Jump to content
StereoNET Logo

A Few Q's (55ex500)

Musti
 Share

Recommended Posts

Musti Apprentice

Musti

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hey guys. I'm mainly asking about the Sony Ex500, I've seen a few topics about it but I don't like taking over other peoples threads with my questions. Anyway!

I'm looking at getting the 55EX500 for my room so I just need some more info

- Since it's quite large, will I have a problem viewing it from about 3.5-4 metres away? I know that's a very general question and it can vary between people (I'll be going to the store obviously, to check it out. Just a pub holiday tomorrow and some other things through the week, so no time)

- How does a PC look connected to this screen? A friend of mine has a sharp aquos 42" - Using a PC on it looks pretty bad, I don't know if he has the configuration messed up. It runs at native resolution. Everything on it looks horrible except HD video of course.

I'll be using this for my PS3/Xbox/Wii. PC is a possibility but very unlikely - I'll just have it running as a media server, to stream all that HD goodness to the ps3 :D ...I might also be watching tv on it, unlikely though :P

Anyway I just wanted to ask those questions, this LCD is relatively cheap for the size and there are a few different brands around the same price. But I've only heard good things about the EX500 series. Should I be looking at others as well? Oh and finally, where is the best place to buy it from? I've read on a few forums some buyers get it for a good price with extra stuff added in which is great..should I be asking the salesmen to knock down the price a little or something? (I haven't gone LCD shopping before :o)

Thanks. and I do apologise if some of these topics have been covered before

Edited by Musti

  • Replies 30
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

Top Posters In This Topic

Popular Days

KAYAR Collaborator

KAYAR

Posted
Posted
Hey guys. I'm mainly asking about the Sony Ex500, I've seen a few topics about it but I don't like taking over other peoples threads with my questions. Anyway!

I'm looking at getting the 55EX500 for my room so I just need some more info

- Since it's quite large, will I have a problem viewing it from about 3.5-4 metres away? I know that's a very general question and it can vary between people (I'll be going to the store obviously, to check it out. Just a pub holiday tomorrow and some other things through the week, so no time)

- How does a PC look connected to this screen? A friend of mine has a sharp aquos 42" - Using a PC on it looks pretty bad, I don't know if he has the configuration messed up. It runs at native resolution. Everything on it looks horrible except HD video of course.

I'll be using this for my PS3/Xbox/Wii. PC is a possibility but very unlikely - I'll just have it running as a media server, to stream all that HD goodness to the ps3 :D ...I might also be watching tv on it, unlikely though :P

Anyway I just wanted to ask those questions, this LCD is relatively cheap for the size and there are a few different brands around the same price. But I've only heard good things about the EX500 series. Should I be looking at others as well? Oh and finally, where is the best place to buy it from? I've read on a few forums some buyers get it for a good price with extra stuff added in which is great..should I be asking the salesmen to knock down the price a little or something? (I haven't gone LCD shopping before :o)

Thanks. and I do apologise if some of these topics have been covered before

I view mine from 3 metres away with no problem.

Can't help with the pc question as I haven't tried and aren't likely to.

Sony are giving away PS3s with the new Bravias atm.

Inferno Collaborator

Inferno

Posted
Posted (edited)

Some people on this forum will tell you that you need a 63"+ from 3m back. I think this is too big, unless you are a TV nut. That would turn my lounge room into a theatre - good for single living person, but for my family I want the lounge to feel as though you can relax without the TV on.

I'm thinking of the 55EX500 as well and I'm 3.5m back. I've seen many friends/relatives homes with 50" from 3m back and that looked about right.

JB has the EX500 for $2,491 with bonus PS3. I wonder if you could go into a competitor and ask for the TV without the Ps3 for say $2,000?

Edited by Inferno-
Xzar Apprentice

Xzar

Posted
Posted
JB has the EX500 for $2,491 with bonus PS3. I wonder if you could go into a competitor and ask for the TV without the Ps3 for say $2,000?

The PS3 is a promotion by Sony, not the retailer so I don't you can do this.

