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Official Sony XBR HX909 owners' thread (52HX909, 46HX909, HX9, HX900) - Page 59

post #1741 of 2886
1/22/11 at 2:11pm
Initial impression after getting it out of the box and setting it on my stand: GORGEOUS set. Coming from the 55NX810, this model is every bit as sexy, albeit it doesn't have as thin of a profile. To be quite honest, I'm surprised at how little I notice the slight size difference going from 55'' to 52''. Technically, its only about a 2.5'' reduction, so good to see the change wasn't as daunting.

As mentioned earlier, its not as thin from the side profile, but its surprisingly not as thick as you would expect it to be given the extra room necessary for the full-array LEDs. I'm going to have to wait a couple hours for this set to reach room temperature (its cold here in the midwest) before I give my performance impressions.
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post #1742 of 2886
1/22/11 at 3:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigJoeGrizzly View Post

Initial impression after getting it out of the box and setting it on my stand: GORGEOUS set. Coming from the 55NX810, this model is every bit as sexy, albeit it doesn't have as thin of a profile. To be quite honest, I'm surprised at how little I notice the slight size difference going from 55'' to 52''. Technically, its only about a 2.5'' reduction, so good to see the change wasn't as daunting.

As mentioned earlier, its not as thin from the side profile, but its surprisingly not as thick as you would expect it to be given the extra room necessary for the full-array LEDs. I'm going to have to wait a couple hours for this set to reach room temperature (its cold here in the midwest) before I give my performance impressions.

Awesome man, i cant wait to hear how the PQ compares to the 55NX810.

Do you find the extra thickness as a bad thing? Do you like how it has the silver border around it?

Also, let us know how it is for gaming and if local dimming makes a big impact for that as well as movies!
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post #1743 of 2886
1/22/11 at 5:12pm
The black levels: WHOA NELLIE! I just finished popping in The Dark Knight in a dark room setting, and the horizontal black bars get so black that its like the picture is floating in the front of my room. When the entire screen goes black, it is PITCH BLACK. The black levels were so dark during this moment, that I actually had to turn off the "Sony" illuminated decal on the panel because it was too distracting in my completely dark room.

Compared to the NX810, I would say the blacks are definitely a noticeable improvement. I do notice blooming on the set, but when compared to the more extreme amounts you get on the NX810 there is NO COMPARISON. I actually didn't think the blooming on the NX810 was that big of a deal, until I saw how reduced the blooming was on this set. The minimal blooming on the HX909 makes the NX810 look like a full smokescreen is covering up the panel! I can definitely see an improvement in contrast, although not drastic. Viewing angles to me appear about on par with the NX810, maybe slightly improved.

I love the aesthetics of this set. It is basically the same monolithic design as the NX810 (which I loved so much), but it does have a metallic accent along the bottom border of the set (very thin and tasteful). The side and top profiles of the panel are also encased in this metallic border, and it looks very clean and classy. The bezel around the panel is slightly thicker than the NX810, but its barely noticeable and still looks elegant. I also think the sound quality is a slight step up from the NX810 (not as "tinny").
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post #1744 of 2886
1/22/11 at 5:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigJoeGrizzly View Post

The black levels: WHOA NELLIE! I just finished popping in The Dark Knight in a dark room setting, and the horizontal black bars get so black that its like the picture is floating in the front of my room. When the entire screen goes black, it is PITCH BLACK. The black levels were so dark during this moment, that I actually had to turn off the "Sony" illuminated decal on the panel because it was too distracting in my completely dark room.

Compared to the NX810, I would say the blacks are definitely a noticeable improvement. I do notice blooming on the set, but when compared to the more extreme amounts you get on the NX810 there is NO COMPARISON. I actually didn't think the blooming on the NX810 was that big of a deal, until I saw how reduced the blooming was on this set. The minimal blooming on the HX909 makes the NX810 look like a full smokescreen is covering up the panel! I can definitely see an improvement in contrast, although not drastic. Viewing angles to me appear about on par with the NX810, maybe slightly improved.

I love the aesthetics of this set. It is basically the same monolithic design as the NX810 (which I loved so much), but it does have a metallic accent along the bottom border of the set (very thin and tasteful). The side and top profiles of the panel are also encased in this metallic border, and it looks very clean and classy. The bezel around the panel is slightly thicker than the NX810, but its barely noticeable and still looks elegant. I also think the sound quality is a slight step up from the NX810 (not as "tinny").

