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 This thread topic spans 2 pages - You are currently on page 1
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KF-60XBR800 v. KF-60WE610 v. KDF-60XBR950 |
2left
Rank: Sony Fan
Joined: Jan 22, 2003
Posts: 1
From:
 |  Posted: 2003-06-12 14:37
Been looking over press releases, trying to compare these 3 models. Looks like the KF-60WE610 model is the current KF-60XBR800 less the "XBR" designation. Same 3.15 million dots resolution using the 1.35" LCD panels. 25% improvement in contrast from 1st generation models, due to improved filters.
Anyone have info on what might be missing in the new model to cause it to lose its "XBR" designation?
The KDF-60XBR950 looks like a genuine upgrade over the KF-60XBR800. New 0.87" LCD panels that give 3.28 million dots resolution. New LCD panels also result in 20% improved contrast ratio. "Second Generation" WEGA Engine system that minimize the number of ditgital-to-analog conversion processes. Direct Digital circuitry has been upgraded to "Direct Digital II."
New KDF model also includes QAM tuning capability. Does this allow HDTV cable to be directly viewed on TV without a decoder box, or only digital cable?
That's all I could figure out. Anyone else have info?
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StPete
Rank: Sony Fan
Joined: Jun 14, 2003
Posts: 3
From: St Petersburg, Florida
 |  Posted: 2003-06-14 09:08
After months of lurking, I just registered solely so I could post on this thread. I don't have many answers but I share your questions. I'm looking to buy a 50-60" rptv at the end of the year and have been waiting desperately for info for the new models.
info from here and another board has suggested that the current xbr line has been downgraded because the new silicon crystal line is such a superior quality picture (pixel density, brightness) that sony can't keep xbr on the old line with a straight face. i haven't heard that anything's missing in the 60we610, but having dropped the xbr, sony may have also left out some of the high-end construction materials.
though i like the 60xbr800 a lot, there appear to be brightness concerns (not enough), especially in bright rooms. i'm going to be putting my new system right next to a very large bay window, so i'm thinking the new 60xbr950 is the way to go. 5500 is a ton of money, though, so i'm hoping a good number of reviews will come in by year's end to confirm it's worth the dough.
please keep info coming!
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nghump
Rank: Sony Fan
Joined: Sep 05, 2003
Posts: 3
From:
 |  Posted: 2003-09-05 08:45
I too am considering the KF-60WE610. I did purchase the KF60XBR800 but found it did not meet my expectations so I returned it. The price of the KF-60WE610 is more palatable than the KF60XBR800. Does anyone know if any reviews have been written about the KF-60WE610? Does any one know with all its features if a progressive scan and/or DCDi DVD player is needed to get a good picture? Would you need these DVD features with the CineMotion™ Reverse 3-2 Pulldown feature? Doesn’t the progressive scan DVD player convert the material from digital to analog perform the 3-2 conversion and/or the DCDi conversion then convert it back to digital for component output to the TV which of course is then convert to analog? If I am correct in my understanding, it seems to me the video quality would be adversely affected. Does this model lack the optical audio interconnect feature? When, for instance, there are vertical or horizontal, back and white strips most TVs don’t handle this situation very well. Does anyone know if the KF-60WE610 handles this? The audio on the KF60XBR800 left a lot to be desired in my opinion, has this improved on KF-60WE610? Does any one know how much the 100 watt replacement lamp cost? Does any one know what the life expectancy of the lamp is? The black level has been a bone of contention with the KF-60WE610 predecessors, has this improve? Has broadcast/cable picture quality improved over its predecessors? Finally, does anyone think that the DLP technology might provide a higher picture quality than LCD? 
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Green_Turtle
Rank: Sony Fan
Joined: Sep 11, 2003
Posts: 1
From: San Diego, CA
 | Posted: 2003-09-11 19:57
The clear QAM for cable TV feature has been removed. It was pretty much useless since I don't know of any MSOs (cable companies) that broadcast any clear digital channels. The ATSC tuner in the XBR version is what's more useful and valuable (no need to get a seperate box to receive over the air HD broadcasts). Besides, the FCC just approved the plug-and-play standard so POD cards will be the norm in a year anyways. Since the GW3 has DVI-HD, it'll be able to interface with POD settop boxes.
Anyways, I have a 60xbr950 preordered, shipping date is Nov.
