[Rickythedog]

Hey everyone. I'm a long time reader but new at posting. Thank you to everone who makes this such an enjoyble and information filled place.


Now, let's get dow to business. I've found a place that has NIB 46" Sony XBR8s. I've been told that I can purchase one for $2k including shipping and an 18 month manufacturers warranty through sony. Should I bite? Funny thing is I already have an 34" xbr crt and no room for the 46". should I buy? What do you guys think?

 

[marlin29311]

That's not really a stellar price...Best Buy did that for a while a few weeks ago...


If you're going on the price...I wouldn't. If you want the TV, the it's an alright price.

 

[Rickythedog]



Quote:
Originally Posted by marlin29311 /forum/post/18102686


That's not really a stellar price...Best Buy did that for a while a few weeks ago...


If you're going on the price...I wouldn't. If you want the TV, the it's an alright price.

Best buy nation wide or in a particular area? And are they still doing this? Where else would I be able to find this tv? What do you consider a good price for the set?

 

[marlin29311]

BestBuy nationwide...It was in their print ad for 2-3 weeks if I remember. My friend picked one up at that point, hence why I remember.


Online the set is going for about the same price at this point, around that $2k mark.

 

[Rickythedog]

If I am interested in the set but don't necessarily need it right now but also don't want to wait and never be able to get it new what do you think I should do? How much longer down the road will I still be able to track one of these sets down NIB? And is 2k a good price for it?

 

[Benny42]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Rickythedog /forum/post/18102817


How much longer down the road will I still be able to track one of these sets down NIB?

How can anyone here answer that? We don't have crystal balls you know...

Quote:
And is 2k a good price for it?

Answered above.

 

[display veteran]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Rickythedog /forum/post/18102817


If I am interested in the set but don't necessarily need it right now but also don't want to wait and never be able to get it new what do you think I should do? How much longer down the road will I still be able to track one of these sets down NIB? And is 2k a good price for it?

Just get it. It is still the best looking direct LCD made to this day. I have the 55 and nothing can compare. Everyone is going slim these days but I don't judge my television by thickness. The brightness and contrast is amazing.

 

[gwsallen]

replace your CRT and save some space?

go get it KDL-46XBR8 http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Bravia-KDL-46XBR8-46-Inch-Triluminos/dp/B001GIPMNU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1265806881&sr=1-1

 

[corrado85]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Benny42 /forum/post/18105673


How can anyone here answer that? We don't have crystal balls you know...




Answered above.

I have crystal balls.



OP, It is IMO as low as it can get. This is a what we consider a niche product in its market against its competitor so with that said-take previous price statistics into consideration. It is a solid deal. I remember during christmas when they are applying PS3's to any new Bravia's V,W,XBR and they even allowed XBR8 @ $1600 price point (after automated discount). Fortunately few days later best buy caught the error and hiked the price up to $2000.

 

[dmw16]

I was faced with a similar dilemma that may help.


About 8 months ago we signed the papers to have a house built and I decided I wanted a TV I could be happy with for a long while. After doing some research I decided on a Pioneer plasma. I thought about pulling the trigger about 6 months back but decided to hold off.


Well long story short I ended up paying about $700 more than I would have if I hadn't waited and also had more trouble finding the correct stand and such.


Not sure if the XBR8 will go the same way as the Pioneer plasmas have, but it's food for thought.

 

[Rickythedog]

The biggest question I have is I'm either going to buy the tv now or wait 2 years when I buy a house and get a set then, so for roughly the same amount of money maybe a bit more (2k today, or maybe up to 3k in two years) will I be able to get the same quality of tv in the future? I know that's a hard question for anyone to answer but that pretty much will make my decision for me. Thoughts?

 

[BoilerJim]

Well, considering that overall quality has risen, features have improved, and prices have fallen dramatically over the past two years, I'd say there is a good chance that TVs two years from now will be better and cheaper. Heck, if you can hold out another 10-15 years, they may be giving them away.

 

[Rickythedog]



Quote:
Originally Posted by BoilerJim /forum/post/18107025


Well, considering that overall quality has risen, features have improved, and prices have fallen dramatically over the past two years, I'd say there is a good chance that TVs two years from now will be better and cheaper. Heck, if you can hold out another 10-15 years, they may be giving them away.

Ha-ha, I'm serious. Do you guys think that the 2k in my pocket plus a little more in two years will be able to get me something as good or better than if I bought the xbr8 now?

 

[BoilerJim]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Rickythedog /forum/post/18107093


Ha-ha, I'm serious. Do you guys think that the 2k in my pocket plus a little more in two years will be able to get me something as good or better than if I bought the xbr8 now?

