ready to purchase HX850 or HX950 , is it worth the extra money?

You might try the threads already dedicated to these TVs rather than starting a new one. They should answer a lot of your questions.

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1430346/sony-xbr-hx950-owners-thread-xbr-55hx9-50-and-xbr-65hx95-0

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1407673/official-sony-hx850-owners-thread-46hx850-55hx850

The HX950 is a better option when you watch TV often in a semi-dark/dark environment, it's the videophile's choice. btw best pq you will get on a pro-calibrated TV when watching the best sources - blu-ray quality -... in a semi-dark/dark environment.

actually Plasma performs better in a dark environment (and Plasma is cheaper).

1) Is it worth the extra money for you? some reading in both threads will help.
2) all TVs need some kind of calibration. You could do some calibrating yourself (or copy settings) with the help of fellow owners. You might wanne know some more then visit the Display Calibration Forum
http://www.avsforum.com/f/139/display-calibration
3)+4) visit the HX950 owner thread and ask folks over there
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1430346/sony-xbr-hx950-owners-thread-xbr-55hx9-50-and-xbr-65hx95-0/1860

there is also a HX850 owner thread and a lot of Samsung owner threads.

This is why I'm not convinced that 'full-array' is really worth it.

Yes, it's better in some scenarios, but it's actually slight worse than edge-lit LED (due to blooming) in other scenarios, such as the one you mentioned, white text on black background; it's VERY obvious when movie credits run.

And then factor-in the fact that the full-array is more expensive, is somewhat more power hungry, and slightly thicker (not that I care about that one), and I think the highest-end edge lit (hx850) is the way to go. That's why I have my 46" HX820, and will probably stick with the highest-end edge-lit when I buy my 55" or 65" soon. The only thing that will probably change this is if they can get the full-array zones a lot smaller so that blooming is negligible.

it's the videophile's choice.

I have the 55HX950 and blooming is not an issue, unless it is set in torch mode(vivid with max baxklight). For movies, I set the backlight at 3 and there is no blooming even with white rolling credits on black background.

Yes. I notice it only with the PS3, when the screen goes black and there is a white bright icon to indicate a new game chapter is loading.
Edited by mike50 - 12/6/12 at 1:26pm

If you care about pq then there is no question as to whether which is better. Sure you will see a small amount of bloom at times, but at least the entire set isn't blooming. Which is exactly what you get with en edge-lit set. Just go to any thread with an edge-lit set and 95% of the posts are complaints about clouding/ flashlighting and light bleed. Those problems just don't exist on a full array local dimming set.

A TV is an investment that you will use everyday. EVERYDAY. (This is my old salesman talk coming out). Invest in your TV and you will never have to doubt the quality. You had your last TV for 15 years. That's crazy. 800 dollars would amount to $53.00 extra per year. If your cheaping out and trying to save a buck you will just find your self on the other threads trying to find a solution to your set's flashlighting issues and clouding. Just another donkey chasing the carrot (massaging corners with fingers, swapping sets, visiting BB more times than the kitchen, constantly playing with pq controls etc.)

And if anyone out there disagrees then post pics of your edge-lit set in a dark room showing a black screen or dark scene.



You can't see where the black bars begin and the TV's Bezel begins. And 0% flashlighting in any corner. An edge-lit TV could not do this. Black is tha absence of light.

Tapioca- What model do you have?

It's not a Sony , But it is an example of what to expect with other full array local dimming sets. It's an LG lz9600 and was the step-up model to the LE8 which failed in certain aspcts. It never released in the US.

I spent good money for it, but being a stickler for great PQ, I'm very happy that I'm no longerr 'chasing that carrot'.

Cold

P.S. Since this pic I have had it professionally calibrated and it looks even better!

I'm sure you will be happy with whatever choice you make. Sometimes being a stickler for quality can be a hindrance to enjoyment.