Even if Sony put a glossy screen on the XBR5, I doubt if it would be actual glass. Most of the glossy screens on laptops and the ones on the Samsung LCD HDTVs are achieved by coating the plastic LCD screen with a gloss finish. Sony could be doing the same thing with the XBR5s.

It's to hard to tell from the pics. I'm hoping there is no glass over the screen. Maybe I'll call tomorrow and see what the good people at SonyStyle have to say about the screen.

[QUOTE=HomeGuy]From the pics I've seen on the Sony Style website it does look like the XBR5 uses a glass screen.

OK, HomeGuy, I'll "bite." Now HOW can you tell, from a photo, that the XBR5 has glass ? If you can determine that from a photo, you are operating on a different planet from the rest of us. :D

I surmised long ago that they have glass in it. That would, in part, explain some of the weight.

From the pics I've seen on the Sony Style website it does look like the XBR5 uses a glass screen. That is terrible news for me. I'd probably gof for the 60A3000 anyway. I can't imagine you'd see a difference in the active picture between the two sets. I also like the idea of the slimmed down cabinet. I'd really rather have a 65 or 70" set but Sony keeps killing that for me. First with the dumbo ears which makes the set too wide and now with glass on the screen.

Obviously you can't do anything about them putting glass on the XBR5s, but as for the XBR2 if you really want it you could take the "dumbo ears" off. If that is the only thing that makes it to wide for your situation than taking them off should solve your problem.

Dustin: Thanks. I guess I would need to run the audio through my stereo.

With the reported increase in weight for the XBR5 SXRD's, several people have speculated that the XBR5's might have a glass screen. I don't believe that anyone who really knows has posted yet.


They "look" like they do, but i would not be suprised if they were a matte screen.

However, the one from Sony's NYC unveiling show looked different:
http://blog.hometheatermag.com/images/archivesart/0607sony.4.jpg


Actually this picture looks like matte.

It's to hard to tell from the pics. I'm hoping there is no glass over the screen. Maybe I'll call tomorrow and see what the good people at SonyStyle have to say about the screen.


Why does anyone care if it is glass? I am sure the pciture still kicks butt.

Glass is more sturdy, and will prevent any geometry issues that could be.

This is what Samsung should have done with their slim TV, the HL-T's. I've went through 3 HL-t's due to Geometry issues, and the problem lyes in that the screen is flexible and any deviance in the screen will lead to a smiley face on all horizontal lines. It's horrible!

This happens b/c the TV is thinner. It has to project the image onto the screen at a greater angle. The greater the angle, the more flat the TV screen has to be in order not to have any geometry issues.

I feel Sony has made a wise choice if they did. Just check out the HL-TXX76S thread. Many unhappy customers b/c of this problem. Even the tech who came out said they should have used a hard screen.

My Sammy is going back to the store before my 30 days and I will buy this TV if it has a glass screen.

A glossy screen enhances pq. No question about it.

A glossy screen enhances pq. No question about it.

I believe there are coatings that can reduce reflections without destroying resolution.

Muff: in a dark room glass is not an issue. However, in a sunny room glass is terrible because of all the reflections. I had to get rid of a plasma set because of the glass screen.

The last Sony Qualia (70") had a mirror-like glass surface, but many said that it did not exhibit SSE. So I would definitely find a way to darken out MY room/environment in order to get rid of the dreaded SSE, and if glass solves it, then so be it.

Wolv: Try turning everything off that processes the picture. This helped solve the problem for me. I rarely see SSE.

It's to hard to tell from the pics. I'm hoping there is no glass over the screen. Maybe I'll call tomorrow and see what the good people at SonyStyle have to say about the screen.


If memory serves me right, the last time Sony came out with a 60" Rear Projection microdisplay with a glass screen, it was the Sony KDF-60XBR950 which weighed in at 173 lbs. The current (non-glass) KDS-R60XBR2 weighs 112lbs. However, the KDS-Z60XBR5 comes in at a hefty 213lbs, which is a considerable weight difference from previous XBR rear projections. My guess (based on current images) is that the XBR5 has a matte screen. Something else must be contributing to the weight or it could be that the spec sheet was simply a typo from Sony.

I couldn't get the 60XBR950 several years ago due to it's glass screen (major glare issues).

I need advise and suggestions from the better informed than I (which would seem to be everyone......)

As some here may recall, I have a 3 1/2 yr old KDF 60xbr950 that died. Seems its a serious issue. The "Q box" failed--it costs $900 to repair. I am VERY PO'd, as I paid $5500 for it not that long ago. Sony declined to meet me part way :mad: I am tempted to tell them to stuff it, but the XBRs still have the better pic.

I went to compare it to the current "dumbo ears" to the Samsung LED model and vastly preferred the Sony, mostly due to the far superior off axis viewing. With the Samsung, anything other than dead straight ahead stunk.

My choices are thus: 1) Spend $900 and wait around for parts, etc for 2-3 weeks 2) But the current XBR2 or 3) "Suffer" with a lame old 27" POS for another who knows long till the XBR5s come out. To my untrained eyes the XBR2 has one amazing pic!

Here is the kicker: I checked the Sony webiste and see the new 60"A3000 sets will be out in August at LESS $$ than the current 60" XBR2!! Seems I'd have to spend and add'l $2K to get the top of the line when it comes out, as I can get the current XBR2 for around $3k, while the XBR5 will be priced at 5K. Moreover. I wonder if the current XBR, dumbo ears and all is actually better than the A3000. Here is what I found:

The XBR2 has v2.5 of the DRC, while the newer A3000 has v1.0. The older XBR also has pic in pic and supposedly better sound. It doesn't have the 120hz refresh rate and "motion flow", which I have no idea if truly important. Seems all the good stuff is in the forthcoming $5000 model. Not too keen on spending ANOTHER $5k, as I have other purchases to make (hello, new 335xi!) and am tired of chasing the latest & greatest.

Any suggestions? Advice? Thanks to all in advance.

You can get a 60" A2020 set for about 1800.00. I doubt you would see a difference from the newer sets coming out. Spending 900.00 on the old set is a crap shoot. Once they install the part you may find out that another part is needed. The A3000 will probably hit the street at about 2600.00 and then the price will gradually drop. The big draw for me is the thinner cabinet but I'll have to wait to hear a review or two since there may be a compromise in the PQ to make the thinner cabinet a reality. Only time will tell.

Sorry wrong thread!!