Musti Apprentice

Musti

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Are retailers jacking up the price on the bravia's that can claim the ps3? Because they should be free from sony, shouldn't they? I've read a few posts here and on whirlpool, some users got it for less than $2300 with the extra 4 years warranty which is a very good deal, hoping I can get the same. That's great to hear though, I was worried that I would be sitting too close to the screen and I really don't want to buy anything smaller than 55", especially at these prices

How important is a surge protector for an LCD? I have one downstairs - it cost me $200 so I don't think I'll be picking one up with the bravia, maybe 3 weeks down the track or so?

Edited by Musti

JSmith Grand Master

JSmith

Posted
Posted
That's great to hear though, I was worried that I would be sitting too close to the screen and I really don't want to buy anything smaller than 55", especially at these prices

How important is a surge protector for an LCD? I have one downstairs - it cost me $200 so I don't think I'll be picking one up with the bravia, maybe 3 weeks down the track or so?

What at 3.5 - 4m? Nah mate, if anything too far back... see this viewing distance calulator. For a 55" you'd be best to sit around 2.2 - 2.5m away.

Surge protector, IMO very important for all AV and computer equipment. You don't need to buy a $200 one though, just one with a low clamping voltage. I've seen expensive surge protectors that have double the clamping voltage of a $30 one...

JSmith :ninja:

ditroia Explorer

ditroia

Posted
Posted

Helped my mate set his up over the weekend.

Like all TV's these need to be tinkered with to get the best out of them.

BTW you can play XVID files stright off the USB port.

If anyone has any questions feel free to ask.

Cheers

Dave

Musti Apprentice

Musti

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for the info ditroia, I'll be sure to ask you all the questions I have. Starting now :P I'm thinking of purchasing that blu-ray disk that helps with setting up the colour and whatnot, I think its around 30 bucks, is it actually useful?

And djuice I don't think it can directly play mkv. If you have a ps3 use mkv2vob to convert it to a compatible video. It can keep the audio and video quality (select the highest quality setting) takes me about 3 minutes to convert a 8GB mkv

sexythang Apprentice

sexythang

Posted
Posted (edited)
The 55" EX500 panel is interesting me also. I'm not too keen on plasmas anymore, due to their BI/IR flaws. But this panel of Sony's seems to be highly recommended. :)

anyone got some links to some professional reviews? google search is just giving me sales websites and single lined user reviews. by the way, anyone can find out what type of panel this particular model and size uses? is it sony, samsung or sharp panels or 2nd tier manufacturers.

Edited by sexythang
Musti Apprentice

Musti

Posted
  • Author
Posted
anyone got some links to some professional reviews?

I haven't been able to find one anywhere on the internet. The only chance of getting one is browsing forums and finding users who bought them and reviewed them for the rest of us. I'm going to be picking one up soon, is there any chance of someone uploading their receipt for us? (If you got a good deal, so we can do the same :P)

You can blur out your name and the last 4 digits of your credit card, if it's on there, along with anything else that you don't want to share.

HKL Newbie

HKL

Posted
Posted
...

If anyone has any questions feel free to ask.

Thanks, I will!

I've got an KDL40EX500 on order atm. I'll get it in a couple of days, I suppose.

Looking over the specs, it says it has

Digital Terrestrial Tuner (MPEG-2) YES (DVB-T)

Digital TV Cable Tuner (with supported operators) DVB-C

  1. The inbuilt DVB-T tuner means no STB is required for Free-To-Air Digital, right? Makes sense to me.
  2. The inbuilt DVB-C tuner means the cable from a 'supported operator' could plug directly into the TV without a STB, right? Is Foxtel a "supported operator" (I doubt it)? How would this work? The TV would need a card reader and phone connector wouldn't it?

Many years ago (25+) when I was living in San Diego the cable guy was dumbfounded that my TV was Cable Ready and I didn't need to have a STB. It would be nice if we could get back to that 25 year old technology 'feature'.

ugoagogo Contributor

ugoagogo

Posted
Posted
What at 3.5 - 4m? Nah mate, if anything too far back... see this viewing distance calulator. For a 55" you'd be best to sit around 2.2 - 2.5m away.

