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Official 2013 Sony R550A series TVs (KDL-xxR550A) --- 50", 60", and 70"

post #1 of 638
2/27/13 at 9:13am
Thread Starter 
The new 2013 Sony R550(A) series TV (2K, Edge-lit, passive 3D!) will be rolling out around April 16th, 2013, and I'm deathly interested in anything anyone has on this.

I'll be updating this initial post with information as I discover it.

EDIT: First review found so far (thanks to thebigmac, avs member):
http://reviews.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/sony-lcd-tv/sony-kdl70r550a.html

Here's an overall summation of the R550 (and R520). Note: these models do *not* have any local dimming style technology.

Quote:
Sony BRAVIA® R550A-series LED LCD HDTV with 3D
• Brilliant Full HD (1080p) picture quality with Edge LED backlight
• Motionflow™ XR 240 and Clear Resolution Enhancer
• Passive 3D, with 4 pairs of glasses included
• Built-in Wi-Fi for streaming connectivity, including Sony Entertainment Network™
• Screen Mirroring via Wi-Fi
• RVU (ready for full DirecTV service and HD DVR functionality without additional receivers)- and MHL(ready for mirroring second screens) -ready
• USB playback
• Screen sizes include 70-inch (KDL-70R550A), 60-inch (KDL-60R550A) and 50-inch (KDL-50R550A)

Sony BRAVIA® R520A-series LED LCD HDTV
• Brilliant Full HD (1080p) picture quality with Edge LED backlight
• Motionflow™ XR 240 and Clear Resolution Enhancer
• Built-in Wi-Fi for streaming connectivity, including Sony Entertainment Network™
• Screen Mirroring via Wi-Fi
• RVU (ready for full DirecTV service and HD DVR functionality without additional receivers)- and MHL(ready for mirroring second screens) -ready
• USB playback
• Screen sizes include 70-inch (KDL-70R520A) and 60-inch (KDL-60R520A)

Here is a link to the sony site's take on their new LED-LCD lineup:

http://store.sony.com/c/S_TV_HAV_CES_2013/en/c/S_TV_HAV_CES_2013#tvPane

Here are the Sony links for each of the R550 line, offered in 50", 60", and 70" sizes, along with their MSRP and approximate ship dates.
50" KDL-50R550A $1199.99 (April 16, 2013)
60" KDL-60R550A $1749.99 (April 16, 2013)
70" KDL-70R550A $2699.99 (April 16, 2013)


Edited by tgm1024 - 3/22/13 at 7:09am
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post #2 of 638
2/27/13 at 9:46am
Really excited about the 70" model. Hope I can find it for under 2.2k... (Saw an authorized Sony online retailer, B&H, with pre-orders up for the 70" R520 and R550 model for about 2.7k and 2.6k, I figure a sale should drop that a bit at some point.)
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post #3 of 638
2/27/13 at 10:02am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sodaboy581 View Post

Really excited about the 70" model. Hope I can find it for under 2.2k... (Saw an authorized Sony online retailer, B&H, with pre-orders up for the 70" R520 and R550 model for about 2.7k and 2.6k, I figure a sale should drop that a bit at some point.)

The sony page I linked to doesn't even refer to the R520. What is it?

EDIT: Nevermind. I just found it listed here: https://blog.sony.com/press/sony-product-fact-sheet-ces-2013/. Here's the fact sheet for the 550 followed by the 520. The 520 is basically a 2D only version.
Quote:
Sony BRAVIA® R550A-series LED LCD HDTV with 3D
Large room beauty
Available in Spring
• Brilliant Full HD (1080p) picture quality with Edge LED backlight
• Motionflow™ XR 240 and Clear Resolution Enhancer
• Passive 3D, with 4 pairs of glasses included
• Built-in Wi-Fi for streaming connectivity, including Sony Entertainment Network™
• Screen Mirroring via Wi-Fi
• RVU (ready for full DirecTV service and HD DVR functionality without additional receivers)- and MHL(ready for mirroring second screens) -ready
• USB playback
• Screen sizes include 70-inch (KDL-70R550A), 60-inch (KDL-60R550A) and 50-inch (KDL-50R550A)

