Official 2005 Sony KDSR-50/60XBR1 SXRD Owner's Thread - Page 389

I absolutely love my Toshiba XA-1KN...it upconverts beautifully..plays HD Audio superbly..and has the best damn HD picture when playing HD DVD one could hope for right now...of course having UMR calibrate my system to be perfect helped a-lot too ..Yes..it is expensive right now...and you can get the cheaper version of the player.. Having my Sony/Pioneer Elite/Toshiba using all HDMI cables is great...

Thanks for your quick reply.
No, I was not aware of the subject discussed in the thread you mentioned above . Unfortunately, my problem and the issue covered in this new thread are an exact match. The yellow stain I see is exactly as shown in the photograph in the 1st post.

So this thread confirms for me that there is indeed a new failure mode that is striking the blue SXRD panels well after the 30 day trial period. Light engine replacement is required--but what is the mean time to failure?

Very disturbing news.
Thanks again,

KT

If you have the problem I am having -the light engine will require replacement sooner or later, but it must eventually be replaced.
But I am quite interested in what you refer to as a lemon/replacement option. Could you please expand a little on what this is all about. I am not aware of any lemon law or store policy relating to TV sets etc. --only automobiles.

Thanks
KT

THANKS FOR YOUR POST! I recently bought the SRXD and the only loyalties I have are to god and country!

I still run over to the LG and Sammy threads to see what is going on....I have enough cash in my pocket that if I find that there is something out there worth buying even after the SRXD purchase...well...then I will just go buy it.

Heck..I saw a 60" Samsung Plasma the other day in the store for a GREAT PRICE and started doing research on it (my SRXD is still in the box....new media room is ALMOST done)....I have no problem telling BB to come get it!

These forums are here for us to pass and share opinions....heck..I was on the fence after reading the ga-zillion threads out here will all of the green blobbing, etc....and almost didn't buy the SRXD...when I did...I posted a thank you out on the SAMMY thread and told them I wimped out (GRIN).

IMHO..the new Sammy 5053 Plasma has one of the best pictures for the money out there...but for me it was just too smalll.....heck..I took a step backwards for this...moving from a 65" Mitz diamond to the SRXD loosing 5" of diag space and more inputs that you could EVER use (including 3 IEEE).

I personally own a Pioneer Elite 50" plasma, a 44" Toshiba DLP, a Sharp 27" LCD, and two Sony's (SRXD and a flat-screen tube).

I for one am glad you posted here and I enjoyed your opinion!

Thanks!

Frank

When you say digital channels, you are talking about the digital channels coming from your cable company? They can only be decoded using your cable box or a cable card inserted into your set. Digital cable does not equal digital OTA broadcast.

It is quite possible that your cable company is encrypting the HD content, as well. Call them up and complain, because they aren't allowed to do that.

Something you can try, if you have a UHF TV set top antenna, you could try hooking that up and try to see if it can pick anything up. You can check antennaweb.org to see how far away you are from the local broadcasters.


Keith

The digital channels can be received by the SXRD without a box or cable card, as the SXRD has a QAM tuner. Cable companies can encrypt digital channels if they get permission from the local stations.
You might be able to contact your locals and ask (if you can get to the right person) if they have given permission to your cable company to encrypt their digital channel.

I know that the local hd channels are not encrypted because I get them using the qam tuner built into two other tv's that I own. I would use an antenna, but I live far from the stations and even using a rooftop antenna I was only able to get a weak signal, so I really would like to get them on this tv through the cable line like I can on my other tv's. Thanks.

Feel I have to share my unbounded enthusiasm for my new 60XBR1 and Oppo combination. Out of the box the picture is incredibly good, no great.

There is one problem with what I guess is overscan. When watching channels like CNN with the bottom scrolling bar, most of the bar is cut off. I have tried adjusting with user menu and nothing seems to improve the situation. Is there an easy fix or should I try a waranty claim?

I am on Adelphia cable and have scanned all the channels both with and without the cablecard that I use (several times). Although I pick up a couple of channels (none local), I have reached the conclusion that Adelphia intends for its subscribers to have to use either the box or the cablecard to tune the digital (including HD) channels. I do not suspect that my qam tuner is not functioning properly.

