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XRB970 SD Quality?

699 Views 14 Replies 7 Participants Last post by 2therock, May 12, 2006

2therock

Discussion Starter · May 11, 2006

Hi guys,

I just want to know if the XBR970 will show SD as good as a SD TV.

You may have seen my posts on the RP CRT threads. I have been through the mill picking a TV. Mostly due to myself not knowing what's going on out here. I had to send a Hitachi RP CRT 51F710s back because SD was crap.

Since my viewing content is 90% SD I want a HD TV (ready or dedicated) that will play SD as good as it gets.

I am looking very hard at the XBR970. I am hoping because it is a glass tube CRT it will not cause me the SD quality sacrifice the other configuration HD type TV's do.

I have read lots of threads on how the 960 is better, and about the Fine Pitch dilemma and cannot find one with out lots of trouble or money.

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1 - 15 of 15 Posts

SurfingMatt27

· #2 · May 11, 2006

For SD the super fine pitch does'nt really matter much for cable, but the DRC alone on these sony's does wonders for SD material.

DRC stands for "DIGITAL REALITY CREATION" it's used to make SD material more better looking.IMO my sony 34hs420 looks better than my 24" Flatscreen Toshiba for cable SD material. No contest handsdown the sony look that much better thanks to the upconversion to 960i with DRC.

Getting good quality SD is a matter of having a good cable feed, and having a good scaler in the tv,and having the tv properly calibrated with contrast and color turned down.SD can look really good.

Using DRC there are 3 choices: INTERLACED, PROGRESSIVE, and CINEMOTION.

For Cable SD i prefur INTERLACED since it's the only option that uses the line doubling to 960i, IMO it looks better than the two due to the higher resolution.

Hope this helped.

Matt~

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justsc

· #3 · May 11, 2006

The 34HS420 that Matt is talking about is the forerunner to the 970 - same tube and almost identical electronics. Matt and I both have this set. As far as I'm concerned, SD on this tv is as good as I've seen it on any standard type tv or any hdtv. It's as good as it gets.

2therock

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 11, 2006

It's good to hear good feedback on the 970.

Sounds good. I search for posts across three forums on the 970 and I read TONs' of complaints and rants how the 970 does not have the SFP tube.

How about reliability of the 970. Too new to tell?

SurfingMatt27

· #5 · May 11, 2006

As for reliability, yeah it's too new to really tell, but if it was made in the U.S.A like my sony, i would expect it's reliability to be really good.

brian6751

· #6 · May 11, 2006

I agree, SD on my 970 is as good as it can be. Better than my 32" SD Trinitron was.

CR_Client

· #7 · May 11, 2006

I wouldn't be surprised if the lack of SFP tube on the 970 is actually better for the SD experience, as there would be fewer vertical lines of resolution to call attention to the lack of detail in SD.

Also, since a lot of complaints about HDTVs are still based on the poor SD quality, this seems like a smart move on Sony's part to keep their products alive. If the technology of the XBR960 was "too far ahead" of current reality (which, in many cases, it is), then going backwards is a fairly intelligent move.

As far as reliability, I think the 970's are actually from outside the USA (or, the tubes are... Mexico, I believe?). However, just because something isn't made in the USA doesn't mean it's inherently unreliable. If anyone here saw what the show "Top Gear" did to that old 80's Toyota pickup, they'll know what I mean...

JohnnyRey

· #8 · May 12, 2006

bump

SurfingMatt27

· #9 · May 12, 2006

I'd buy it!

Get these tv's while you can because soon they will be phased out permanently.

justsc

· #10 · May 12, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by CR_Client
I wouldn't be surprised if the lack of SFP tube on the 970 is actually better for the SD experience, as there would be fewer vertical lines of resolution to call attention to the lack of detail in SD.

Also, since a lot of complaints about HDTVs are still based on the poor SD quality, this seems like a smart move on Sony's part to keep their products alive. If the technology of the XBR960 was "too far ahead" of current reality (which, in many cases, it is), then going backwards is a fairly intelligent move.

As far as reliability, I think the 970's are actually from outside the USA (or, the tubes are... Mexico, I believe?). However, just because something isn't made in the USA doesn't mean it's inherently unreliable. If anyone here saw what the show "Top Gear" did to that old 80's Toyota pickup, they'll know what I mean...

I love watching Top Gear. One of the best shows to watch and funny too.

I have found what seems to be more complaints on picture quality from those 34HS420s built outside the US. It's not an us vs them thing. The sets made in the Pennsylvania plant "appear" to have better build quality and performance than those manufactured in Mexico. Just an observation.

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2therock

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 12, 2006

I'm going to buy the 970 for sure. It's down to 1099.95 at CC and BB now and the return policy will give me 30 days to decide.

I use Adelphia and will report here on my SD PQ. I will be splitting off the wall with a 1 gHz splitter to the TV RF to start with. And later try it through the STB for comparison.

Thanks for the DRC suggestions. I am green to this stuff and can use the help.

pcman83

· #12 · May 12, 2006

It is really nice. I have it and love it. Im getting it ISF calibrated next week hopefully. I cant wait to see how it turns out. SD looks better than my old sharp 25".

SurfingMatt27

· #13 · May 12, 2006

DRC is the little secret to SD looking so good

By the way i'm on my way to best buy and CC as well today since i'm helping a friend out in making a purchase decision and am going to educate him a bit on the different displays.Plus i want to see what's new and will report back on the latest CRT's and see what's new

I'll report back on my findings

Matt~

justsc

· #14 · May 12, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2therock
I'm going to buy the 970 for sure. It's down to 1099.95 at CC and BB now and the return policy will give me 30 days to decide.

I use Adelphia and will report here on my SD PQ. I will be splitting off the wall with a 1 gHz splitter to the TV RF to start with. And later try it through the STB for comparison.

Thanks for the DRC suggestions. I am green to this stuff and can use the help.

This is a very good plan - the 1GHz splitter with one split to the tv for analog channels.

2therock

Discussion Starter · #15 · May 12, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcman83
It is really nice. I have it and love it. Im getting it ISF calibrated next week hopefully. I cant wait to see how it turns out. SD looks better than my old sharp 25".

Let us know here how it went and the cost if you will.

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