Sony BRAVIA® R520A-series LED LCD HDTV
Large room beauty
Available in Spring
• Brilliant Full HD (1080p) picture quality with Edge LED backlight
• Motionflow™ XR 240 and Clear Resolution Enhancer
• Built-in Wi-Fi for streaming connectivity, including Sony Entertainment Network™
• Screen Mirroring via Wi-Fi
• RVU (ready for full DirecTV service and HD DVR functionality without additional receivers)- and MHL(ready for mirroring second screens) -ready
• USB playback
• Screen sizes include 70-inch (KDL-70R520A) and 60-inch (KDL-60R520A)

Edited by tgm1024 - 2/27/13 at 10:13am
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post #4 of 638
2/27/13 at 10:05am
Thread Starter 
I have to say that one of the things I'm NOT psyched about is the silver colored placard on the bottom bezel. Those things can annoy folks by providing a distracting reflection.
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post #5 of 638
2/27/13 at 10:08am
I believe it's the same as the R550 but it lacks 3D. Smart TV features are still there.. but this information comes from http://lcdtvbuyingguide.com/sony-lcd-tv/sony-lcd.html which may not be a reliable source.

Still both were announced at CES 2013 and are up for pre-order at B&H.
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post #6 of 638
2/27/13 at 10:20am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sodaboy581 View Post

I believe it's the same as the R550 but it lacks 3D. Smart TV features are still there.. but this information comes from http://lcdtvbuyingguide.com/sony-lcd-tv/sony-lcd.html which may not be a reliable source.

Still both were announced at CES 2013 and are up for pre-order at B&H.

Yep, scroll up----I edited my reply to contain the official sony product fact sheet.

Odd that they don't list the thing on their other page.
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post #7 of 638
2/27/13 at 10:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tgm1024 View Post

Yep, scroll up----I edited my reply to contain the official sony product fact sheet.

Odd that they don't list the thing on their other page.
Does passive 3D have the same ghosting problem as active 3D on LCDs? If refresh rates aren't fast enough with active 3D, there's a lot of ghosting. I already know passive 3D halves the resolution, but if these TVs can do 3D without ghosting, that'd still be OK for the occasional 3D viewing.

If the 3D is poor, though, I'd just save the money and get the 2D TV (R520). 3D has pretty much already been pushed to the side in favor of 4K anyway...
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post #8 of 638
2/27/13 at 10:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sodaboy581 View Post

Does passive 3D have the same ghosting problem as active 3D on LCDs? If refresh rates aren't fast enough with active 3D, there's a lot of ghosting. I already know passive 3D halves the resolution, but if these TVs can do 3D without ghosting, that'd still be OK for the occasional 3D viewing.

If the 3D is poor, though, I'd just save the money and get the 2D TV (R520). 3D has pretty much already been pushed to the side in favor of 4K anyway...

Passive has less ghosting at the expense of resolution. That is why passive will work with Sony's X900 models since half the resolution is still 2K. On a 2K set? Then you get back into the active/passive debate which generally just goes in circles. If you think LG 3D is good, then you should be fine
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post #9 of 638
2/27/13 at 7:21pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cmay91472 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by sodaboy581 View Post

Does passive 3D have the same ghosting problem as active 3D on LCDs? If refresh rates aren't fast enough with active 3D, there's a lot of ghosting. I already know passive 3D halves the resolution, but if these TVs can do 3D without ghosting, that'd still be OK for the occasional 3D viewing.

If the 3D is poor, though, I'd just save the money and get the 2D TV (R520). 3D has pretty much already been pushed to the side in favor of 4K anyway...

