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Sony 52" VE5 or 46" XBR9?

post #1 of 29
1/21/10 at 3:10pm
Thread Starter 
OK, I think this poll will be helpful to people other than just me, considering Sony is now backing out of their XBR1 replacement offer for the 52XBR9.

They are claiming that procurement department keeps separate stock from sales, and they are claiming the 52XBR9 is now out of stock.

Here's my situation:

Coming from the 50" XBR1

Price for the 52VE5 and 46XBR9 are virtually identical, or at least meaningless to me. (about $275 for either)

My viewing distance is 12 feet, while my wife's is about 9 or 10 feet.

Very interested in your feedback. Hopefully I get enough results by tomorrow to make an informed decision.

Thanks in advance.
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post #2 of 29
1/21/10 at 3:35pm
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...light=ve5+xbr9

This thread details the differences.
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post #3 of 29
1/21/10 at 3:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by omeletpants View Post

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...light=ve5+xbr9

This thread details the differences.

I read that thread before posting this one. I guess my primary goals in posting this poll were to see if the benefits of the XBR9 outweigh the screen size of the VE5. That is something that's impossible to gather from the other thread, especially considering price for each set in this thread would be virtually identical, or at least meaningless to me.

Guess I'm really asking, if it were you, what would you do?
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post #4 of 29
1/21/10 at 4:15pm
Go with the bigger. Did Sony offer you the Sony style voucher? I read on the sxrd xbr1 thread that they were giving vouchers now instead of the xbr9. You could use the voucher towards a xbr9, z series, or w series at Sony style. Any of those sets would be good choices.
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post #5 of 29
1/21/10 at 4:18pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by chdwil View Post

Go with the bigger. Did Sony offer you the Sony style voucher? I read on the sxrd xbr1 thread that they were giving vouchers now instead of the xbr9. You could use the voucher towards a xbr9, z series, or w series at Sony style. Any of those sets would be good choices.

Nope, no voucher offer for me when I called.
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post #6 of 29
1/21/10 at 4:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckeegan View Post

Nope, no voucher offer for me when I called.

Check out the kds-50/60xbr1 thread on the rear projector forum. Members are getting vouchers. Wouldn't hurt to call Sony and ask. Sorry to hear they could not honor their 52xbr9 offer.
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post #7 of 29
1/21/10 at 4:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chdwil View Post

Check out the kds-50/60xbr1 thread on the rear projector forum. Members are getting vouchers. Wouldn't hurt to call Sony and ask. Sorry to hear they could not honor their 52xbr9 offer.

Well I see you have been on the xbr1 thread. Sony really screwed up this whole thing.

The SXRD must be the biggest mistake Sony ever made.
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post #8 of 29
1/21/10 at 7:25pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by chdwil View Post

Go with the bigger. Did Sony offer you the Sony style voucher? I read on the sxrd xbr1 thread that they were giving vouchers now instead of the xbr9. You could use the voucher towards a xbr9, z series, or w series at Sony style. Any of those sets would be good choices.

I've been thinking about this A LOT tonight, and I don't understand why they didn't offer me the $925 voucher. I think I am going to call and raise hell first thing tomorrow morning. Unfortunately they're sold out of 52" Z series on the website, but I could get the 52W5100. I think that's a decent compromise between the 52VE5 and 46XBR9.

Don't know if they'll do it, so keep the responses coming.
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post #9 of 29
1/21/10 at 7:30pm
tbh size over everything esp when both models have at least 120hz and are good brand sets

when you get into the higher end models its diminishing returns if you want to look at a higher model sony take a look at W5100 or Z5100 they offer pretty much everything worthwhile to have and are cheaper than the XBR9
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post #10 of 29
1/22/10 at 12:38pm
OK, the VE-5 IS 3 steps down from the current XBR-9, but imho fully comparable to your old XBR-1 SXRD as far as features and capabiity, maybe even superior in some areas (accepts 1080p for one).

Imho, with the VE-5 you'd still be getting a better set than your current one was when new, at a bigger size, so if you can't get the voucher and are stuck with the two choices in your original post I'd definitely go for the VE-5.
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post #11 of 29
1/22/10 at 2:39pm
Thread Starter 
So, I am supposedly going to receive the $925 credit towards a purchase at Sony.com, but at this point, I'll believe it when I see it.

I also received an e-mail from Sony confirming that the 52XBR9 is out of stock, and giving me the option for the 55EX500 at $550, or the 52VE5 at $250. So, the EX500 is new to the mix, but probably not one I'll consider. (Bravia 2, A LOT of unknowns, etc)

Of course this takes the initial concept of this thread and poll off track a little bit, but out of Sony's lineup on sony.com, where do I go now?

Off the bat, I'm thinking about the 52W5100 for a net price of $675, but I'm also debating whether or not the 52XBR9 would be a better bet for an additional $500. Obviously my preference would be somewhere in between with the Z5100, but they're sold out.

Your input has really been helpful thus far, so I'd appreciate more!
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post #12 of 29
1/22/10 at 6:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckeegan View Post

So, I am supposedly going to receive the $925 credit towards a purchase at Sony.com, but at this point, I'll believe it when I see it.

