Will 8 bit W4100 LCD TVs for 2008 SONY kill the deal ?? - Page 2

Ummm you should know that comparisons like that are greatly exaggerated, like at BB the 60hz-120hz compariosn is very poorly done. The 60hz looks like a black and white picture while the 120hz is in vivid.

Well, I always saw 120Hz and 10-bit as being futureproofed, soon-to-be standard features, as well as 1080p.
The DLNA and better audio features don't hurt, either.

Care to share?

Are you saying that the A750 and Z4100 both have a chance of going to those price ranges later this year?

Right. If you look at the "8 bit" image in an image editor you'll see they are using about 1/8 of the possible eight bit gray colors.

Here is a better representation of a 8-bit gradient:

cc has the sony z4100 in stock

Blow that up to actual screen size and you can see the banding.

Mosh~~

Yep, I can certainly see a Sharp panel with that type of gradation.

8IronBob

I think you quoted the wrong message in your inquiry. I can't answer that one.

Yeah, that's where MultiQuote comes in handy... Me bad...

It seems like they cut too many features to try and differentiate the Z/XBR6/7. WCG backlight will be the biggest omission IMO. I don't know how much of a real world difference there is between 8 and 10 bit, but coupled with an 8ms PRT, these perceived low end features really start to add up. Almost $2500 at 46" is way too expensive for what this offers--depends on how deep the discounting goes. Even $1800 seems like a very poor value against many of the '08 plasmas, and I'm not even a plasma supporter/fan. Spec-ually, the A650/750 at these sub-2k prices also seem like superior values. Unless Sony is going to come off these MSRP's heavily, their plan of overtaking market is going to backfire because their competitors are simply undercutting them with what most people will construe as better spec'ed models.

Really. I got my 46W3000 last year for $1400 Because it was so cheap, Sonystyle only charged me $150 for their 5 year warranty

Only thing, I wish I bought 2

Thanks for a better representation of an 8-bit panel.


The image posted by Klamath doesn't even look close to the "8-bit" marketing picture. In fact I'd say it even looks better than the "10-bit" image. I agree there is some slight banding, but that might be due to the fact that the image is so small to start with and making it bigger brings out the imperfections. If you blow up the tiny "10-bit" image I'd bet you see banding in it too. In fact I can see it without blowing it up. This point also just came to my mind. To even be able to see the difference between an 8-bit and 10-bit image on your computer you'd need to have a 10-bit computer monitor. This doesn't even factor in the point that there are no 10-bit sources to make the 10-bit panel useful.

Right. Under absolute worst circumstances with a static image and a person actively looking for it, you can see slight banding on an 8-bit image. In real world TV viewing it's a non-issue.

My main point was the "8-bit" image is incredibly misleading.

Sony f---ed up for AV enthusiasts this year IMHO. Yeah, they will have plenty of panels up on the wall of shame at BB, and Joey sixpack might pony up the extra $$ to step up and own a Sony versus a Westinghouse. Truth is, for the average viewer who watched ****** HD cable, the Sony would look like any of the other panles on BB's wall of shame.

But for those of us on this forum I am dissapointed in how they watered down the XBR series and took the XBR brand from "I own the latest greatest LCD tech...period" to "hey I own a 32 .inch XBR....yeaaaahhhhhhh."

They have needlessly confuses the quality heirarchy, watered down their mid level line (think the W gimped down to an 8 bit panel), added every letter in the alphabet, and decided not to make a 52 inch Z.

So basically if I want a cutting edge 52 inch LCD it HAS TO BE an XBR. Or I can just save money and get a sammy 650 or 750. I don't know Sony, you better hope the reviews come in glowing with some side by sides with teh Sammy's that show your panels in a favorable light....otherwise it may be sammy for me.

Edit: make no mistake....I will evaluate the reviews and objectively go with the best quality set in my mid level price range. I am pulling for Sony, but I will be objective and what's best for my eyes and wallet.

You want a 52 XBR?So why you are complaining?The 52XBR6 is just below the XBR8 range,and dont get confused it with the 32,37 XBR6 as the bigger 40,46,52 XBR6/7 are better than 32,37 and with more features

Comparing stats on TVs is pointless. Brands implement those stats in different ways and with a differing hand to quality.


In addition, the W series also had better PQ than the top of line line Samsungs IMO. Other brands might have better marketing and/or better stats....but Sony's have always had better PQ...even with their mid-range stuff.

This is exactly right. This is called marketing. Sony's bottom line has very little to do with what some turd-monkey on this forum thinks. For those people here who are obsessed with PQ it looks like they're copping out. However, if you knew marketing you'd see that even though their line is confusing, it's the best chance to get maximum product exposure for varying types of LCD buyers.


Most people *know* Sony as being the best whether they really are or not. So they go buy the 52" V series cause the price is right and well it's a Sony. They take it home, the picture looks great to them and it's a win-win. Sony wasn't going to nab them at the higher product line but a sell is better than no sell at all.


Again, even though I find the product line confusing, it seems like they did an excellent job of nailing the right price points when compared to other models of other brands.

This thread is pointless and started by someone who obviously has not seen the new Sony V and W sets. As an owner of a W4100, the set is a significant advance over last years W3000, which is what it replaces. It is not intended to replace the XBR4...that is what the 40-52" XBR6/7 is for. However, the W4100 handles motion better than the XBR4 and the picture quality is nearly as good as the XBR4, for less money.

Sony could have easily used a 10-bit panel and xv color in the W4100, but then how would they convince a consumer to pay the extra $$$ for a Z series...for a thinner bezel and DLNA? Most consumers probably would not. (if this is confusing, take a marketing course where they will teach you about "product differentiation"). By putting 10-bit and xv color in the Z, Sony's marketing machine can kick in and convince consumers that the Z is worth the extra $$$ over the W since it is "capable" of displaying an enhanced color space. Problem is that there is currently no content available to take advantage of this enhanced capability (but of course Sony won't mention that!).

These features will, however, make the Z more futureproof than the W4100, but by the time content is widely available that takes advantage of enhanced color space (if it ever does), all the current sets (including the XBR8!) will be old technology and old news.

However, if you do watch your TV one foot from the screen through a magnifying glass, then a 10-bit panel might be essential for you, as you will likely see differences between a 8-bit panel set and a 10-bit panel set. But probably not for most consumers.

I have to agree with you....this is getting pointless and not worth anymore.the options for the customer exist at least so I think its not worth doing circles and not have a result