| Topic Review |
bstulack
Sony Fan
Joined: Dec 07, 2001
Posts: 8
From: NJ
 |  Posted: 2001-12-09 22:20
Folks,
I just purchased a 40XBR700 and NS700P and while it's not here yet, I do have a couple questions:
1) Cables...what are the best and who online has them the cheapest. I bought $200 of monster cables from CC only to find www.123av.com has the set for $50 less.
2) The stand...I've read that dealers get it for about $125. Anybody know any online source that carries them for less then the, rake me over the coals, price of $499?
3) I see a lot of people recommend the calibration DVD for their sets. For a 40XBR700 is it worth it?
4) Where is the best place to buy DVD's online?
Thanks for your help and advice.
Bill
[ This message was edited by: bstulack on 2001-12-09 23:15 ]
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Orlando
Sony Buff
Joined: Sep 23, 2001
Posts: 15
From:
|  Posted: 2001-12-09 23:20
First let me say Congrats on your purchase. I just made the same purchase two weeks ago and the family loves it.
As far as Cables for this set-up I recommend the Acoustic Research Pro or Radio Shack Gold. You really don't need to spend much more then that. Accessories4less.com has good prices on line. Being from NJ you can see them at P.C. Richards or The Wiz.
The Stand cost the store closer to 250.00 and it weighs 100 pounds. I've seen it on the web for about 370. I really can't remember where but shipping can cost a fortune. I was so mad cause The Wiz had an error in their circular a couple of weeks ago for 199.99 that they were honoring and by the time I got the price on mine it was too late.
I have the Avia disk and it does make a difference. And right after New Years I am planning on the ISF Calibration. So in a word yes.
I don't know what you are upgrading from, but you should love your new set-up. HDTV also looks great.
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bstulack
Sony Fan
Joined: Dec 07, 2001
Posts: 8
From: NJ
|  Posted: 2001-12-09 23:35
I can't wait to get it!!!! I also picked up the HT-5100P surround sound system. I'll take the speakers and rcvr and combine them with the TV and NS700P. The other 5 disc DVD that came in the HT-5100P will do into another room.
I had a Sony 61" XBR (2.5 yrs old)before it went bad, so the extended warranty paid off. They could not fix the TV so I got $6000 to spend in the store.
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claudio
Ultimate Sony Reviewer
Joined: Aug 30, 2001
Posts: 2355
From: Rockville, MD
 |  Posted: 2001-12-09 23:37
Hi
1. As for cables, the best value is Radio Shack Gold. Monster cables are over priced.
2. I found several cheap price than that insane price of $499. I found the following prices:
$299NiceBuy.com
$329: Price is at the bottom
Absolute Video Audio
$329:
Speed and Sound
3.I do believe it's worth it to calibrate your television. The top two are Aiva and Video Essential. And I think there is a split on which is the best. I prefer VE. You can check out the difference between the two in the download section. There is a file that explains everything.
4. I'm not sure which DVD online store is the cheapest. There are so many out there.
Hope this helps 
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cc2247
Sony Fanatic
Joined: Sep 20, 2001
Posts: 317
From:
 |  Posted: 2001-12-10 09:49
Ditto to all of the above comments.
Avia or VE is a matter of preference.
Don't forget when you are watching 480p with your player the TV cannot detect 16x9 so you need to go into the menu and select when playing these.
I am running Monster on mine but if I had to purchase new cables today, I'd also go with the AR or RS.
I purchase most of my DVDs at DVDplanet (formerly Ken Cranes).
They are fast and efficient and yes once in awhile you can get a new title rock bottom at Best Buy, but you need to be there in line and by the time you get there after work they will all be sold out.
For preorders on new titles, it is 30% off list price.
I have the same set as you and you will love every square inch of your new set!
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bstulack
Sony Fan
Joined: Dec 07, 2001
Posts: 8
From: NJ
|  Posted: 2001-12-11 15:01
Folks,
Thanks for all the help!!! I have returned the $200 worth of monster cables and bought about $75 dollars worth of the Acoustic Research Pro cables. (www.aoknetinc.com). As for the stand the cheapest place I've found was at advantage superstore $299 plus $44 for shipping. (nicebuys shipping was $99). My next step is to pick up the avia or VE calibration cd off the web. Once again thank you for your help/advice.
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Orlando
Sony Buff
Joined: Sep 23, 2001
Posts: 15
From:
| Posted: 2001-12-14 14:56
bstulack
Just wondering if you have any update?
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bstulack
Sony Fan
Joined: Dec 07, 2001
Posts: 8
From: NJ
| Posted: 2001-12-14 15:33
I am unfortunately waiting for eveything.
