rareairunc Posted July 2, 2008 Posted July 2, 2008 i have an oppurtunity to purchase a 52in xbr very cheap direct to my door. just wondering what happens regarding the digital tuner and power requirements as it is a u.s.a model xbr4. can i change the digital tuner to an australian compatible unit or is this too hard. the price im getting it for i could just buy a pvr anyways.
multiplication Posted July 3, 2008 Posted July 3, 2008 The power issue is not insignificant. My Bravia says 220-240v input; they don't seem to use "universal" power supplies at the 300W level. So I'm guessing the TV needs 115v, and will likely explode if you just change power cords and feed it 230v. To feed it 115v at 300 or so watts, you will need a really beefy transformer. It will weigh 10-20kg and occupy a fair bit of space (at least 10cm cubed). It will not be trivial to find, either. Not impossible, but something to keep in mind. Maybe there is a switching converter these days that is a bit smaller, but I don't know of any. You may also have issues with 50 vs 60 Hz. Not the power, that's not so bad, it's the expected frame rate. Maybe it will handle it fine, but I suspect gotchas here and there. The analog tuner will also be useless here, but I doubt that you care much about that. Also consider customs; you may get hit with an extra charge you are not expecting. It's unlikely to avoid attention from customs officials, "under the radar", as it will be a quite big box. There is a reason people don't do this all the time... Good luck! M.
twitch1503562349 Posted July 3, 2008 Posted July 3, 2008 A transformer than beefy may not be quiet either....
ascl Posted July 3, 2008 Posted July 3, 2008 A transformer than beefy may not be quiet either.... This would be my main concern. The transformers I have used that have been reasonably large have also made horrible noise... of course, most people were not able to hear it, but it drove me insane!
dax Posted July 3, 2008 Posted July 3, 2008 The digital tuner will be useless, the US uses a totally different system to us. The power may work - but I wouldnt rely on it. In the end if you are happy to have a monitor, rather than a tv, then go for it. But between lack of warranty, potential customs hassles, power supply, lack of digital tuner, shipping cost, insurance on shipping etc it really wants to be very cheap.
Bildi Posted July 3, 2008 Posted July 3, 2008 I have never used a stepdown transformer that big, but for example Jaycar have a 500W model for $220. I don't know if something like that would do the trick. You can certainly count on import charges if the goods are over AUD$1,000. Import duty is 5% I think and you'll also get 10% GST charged on the lot (GST is also charged on the import duty if I remember correctly, a bit of nice double-taxation there). You will also have the fees for the forms that customs have to fill out - maybe count on $100 or so but I don't know for sure since I've never imported something that valuable. It still might be worth it though if you're willing to forego warranty and so on.
rareairunc Posted July 3, 2008 Author Posted July 3, 2008 $800 FOR A 48IN AND $1100 FOR A 52IN I THNK IS DEFINETLY CHEAP
Shonky* Posted July 3, 2008 Posted July 3, 2008 $800 FOR A 48IN AND $1100 FOR A 52IN I THNK IS DEFINETLY CHEAP Fall off the back of a truck? If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. I hope you know the person at the other end well....
Shonky* Posted July 3, 2008 Posted July 3, 2008 And there's no such thing as a 48" XBR (or 48" anything in any brand that I'm aware of)
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