Passive has less ghosting
Crosstalk? If done as well as LG does it, at least on the LM7600 there isn't any at all, at all but insanely stupid viewing angles, which is truly great. And don't forget that passive is brighter, and will not give you a headache after long hours of use. Plus, on most sets the refresh is effectively double with passive, because you're not drawing all the left eye's frame, and then all the right eye's frame, (etc.,etc.)
Quote:
at the expense of
vertical
Quote:
resolution. That is why passive will work with Sony's X900 models since half the resolution is still 2K.
Same thing, you hack the vertical resolution in half. Half the UHD vertical 2160 resolution is 1080. I know you know what it means, but be careful of the "2K" thing. That's a horizontal measurement, and still up for debate as to whether we should be using 2K and 4K for TV descriptions, since they already have their distinct meanings elsewhere.
Quote:
On a 2K set? Then you get back into the active/passive debate which generally just goes in circles. If you think LG 3D is good, then you should be fine
LG's 3D is amazingly good. I was completely surprised! They were once very "scanliney" at 1920x540, but somehow they're not any longer. They changed the order of the frames somewhat and that did the trick.
Edited by tgm1024 - 3/5/13 at 6:41am
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post #10 of 638
2/27/13 at 7:25pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sodaboy581 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by tgm1024 View Post

Yep, scroll up----I edited my reply to contain the official sony product fact sheet.

Odd that they don't list the thing on their other page.
Does passive 3D have the same ghosting problem as active 3D on LCDs? If refresh rates aren't fast enough with active 3D, there's a lot of ghosting. I already know passive 3D halves the resolution, but if these TVs can do 3D without ghosting, that'd still be OK for the occasional 3D viewing.

If the 3D is poor, though, I'd just save the money and get the 2D TV (R520). 3D has pretty much already been pushed to the side in favor of 4K anyway...

No it hasn't. The only time you'll hear something like that is when people were talking about how all the CES-2013 buzz was 4K because 3D was no longer new. It has nothing to do with 3D no longer being wanted, or viable, or any such thing. It has not "pretty much already been pushed to the side in favor of 4K", because the two are not exclusive and have nothing to do with each other per se.
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post #11 of 638
3/5/13 at 6:42am
Thread Starter 
I'm also confused about Sony's RVU. How compatible is that with folks like FIOS and comcast currently?
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post #12 of 638
3/10/13 at 8:53pm
I'll post in this thread too, as I'm looking for a 70" 3D TV. Looks like it's Sharp, Vizio, or this Sony. I need to buy ASAP. Is there any idea when this will be out, like based on years past release dates? Does Sony do a late March release? (I hope)
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post #13 of 638
3/11/13 at 7:15pm
Bump 2013 Sony R550A for more info and availability dates.
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post #14 of 638
3/11/13 at 7:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tgm1024 View Post

I'm also confused about Sony's RVU. How compatible is that with folks like FIOS and comcast currently?

RVU is a DirecTV specific/exclusive technology. It's actually pronounced R-View. Oddly enough.
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post #15 of 638
3/11/13 at 7:37pm
Looks alot like a Samsung design to me which I dont like. Another thing I dont care much for is Sony has turned to Passive 3D which again I have no love for. But thats just me.
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post #16 of 638
3/12/13 at 6:12am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steve1971 View Post

Looks alot like a Samsung design to me which I dont like. Another thing I dont care much for is Sony has turned to Passive 3D which again I have no love for. But thats just me.

Not all their models. And passive is the only reason I'm considering them again.
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post #17 of 638
3/13/13 at 7:24pm
Looking forward to the 70 inch version of this set. I wonder how it compares to the sharp 70 inch 847 model
Edited by JacobC1983 - 3/13/13 at 7:29pm
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post #18 of 638
3/13/13 at 11:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JacobC1983 View Post

Looking forward to the 70 inch version of this set. I wonder how it compares to the sharp 70 inch 847 model

Given the specs, I'm going to assume it'll fall more in line with the LE640, now LE650 from Sharp. Regardless, I felt as though both were/are solid FP's. The one thing I'm interested to see in the 70" version on the R550 is how well it handles temporal resolution. That's the one category which I felt the Sharps fell short in and their video processing was average at best, never impressed me. On the other hand I have been continually impressed with Sony's video processing/motion handling.
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post #19 of 638
3/14/13 at 7:16am
Looking at expected pricing of the unit, I hope it exceeds the 600 series of sharp's lineup
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post #20 of 638
3/14/13 at 7:57am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JacobC1983 View Post

Looking at expected pricing of the unit, I hope it exceeds the 600 series of sharp's lineup

Do you have a link to their pricing schedules for the 2013 lineup?
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post #21 of 638
3/14/13 at 7:58am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hoozthatat View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by JacobC1983 View Post

Looking forward to the 70 inch version of this set. I wonder how it compares to the sharp 70 inch 847 model

Given the specs, I'm going to assume it'll fall more in line with the LE640, now LE650 from Sharp. Regardless, I felt as though both were/are solid FP's. The one thing I'm interested to see in the 70" version on the R550 is how well it handles temporal resolution. That's the one category which I felt the Sharps fell short in and their video processing was average at best, never impressed me. On the other hand I have been continually impressed with Sony's video processing/motion handling.


