Sony 40" TV

[johnnymk]

I was really impressed by the quality of the Sony 40" XBR tube TV at the local specialty store at the mall yesterday. The difference was significant compared to other brands in the same room. And so was the price. It was marked down from $3500 to $3000. Still too expensive to consider buying.

[Apex]

$3100 (delivered, probably no tax) will buy you an absolutely incredible 64" rear projection tv with 9" CRT's able to resolve far higher than the 40" XBR.

[johnnymk]

I have yet to see a rear projection TV that impresses me. Thay always look flat and empty, especially if you are not directly in front of them.

[Apex]

You've probably never seen one with a 9" tube. There's a huge difference. :) They can generate upwards of 30-40 ft-lamberts of illumination, which is brighter than most tubes can do, including XBR's. Also, the 1/3 finer screen pitch and extra phosphors on the 9" gun sets give a 160 degree viewing angle.

[johnnymk]

That's interesting...
What's a good brand name that utilizes that technology?

[Apex]

There's the Philips/Marantz one 64" one that you can get for $3100 (Philips nameplate) or $8000-9000 (Marantz nameplate). There's also the Mitsubishi Diamond 73" for $6k+, none of the smaller Diamonds nor other lines of mitsu have it.

[johnnymk]

Gotta check that out... Thanks!

[Apex]

The Philips one was $8k just like the Marantz, until they found out no one wanted to pay $8k for something with the Philips nameplate. So, they decided to just keep selling to Marantz and phase out their own. That's why theirs is now just over $3k. :)

[M_A_C]

Got any links to these Apex?

[Apex]

Buy from here:

Philips for $3120 with free shipping (http://shop.store.yahoo.com/priceshock/64pp9751.html)

Pricematch to here (since shipping isn't included in pricematching):

Philips for $3083.71 (http://shop.store.yahoo.com/digitally-unique/64pp9751.html)

REVIEWS:

Audioreview Review of the Marantz branded one (http://www.audioreview.com/Big,Screen,TVs/Marantz,PV,6480W/PRD_127680_2726crx.aspx)

Widescreen Review Magazine's take on the Marantz branded one (http://www.widescreenreview.com/wsrmmbr/eqrev/pdfs/wsr55ermarantz.pdf)

LITERATURE:

Philips Brochure (yes, the Pronto remote is standard with it) (http://www.p4c.philips.com/mprdata/011022/0110220063_pss.pdf)

Philips User Manual (http://www.p4c.philips.com/mprdata/010212/0102120006_dfu.pdf)

PICTURE:

http://www.remotecentral.com/ces2001/photo008.jpg

Of course, if you have the proper cashflow, this is really the 9" CRT machine everyone wants:

http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Professional/webapp/images/product/front/vphg90u.gif

Sony VPH-G90u

Sony VPH-G90u Info Page (http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Professional/webapp/ModelInfo?p=12&sp=97&id=49338)

[johnnymk]

One of the sites mentioned a $600 accessory which is to be utilized with low quality? input signals. What does this mean and is it really necessary?

[M_A_C]

Thanks Apex, you rock!

So the Philips one is the same TV? Thats a heck of a deal if it is. Plus that remote is at least a hundred bucks right there.

[Tommy Boomfiger]

heres the correct link for the VPH-G90u (http://bssc.sel.sony.com/Professional/webapp/ModelInfo?p=12&sp=97&id=49338)

[Apex]

Probably mentioned a scaler. Let's take DVD for example. We'll break it down into its 3 component parts:

1. Decoder
2. Deinterlacer
3. Scaler

The decoder, of course, pulls the data stream from the dvd and turns it into the video. That's the most basic part.

The deinterlacer takes the interlaced picture and turns it into a progressive picture.

The scaler takes the 720x480 picture (or 848x480, matters how you think about it) and scales it up to the native and/or optimal resolution of the display.

This unit has an OK scaler. It's not as good as the high end Mitsubishi's and definitely not as good as the Pioneer Elites, which have the best internal scalers on the market. However, something to note is a $600 external scaler is definitely better than the internal one on the Elites.

So, can this unit benefit from a scaler? Definitely. Can every other TV on the market, be it tube, RPTV, front projector, or Plasma? Yes.

Oh yeah, to answer M_A_C's question, yes, the Marantz PV6480W is exactly the same as the Philips 64PP9751 except for the $5000-6000 difference and the little emblem in the front.

[Tommy Boomfiger]

Originally posted by Apex
Oh yeah, to answer M_A_C's question, yes, the Marantz PV6480W is exactly the same as the Philips 64PP9751 except for the $5000-6000 difference and the little emblem in the front. hehe, go to the store and jack a Marantz emblem and glue it onto the front of the Philips tv :D