A Big Screen Dilemma - (sxrd)

[hotchilli]

As someone who is in the market for a big screen TV I'm almost set on buying a Sony 70" SXRD. Unfortunately the more I read this forum the more I get the impression you need to be an ethusiast or tinkerer to get the best out of the equipment. There's alot of talk about adjusting this'n'that but as an average Joe who isn't hardcore like alot of the people seem on here will I find the SXRD too challenging or frustrating, or am I reading a bit too much into whats being written. Or are all the adjustments that are mostly written about on here mainly for the very discerning or critical of eyes?

I like the amount of real estate on offer by the hardware and I'm aware you can't get better bang for bucks. But as someone who is really going to be at the mercy of a HN/Rick Hart salesman will I be able to get the right advice on how to set this beast up properly. I've learnt alot since finding this website but I figure I need to know alot more to get maximum viewing enjoyment, and quite frankly for that kind of money I think it's a necessity.

Do you think watching mainly FTA on it will be money wasted? Or is the picture going to still be better than a similiar priced plasma/LCD?

Being a bigger screen will the majority of FTA broadcasts look worse than on a smaller one? I'm assuming most broadcasters feeds are of a lesser quality than a local source like a DVD.

I was going to purchase a PS3 or Xbox360 mainly for the HiDef player or should I get a BD or HD-DVD player?

I may buy a HTPC, or is a dedicated STB and DVR a better more stable option? The HTPC sounds appealing for the PC games and net access, but again I'm confused by so many options.

Any discussion could help set me in the right direction but I'll probably still end up asking more silly questions.

Cheers!

[50mxe20]

Have you tried searching on SXRD, topics only?

Sony Sxrd 70"

Poll: Sony 60" Sxrd Shutdown Thread/poll

Owners Thread Sony Bravia "r" Series (sxrd) 60"-70" 1080p

[MLXXX]

Hi hotchillii,

it's understandable that for many people the SXRD threads would give the impression the sets are only for the technically savvy. In practice though, these devices are basically 'plug and play'.

On the 60" unit, you plug in an antenna, set up your channels just as you would for a plasma or thin panel LCD, and enjoy the TV watching experience. One or two people have provided suggested/recommended user settings for 'picture' and other paramaters, notably Owen. This is just the same as for other sets. Just follow the recommendations and you should be right.

One thing is that for the first so many hours of operation (20 approx) the lamp gives somewhat non-standard colours. The colour is acceptable, but not the realistic colour that comes with the lamp settling in.

If you get the 70, which you say you are inclined to get, you'll need to connect up a set-top box for FTA digital TV viewing, but that is not really a big deal. Usually a Sony set top box is thrown in with the purchase of a 70" though you would need to verify that. The remote for the TV can be set to change the channels on the Sony set-top box. Can someone confirm the TV remote satisfactorily controls the Sony set-top box?

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Although the speaker quality is good, you will probably want to hook up a good quality amplifier and surround speaker set-up. Again this recommendation comes with all modern digital TVs.

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... Do you think watching mainly FTA on it will be money wasted? Or is the picture going to still be better than a similiar priced plasma/LCD? ...

The good picture quality is noticeable even on average SD material.

I'm still using a standard definition Topfield PVR and I am amazed how well the SXRD displays the SD material. The SXRD is not a waste with SD material. The colours are very realistic, and the picture smooth and very watchable.

I was going to purchase a PS3 or Xbox360 mainly for the HiDef player or should I get a BD or HD-DVD player?

I may buy a HTPC, or is a dedicated STB and DVR a better more stable option? The HTPC sounds appealing for the PC games and net access, but again I'm confused by so many options. ...

These are difficult questions I am still grappling with myself. Perhaps others would care to comment.

[Owen]

You seem to have gained the wrong impression from all the heavy discussion.

The SXRD’s are no different to any display in that settings need to be altered from the factory default to obtain the best results, nothing new or unusual about that.

These adjustments are made in the normal user menu which is documented in the supplied owners manual. If you use the settings I suggest (see my signature below) you will be up and running in no time.

Some settings like Brightness and Colour in particular will alter depending on your source devices and the Sony allows each input to be set up individually to cater for these differences.

If it all sounds too difficult you can have a professional calibrator come to your home and setup the display and all inputs optimally so you don’t have to worry about it.

A calibrator will also be able to get the colour temperature correct to the industry standard 6500k, something you can not do without good test gear.

The question remains why manufacturers cant provide a standard preset that provides accurate 6500k colour as well as other settings very close to what is optimal for most sources, but that simple does not happen.

User manuals are also not at all helpful in guiding the novice user in the use of the various adjustments, and the Sony in particular has a bewildering array of user adjustable options, although most are not needed.

[hotchilli]

Thanks for the information guys. Forums like these help make understanding easier for nubies like myself.

Your help is much appreciated.

Owen, if I were to get a professional calibrator where do I find them, or can you recommend someone? (unless you're in Perth you might as well skip to the next question!! )

2 more questions;

Is the STB supplied a decent model or should I be looking at getting something better later on?

What should I look for in a reciever, are there specific HD requirements for making the most of the 1080p experience?

Cheers

[AndrewWilliams]

The HD receiver that comes with the 70" is just fine. Unfortunately it doesn't record so I'd save my pennies for a HD-PVR if you want to record HD material.

I wouldn't worry about a pro calibrator unless you're very hardcore. I'm pretty fussy and Owen's recommended settings look as close to perfect as I can imagine on my display. I've been using them for a few weeks now and haven't had the slightest urge to tweak them. The colours on my display took quite a while to settle down initially - upwards of 50 hours. Since then, they've been incredible.

[hotchilli]

How long have you had your SXRD?

On http://www.shopbot.com.au/ they have the 70" there for about $5600, do you think that is a realistic price to aim for when shopping locally? (you're in Perth right? NOR?)

[MLXXX]

... Can someone confirm the TV remote satisfactorily controls the Sony set-top box? ...

I remember a while ago someone asking about programming the SXRD's remote for use with the STB.

According to page 37 and page 38 of the 70" SXRD manual, the SXRD's remote can be used on either a DVD, VCR or AMP, subject to the equipment codes on page 38. No STB is mentioned.

I did try the VCR codes on page 38, but to no avail.

Unless there is a code for the Sony HD-STB that is not listed in the user manual, it is not possible to use the 70" SXRD remote to control the STB.

I find this a little dissapointing.

Thanks Dr Smith. Yes a bit of a let down to have to use both remotes. It would have been helpful to be able to change channels on the Sony set-top box using the Sony TV's remote.