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Rating: 
Summary: My Big Fat Cutting Edge Sony XBR TV
Review: I did it! I blew the wad! I spent the bucks! I took my chances! And I did it all online!
I have now proven that for close to $2000 (give or take a hundred) a little research and you too can own a little bit (well ok, a BIG FAT BIT) of cinematic slickness. I am one lazy pig. I like conveniences, I like well-designed circuitry, I like clicking buttons, but I'm just a damn practical piggy and in no way want to pay top dollar to get it.
So this year I went looking for a bargain in TV's, (Hah! Like anything in the audio video market has been a bargain lately!) just to check if the price of HDTV and HTIB's and Progressive Scan DVD's and and and, well you know, all those buzz words filling the sales pitch for the gorgeous new big screens that we all drool over at the local Circuit City's and Best Buy's of the world, I being one for finding frustration and not just waiting for it to come to me had to see what could be had at a relatively cheap price range.
Well, let me tell you don't bother going anywhere locally at first, the internet has made this whole mess of technical mumbo jumbo and research and pricing and comparing this to that feature SO MUCH EASIER. SO MUCH BETTER.
Thank you CNET, THANK YOU!
So I recently headed over to CNET to see what the geeks of techno savyness were up to these days and clicked over to the HDTV reviews. I know full well I cannot afford those thin beauties of flat panel goodness, the Plasma screens, the LCD wonders, those things you see gracing the walls in all those mansions or as MTV likes to call them cribs of the rich and famous.
Nope this pig aint got's no 10000.00 smackers to lay down at the local Audio Video den of iniquity. I would have to settle for the cheap $5.00 ho of video technology the lowly CRT.
Low and behold before my very eyes did I spot my prey. The Sony KD-34XBR960, CNET's Editors Choice and proclaimed reference TV for all HDTV displays they review. What's this you say? A silly CRT is the reference for Plasma and LCD?! You betcha my fine digitally minded friend that is exactly what the experts of the big screens say. The blackest blacks, the most vivid colors, the gold plated circuitry to rule all that is televised is a 34 inch screened, 194 pound, 24 inch front to back, plastic coated, mammoth beast that literally flattens all those wanna be HDTV Plasma and LCD's of the world and breaks their sorry little flat panel hearts all for a measly $1755.00, no state tax, free shipping, thank you for shopping.
Take it from me my brothers and sisters, Technology can only do so much, so fast, and so flat, and unlike what they want you to believe if you aint got the clams to spend on those pricey ELITE flat panels at the high end of the Pioneer spectrum (hint hint) you are just not getting the dollar for dollar crystal clear, Regis and that bimbo what's her name, image you should be expecting for your hard earned bucks.
GET THE BEST PICTURE
Now about those strange numbers often heard when talking about the HDTV picture this Sony KD-34XBR960 can provide...
480i - This is what you are currently used to seeing in old DVD players and NTSC broadcasts. 480 interlaced lines of data. This is old school DVD/TV and the reason you need to upgrade to a Progressive Scan DVD player and a digital TV signal from satellite or cable, your choice.
480p - This is the best you can hope for from the current DVD's being produced out there, honest, only 480 progressive scan lines. Got it? That is 480 lines of all video data available on the disk period. Until High Definition DVD's are on the market this is the actual format and the highest quality picture source currently stashed on those silver disks, that's all she wrote, end of story.
1080i - Here is the first step up in HDTV broadcasts. 1080 interlaced lines of video data. Allot of the first generation of HDTV broadcasters are using this.
OK, a quick note here... now some DVD players out there are saying they upscale the DVD data to this format 1080i and the next format 1080p. This is called over scanning and is pretty much just a one-trick-pony feature because there really is no 1080 lines of data on the DVD's you and I are buying on Amazon.com. In other words this is just a fancy way of trying to get more out of the non-HDTV format. If there is a choice to make I would go for a perfectly good high quality 480p Progressive Scan DVD player currently available like the Pioneer DV-578A and leave these up scaling models on the shelf till we actually start seeing DVD's with 1080 lines of data that we can actually buy. Then we will know which of these DVD players does a good job playing High Definition DVD's. I myself take a conservative stance of wait and see on this feature.