Thanks for the feedback. So overall the PQ is not as much better as you expected? Do you notice any other differences besides black levels such as color/motion? What about gaming performance?
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post #1745 of 2886
1/22/11 at 5:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Viper2847 View Post

Thanks for the feedback. So overall the PQ is not as much better as you expected? Do you notice any other differences besides black levels such as color/motion? What about gaming performance?

The PQ is certainly improved, but its not DRAMATIC. The colors are a bit more accurate as well. I would say the motion (I use Clear 1/ Auto 2) is about on par with the NX810, although I've noticed I'm seeing more motion artifacts during gaming on the HX9 (I used these same motion settings on the NX810).
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post #1746 of 2886
1/22/11 at 5:47pm
Damn, thats a bummer. The Uv2A panel is supposed to be much better for motion...
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post #1747 of 2886
1/22/11 at 6:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Viper2847 View Post

Damn, thats a bummer. The Uv2A panel is supposed to be much better for motion...

I'm gonna keep playing with it to see if its just how the panel responds in its early stages. I waited about two hours before I turned on the set for the first time, but it was still a little cold, so I think once it gets warmed up a bit more the results will improve. So far, I would say its a noticeable improvement all around, with the exception of seeing some motion artifacts when gaming (using the same settings, I didn't see any on the NX8).
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post #1748 of 2886
1/22/11 at 6:33pm
3D Call of Duty: good immersion. I think the more advanced technology of the HX9 (combined with the Sharp panel) gives improved 3D fidelity. Don't get me wrong, the 3D of this game on the NX8 was good as well, but I actually think it looks smoother and more natural on this set.
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post #1749 of 2886
1/22/11 at 7:08pm
Ended up walking by the Sony Style on Granville here in Vancouver today. They are closing this particular store in favor of the one in the mall just down the street, so there were sales all over the place. The silver Monolithic stand for the HX909 (which was already discounted to $99 from $299 here in Canada) was discounted another 25% down to just under $75. Easy buy (but a pain to walk home with). Can't wait to hook it up. Anyone else in Vancouver, worth checking out that store in the next day or so before they close for some deals!

Now my only remaining question about the HX909 is whether or not I should have got the 3D stuff...
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post #1750 of 2886
1/22/11 at 8:11pm
Tested out Gran Turismo 5, and I can definitely notice the improvements this Sharp panel provides in contrast (compared to the NX8). Colors appear to "pop" more, and detail really jumps off the screen.
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post #1751 of 2886
1/22/11 at 8:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigJoeGrizzly View Post

I'm also assuming the blacks are so deep that during movies the black bars blend in with the bezel?

Yes, the black bars blend with the bezel, unless you stand right up to the screen and look very carefully. I just asked my wife and kids, and they can't tell the bars from the border at all.
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post #1752 of 2886
1/22/11 at 9:52pm
As I mentioned in an earlier post, blooming exists, but is miniscule compared to the NX810. You really notice some intense blooming at extreme angles, but who actually watches television at those positions? I'm using the calibration settings from Home Theater Mag as a baseline, while also altering certain specifics here and there to fit my personal taste. I used these settings because they were practically identical to the settings I had for my NX810 (who's settings I got from a person who got their set calibrated by a THX certified calibrator).

The White Balance settings are basically transplanted directly from my NX810 settings (that were from a THX certified calibrator), with some slight tweaks to the Red and Blue Biases (I have them each set at "0" since increasing either substantially on the NX810 tinted the blacks towards that color). I've attached my full settings below, so if anyone wants to try them out and give me some feedback, be my guest.

 

Sony Bravia HX909 Calibration Settings.txt 0.521484375k . file
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post #1753 of 2886
1/22/11 at 10:45pm
Just watched a handful of movies (blu-ray), and it appears the only time I notice any motion artifacts is during gaming. Specifically, in Call of Duty: Black Ops, in which you can see the artifacts around your gun as you're dragging it quickly around the screen. I didn't clearly see this phenomenon while playing other games (like God of War 3 or GT5), so I can't be certain that its more of a fluke or something that may be a common occurrence. The UV2A panels are suppose to have improved contrast and motion compared to others (like the S-PVA used in the NX810), but the only true improvement I'm seeing so far is in the contrast (and how much of that can be solely attributed to the full-array LEDs?).
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post #1754 of 2886
1/22/11 at 10:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigJoeGrizzly View Post

Tested out Gran Turismo 5, and I can definitely notice the improvements this Sharp panel provides in contrast (compared to the NX8). Colors appear to "pop" more, and detail really jumps off the screen.