I'm also serious... YES!

 

[Benny42]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Rickythedog /forum/post/18106933


The biggest question I have is I'm either going to buy the tv now or wait 2 years when I buy a house and get a set then, so for roughly the same amount of money maybe a bit more (2k today, or maybe up to 3k in two years) will I be able to get the same quality of tv in the future? I know that's a hard question for anyone to answer but that pretty much will make my decision for me. Thoughts?

Ricky,


either buy an XBR8 *now* or buy a *new* set in two years, perhaps not from Sony...


There will be two generations of successors by then. This means probably four models from Sony with roughly (!) the same or better performance.

Don't forget other manufacturers and their models - you'll end up with a palette of a dozen different models with "near-XBR8" quality, performance and added features.

In some areas the XBR8 may hold up longer but I haven't the slightest doubt that it will be at least matched if not surpassed in two years.


Disclaimer: I have the nearly identical European variant of the XBR8.

 

[Rickythedog]

Thanks guys. I'll go ahead and wait then. If what yall are telling me (future sets should meet and/or exceed the xbr8) is what you honestly think, then I'll just hold off. Now, I have read on here the the new hx9 series is suppose to rival the xbr8, with the added feature of 3d (I don't really care about that) what do yall think and how much do yall think the hx9 will cost? And if so, then in two years whatever sony puts out should be ahead of the xbr8/hx9.

 

[corrado85]

Hx900 doesnt hold comparison to XBR8. Here's why:


RGB LED's on XBR8 are direct-facing LEDS: They are not edge lit or 'bottom surfaced' led's facing up with local dimming. This technology is not cleared yet until we get official hands-on indepth review by video professionals.


In the youtube video, they clearly stated why they did this: To conserve cost measure, and reduce the depth of the tv. Doesn't necessarily equal=better picture quality.



Again the XBR8 has RGB= 108% Color Gamut. White Led's have an average of 72%color gamut. Excellent color reproduction on XBR8


Again you have to analyze when you need to purchase a new tv not what technology holds every year. In two years LED tv technology will be very matured and then what will be the next introduction? OLED in bigger variance. Then in two years you will repeat the same question.


This question is repeated by almost everyone. As long as we have evolution, you will never have the latest and greatest. Look for what is important to you, and get it! In terms of investment, XBR8 is by far a niche product sony produced that speaks break through.

 

[Rickythedog]



Quote:
Originally Posted by corrado85 /forum/post/18107743


Hx900 doesnt hold comparison to XBR8. Here's why:


RGB LED's on XBR8 are direct-facing LEDS: They are not edge lit or 'bottom surfaced' led's facing up with local dimming. This technology is not cleared yet until we get official hands-on indepth review by video professionals.


In the youtube video, they clearly stated why they did this: To conserve cost measure, and reduce the depth of the tv. Doesn't necessarily equal=better picture quality.



Again the XBR8 has RGB= 108% Color Gamut. White Led's have an average of 72%color gamut. Excellent color reproduction on XBR8


Again you have to analyze when you need to purchase a new tv not what technology holds every year. In two years LED tv technology will be very matured and then what will be the next introduction? OLED in bigger variance. Then in two years you will repeat the same question.


This question is repeated by almost everyone. As long as we have evolution, you will never have the latest and greatest. Look for what is important to you, and get it! In terms of investment, XBR8 is by far a niche product sony produced that speaks break through.

I understand what you are saying and I appreciate your words. In your opinion is there anything out now that is on par with xbr8 (any sony lcd)? And in your opinion in 1-2 years will there be something that is on par or better than the xbr8? And if so do you think it'll be around the 2k mark?

 

[dmw16]

2 years from now I think it's fairly safe to say there will be better options out there for the same or less money. Honestly, think about the question you are asking...2 years is a long time in the world of technology related items.


Beyond that, if you want to buy a house, put the $2000 in the bank. More cash the better when it comes time for house shopping.

 

[BoilerJim]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Rickythedog /forum/post/18107949


I understand what you are saying and I appreciate your words. In your opinion is there anything out now that is on par with xbr8 (any sony lcd)? And in your opinion in 1-2 years will there be something that is on par or better than the xbr8? And if so do you think it'll be around the 2k mark?

How many times do people need to answer this same inane question over and over? Technology improves every year. The price of technology decreases every year. If you don't want to accept our answers to your question, then go ahead and buy the XBR8 while it's available, enjoy its fabulous picture, and quit worrying about it.