FYI - XBR400 finally released

[Doofy]

I think a few people were interested in waiting for the new 400 model to come out. Anywaz, I just saw it advertized on Crutchfield's newest catalogue so just wanted everyone to be informed. Though it is $500 more than I expected it to be.

32"XBR400 - $1999.95
36"XBR400 - $2499.95

I'm in the market for the 36" version. But I'm not sure I can justify spending $2500 on a tv. If anyone figures out a way to get this TV for a bit cheaper. Do remember to post.

[pennypinch]

OK, I take it these are not the WEGA models, but the models one step lower?

[Doofy]

These would be the higher end models of the WEGA's.

I believe I've seent he lowest 36" Wega for as little as $1200. Maybe even less.

[This message has been edited by Doofy (edited 07-19-2000).]

[phlick]

Besides the difference in the options (ie: 2 tuners vs 1 and I/O options) is there any difference in the high end vs low end WEGAs as far as picture quality? (when was the last time I used my PIP or that spare couple sets of RCA jacks on my current set anyway..... ????)

[pennypinch]

So how much does a 25" go for, Doof?

[Doofy]

These new 400 models are HDTV ready. Which I learned in an earlier posts, means you can buy the HDTV decoder to add on to the TV. The older models are not HDTV ready.

How much does a 25" go for?? Dunno. I don't think they make it. The XBR models only come in 32" and 36" last I checked. Even the regular Wega line doesn't have 25", only 21" and 27" I believe. If you want prices on those, someone on this board suggested to go to pricescan.com. The new 400 models aren't even listed in Pricescan yet so don't bother with that.

[Doofy]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by phlick:
(when was the last time I used my PIP or that spare couple sets of RCA jacks on my current set anyway..... ????)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


I think this new model has 4 S-Video jacks. And you can Zoom in/out of either PIP. I know. To some it seems like a useless option. But for others, it's just nice to know you have an option even if you don't use it.

[pennypinch]

Thanks for the info, I'm looking at what I assume is a 27" for about $410. I'm interested in the bigger ones, I wonder how low I can get those for. I'd be getting a very small quantity, FYI, so I guess we'll just do an auction or something if I can get them more cheaply than $1200.

[phlick]

doofy-
Where was it you saw the 36" for $1200? I've been seeing them for around $1500.

If the new boxes are HDTV ready then $2500 seems like a pretty good price. Are you sure that they are not merely "digital" tv's? Most all of the HDTV sets I've seen have been over 4 large, and projection screen at that, I don't think I've seen any CRT HDTV sets, although I really haven't been out pounding the streets looking for one.

Also, how much are HDTV decoders going for now? (ballpark) Thanks!

[Doofy]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by phlick:
doofy-
Where was it you saw the 36" for $1200? I've been seeing them for around $1500.

Are you sure that they are not merely "digital" tv's? Most all of the HDTV sets I've seen have been over 4 large, and projection screen at that, I don't think I've seen any CRT HDTV sets, although I really haven't been out pounding the streets looking for one. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

For a little while on pricescan.com they had the XBR model250 for $1600 which is pretty cheap. The lower end WEGA, FV series I think, normally sells for around $1400-$1500. But I have seen them for as low as $1200 once. Forgot what site though. Do a search on the forums for TV, cause someone here had given me that site name.

Also, the description on the crutchfield catalogue indeed does say HDTV ready. And a salesmen at the SONY BLDG here in NY also confirmed that with me around a month ago. I'm not sure how much the decoder boxes cost though. I'm not really in the market to buy one. I just wanted my next TV to be HD ready. Doesn't make sense to spend so much on a TV and not have it "ready" for the next 10 years.