I also received an e-mail from Sony confirming that the 52XBR9 is out of stock, and giving me the option for the 55EX500 at $550, or the 52VE5 at $250. So, the EX500 is new to the mix, but probably not one I'll consider. (Bravia 2, A LOT of unknowns, etc)

Of course this takes the initial concept of this thread and poll off track a little bit, but out of Sony's lineup on sony.com, where do I go now?

Off the bat, I'm thinking about the 52W5100 for a net price of $675, but I'm also debating whether or not the 52XBR9 would be a better bet for an additional $500. Obviously my preference would be somewhere in between with the Z5100, but they're sold out.

Your input has really been helpful thus far, so I'd appreciate more!

I would get the xbr9, but the w series is a good one. The xbr has a lot of Nice features like 10 bit panel, 240hz, Hidden speakers, better color range, and looks really good. But the price for the w is good, you really can't go wrong with either.
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post #13 of 29
1/22/10 at 6:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by chdwil View Post

I would get the xbr9, but the w series is a good one. The xbr has a lot of Nice features like 10 bit panel, 240hz, Hidden speakers, better color range, and looks really good. But the price for the w is good, you really can't go wrong with either.

I really appreciate the input. It's a tough one. When I originally approached this replacement deal, I looked at it as purchasing something that would be sufficient for a limited period of time, and then move to another room when the next major shift in technology occurs (none of this 3D crap), a real shift.

However, I'm not getting the 52XBR9 for $550, so the W5100 would likely remain my primary television for a shorter period of time than the XBR9, but if the XBR9 is worth the extra investment, then I'll roll with that.

I wish sites like televisioninfo.com would have done a side-by-side on the W5100 and XBR9, but instead they put the XBR9 head to head with the V5100.
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post #14 of 29
1/22/10 at 6:46pm
W5100 vs XBR9 is pretty much

8bit vs 10bit panel (no biggie, will not see much diff in PQ if any)

120hz vs 240hz (again no biggie, will only see a diff your watching them next to each other and its very slight)

everything else is going to be aesthetic or trivial like speakers placed differently etc. and better remote on the XBR9 (programmable)
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post #15 of 29
1/22/10 at 7:09pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by frito View Post

W5100 vs XBR9 is pretty much

8bit vs 10bit panel (no biggie, will not see much diff in PQ if any)

120hz vs 240hz (again no biggie, will only see a diff your watching them next to each other and its very slight)

everything else is going to be aesthetic or trivial like speakers placed differently etc. and better remote on the XBR9 (programmable)

but do you think the WCG-CCFL of the XBR9 would yield a noticable enough improvement in PQ to make it worthwhile? WCG-CCFL + 10 bit + 240hz = enough to justify the extra cost?
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post #16 of 29
1/22/10 at 7:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckeegan View Post

but do you think the WCG-CCFL of the XBR9 would yield a noticable enough improvement in PQ to make it worthwhile? WCG-CCFL + 10 bit + 240hz = enough to justify the extra cost?

to me no, if you sat the 2 next to each other they will look nearly identical

in order to make real good improvements in PQ you need to look at local dimming LED backlit sets like the LG LH90 Samsung B8500 or sony XBR8 (no longer made so thats out, some stores still have them though due to their high price tag) and due to having to buy from sony your pretty limited unless you can wait on the new model sony's they are supposed to be coming out with some good high end sets but the prices are most likely going to be sky high
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post #17 of 29
1/23/10 at 1:33pm
Thread Starter 
Interesting how the smaller xbr9 is winning against the larger VE5. Now I wish I would have setup up the poll between the xbr9 and W5100. Still debating between those two, but I'm ordering something come Monday.

I thought including my current setup might help too, although I guess it would make much difference between the W5100 and XBR9.

Input devices include:

DirecTV HR20-700, but switching to AT&T U-Verse shortly
Wii via component
WDTV Live (via HDMI) hooked to a 4TB NAS
DAVFX500 (upconverting DVD HTiB) via HDMI
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post #18 of 29
1/25/10 at 9:20am
I'm in the same boat, and having NO experience with LCDs I'm curious what people have to say.

Between the 52VE5, the 46XBR9, and the 55EX500 it seems like the best quality set is the 46" XBR9. I'm a little sad to lose the 4" though, I do wonder how much I'll notice the difference.

Anyone who could offer any advice here I'd appreciate the hell out of it. I can't see taking the $925 they've offered though, I'm not in a place to drop multiple $1000s on a new tv.
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post #19 of 29
1/25/10 at 5:42pm
Thread Starter 
The only reason I took the $925 is because Sony is not going to tell me what my next TV is going to be.

It's a hard decision though between the EX500 and VE5. The VE5 has gotten some pretty decent reviews, and there's not much known about the EX500.

We do know that the EX500 is pretty much at the bottom of the 2010 lineup.