1080p - Here is the current holy grail of HDTV broadcasting, the top of the heap and yes the Sony KD-34XBR960 can display this format in all it's digital glory if and when you actually find a source that is showing this.
For those of you not following the long explanations given above the Sony KD-34XBR960 has the ability to show 480i, 480p, 1080i, 1080p video formats. The picture is crystal clear hands down, I am stunned.
Next thing you should do of course is prove all this techno weenie mumbo jumbo to yourself in real life, go look at the picture and do not just take my word for it, so wander on over to Circuit City (The only people who carry this particular Sony XBR model). Yep! You, my friend, do not want to simply order anything like a television online unless you see it in person. The Sony KD-34XBR960 is simply too big and too expensive, too much everything, in my book to take any chances.
Now notice how they keep this baby away from the Plasma and LCD displays? No, I mean it, watch where the Circuit City places these CRT's.
They are nowhere near the $BIG MONEY$ flat panels. Hmmmm, I wonder why. Could it be the $5000.00 dollar price difference? Could it be manipulative marketing?
Take a look at the picture and force them to show you this model next to a Sony flat panel of your choice Plasma or LCD playing a DVD using (Component Video) you know the three RCA jack video plugs with red/green/blue. Force those floor boys to whisper sweet lovin in your ear, then walk out and do your shopping online like all us smart shoppin folks do-be-do-be-doo.
GET ALL THE CONNECTIONS
Oh I almost forgot, digital input/output (Those silly plugs) found on the Sony KD-34XBR960, well in a nutshell...
HDMI/DVI - The tip top digital video connection... I personally combine these two input/output plugs when talking about them and you have seen these before. These are basically the same connections as you would find on the back of your computer monitor. That should also give you a hint about where the world of audio/video is heading. Straight to your desktop computer I say.
Anyway, the Sony KD-34XBR960 has a single HDMI input which I would recommend leaving for your High Definition DVD player you will eventually be buying sometime next year for probably way too much money, oh well. High-end DVD players toting the latest wiz bang features have these DVI/HDMI connections so if you got one use it.
Last but not least DVI to HDMI converter connector plugs are available which is also the reason I combine these two formats.
Component Video - The three red/green/blue RCA jacks. This is the current standard everybody should be using today. You should have this if you are even thinking of looking at buying this TV. The Sony KD-34XBR960 has two of these connections.
The formats I write about below are sub-par digital video connections.
S-Video - Yeah, that little black circle plug with the thin wires inside that bend and break off when you try to plug it in because you cannot find the way it is supposed to go in and you are about to lose it and bash something, That one! Good-bye you sucky useless thing! Good-bye and good riddance! Piece of junk! This is so old school and so finicky. Buy a better DVD player or whatever you have to and throw this in the trash. The Sony KD-34XBR960 has three of these, 2 in the back and 1 in the front so you can plug in your video games.
Psssst...Kids, Sony has (Component Video) cables for the PS2 for around $20.00. Uh huh, you can now dump this last stupid connector, hook a Fiber Optic Audio cable to the Surround Sound system (That square plug thingy in the back.) and go styling with better definition and Surround Sound while you play Ratchet & Clank. Just don't let dad catch you playing in the back of the TV, you can thank me later.
Composite Video - That single yellow RCA plug. This was never a good idea to begin with; I mean, come on think about it. A complex analog signal going through what is basically a mono jack? Nah, it's trash. The Sony KD-34XBR960 has one of these.
RF - Your Cable connection. This is why I want a satellite TV reciever now! Comcast prices just went up and for what? Better technology? Better picture? Better customer service? Hell no! Stupid Clear Channel wannabe! The Sony KD-34XBR960 has one labeled Cable and one labeled UHF/VHF.
