Sony hx729 - Page 3

Thanks Mike, that clarifies things a bit for me. Correct me if I'm wrong but the only differences between the HX729 and and HX820 are the OptiContast Panel and Corning Gorilla Glass. Are these features worth the extra money?

Thanks for your input.

IIRC from what i've gathered on this forum, the OptiContrast Panel is there to help black levels and counteract some of the glare from the glass screen.

the HX729 utilizes the "Deep Black" Panel, i think it's called, with a semi gloss screen. So i think it comes down to aesthetics and which unit looks best to you.

I get a ton of natural light in my living room, so I was leary of glass screens which is why i went with the HX729, and while it's not truely matte it has very little glare.

Hey Kirby34, I ordered the Disney WOW disc a few days ago, should be here in a day or two. Does it matter what picture preset to start with when you begin the calibration steps (like is Cinema 1 better than Cinema 2 or Custom)? I guess I'll figure it out once i get the disc, but just thought you would have some insight since you've done it already. Thx.

The short answer would be "no." About the only difference it makes is how far you'll end up moving the sliders around. In other words, if you start with, say, Vivid you'll probably have to make larger changes to backlight, contrast, and sharpness (among others) than you would if you start with just about anything else - unless you really enjoy whitewash. Heh. I just started with Cinema 1 for practicality because it seemed to be closest to what I liked when at default.

One thing I noticed while viewing 3D is that the TV responded sluggishly to remote commands. I hadn't thought about the emitter causing interference with IR remotes. I suppose if I had a Harmony 900 with Rf capability, it might not be an issue. I downloaded the Sony remote app on my Android phone, but haven't had a chance to mess with it yet. Though I admit I downloaded it more as gimmick than for actual everyday use.

great thread.

can anybody else chime in regarding the display's glass used? how much glare? knowledge about the difference between the gorilla glass of the 820 in terms of contrast and deeper blacks?

my local BB doesn't have either in stock for me to check out, but real interested in the 729, particularly at $1500. thanks for all the posts so far

just saw mike's comments on the above.

i'm confused though, does the 729 have the deep black panel, the opticontrast panel, or both or neither. still interested in the differences between the two and the other gorilla glass panel, or is that the opticontrast panel...

also, can anybody speak to the differences between the 729 and last year's 800?

muchas grassy ass

HX729 Deep black panel.

NX720 Opticontrast with gorilla glass.

HX820 Opticontrast with gorilla glass.

HX929 Opticontrast with gorilla glass.

For what it's worth, tvinfo reviewed the hx729, hx820, and the nx720. If it means anything, the hx729 got consistently higher marks and a better recommendation.

www.televisioninfo.com

I'm strongly considering the 46hx729.

direct link
http://www.televisioninfo.com/conten...DTV-Review.htm


thanks for the heads up. This is one of the first official third party reviews of this unit which will hopefully lead to some better discussion in the future.

Check your PM.

Mike
Are you happy with the overall performance of your 729? I'm trying to gather as much info on performance before I make my decision.

Well, I'm close to pulling the trigger on the 46hx729. If I do, I'll be sure to post my impressions. I just hope I'm not disappointed.

I finally got around to playing a few games today. I played a bit of Rock Band, GT 5 (Gran Turismo 5), and BioShock 2 using my PS3.

First thing I ran into was my own fault. I had all sorts of trouble at the outset before realizing that CineMotion and MotionFlow were both on because I was still in Cinema scene mode. I switched to Game scene mode and then ran into other problems because the standard settings are way too bright, so I had to make some quick adjustments to tone it down, especially to get rid of the flashlighting in the lower corners.

After that, everything was fine. I really enjoyed playing GT5 even on my Sammy LN46A550, but it's MUCH better on the HX729. Same thing for BioShock 2 - huge difference because it's a fairly dark game. The one thing I didn't do was try playing GT5 in 3D.