Good to hear. 3d disables local dimming but it must be that the Sharp panel is already better to begin with when local dimming is off.

Can someone help me find a way to order a new base for the 52HX909? (The one that comes with it in the box, not the designer stand)

I found this link with the part numbers https://www.servicesplus.sel.sony.co...px?stype=parts

The problem is, there are two different part numbers for "requested" but the same part number for "supplied". It seems like they are only supplying the lower number which is probably the base for the 46HX909.

I wonder if the 46/52HX909 both use the same stand?

I found over here http://www.partstore.com/Part/Sony/S...67602/New.aspx

Seems to imply that this part is ONLY for the 46" model, but the Sony site also says its the part for the 52HX909 so im really confused...

Could use some help, thanks!
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post #1755 of 2886
1/23/11 at 11:10am
In regard to the IOS/Android Media Remote function available in the 2011 Sony TV's... Do you think Sony will give us an update for our HX909's to use an iphone as a remote? Kind of sucks if they don't..
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post #1756 of 2886
1/23/11 at 11:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by j5th View Post

Do you think Sony will give us an update for our HX909's to use an iphone as a remote?

Looks doubtful. Sony released an iPhone app that will control Sony BD players, but not their TV's.
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post #1757 of 2886
1/23/11 at 5:25pm
Ya but their 2011 Tv's show iphone remote support. Lets hope they dont screw us and give us a firmware update to allow the "media remote" to work. Im in need of a solution to turn on my HTPC/TV with my iphone. I think the closest I am going to come is a Marantz receiver with iphone remote using hdmi-cec to turn on my Tv using the receiver. No HTPC's can use hdmi-cec yet
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post #1758 of 2886
1/23/11 at 8:32pm
Anybody have any good sound settings for this tv? I noticed by default the tv's sound mode was set to "Dynamic." Does that mean that is more than likely the best sound setting if I'm not going to use external speakers?
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post #1759 of 2886
1/23/11 at 9:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigJoeGrizzly View Post

Anybody have any good sound settings for this tv? I noticed by default the tv's sound mode was set to "Dynamic." Does that mean that is more than likely the best sound setting if I'm not going to use external speakers?

Look under the section for Sony XBR909 settings, the lower the backlit the less blooming. Dynamic is the worst or an accurate picture.
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post #1760 of 2886
1/23/11 at 9:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CMPMERIDIAN View Post

Look under the section for Sony XBR909 settings, the lower the backlit the less blooming. Dynamic is the worst or an accurate picture.

My previous post was regarding the sound settings.
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post #1761 of 2886
1/23/11 at 10:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigJoeGrizzly View Post


My previous post was regarding the sound settings.

Change the sound settings to Custom and play around with the equilizer. It will make it much much better! (though im not sure if the hx909 has it)
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post #1762 of 2886
1/24/11 at 8:35am
Has anyone tried CNET's White Balance settings? I recall the reviewer stating the occasional "bluish blacks."

R-Gain: -4
G-Gain: -1
B-Gain: 0
R-Bias: -4
G-Bias: -2
B-Bias: +4

- I'm wondering if the "bluish blacks" are a result of increasing the B-Bias to "+4." Maybe in combination with reducing the R-Bias it results in a bluer push? I'd appreciate if someone else also set their White Balance to these settings to see if they notice the same results? The reviewer mentioned a "bluish" cast over the image, which is something I have noticed regardless of the settings I chose. I guess I'm wondering if this "cast" has been noticed by anyone as well?
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post #1763 of 2886
1/24/11 at 8:57am
[quote=BigJoeGrizzly;19877079]Initial impression after getting it out of the box and setting it on my stand: GORGEOUS set. Coming from the 55NX810, this model is every bit as sexy, albeit it doesn't have as thin of a profile. To be quite honest, I'm surprised at how little I notice the slight size difference going from 55'' to 52''. Technically, its only about a 2.5'' reduction, so good to see the change wasn't as daunting.