Quick note... Digital signals from local stations are free and are coming on-air all the time. Get yourself a $30.00 VHF/UHF antenna and check for them. Save yourself some cash if you can live without cable.
To use the Sony KD-34XBR960 with Comcast (DO NOT! I REPEAT! DO NOT buy the stupid HDTV tuner they have.) Order the Digital package then after they install it take the box they give you and remove it from between your TV and the wall, now plug your Sony KD-34XBR960 directly into the cable. If you also get movie channels that need the box use a splitter on the wire coming from the wall. (Visit Radio Shack for this.) Connect one side directly to the RF connector labeled Cable on the TV and connect the other through the Comcast box and then to the RF Connection labeled VHF/UHF on the TV. Now you can watch eveything and still have HDTV signals coming to your TV.
That's right folks Comcast is deliberately stopping HDTV signals getting through their box. Repeat after me... "Death to Comcast! Die Die Die!"
For those of you not following the long explanations given above the Sony KD-34XBR960 has a total of 7 video inputs and all the currently available connection types on the market. I hate Comcast.
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW
The Sony KD-34XBR960 does come with it's version of Surround Sound but even though it has a marvelous tone and quality speakers I myself was more interested in the Fiber Optic Audio Output plug that it has on the back. Let me tell you why.
No TV speakers can compete with a HTIB (Home Theater In A Box)
Let me repeat myself...
If you are buying a TV at close to $2000.00 I certainly hope you set aside some cash for some type of Surround Sound System. If you are cheap like I am you will look at the HTIB's for the best price.
I myself after vigorous research purchased the best budget setup IMHO on the market. A Surround Sound System so new that is only available from a couple of online stores.
Onkyo HT-S870 Go check on that product. You will thank me.
Quick Update
Just found out an interesting fact for those of you out there wanting to use that Fiber Optic Audio Output plug on this here Sony KD-34XBR960.
The tuner is selective about what it outputs on the Fiber Optic Line. If you are watching an analog station you can only output the audio through the RCA Audio Outputs not through the Fiber Optic Audio Output.
The station must be digital for this TV to output the Dolby Digital Audio through the Fiber Optic line.
Boy did I beat myself up trying to figure this one out today.
Quick Update: Part 2
Someone asked me in email what DVD players I would look at if I was buying one today.
The top three interesting DVD players on my budget minded wish list...
Sorta Low Price: Toshiba SD-340E
Direct from the UK for around 79 pounds (OK, let's see, that's about $155.00 US) a major brand name with all this old hackers' favorite bells and whistles!
Multi-region (Play ANY DVD from ANY country.)
DivX (3.11, 5.0 & XViD), MP3, WMA, DVD-R, CD-R/RW, VCD, SVCD, JPEG, Progressive Scan, Automatic Selecting PAL or NTSC Component Video Output!
SO YES, you can use this in the US. *Heavy Sigh*
Uber Chic Euro Tech cool!
Mid Range Price: Denon DVD-1910
Denon'$ entry-level player for around an affordable $200.00. Yah it up-scales to 1080i too but unfortunately all the lower priced, well made, brands are pushing this feature and well... I would look at this player simply because I keep hearing how exceptional it is.
DVI output is the BIG plus here and would only require a DVI to HDMI cable to put your Sony TV over the top in drooling high quality DVD picture pleasing pleasure.
Serious DVD Enthusiast cool!
Used or EBay: Panasonic DVD-RP82 or DVD-XP30
Legendary! I mean it! Why did Panasonic stop making these unbelievable low priced players? WHY? What were they thinking? Anyway, if you want a chance at finding a DVD player very, VERY, well known for having an exceptional picture that people will still pay good money for (but most often get great deals on because other people have no idea what they have, heh!) even after they stopped making these models.
EBay Bargain Hunter Techno Geek cool!