Surge protector, IMO very important for all AV and computer equipment. You don't need to buy a $200 one though, just one with a low clamping voltage. I've seen expensive surge protectors that have double the clamping voltage of a $30 one...

JSmith :ninja:

Is the viewing calculator for projector or tv ....... projectors seem to be more forgiving on the image quality then actual tvs.

Owen Grand Master

Owen

Posted
Posted

No the viewing distance calculator is independent of display type; it’s based on minimum viewing angle requirements for movies and human visual acuity.

A 55” screen is definitely too small for movies at 3.5 meters let alone 4.

The MINIMUM recomenended screen size for 3.5 meters is 80” and the recommenced screen size is 100”, which is equivalent to sitting in the middle of a typical cinema.

If you want something that resembles a cinema experience adherence to screen size - viewing distance guidelines is required.

If all you want is a TV any size will do.

Musti Apprentice

Musti

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Another thought, is a speaker system for my room a bad idea? I know it's a small room but it does bug me that everything will be great minus the audio. I'll probably be turning the garage into a media room (It's much larger obviously) but that won't be happening for a while so I'm just looking for a cheap ($~550?) HTIB

Anyways, thoughts?

Oh and my room is the standard 3 by 3

Edit: Nevermind I think it would be a hassle wiring it up with my current situation so I'll just wait it out

Edited by Musti
ditroia Explorer

ditroia

Posted
Posted
Thanks for the info ditroia, I'll be sure to ask you all the questions I have. Starting now :P I'm thinking of purchasing that blu-ray disk that helps with setting up the colour and whatnot, I think its around 30 bucks, is it actually useful?

And djuice I don't think it can directly play mkv. If you have a ps3 use mkv2vob to convert it to a compatible video. It can keep the audio and video quality (select the highest quality setting) takes me about 3 minutes to convert a 8GB mkv

Your probably better of waiting till you get the TV, before buying the disc.

If you do buy the disc make sure you set the input settings to common so it affects all your inputs and the DTV tuner.

I must say the EX500 series lacks a few of the settings of my XBR45 but there are still alot there. I recommend turning off auto scene mode as well, use general and customise the settings yourself.

Cheers

Dave

ditroia Explorer

ditroia

Posted
Posted
Thanks, I will!

I've got an KDL40EX500 on order atm. I'll get it in a couple of days, I suppose.

Looking over the specs, it says it has

  1. The inbuilt DVB-T tuner means no STB is required for Free-To-Air Digital, right? Makes sense to me.
  2. The inbuilt DVB-C tuner means the cable from a 'supported operator' could plug directly into the TV without a STB, right? Is Foxtel a "supported operator" (I doubt it)? How would this work? The TV would need a card reader and phone connector wouldn't it?

Many years ago (25+) when I was living in San Diego the cable guy was dumbfounded that my TV was Cable Ready and I didn't need to have a STB. It would be nice if we could get back to that 25 year old technology 'feature'.

According to Sony:

TV System Digital: DVB-T Analog: B/G, D/K, I, M

No mention of DVB-C and i didn't see it in my mates manual either, or the 40" manual.

Also does anyone reckon the Sony's support H.264/MPEG-4 AVC MP/HP@L4 as seen i nthe NZ models. I can't see wh ythey wouldn't.

Cheers

Dave

Guest ironhorse1503560662

Guest ironhorse1503560662

Posted
Posted

Does the ex500 have a glossy black frame or is it matt black ?

  • 1 month later...
Guest shaq1503563964

Guest shaq1503563964

Posted
Posted

Hi,

I just bought sony kdl40ex500, and I'm trying to play xvid files but they won't play. I've followed the instructions and have registered the divx vode on the tv, based on following instruction http://www.divx.com/en/movies/register-your-device, and got successful message on the tv. However when I try to play an .avi file (xvid codec) it won't play.

Any ideas what I need to do?

Thanks in advance.

Helped my mate set his up over the weekend.

Like all TV's these need to be tinkered with to get the best out of them.

BTW you can play XVID files stright off the USB port.

If anyone has any questions feel free to ask.

Cheers

Dave

 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.




×
×
  • Create New...
To Top