In terms of picture quality, do you think the XBR960 is the best consumer grade display ever created for 1080I programming.
I'm thinking that for Blue Ray or 1080P HD-DVD, there might be ones that are better, but in terms of HD broadcasts, HD satellite, and HD Cable, is it the best EVER in terms of picture quality? I know that it's only 1400X1080I instead of 1920X1080P, but isn't 1080I programming downrezed to like 1400X1080I or lower anyway? Honestly, if Bluray or HD-DVD were never invented, I'd probably buy a 960 as soon as I could find an unopened one on EBAY or withing 100 miles of my house even if I had to drive 200 miles round trip.

In terms of picture quality, do you think the XBR960 is the best consumer grade display ever created for 1080I programming.
I'm thinking that for Blue Ray or 1080P HD-DVD, there might be ones that are better, but in terms of HD broadcasts, HD satellite, and HD Cable, is it the best EVER in terms of picture quality? I know that it's only 1400X1080I instead of 1920X1080P, but isn't 1080I programming downrezed to like 1400X1080I or lower anyway? Honestly, if Bluray or HD-DVD were never invented, I'd probably buy a 960 as soon as I could find an unopened one on EBAY or withing 100 miles of my house even if I had to drive 200 miles round trip.

I searched around my home 200 miles one way, with no luck. I settled for the 970, and I'm very happy with my decision.

yeah, the 970 is great too.

I personally think the Sony Qualia 005 is my choice for best TV ever.

The 960 was a better set. It used a Super Fine Pitch Trinitron tube. The 970 uses a standard Trinitron tube.

The 960 was a better set. It used a Super Fine Pitch Trinitron tube. The 970 uses a standard Trinitron tube.

I won't agree more.. but I simply searched, searched and searched.. without finding one.. so I had no choice but the 970. I am glad I did..

The 960 was a better set. It used a Super Fine Pitch Trinitron tube. The 970 uses a standard Trinitron tube.

True, but the finer dot pitch also made the picture dimmer and less dynamic than the 970's.

I hate to sound snobbish but I have BOTH! A 960 in the living room and a 970 in the bedroom (got it last week as the price was too cheap to pass up and the wife was out of town-HAHA). :D

I hate to sound snobbish but I have BOTH! A 960 in the living room and a 970 in the bedroom (got it last week as the price was too cheap to pass up and the wife was out of town-HAHA). :D

Welcome to the club

I have both also :D

960 owner here and have seen both side-by-side (a little demo I set up). While the 970 was a little brighter, it had a noticibly courser PQ when compared to the 960. I just recently calibrated my set via the sevice menu and cannot believe how much it improved an already great picture! While it definetily is not the "perfect TV" (hasn't been invented yet), I couldn't be happier.

Welcome to the club

I have both also :D

I hear both of you guys. i have a 960 and the current price of the 970 is too good to pass. I just dont have any more room left for it. I would really like to get the 970 and use it for HD gaming plus cable. Right now my 960 is only used for HD-DVD and Xbox360.

The 960 should be worshipped every day until the end of the universe.

The 960 should be worshipped every day until the end of the universe.

Lol... I was like what? And then I glanced at my 960 and just laughed. That is too funny.