CC is out of stock on the 40xbr700 (WAITING)
AOKNET waiting for cables (WAITING)
SAVINGLOTS waiting for stand (WAITING)
DIRECTVIDEO-DVD's (WAITING)
NA DVD - DVD's (WAITING)
I only have the SS system and S700 so far.
The thing that kills me is I have no status on the last four items (only the order has been placed).
[ This message was edited by: bstulack on 2001-12-14 16:16 ]
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ciper
Sonyphile
Joined: Sep 18, 2001
Posts: 735
From: San francisco
 | Posted: 2001-12-14 19:16
Suck! Basically everything you have is on hold. Why not purchase the tv from someone else?
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bstulack
Sony Fan
Joined: Dec 07, 2001
Posts: 8
From: NJ
|  Posted: 2001-12-14 19:28
I would love to, if I didn't have a $6000 credit to spend at CC. All the other things stand, cables, etc I can work around. Unfortunately, the TV must come from them.
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ciper
Sonyphile
Joined: Sep 18, 2001
Posts: 735
From: San francisco
| Posted: 2001-12-14 20:40
So kick the ass of curcuit city! They should be able to get it from another store. Hell, you are giving some guy alot of comission he should be able to even get you free delivery (I got my 36xbr450 for 1700 with free delivery). Tell them that you will cancel the order and goto another store if they dont hurry up.
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bstulack
Sony Fan
Joined: Dec 07, 2001
Posts: 8
From: NJ
|  Posted: 2001-12-20 23:22
Well,
TV is finally coming Sat. (yes!!!). I just rcvd the stand today from savinglots.com. Although it looks great, and will look pretty seemless once the TV is ontop, Sony could have done a better job with the shelves. They are not adjustable so you can only fit your DVD player and rcvr under the TV. Another inch wider and at least you could place the components side by side.
Cables are pretty cool! I went with AR pro series (step up from perf series) and saved $150 bucks.
So when I fire this turkey up on Sat. I want to watch JP3. Any tips or tricks?? I seen a post that you need to put the TV in 16:9 is this true? I've been playing with the NS700 on a normal(4:3) 26" in progressive mode and notice their are 3 settings before you start the DVD--4:3, 4:3 wide, and 16:9. I've played with the 4:3 wide and 16:9 on this TV and the 16:9 gives me about an extra inch on the top and bottom of the letterbox. Other then that I didn't see any other difference. I'll post another update once I see what this puppy can do.
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Orlando
Sony Buff
Joined: Sep 23, 2001
Posts: 15
From:
| Posted: 2001-12-27 13:21
Update Please. How is it going?
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bstulack
Sony Fan
Joined: Dec 07, 2001
Posts: 8
From: NJ
| Posted: 2001-12-27 21:08
Well, the TV is awesome!!! The picture is clear as day when we play a DVD. I've only watched a DVD in progressive so I don't know if there is a difference between that and interlaced. I'm still waiting for my video essentials DVD, but as far as I can see there is not a single problem with the tube. (no bends/ no discoloration in the corners/ no skewing) My comcast local channels are grainy(boardering on terrible) but this is not a TV problem, cable stations like MSG, etc. come in great. I'm very happy with the whole setup and the TV looks really good on the Sony stand.
That being said there are a couple things I need to look at: 1) On a preview of Monsters Inc. I noticed the white circle on the black background had a step pattern when paused. Could be me but I need to read up on this. 2) Everytime you want to watch a movie in 16:9 you need to go into the menu and change it. (I think someone else had mentioned this b4) 3)BEWARE..this tv is very heavy. It slides easy on the Sony stand on carpet, but I dread moving this when I go to replace the carpet. 4)Now I need to go buy the AV2100 remote. The TV remote does a good job controlling the DVD player and VCR, but these are hooked into the a/v unit so I can't adjust the volume without grabbing the A/V remote.
Would I buy it again...YES. The picture quality far out weighs my previous Sony XBR61. I wish I could get the local stations in better and watch a crystal clear Monday Night FB game but that will come in time. If you have any questions or suggestion fire away.
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Orlando
Sony Buff
Joined: Sep 23, 2001
Posts: 15
From:
| Posted: 2001-12-28 12:50
Bill,
Glad to here everything is going well. I too had that same "problem" with having to go into the tv menu everytime I put a DVD on. Well after reading in a number of places it seems the best thing to do is set the DVD player to interlaced and let the TV do the 3:2 by setting it to auto. People seem to believe that the line doubler is better on the TV then the player. I don't see a difference so it looks just as good to me and I don't have to go into the set-up menu everytime I put in a movie.
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majid
Sony Fan
Joined: Dec 30, 2001
Posts: 1
From: New York
| Posted: 2001-12-30 00:54
I have recently bought a Sony XBR 36; everything is ok but the stereo light which does not turn on, any explanation is highly apreciated.
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