That's my piggy view of the current crop.
Rating:
Summary: Sony 34XBR960 with matching 34XBR3 stand....
Review: I purchased this HDTV with the matching stand,that I highly recommend. It provides a seamless integration of the 34XBR960 and SU-34XBR3 (stand).The stand comes with one glass shelf for components and another one can be ordered ,if needed ,for $40.00. I have read many reviews saying the stand does not have room for enough components. I only learned of the 2nd glass shelf after purchasing the SU-34XBR3 and was pleasantly surprised.
The 34XBR960 is perfect if you are going to place it in a corner of your room. The 960 and stand are wide in front but taper off in the rear and fit snugly into a corner , where I have mine. I first ordered the stand, put it together and placed furniture sliders under the stand. I can now move the 960 and stand easily if I want to.
The 960 is a very attractive unit and is loaded with everything you might need in a HDTV. The internal HD tuner found all my OTA (over the air)channels in about 5 min. and my analog ones so I was watching HDTV in no time. I was impressed with the quality of the picture, really sharp and clear. I watched the Patriots vs. Colts last night and was really blown away with an absolute perfect picture that looked like you could reach in and pick up the players.
The remote is very easy to use and the top flips up to reveal buttons for DVD operation. I watched to DVD's and could not believe how much clearer and sharp they were compared to my old TV. The menu for this unit is the easiest to navigate and watch TV at the same time.
I am very happy I picked this HDTV, there are cheaper units out there but none will beat the PQ (picture quality) of this set.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect TV - You just can't get better
Review: This TV rocks - but if you're someone scanning tv's and are in the classic "Plasma / LCD / Tube" dilemma let me tell you how I ended up buying this TV:
I had been looking for an HDTV for several months to replace the standard 31" TV in my den. After lots of research the end result seemed to be plasma. It was brighter, you could get a wide and big screen, and you could mount it to the wall. Gone would be the massive entertainment center and now I could have the same capability with very minimalist appearance.
Projection TV's were out, didn't like the side views and all the talk about picture abormalities. Plus even with the small ones this thing is still a tank. LCD's were too expensive and too new plus more talk of issues with them.
I didn't want to spend more than three grand on a TV. After reading a lot of pros and cons, my thought process was to buy an EDTV Plasma (Enhanced Def TV). The logic was 90% of the TV plus all the DVD's I watch aren't any higher resolution than what an EDTV puts out. Why put down an extra 1200 bucks to get something you rarely will notice? Some HDTV purists say otherwise, but bang for bucks wise EDTV seems to be the way to go. Also, my gut tells me that odds are, anyone with a plasma TV will toss the thing in less than ten years either due to burn in, fading, or a newer technology.
After all that, I found myself thinking why am I spending three thousand dollars on a TV that isn't full HD with known issues such as burn in (which will make we want to replace it in 5 years) and is a compromise? I also know I'm probably going to move with my job in under a year and mounting a plasma to the wall professionally would cost me $300 more (I checked).
What I ended up doing was buying a tube TV. The top of the line Sony KD-XBR960 which if you check sites like cnet.com, they use that tv as the reference TV for other HDTV sets to compare it to. It's a 34" wide screen tube and the picture is absolutely perfect and bright. Knocked my wife over when she saw the Steelers play in HDTV (Jets should have made those field goals by the way). This thing has all the latest toys on it which makes it relavent for the long haul (cable card, built in HDTV tuner and HMDI inputs). Only downside is that it's the size of a tube tv but for me that's no big deal, it replaced the same thing.
My logic on this is I bought a Sony tube tv and it will last me 15+ years. It's known technology that no matter what comes our way this thing will be up to speed. It's comfortable knowing the plasma and LCD folks are spending tons to try and just reach the picture performance of my tube tv. When I have more money, I take this tv and move it to my bedroom or a game room and then I buy the plasma or whatever to put on the wall.
Hope this helps you.
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