I have read virtually every post about the SXRD since it was first announced. This is the first time I can recall that there has been any discussion of "grain" on the SXRD. There are some pretty picky people on this site and none of them until now seems to have a grain problem. Personally, I have no idea to what you could be referring. Even the analog SD picture is very good on very good cable.

What resolution is the Oppo upscaling to? It supposedly works better at 720p but I was wondering if the Sony would prefer to see a 1080i. I've tried both and not really noticed a difference to be honest but I did it quickly. Just wondering what you thought.

When I purchased my extended warranty I asked how many times would a tech have to come out for the same problem before I received a replacement or store credit. They informed me of a lemon/replacement option....which is, if they are out 3 times for the same problem, over the period of your warranty, they would either issue you a replacement set or store credit for the amount of the set.

This is true! Best Buy's EW works this way.

I'm also a little perplexed about what "grain" this is referring to. Maybe SSE, which appears to me as a sort of granularity in the screen. Of course, SSE is present in almost all RPTVs to some extent.

Bertes, I don't have the overscan you're talking about, so it maybe a prob w/ the TV itself, or maybe switch the picture mode a few times to see if that corrects your problem. You may have it set at zoom or wide zoom, which would cut off the bottom of scrolling news, etc. Try Full or normal settings.

Texaspledge - oppo does look better (to my eyes) on 720p. If you do a 1080i feed from the oppo and look up close. you can see resolution lines. With 720p everything is smooth, even up close. However from far away (+ 12 ft), 1080i looks better (again my eyes) and much much sharper. Since you can't see the resolution lines at 1080i from far away, that might be the way to go, but if anyone sits closer than 12 ft, 720p is better. Test it your self and see.

There is no reason HDMI to HDMI connection wouldn't work. Component to component would work too, but its an analog connection.

When you get it hooked up tell us how those HDDVD's look on the SXRD!

Maybe a simple signal amplifier.

Sony Delivers Full High Definition With Expanded Grand WEGA SXRD Microdisplay Line-Up




Five New Models Include 1080p Inputs with Screen Sizes Up to 70 inches

LOS ANGELES, June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Strengthening its leadership in the microdisplay market, Sony Electronics today introduced five full 1920 x 1080 high-definition Grand WEGA(TM) rear projection models based on its acclaimed Silicon X-tal (Crystal) Reflective Display (SXRD(TM)) technology.

The new SXRD models feature 1920 x 1080 resolution, HDMI(TM) inputs with 1080p capability and range in screen sizes from 50 to 70 inches

"Thanks to outstanding picture quality and overall performance, the response to our SXRD Grand WEGA TVs has been nothing short of phenomenal" said Randy Waynick, senior vice president of the Home Products Division for Sony Electronics. "We expect the new line-up to keep up the positive momentum by offering greater flexibility, deeper features and incredible picture quality."




SXRD XBR Line

Sony's SXRD XBR(R) line features two new models that represent the pinnacle of performance. The 70-inch KDS-R70XBR2 and 60-inch KDS-R60XBR2 benefit from the refinements of Sony's three 0.61-inch SXRD chips (one each for red, green and blue color reproduction), delivering more than 2 million native pixels (1920 X 1080) for a full high-definition picture.

Video signal process enhancements include Sony's WEGA Engine HD(TM) system and Digital Reality Creation(R) Multi Function Version Two Point Five (DRC-MFv2.5), high resolution video processing technology which provides crisp and clear pictures. This technology enables the digital mapping of not only conventional NTSC sources, but also 1080i HD signals.

Working with Sony's Cinema Black Pro mode, the sets deliver up to 10,000:1 contrast based on overall light levels of the original signal.

The new models are digital cable-ready with an integrated CableCARD(TM) slot and TV Guide(R) on screen program guide. Other features include two HDMI inputs with 1080p capability, front HDMI HDV camcorder connection, and a PC input. The XBR models feature side speakers, which are removable on the KDS-R70XBR2 model.

The KDS-R70XBR2 and KDS-R60XBR2 units will ship in early fall and be available for about $7,800 and $5,300, respectively.




