Sharp XS1, the forgotten LCD, what is the final verdict? - Page 2

Originally Posted by -=Kamikaze=-

I think that must be it. Looking at SONY whose TV division is continually in a state of crisis and Pioneer throwing in the towel while the Korean giants Samsung and LG are dominating the retail space I guess it does not take a genius to figure out with those miniscule profit margins the real money is in being a parts supplier.

I certainly hope for SONY that whatever comes out of Sharp's 10th generation plant is up to snuff. I guess that is SONY and the Japanese manufacturer's last stand against the Koreans.

Originally Posted by -=Kamikaze=-

Sadly it is still in mid shipment, I am as eager as anyone for it to arrive, but it might take a week or two given the distance it has to travel by what I must assume is truck. Even then if it is damaged or not 'factory sealed' as advertised it is going right back with the shippers. Lets not count the chickens before they've hatched, but I am crossing my fingers and if all goes well will give it the once over with my critical eyes and post my impressions.

Mainly noting its black level performance which is what makes or breaks any display for me personally. If the Pioneer Kuro Experience DB rip I am downloading is done by then that will be my test disc if not I am going to pick up Gladiator on Blu-ray and throw in a good dark transfer as well, perhaps Batman Begins. Then, of course, video games, my favourite pastime, I'll throw on a few of my PS3 favourites to see how the set handles them.

Originally Posted by -=Kamikaze=-

The 52" was the only size I was able to find for sale anywhere, so I went with that one. Thought I would have loved to have gone with the 65", even at a few grand more.

Originally Posted by -=Kamikaze=-

I've seen the 8000's and outside the aestetics I was not that impressed by them. In particular was the glossy screen that gives the picture glare as well as undesireable PC look which makes anything below good HD look terrible.

I have a pretty neat middle-high end sound system with a Denon receiver and big tower Polk speakers, all the sound of my movies and games come through those so the television speaker was never an issue for me. Depending on how I like the look I might even not hook up the TV speakers at all.

There is one thing about the XS1, it seems it comes with no stand what so ever. Though since I was going to wall mount it anyway it does not matter much. The thing is the XS1's own specific wall mount which Sharp strongly recommends can only be had through authorized dealers and costs 480 CAD.

For now I've ordered a cheap (< 20$) low profile wall mount from monoprice. I hope it'll do the job, I don't want to spend 1/5th of the cost of the tv on what essentially is just a piece of metal. I find it funny that for the original 12000USD asking price Sharp did not have the decency to throw something like that in the box. But I guess a profit margin above 1000% is too good to pass up by anyone.

Originally Posted by -=Kamikaze=-

The delivery date I've been informed is 8th of September, so there is going to be a long wait. Now to sit back and twiddle my thumb...

Originally Posted by chrisfsk

I don't know if this is a stupid question, what is the different between the RGB-LED (like XS1 and XBR8) and the regular LED (samsung 8000)? Thanks

Originally Posted by -=Kamikaze=-

Well running things off of my PS3 via USB stick is the plan, but having tried to track down any of the demo material you mentioned only exhausted all of my usual means with no net result.

I managed to find some Sharp demo material, but unfortunately that XS1 specific one is impossible to find for download.

I now have the full Kuro experience BD and a bunch of HDTV demos from SONY, Panasonic and a few others, I think I have enough eye shattering material for my own amusement. Of specific interest is the Kuro and Panasonic demos because they are designed to showcase the strenghs of Plasma technology, motion resolution and black levels which are LCD weaknesses.

Unfortunately, the problem with colourful eyecandy such as these is that they give a mostly pretty false impression of what a given display will look like during normal use. Rare is the occurrence of a theatric Blu-ray movie that looks even a fraction as good as those.

Originally Posted by -=Kamikaze=-

Well folks, I have a major setback to report for those awaiting an owner review of this set. It took the wonderful shipping company until the delivery date where I was all giddy with anticipation to call me and tell me that the package was not on on its way because it had for some days been held back by customs, don't you love those golden boys at customs though? Nothing but fond anecdotes about them I have, ah, the good times.

Dear people working in the customs offices of the borders of the nations of the world, I am sure you are fine fellas, only doing your jobs, is all, but I curse all and every single one of you all the same to a horrible, painful death, I think its only fair.

Originally Posted by -=Kamikaze=-

Well folks, I have a major setback to report for those awaiting an owner review of this set. It took the wonderful shipping company until the delivery date where I was all giddy with anticipation to call me and tell me that the package was not on on its way because it had for some days been held back by customs, don't you love those golden boys at customs though? Nothing but fond anecdotes about them I have, ah, the good times.

It gets worse actually, the shipping company, after an aditional day, returned to me with the duty amount, running up to 437 CAD, with a 150 CAD cut for themselves for filling out a few forms, how do they get away with it? Better still, even with the money paid, I still have some forms to fill. And best still, they do not take credit card folks, yes, wonderful innit? So I have to actually mail them a damn check, to a address they are prolly going to take a few days to inform me of.

So at best things are set back by about 2 weeks until I fill the necessary paperwork, mail it with a check in the amount, to the address I do not have. Then they have to get off their arse and cash it and then lastly my package will be released, a procedure that I imagine is going to take a few more days at least and then add in a few more days for it to arrive here from the border via truck.

I am now seriously contemplating just blowing the whole thing off and marching straight into my local Sonystyle and getting me a damned XBR8, right now. The extra expense I don't mind much, I was half expecting a nasty surprise buying from across the border, though I was foolishly expecting a bill half as painful, its the waiting that makes me writhe in pain.

As the classic gods as my witness there is little I loathe more than continually waiting with anticipation for something that just refuses to arrive as the days pile on. And I've been always so very "fortunate" and "blessed" with stuff like this. Of course, if I have been a really good little boy, maybe after the whole torturous regiment I'll unpack that badboy and be visited by a nice big crack across the screen, at whick point I might as well just break down weeping. Dear people working in the customs offices of the borders of the nations of the world, I am sure you are fine fellas, only doing your jobs, is all, but I curse all and every single one of you all the same to a horrible, painful death, I think its only fair.

Originally Posted by ecgz88

If you close to border, I would suggest you ship to the US shipping company and go there pick up by yourself.

Do you know where TV is make? will you be charge duty?

Originally Posted by -=Kamikaze=-

Sharp XS1 backlight and Panel:


SONY and Samsung backlights: