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XBR6 v. W4100; Help I can't choose!

post #1 of 15
12/10/08 at 11:03pm
Thread Starter 
I've been mulling over the formz here for the last few days reading up as much as I can on the 50+ page threads and I still seem to be stuck where I was at the beginning. Obviously many of you folks have these units and everyone seems to be more than (for the most part) happy with their purchases which has made my choice even harder.

SO.. when it comes down to it I can get a pretty nice deal on either of these units in the 52" flavor and I'm looking at a flat $300 price difference between the 2 sets. In some of the threads people have said the XBR6 is worth it for $XXX amount but I was also thinking I could put the extra cash towards a decent HTIB setup too.

I know I'll be happy with either set as many of you folks currently are but I guess I'm just looking for an honest push in the right direction.
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post #2 of 15
12/10/08 at 11:18pm
Would you have any use with the PC input or the USB port? Depending on how much sound you want to get you would get the addition of the small subwoofer with the XBR6 that you don't get with the W. You get the better panel with the XBR6. Depends on if you really think the panel is gaining you much and if it is worth the extra money. Only you can decide that. If it were me and that was my budget, if I had no use for the PC port I think the W is the better bang for the buck, then use the saved money towards better audio.
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post #3 of 15
12/10/08 at 11:30pm
$300 difference between the W and XBR6 is much smaller than most people can get. I would go with xbr6.

I am guessing you already know this if you read all those threads, but this is what the xbr6 has over the W:

10-bit panel vs 8-bit
wide color gamut CCFL vs regular
addition of subwoofer
USB port, ethernet port

However, based on hear-say, it seems like the W might have slightly better viewing angles. Most people will probably notice negligible difference in viewing quality between both sets when viewed separately, but for that small of a difference in price I would get the xbr6.

I think both have pc inputs (VGA).
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post #4 of 15
12/10/08 at 11:40pm
Thread Starter 
Holy fast responses Batman!

I don't think I'd end up using it much with a PC, I've got a Samsung LN-T4042H that I have setup in my office but I can't recall the last time I hooked my laptop up to it. So that'd be a no on the PC port.

Does the W still have a USB port of FW upgrades?
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post #5 of 15
12/10/08 at 11:52pm
No USB on the W. If you don't care about the PC port honestly I would just get the W. I know the spec sheets tell you that the WCG and 10 bit panel should make a big difference but I just don't see it in the time I spent looking at the tvs. The subwoofer that the XBR6 has is a 15W subwoofer and the 2 main speakers are identical to the W series. That extra 300 would be much better served going towards separate audio in my opinion.
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post #6 of 15
12/11/08 at 9:28am
Thread Starter 
Awesome, thanks for the honesty.

How does one go about upgrading the firmware on the W with no USB?
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post #7 of 15
12/11/08 at 10:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bosskemon View Post

Awesome, thanks for the honesty.

How does one go about upgrading the firmware on the W with no USB?

It has a special USB port for Sony services such as firmware upgrades. I don't think you can use that port for uploading photos or whatever.

For $300 it is worth to go to XBR. No one was able to establish whether W4100 has 8-bit or 10-bit panel, but it doesn't have WCG. Anyway, the name alone is worth at least a $100 in prestige and resell or upgrade value so go for the more expensive one now and you will be able to sell easlier or get more back later.

I own a 52W4100 by the way. Like the other poster said, the difference between two sets used to be more than $300, it was around $600 or so.

For $600 I was able to get a very nice receiver with speakers. If you look here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...025939&page=56 you will see what the picture can look like on w4100 (I posted a few shots from blu-ray and HD programs).

Hope this helps.
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post #8 of 15
12/11/08 at 10:51am
You could split the difference and get the Z4100, it has a 10 bit panel.
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post #9 of 15
12/11/08 at 10:58am
Yea, but the prices right now are squirrely. While I'm sure the XBR is more than the W, the price ordering of the V, W, & Z has been all over the place. You can't assume overall now that V < W < Z < XBR for a particular screen size.

Having just bought a W4100, if the difference really was just $300, I think I would do it. However, I was looking at the W as an upgrade from the S, so I'm happy. If you're thinking of the W as a downgrade from the XBR to save money, then get the XBR either way- you many never be happy with the W.
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post #10 of 15
12/11/08 at 11:08am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by der_kommissar View Post

Having just bought a W4100, if the difference really was just $300, I think I would do it. However, I was looking at the W as an upgrade from the S, so I'm happy. If you're thinking of the W as a downgrade from the XBR to save money, then get the XBR either way- you many never be happy with the W.

It would be an upgrade for me either way, right now the only LCD I have is the 40" Samsung. I think I'm starting to lean towards the W and putting the extra into a surround system.
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post #11 of 15
12/11/08 at 2:37pm
What size are you thinking about getting? If you are going with a 46 incher - go with the Z, it has all the bells and whistles and thinnest panel. If you are going with a 52 incher, then its a little harder since there is no 52 inch "Z". It's nice to save your money and het a surround system, but it is sure nice to have an XBR too
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post #12 of 15
12/11/08 at 2:55pm
Thread Starter 
I'm looking at the 52", I don't think the Z is even on the list of models that qualify for the discount anyway
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post #13 of 15
12/11/08 at 4:37pm
honestly $300 isn't going to get you much in the realm of quality audio systems.

I would skip up to the xbr6 to get the 10 bit panel, WCG-CCFL lamp, xv and deep color suport, and upgraded contrast ratio. I think thats a good amount to justify the $300.

then start saving for some decent audio
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post #14 of 15
12/11/08 at 6:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DR. BILL View Post

You could split the difference and get the Z4100, it has a 10 bit panel.

Not to highjack this thread but is it the overall opinion that the W is better than the Z? The specs and MSRP of the Z look better on paper, but it almost seems to me that most posts state that the W has a better picture. True?
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post #15 of 15
12/11/08 at 10:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nsievers View Post

honestly $300 isn't going to get you much in the realm of quality audio systems.

I would skip up to the xbr6 to get the 10 bit panel, WCG-CCFL lamp, xv and deep color suport, and upgraded contrast ratio. I think thats a good amount to justify the $300.

then start saving for some decent audio

Static contrast ratio is the same on both models, only the dynamic contrast ratio is different and I don't put much stock in those numbers. I honestly think deep color is another marketing trend that is pretty much worthless for the foreseeable future.
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