SXRD A2000 Line

Offering 60-, 55- and 50-inch models, Sony's new A2000 line delivers outstanding SXRD picture quality and a new compact, bottom speaker cabinet design. The KDS-60A2000, KDS-55A2000 and KDS-50A2000 models feature the WEGA Engine system and the same 0.61-inch SXRD chips found in the XBR line, as well as such picture technologies as Cinema Black Pro that delivers a contrast of up to 10,000:1 based on overall light levels of the original source. The line also offers two HDMI inputs with 1080p capability and a front component input for HDV camcorder and PC input.

The KDS-60A2000, KDS-55A2000, and KDS-50A2000 models ship this summer for about $4,500, $4,000, and $3,500, respectively.

All models will be available through sonystyle.com, at Sony Style retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail) and at authorized dealers nationwide. More information on the new line can be found by visiting www.sony.com/2006TV.

CONTACT: Greg Belloni of Sony Electronics Inc., +1-858-942-4460, greg.belloni@am.sony.com; or Brendan Mullin of Burson-Marsteller, +1-212-614-4704, brendan_mullin@nyc.bm.com, for Sony Electronics Inc.

Doesn't sound like an overscan problem. Sounds like you're trying to watch 4:3 content in a widescreen mode which will stretch the scroll right out of the picture. Try watching CNN in the native 4:3 format, and you should be able to see everything fine.

Others have had this problem with HDMI handshake. I've heard changing channels or inputs back and forth will fix it. Do a search on green screen and you might come up with some posts on it. I have Starchoice PVR 530 and use component as I couldn't notice any difference in PQ between DVI-HDMI and component, but DVI-HDMI "blinked" every few minutes. It's a known problem with the PVR 530 and SXRD.

I have insight cable here in Lex, Ky and I have no problem receiving the local hd channels using a qam tuner on my other tv's, just the sxrd.

Thanks BCSOTT

Channel guide... that's the only feature I miss on my current SXRD with cablecard. Oh well, thanks for posting the info.

I'm pretty sure our boy JJ here is talking about SSE (silk screen effect), also called scintillation or screen speckle. As has already been mentioned, this is present to varying degrees on all consumer-level bulb-based RPTVs.

It is, and while I personally have decided that the SXRD picture is the best in my price range, it is still an obvious effect. I am surprized that some people in this thread haven't noticed or are perplexed when others mention it. We are not talking about some obscure effect that only the pickiest people see IMO. SSE or 'screen grain' is even mentioned in almost every review of the SXRD that I have read as one of the only drawbacks of these sets (and all RPTV's one could argue) and I agree.

It may be that others here are used to RPTV's because I do find I am getting used to it now. But for those comparing plasma to the SXRD, I would be amazed if you didn't immediately notice it.

Eh? I have only ever seen reference to SSE on these forums. Dr. Raymond Soneira (of the various HDTV 'shootout' fame) hadn't ever heard the term before he came here.

Once pointed out, I can spot it inside of 8 feet easily but from 9 to 10 feet I have to actively look for it and beyond that I can't find it at all except in very specific circumstances... I usually sit at 11-12 feet.

what Color Temperature do yall suggest. Warm Cool or Neutral?

I have had my SXRD for 5 months and I cannot spot the silk screen effect that a few people have described on this thread over that time. If I concentrate (to the best of my ability) on the screen rather than the picture and step real close, I see what MIGHT be SSE, but you couldn't prove it by me. I'm glad I don't see it, as I do see the faint green stain, but it just doesn't show up to my eyes. Everytime someone mentions it, I try to remember to look again, but I just can't seem to dredge this up as a problem about which I can fret. .......... I'll keep trying!

I'm guessing you haven't seen one.
Since my Oppo is getting fixed at the moment, I've been playing around with the Tosh HD DVD player. Preliminary watching seems to say the its a noticably better upscaling player than the Oppo, but I haven't done a head-to-head comparison. Pity its not region free.
J

I'm using the Tosh HD DVD player with my SXRD, and there are NO compatability issues. I'm using the HDMI out, it doesn't upscale SD DVDs via componant. You haven't really seen what your set can do untill you've seen a good HD DVD hooked up to it (probably true for blu-ray too). Better than Cable HD. Better than OTA. The Serenity HD DVD is my new reference/demo for the set. Absolutely amazing.
J