorder, the RC199H. However, the reviews of its recording performance have been mixed.

I hopes this helps someone. Not wanting to debate, just trying to provide meaningful information that is accurate. I always appreciate when someone has done that for me, like you who post to this forum and this thread.

Hi all,

I am really considering purchasing this set given the great price it is going for, but I need help with a few things.

1. How bad is the phosphor decay on this set? I have the KD-27FS170 already and whenever there is a dark scene with a bright image moving across the screen it leaves a nasty trail behind it. I find it so annoying, and if this set also has it I don't think I will be getting it.

2. Last time I was at CC I was looking at this set and noticed that the screen was bending (curving) downwards on 1/4th of the screen to the left. Is this something I can fix in the service menu? If so can someone tell me how?

I will go to CC to see it again but if it there is no way to fix the problems above then I might have to reconsider buying this and instead go for a plasma.

Well, I went to purchase this set and CC had raised the price back up to 999! The guy there said it may go on sale again but he doesn't know when.

Well, I went to purchase this set and CC had raised the price back up to 999! The guy there said it may go on sale again but he doesn't know when.
It's on-sale back again for $599.99.

With the set back down to $599, I am really tempted to take the plunge and buy it this week. But, I have a couple of questions.
1. My main reason for getting a TV, is to have a more pleasurable movie and computer gaming experience that comes with the higher resolution and larger screen size. How does this TV perform with a DVI->HDMI connection from my computer? Is the image crisp and clean, without wiggle/wobble/jitters?
2. I am at college right now, and if I order it, I would have it sent home for the summer. I would then bring it back to school, then take it wherever I end up after graduating next year. Will the multiple moves harm the TV?
3. Since the TV is being discontinued, if there are problems with it down the road (say 1-3 years form now), will replacement tubes/parts be available?
I have been browsing the forums for three months now daily, trying to educate myself on my future HDTV purchase. I really just want a large screen for computer gaming, something that will work well with my current systems (Dreamcast, Wii), future systems (PS3 or 360), and show movies decently. If I don't get this TV now I plan on getting a 37"-46" 1080p LCD at the end of July or August as prices come down (budget is under $1200, but the more I save on TV the more i can spend on other things aka graphics card/new console). Sorry for the long post, hopefully somebody can help me out!

2. I am at college right now, and if I order it, I would have it sent home for the summer. I would then bring it back to school, then take it wherever I end up after graduating next year. Will the multiple moves harm the TV?


Probably won't harm the TV, but it may harm your back...definitely not a "portable" set by any means. I owned the 36" SDTV (Tube) which was actually "lighter" than this TV and I wouldn't want to move it all the time...heck, when I sold my house, I sold the TV before the move to avoid having to move it :D

I'm in Canada and might go down to the States to buy this. It's about a hour and a half drive there and back. As soon as I get the TV back here and turn it on, is there anything I should look for to make sure it's working 100% or any known issues I should make sure it doesn't have.

Thanks,

Jeff

Hi all,

I am really considering purchasing this set given the great price it is going for, but I need help with a few things.

1. How bad is the phosphor decay on this set? I have the KD-27FS170 already and whenever there is a dark scene with a bright image moving across the screen it leaves a nasty trail behind it. I find it so annoying, and if this set also has it I don't think I will be getting it.

2. Last time I was at CC I was looking at this set and noticed that the screen was bending (curving) downwards on 1/4th of the screen to the left. Is this something I can fix in the service menu? If so can someone tell me how?

I will go to CC to see it again but if it there is no way to fix the problems above then I might have to reconsider buying this and instead go for a plasma.

Can someone help me out with the questions above?

-Thanks

Hi all,

I am really considering purchasing this set given the great price it is going for, but I need help with a few things.

1. How bad is the phosphor decay on this set? I have the KD-27FS170 already and whenever there is a dark scene with a bright image moving across the screen it leaves a nasty trail behind it. I find it so annoying, and if this set also has it I don't think I will be getting it.

2. Last time I was at CC I was looking at this set and noticed that the screen was bending (curving) downwards on 1/4th of the screen to the left. Is this something I can fix in the service menu? If so can someone tell me how?

I will go to CC to see it again but if it there is no way to fix the problems above then I might have to reconsider buying this and instead go for a plasma.
1) Phosphor decay is probably about the same on this set as on your old set. However, you mentioned that you'd be considering a plasma instead -- a plasma will show the same sort of phosphor decay, maybe even worse than a CRT.

2) Geometry problems can be mostly fixed in the service menu. Will it be perfect? No, probably not. But you should be able to get it a whole lot closer to perfect than it was out-of-the-box. For example, if you were to say my TV's geometry was at "0" when I took it out of the box, and "100" is the theoretical perfect geometry, I think I've corrected it to about 90 or 95. These adjustments are made in the service menu, within sub-menu 2170D-1 and 2170D-2. Check out the THE SONY SERVICE CODES (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=531494) thread for info on how this is done.

will the 970 display a 480p signal from a dvd player in 480p ?

i don't like upconversion

will the 970 display a 480p signal from a dvd player in 480p ?

i don't like upconversion

Yes. My DVD's are displayed at 480p using component cables.

will the 970 display a 480p signal from a dvd player in 480p ?

i don't like upconversion

No. The unit will take a 480p signal, but will upconvert (everything) to its native 1080i...otherwise it wouldn't fill the screen.

No. The unit will take a 480p signal, but will upconvert (everything) to its native 1080i...otherwise it wouldn't fill the screen.

Ummm...my 970 displays it at 480p. At least, that's what it says when I hit the "display" button and it comes up "480p/16:9".

Either way, standard DVD looks stunning on this set. Sin City and Revenge of the Sith literally looked like HD.

i just ordered mine, should have it wed

does this set have "feet" or is the whole bottom flat?

the reason i'm asking is because i'm placing this on a wooden desk and it might stick out about 3" on the left

i might have to get a piece of ply-wood to put on top of the desk to support the whole set if it's not flat on the bottom