.....and their off-angle viewing. I don't know what they're using here, but in the past their PVA have exceeded most IPS panels I've seen.
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post #22 of 638
3/14/13 at 9:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tgm1024 View Post

Do you have a link to their pricing schedules for the 2013 lineup?

Just going off the prices on B&H preorders

http://m.bhphotovideo.com/mobile/detail?R=925532_REG&
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post #23 of 638
3/14/13 at 10:37am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JacobC1983 View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by tgm1024 View Post

Do you have a link to their pricing schedules for the 2013 lineup?

Just going off the prices on B&H preorders

http://m.bhphotovideo.com/mobile/detail?R=925532_REG&

INTERESTING. This is the first site I've seen actually throw prices up.

The 50" is $1200
The 60" is $1750.

Huh.

I hope this set holds up technologically.
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post #24 of 638
3/14/13 at 11:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JacobC1983 View Post

Looking forward to the 70 inch version of this set. I wonder how it compares to the sharp 70 inch 847 model

The first thing I noticed was active vs. passive 3D. Your call as to which you prefer.
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post #25 of 638
3/14/13 at 11:55am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BSTNFAN View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by JacobC1983 View Post

Looking forward to the 70 inch version of this set. I wonder how it compares to the sharp 70 inch 847 model

The first thing I noticed was active vs. passive 3D. Your call as to which you prefer.

Passive is why I'm considering Sony again. And (God willing) they can do as good a job as LG did with it. LG's main problem was everything ELSE with their TV's.
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post #26 of 638
3/14/13 at 12:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tgm1024 View Post

Passive is why I'm considering Sony again. And (God willing) they can do as good a job as LG did with it. LG's main problem was everything ELSE with their TV's.

I too prefer passive 3D and have been waiting for a 70"+ display. The only other one I am aware of is the soon to release Vizio M701i (ignoring the overpriced 4K displays, for now). Are there others?
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post #27 of 638
3/14/13 at 12:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JacobC1983 View Post

Looking forward to the 70 inch version of this set. I wonder how it compares to the sharp 70 inch 847 model
Quote:
Originally Posted by BSTNFAN View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by tgm1024 View Post

Passive is why I'm considering Sony again. And (God willing) they can do as good a job as LG did with it. LG's main problem was everything ELSE with their TV's.

I too prefer passive 3D and have been waiting for a 70"+ display. The only other one I am aware of is the soon to release Vizio M701i (ignoring the overpriced 4K displays, for now). Are there others?


How close are you two planning on sitting from the 70"ers?
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post #28 of 638
3/14/13 at 12:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tgm1024 View Post


How close are you two planning on sitting from the 70"ers?

My primary veiwing position is at approximately 12 feet. I would move closer, but this is still a multi-function room and I don't have "permission" to do so at this time. Current display is a 65" non-3D.
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post #29 of 638
3/14/13 at 1:06pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BSTNFAN View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by tgm1024 View Post


How close are you two planning on sitting from the 70"ers?

My primary veiwing position is at approximately 12 feet. I would move closer, but this is still a multi-function room and I don't have "permission" to do so at this time. Current display is a 65" non-3D.

BTW, maybe wait a bit for some AVSforum review feedback on that Vizio. There's something about the Vizio picture that always makes me cringe.
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post #30 of 638
3/14/13 at 1:13pm
Quote:
There's something about the Vizio picture that always makes me cringe.

You're not alone my friend. smile.gif

That aside, I am very intrigued to see the 70R550A. I'm stupidly optimistic that it'll end up being a great option.
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AVS › AVS Forum › Display Devices › LCD Flat Panel Displays › Official 2013 Sony R550A series TVs (KDL-xxR550A) --- 50", 60", and 70"