[rockjet]

Hi, I'm hesitant to pull the trigger on the SONY 32XBR2, because I am concerned about the clouding issue and maybe it's better to get a new model instead anyway.




I'm just wondering if the specs on the new 32S3000 would provide as good a pic as the present 32XBR2 but without (hopefully) the clouding issue.



Thanx......mike

 

[jmhumr]

I just bought the 40S3000 after standing in a store for 30 minutes looking at a wall with all of the XBRs, the 40V2500, and the 40S3000. No joke, the S3000 looked the best out of all of them. There is a noticable difference in depth and color.


Now let me warn you, I don't pretend to be the PQ-critic that some members on this board appear to be - so take this only as a review from a regular joe who has punished himself with a year of HDTV research.

My advice is to find a store that pipes a good HD signal to their TVs (ie, not a Best Buy or Circuit City) and look at them side by side. I'm betting you'll think the S3000 is at least equal to the XBR2.

 

[rockjet]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jmhumr /forum/post/0


I just bought the 40S3000 after standing in a store for 30 minutes looking at a wall with all of the XBRs, the 40V2500, and the 40S3000. No joke, the S3000 looked the best out of all of them. There is a noticable difference in depth and color.


Now let me warn you, I don't pretend to be the PQ-critic that some members on this board appear to be - so take this only as a review from a regular joe who has punished himself with a year of HDTV research.

My advice is to find a store that pipes a good HD signal to their TVs (ie, not a Best Buy or Circuit City) and look at them side by side. I'm betting you'll think the S3000 is at least equal to the XBR2.

jimhumr ,thanx,----do u feel the clouding issue wiil be or has been addressed with this new model?


if so, the 32 inch s3000 will be my next purchase!



thanx



ps...best of luck with your new rig!

 

[jmhumr]

No problem rockjet.


Concerning the clouds: Based on threads I've read in this forums, the S-series seems to have avoided the mess with the clouds. I'm not positive, but I think that was only an issue with the XBRs and V-series, and (with less confidence) I only recall it being an issue on 40"+ sets. I can confirm, however, that my S3000 has zero signs of clouding or backlighting issues. I can take a pic to prove it if you like.


Good luck! I'm a happy customer - just bought a PS3 with the money I saved.

 

[rockjet]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jmhumr /forum/post/0


No problem rockjet.


Concerning the clouds: Based on threads I've read in this forums, the S-series seems to have avoided the mess with the clouds. I'm not positive, but I think that was only an issue with the XBRs and V-series, and (with less confidence) I only recall it being an issue on 40"+ sets. I can confirm, however, that my S3000 has zero signs of clouding or backlighting issues. I can take a pic to prove it if you like.


Good luck! I'm a happy customer - just bought a PS3 with the money I saved.

jimhumr..hi..i saw the 32s3000 and the rest of the s3000 line today at PC RICHARDS.


nice pic! i'm ready to buy the 32S3000,


but one question please.


on sonystyle.com they list the user manuals for the s3000 series (basically it's one manual for all of them apparently and it says they have PIP.


i was playing around with the remote for the 40s3000 and could not find the PIP function!


do they or do they not have PIP? it's not a deal-breaker but it would be nice to use the PC and tv at same time!



thanx !....

 

[jmhumr]



Quote:
Originally Posted by rockjet /forum/post/0


nice pic! i'm ready to buy the 32S3000,


but one question please.


on sonystyle.com they list the user manuals for the s3000 series (basically it's one manual for all of them apparently and it says they have PIP.


i was playing around with the remote for the 40s3000 and could not find the PIP function!


do they or do they not have PIP? it's not a deal-breaker but it would be nice to use the PC and tv at same time!



thanx !....

Yeah, it has PIP/P&B. On the remote you have to push the "Options" button, which is just above the blue HOME button, and then you can select the PIP/P&P feature.


However, to use PIP/P&P one of the sources HAS to be something plugged into the VHF/UHF/CABLE input (ie, the coaxial input). So you can't do PIP/P&P with two HDMI sources, or with an HDMI and a component source, etc.

BUT, you can definitely do PC and watch TV at the same time so long as you have you plug a TV signal into the coaxial input.


BTW, thanks for the heads up - I had no idea this TV had that feature!

 

[rockjet]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jmhumr /forum/post/0


Yeah, it has PIP/P&B. On the remote you have to push the "Options" button, which is just above the blue HOME button, and then you can select the PIP/P&P feature.


However, to use PIP/P&P one of the sources HAS to be something plugged into the VHF/UHF/CABLE input (ie, the coaxial input). So you can't do PIP/P&P with two HDMI sources, or with an HDMI and a component source, etc.

BUT, you can definitely do PC and watch TV at the same time so long as you have you plug a TV signal into the coaxial input.


BTW, thanks for the heads up - I had no idea this TV had that feature!

thanx for the reply!


now for a trick question: i have time warner sa8300hd box.


to utilize the PIP,do u think it is possible to run HDMI to HDMI(of course) and also run at the same time a coax cable from the output of the box to the coax input of the tv so i can watch a ballgame during PC use?


an outside antenna would not pick up a premium HD channel.


that's why i ask this.


i would love to use PC and keep an eye on sportscenter or ballgame.


anyway..good luck and thanx for the help!!


your tv looks great in the store and personally i like the style of these new models!!

 

[jmhumr]



Quote:
Originally Posted by rockjet /forum/post/0


thanx for the reply!


now for a trick question: i have time warner sa8300hd box.


to utilize the PIP,do u think it is possible to run HDMI to HDMI(of course) and also run at the same time a coax cable from the output of the box to the coax input of the tv so i can watch a ballgame during PC use?


an outside antenna would not pick up a premium HD channel.


that's why i ask this.


i would love to use PC and keep an eye on sportscenter or ballgame.


anyway..good luck and thanx for the help!!


your tv looks great in the store and personally i like the style of these new models!!

Whoops, sorry for the late reply, I must have overlooked the thread.

To answer your question: Yes! That's what I do. Right now my TV is connected to my cable box via HDMI and coax, plus I have a PS3 connected via HDMI. I can simultaneously play PS3 via HDMI and watch TV via the coax. When I'm just watching TV, I watch it via the HDMI connection.

 

[rockjet]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jmhumr /forum/post/0


Whoops, sorry for the late reply, I must have overlooked the thread.

To answer your question: Yes! That's what I do. Right now my TV is connected to my cable box via HDMI and coax, plus I have a PS3 connected via HDMI. I can simultaneously play PS3 via HDMI and watch TV via the coax. When I'm just watching TV, I watch it via the HDMI connection.

jmhumr..thanx again! u've been really helpful!


that's a great setup ,for all intents and purposes.


it would be nice to have a 'lil bit more flexibilty with the PIP, but that's fine!


have u mounted your set?


i'll pick up the set this weekend and i am looking at the OMNIMOUNT U2-FIXED (U2F)

 

[jmhumr]

No problem. I haven't mounted mine - I live in an apartment, so I didn't want to do all of that drilling. I made an owner's thread for us S3000 owners, check it out: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=850346