If I did have to choose between those two models, I think I would have chosen the VE5.
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post #20 of 29
1/25/10 at 8:11pm
the VE5 is not far from the bottom of the '09 line

it goes

S5100 60hz BE2
V5100/VE5 120hz BE2 (nearly the same TV)
W5100 120hz BE3
Z5100 240hz BE3 10bit
XBR9 240hz BE3 10bit (has a thinner bezel is its only advantage)

of these models i would recommend the W5100 because it does not have the red flash issue the '09 BE2 sony's suffer from and 240hz and a 10 bit panel is going to give you almost no improvement over the W5100 and cost you much more

its all about diminishing returns
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post #21 of 29
1/25/10 at 9:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by frito View Post

the VE5 is not far from the bottom of the '09 line

it goes

S5100 60hz BE2
V5100/VE5 120hz BE2 (nearly the same TV)
W5100 120hz BE3
Z5100 240hz BE3 10bit
XBR9 240hz BE3 10bit (has a thinner bezel is its only advantage)

of these models i would recommend the W5100 because it does not have the red flash issue the '09 BE2 sony's suffer from and 240hz and a 10 bit panel is going to give you almost no improvement over the W5100 and cost you much more

its all about diminishing returns

Don't forget WCG-CCFL.. but it doesn't really offer any advantage really..
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post #22 of 29
1/25/10 at 10:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bk.secret23 View Post

Don't forget WCG-CCFL.. but it doesn't really offer any advantage really..

yeah its right in there with the 10bit panel

you can see a difference with test images but once its in your home and your watching it you'd never see the difference
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post #23 of 29
1/26/10 at 7:16am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bk.secret23 View Post

Don't forget WCG-CCFL.. but it doesn't really offer any advantage really..

Quote:
Originally Posted by frito View Post

yeah its right in there with the 10bit panel

you can see a difference with test images but once its in your home and your watching it you'd never see the difference

I think a combination of those things, plus the improved sound (noted by several people here in the forums), will lead me to the XBR9 over the W5100.

That is, if it's still available whenever Sony decides to send my damn $925 voucher thing.
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post #24 of 29
1/26/10 at 8:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckeegan View Post

I think a combination of those things, plus the improved sound (noted by several people here in the forums), will lead me to the XBR9 over the W5100.

That is, if it's still available whenever Sony decides to send my damn $925 voucher thing.

hey its your money, i'm just pointing out that the increase in picture quality due to those 2 things is so minor you'd never see a difference unless you used a test pattern or had the 2 TVs next to each other but even then i think you need a test pattern on screen to nit pick the differences
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post #25 of 29
1/26/10 at 9:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by frito View Post

the VE5 is not far from the bottom of the '09 line

it goes

S5100 60hz BE2
V5100/VE5 120hz BE2 (nearly the same TV)
W5100 120hz BE3
Z5100 240hz BE3 10bit
XBR9 240hz BE3 10bit (has a thinner bezel is its only advantage)

of these models i would recommend the W5100 because it does not have the red flash issue the '09 BE2 sony's suffer from and 240hz and a 10 bit panel is going to give you almost no improvement over the W5100 and cost you much more

its all about diminishing returns

When Consumer Reports tested LCDs for the December 2009 issue, they tested the 46V5100 and also tested the 46Z5100.

The V scored higher in HD picture quality, and viewing angle.

I would spend $6 to get online access to Consumer Reports for 30 days so you can read the details. Every single TV they test has its Highs and Lows. That's where you can determine what is most important to you.
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post #26 of 29
1/26/10 at 10:46am
Thread Starter 
I've never really loved CR reviews on televisions, but even those are basically telling me the XBR9 is the way to go. Especially considering my room has 18' ceilings, and a decent amount of natural light during the afternoon. This is an area where CR's take showed the XBR9 out-performing most of the other Sony sets.

Also, sound quality is important to me, since I can't crank up the surround at 11pm when my kids are asleep.

Still waiting for this damn voucher e-mail.
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post #27 of 29
1/26/10 at 11:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bk.secret23 View Post

Don't forget WCG-CCFL.. but it doesn't really offer any advantage really..

The XBR9 does seems to have better color saturation than the W, at least to my eyes. However, the effect is subtle though.
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post #28 of 29
1/26/10 at 11:47am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by HD_Lantern View Post

The XBR9 does seems to have better color saturation than the W, at least to my eyes. However, the effect is subtle though.

And most tests have showed the same. (i.e. the XBR9 showing a significantly higher percentage of the NTSC color range)
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post #29 of 29
1/26/10 at 1:46pm
Thread Starter 
MOTHER F'R, now the 52XBR9 is showing "no longer available for purchase through sony style", and I still don't have my damn voucher. I'm still gonna try to place my order via phone when I get the voucher, but if not, guess I'll have to go with the W5100. Watch that not be available tomorrow, and I'll have to pre-order one of the new ones.

I am assuming that most people would agree that purchasing a new 52W5100 makes more sense than a refurb 52XBR9 (for $100 more) or a refurb 52Z5100 (for the same price as the new W5100), including you chdwil?

I think I'm more pissed now than when they backed out of my original replacement offer.
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