To me, the difference is best measured in viewing area, not in diagonal distance. That's an 11% difference in viewing area on a 16x9 set. Noticeable to some, less so to others. Personally, I noticed the move from 55 to 60, which is a 19% difference in viewing area, immediately. Not sure I would do so here, where the difference is a little over half as much.
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post #1764 of 2886
1/24/11 at 8:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigJoeGrizzly View Post

Has anyone tried CNET's White Balance settings? I recall the reviewer stating the occasional "bluish blacks."

R-Gain: -4
G-Gain: -1
B-Gain: 0
R-Bias: -4
G-Bias: -2
B-Bias: +4

- I'm wondering if the "bluish blacks" are a result of increasing the B-Bias to "+4." Maybe in combination with reducing the R-Bias it results in a bluer push? I'd appreciate if someone else also set their White Balance to these settings to see if they notice the same results? The reviewer mentioned a "bluish" cast over the image, which is something I have noticed regardless of the settings I chose. I guess I'm wondering if this "cast" has been noticed by anyone as well?

I reduced the B-Bias back to "0" and it appears that slight blue tint has been diminished. If anyone gets the opportunity, try the CNET settings I mentioned above, and maybe reduce the B-Bias from "+4" to "0" and see if you also notice a reduction in the blue tint.
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post #1765 of 2886
1/24/11 at 9:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigJoeGrizzly

I reduced the B-Bias back to "0" and it appears that slight blue tint has been diminished. If anyone gets the opportunity, try the CNET settings I mentioned above, and maybe reduce the B-Bias from "+4" to "0" and see if you also notice a reduction in the blue tint.
It's a bizarre review, isn't it? They purposefully pushed the blues up, and then criticized the set's bluish tint.
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post #1766 of 2886
1/24/11 at 10:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rebound View Post
It's a bizarre review, isn't it? They purposefully pushed the blues up, and then criticized the set's bluish tint.
Yah, its quite laughable. I remember when I first read the review (when I didn't have the HX, but instead had the NX810) and heard about the "bluish blacks." I then went into the White Balance settings for the NX, and realized that as you increase the bias levels from "0" the black levels begin to tint towards that color. Once I reduced the B-Bias to "0" the overall tint was practically gone immediately. Its like the reviewer ignored that fact, and just purposely set up the television for immediate failure.
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post #1767 of 2886
1/24/11 at 10:10am
I know this forum topic has died down a bit since most have made a decision either way regarding this tv. If anyone is still on the fence, or constantly tweaking their sets to get the best calibration settings, feel free to look over and play with my revised calibration settings (mainly adjusting the White Balance). If anyone has any comments or critiques, let me know.

 

Sony Bravia HX909 Calibration Settings.txt 0.521484375k . file
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post #1768 of 2886
1/24/11 at 11:36am
I have some more 3D viewing impressions. I just received the optional (should be mandatory) polarizing filters in the mail. The benefits of these filters are that as you tilt your head in either direction, you no longer lose the 3D effect. The only thing that happens is the image begins to get progressively darker the more extreme your head tilts.

This is great because now I can watch a movie comfortably without having to keep my head relatively still (I can lie down and watch movies now). Coming from the NX810, the 3D performance is NOTICEABLY better. The response time and contrast improvements of the Sharp UV2A panel really shine through here: less crosstalk, smoother, clearer picture, and better color representation. I did notice more "flicker" but this was mainly because I was watching in a fully sun-lit room during the day. VERY impressed with the 3D.
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post #1769 of 2886
1/24/11 at 12:16pm
BigJoeGrizzly

I'm in between the HX909 and the EX700. Can you comment on the pro's and con's of each?
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post #1770 of 2886
1/24/11 at 3:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HDTVShopping View Post

BigJoeGrizzly

I'm in between the HX909 and the EX700. Can you comment on the pro's and con's of each?

The HX909 will pretty much blow that set out of the water in every aspect. Better television design, updated bravia engine, updated motion engine, updated (and way better) panel for improved response time, and WAY better contrast due to not only the Sharp panel itself, but the full-array LED w/local dimming. There really is no comparison between the two. The only drawback of the HX909 compared to the EX700 is the price, but if you are willing to spend between $3000 and $3500, the HX909 is a no-brainer.
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