I'm going to my local Best Buy on Tuesday(Aug 9) and they have the 46" at the store. If I like what I see then I'll buy it. I believe it's always best to demo a tv in person. I trust in everyones opinions, but in the end it's what I see with my own eyes that matters most.

have to say... was seriously considering the 729 for quite a while but went with panasonic's ST30 plasma and it is sa-weet. don't underestimate plasmas before jumping on the led band wagon... just my two cents.

oh yeah, what you see in the best buy store is not usually the best that you can achieve on your own in your own setup and enviro... good luck either way

I had a Panny v10 plasma, didn't like it so I sold it. Back on topic.

I went to Best buy today, and they didn't have the 729 but did have the nx720. The nx looked real good but this belongs in another thread.

The search goes on.

Did you check in Magnolia? My Bestbuy only had the 55HX729 in the Magnolia store, not on the main show wall.

My local BB/Magnolia had their 46HX729 "hidden" in the adjacent speaker demo room. Unfortunately, because it was in there instead of the "main" Magnolia showroom, it was hooked up to some poor quality video. It wasn't exactly a great advertisement.

has anyone set their 729 to the calibrated measurements from this review? just a quick glance the units look quite a bit different than from my quick eyeball + DVE calibration so i'm interested in seeing how much better/worse it will look.

Mike, I didn't try them because the only thing they did was crank the backlight up really. That's way too bright for my taste. They didn't indicate whether it was from the Cinema 1 or Cinema 2 default either.

Btw, when you did your DVE calibration, did you start with LED Dynamic Control set to OFF, and then turn it on after calibration, or did you calibrate with it on to begin with? I didn't know which way was the right way to start.

Just had my new HX729 mounted - and it is gorgeous!

Question: does anyone know where you can download the iManual for this TV for offline reading?

Thanks

i didn't spend much time calibrating, just a quick run through so LED Dynamic was more than likely set to ON

Yo yo yo! I'm looking to buy a new HDTV. I currently use a Vizio 26" LCD 2007 model. So I am new to this stuff. I don't really mind any internet stuff or 3D. But I am willing to spend the money for 3D for use and that it makes 2D even better.
I'm torn between a Sony LED or a Panasonic 42" ST30 Plasma. This HX729 is attracting me. I would get the 46" model. I'm just skeptical about gaming on LEDs. I am a big gamer with my PS3 especially with Resistance 3 and Uncharted 3 coming out. I was just wondering about input lag, or gaming lag in general. People say the Plasma is better at gaming with hardly any gaming lag.
By the way, coming from an old HDTV, do you really have to switch cinema, game, etc modes alot? Switching the refresh rate alot (120hz, 240hz, etc.)?

I'm newb with these new tech advances in TVs. Torn between the LED and Plasma and wondering about the gaming lag in LEDs.

just set it on Game mode when you're playing and all of the little "extras" that would generate input lag will be turned off. I just played through Uncharted 2 again last week on this TV and it was beautiful.

Cool. I am a bit convinced. I had played inFamous 2 demo on a Sony TV (think it was just a regular LCD) at Best Buy and the movement was delayed to me compared to my vizio at home when I play that game. I did a poll on two other websites on which TV I should get and the Panasonic is getting more votes. It's just making my decisions hard to make.

HHgregg is having a sale 20-30% off products 299.99 and up. And they have the 46" HX729 online. If I'm correct 20-30% off of 1529.99 is like 305 or 458 dollars, right?

I have had my 55HX729 now for about 2 weeks and I haven't seen anything like that either. Sounds like isolated incidents. My picture is Jaw Dropping and I just can't wait for My Oppo BDP-93 to show up Monday so I can really put this thing through it's paces! So far, I couldn't reccomend this set more. It's a stellar TV.

Would you suggest getting this set over the 55HX820 if the added protection of gorilla glass? Which is really is not a deciding factor for me as I live alone. I can get this one for around $600 and or the 55HX820 for a grand. Trying to make the final decision now.

Wow, where can you get a 55HX729 for $600?

So how are you guys liking the menu/interface that has taken a big hit in reviews?

I'm sure it's due to a Sony-authorized exchange.