Differences between Sony Bravia LCDs? (V,Z,W, etc. series)

[NTB]

Another question from my mom & dad They went out looking at TVs the other night, and my father seems hell-bent on getting a Sony Bravia KDL-52V5100, which is $1999. Other sets they've looked at in this size range were from Sharp, Samsung, & LG, and all were (if I remember correctly) in the $1600 to $1700 price range. Is the Sony really worth the difference in price?

Fortunately, they *didn't* buy anything last night, but they are going to at some point this weekend. So I told them I'd do a little research on the sets and brands they were looking at, which is when I came across all the different Sony models. I am *thoroughly* confused Mostly because I *don't* see any major differences. So, given a set from each series, all the same size, what would be the major differences? Any help (on either of these) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Nathan

 

[KK]

amazon has it for 1769 shipped.

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: KK
amazon has it for 1769 shipped.

My father is the impatient sort


And I *do* have some of this figured out (I think):

• x4100 = 2008 models
• x5100 = 2009 models
• Bravia S = 60Hz refresh, 3 HDMI inputs
• Bravia V = 120Hz refresh, 4 HDMI inputs
• Bravia Z = 240Hz refresh, 4 HDMI inputs, built-in ethernet (?)

Nathan

 

[krotchy]

To answer your question, yes Sony makes good TV's, no they are not worth the difference in price. NTB is right on the distinctions for the 2009 model series (5100s). The 4100 V series doesn't to 120Hz, but the 5100 does.

 

[KK]

Down the page on this one shows a chart that tells some of the differences.

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: KK
Down the page on this one shows a chart that tells some of the differences.

Looks like that chart is for the '08 models. Still has some useful information, though. Thanks!

Nathan

 

[imported_weadjust]

I have a 52" W in the living room and 40" V in my office. I can't see any difference in picture quality between the two.

 

[manimal]

The V5100 is not a bad set at all. I have seen most of the 08 and some of the 09 sonys calibrated and the best deal out there right now if you can find them are Sony Z 4100s. The fact that they have a super small bezel,matte surface, matte bezel and near XBR6 visual quality make them desirable. Other good deals out now are the Samsung 850s from last year. I have seen them for 1450 at BB and near that at frys for a 52. Best buy sunday should have a LN52a650 for 1599 or 1699. 650s may annoy you if it lives in a bright room. If HHgregg is in your area check them out as well since they are usually willing to wheel and deal.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: NTB

Originally posted by: KK
amazon has it for 1769 shipped.

My father is the impatient sort


And I *do* have some of this figured out (I think):

• x4100 = 2008 models
• x5100 = 2009 models
• Bravia S = 60Hz refresh, 3 HDMI inputs
• Bravia V = 120Hz refresh, 4 HDMI inputs
• Bravia Z = 240Hz refresh, 4 HDMI inputs, built-in ethernet (?)

Nathan

I don't see any of the Bravia Z series TVs listed with 240Hz. They all say 120Hz.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: NTB

Originally posted by: KK
amazon has it for 1769 shipped.

My father is the impatient sort


And I *do* have some of this figured out (I think):

• x4100 = 2008 models
• x5100 = 2009 models
• Bravia S = 60Hz refresh, 3 HDMI inputs
• Bravia V = 120Hz refresh, 4 HDMI inputs
• Bravia Z = 240Hz refresh, 4 HDMI inputs, built-in ethernet (?)

Nathan

I don't see any of the Bravia Z series TVs listed with 240Hz. They all say 120Hz.

the 2009 z models (5100) have 240hz.

 

[Mango1970]

It's funny -- when i was last at BB, one of the staff went on and on about if you get LCD, you get Samsung. Period. If you want Plasma, you get Panasonic. For Sony, they are good but you pay extra for the price.
It really is hard to make a good choice when staring at 30 models and it's not in your living room and not in your lighting type and the fact most places have the signal split 20 times. Anyhow I bought two tv's, a Sharp Aquos 42 and a 52 Samsung LCD. I love both and honestly I can't tell a damn difference between them. Sure some say this model is this bright or has this low of a response time -- again I can't see it for squat.

At that point it's the features that make the difference -- if that matters. Do you like the "look' of the finishing? Does one have a better stand, more sturdy or less bulky? How many inputs if that matters (it really should not, since most folks end up sending ONE HDMI out or whatever to their TV and your receiver does most of the hook up duty). Some have USB slots... some have media card inputs etc. Maybe that stuff would make a difference -- at the end of the day I got the ones that were on sale

 

[NTB]

They ended up with the 52" Sony (KDL-52V5100) - looks frickin' HUGE Went over after they picked it up yesterday to switch things around (old TV went into their bedroom) and set everything up. No true HD source to use for calibration, so I had to make due with a Video Essentials DVD. For just a quick adjustment though, the thing looks pretty good Anybody have any pointers on how best to set this thing up? right now they've got just 2 things connected: the ATT UVerse STB, and a Samsung DVD player - both hooked up via HDMI.

One thing I did notice: the set has both a backlight control *and* a brightness control...seems a bit redundant. That said, I turned down the backlight, then used the brightness control to do any fine-tuning that was needed.

The screen is also a lot more reflective than I thought it would be...told them to get an LCD to avoid issues with glare/reflections from the windows, but this particular LCD seems to be nearly as bad as my own Plasma screen.

Nathan

 

[s44]

Check out the semi-official thread at AVS.

Note that there's a firmware update involved.

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: s44
Check out the semi-official thread at AVS.

Note that there's a firmware update involved.

Already found that Good thing, too - my parents got a set with the early firmware, so in a dark sceen, the backlight would all but shut off Firmware is updated, and everything looked good before I left.

Nathan