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hyedipin
Rank: Sony Aficionado
Joined: Sep 24, 2002
Posts: 131
From: State of Mind
 |  Posted: 2003-09-16 19:18
I am considering between KF-60XBR800 v. KF-60WE610 rather than KDF-60XBR950 since I assume it will arrive way after November.. (Sony's usual release time for new TVs) Currently I can get above two available models for the same price, after taxes, or discounts for one or another, delivery, etc.., the price is the same for both WE and XBR... But which one to buy? I don't care much about the functionality, all I need is to be able to watch regular cable broadcast on this TV with fine picture. I assume it gives ability to Stretch image, does it? Or have it picture as regular 4:3 with black bars on left and right of picture.. Also the source of the image is dish via satellite from Europe, so the image is not as good as US Cable or Directv. It is still good, though. If I stretch, will there be sagnificant picture loss? On my samsung small (18' ~~ LCD) I have some loss on upper and lower sides. It looks ok, but I can see there is loss and some stretchness making ppl look wider.. Would this be a huge problem??
Also, I will not be watching any DVD or HDTV on this TV for a long time to come, because I am doing that on my regular TV as seen on my profile config. HS HDTV Monitor.
So, I do hope someone can at least tell me if it is worth getting this TV for just viewing this kinda source.. Should I go get a Tube HDTV? 
Thanks in advance.. 
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Current Equipment
http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/2488/sonysignaturegn6.png
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brianufl
Rank: Sony Buff
Joined: Jul 01, 2002
Posts: 16
From: Richmond, VA
 | Posted: 2003-09-17 06:37
hyedipin,
I fear that you might be disappointed with this set if you feed a poor signal into it. If you are already getting a distorted picture on an 18" tv, 60"s are only going to make that considerably worse. True, the sony tvs come with DRC to help better lesser signals, but a tv of this quality definitely shines when it is fed the best HD source.
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hyedipin
Rank: Sony Aficionado
Joined: Sep 24, 2002
Posts: 131
From: State of Mind
| Posted: 2003-09-17 08:36
brianufl, thanks for sharing your ideas. I totally agree. However, my signal is not that bad. Is it possible to say that we'd better go with conventional tube's possibly 40XBR's or how about LCD/Plasma. Would that have the same effect?
And how about those bars at either side of the picture? Would there be a big loss on the picture?
Thanks again! 
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Current Equipment
http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/2488/sonysignaturegn6.png
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hyedipin
Rank: Sony Aficionado
Joined: Sep 24, 2002
Posts: 131
From: State of Mind
|  Posted: 2003-09-18 11:12
What do you think??
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kjjr03
Rank: Sony Fan
Joined: Oct 12, 2003
Posts: 6
From: Raleigh, NC
 | Posted: 2003-10-12 12:43
After reading the previous statements, I guess I am going to hold off on purchasing the new WE610, and wait for the 60XBR950. Man thats a lot of money, but I won't be upgrading this set for 6 or 7 years. I am curently replacing a 53" XBR I purchased 7 years ago. I am hoping that by going to the XBR the set will hold up longer. Does anyone know if this set will play better on Sat. rather that a cable feed? And is there a group buy on the 60XBR950? 
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mbizfreak
Rank: Sony Fan
Joined: Oct 17, 2003
Posts: 1
From: New York, NY
| Posted: 2003-10-17 12:47
I don't know a lot about this particular tv, but I know that it's much more affordable than the XBR. I just went into the Sony Style store in Manhattan the other day and examined these TVs (I was planning on buying one of the 50" or 60" Grand WEGAs). They had the KF-50WE610 (50") on display in one room and the KF60XBR800 (60") in another. Clearly, a big difference was the coating on the screen. The non-XBR had a matte finish that appeared to be less reflective than the XBR. The onscreen image, however, was slightly sharper and closer to a plasma than the KF-50WE610. I decided that the image was so great on the KF-50WE610, that I'd be better off saving $1000 buying the 60" version and passing on the XBR -- especially when the salesman mentioned the new line of XBRs coming to market (including a 70"!!! -- much too big for my modest apartment....and I still don't know how I'll fit a 60" in there, but I'll manage.). The lamp was a big concern for me, but I figured that if I bought any other brand LCD HDTV, the picture would degrade over time, and at least with the Sony, I'd have an opportunity to pop in a new bulb and have a virtually brand new set. I did research on the bulb too. In response to what nghump wrote:
Does any one know how much the 100 watt replacement lamp cost? Does any one know what the life expectancy of the lamp is?
The bulb, as far as I know, needs to be ordered from the Sony replacement parts store. Call 1-800-488-7669 (option 3 I think). The bulb is part # XL-2000U and sells for $256.95. According to some sites, the bulb is supposed to last 5k-7k hours. According to the Sony salesman, it will last up to 8k hours before dimming and needing replacement. It all depends on your amount of usage anyway...but do some calculations and it's roughly 2 years of usage. So, assuming the bulb is still around 2 years from now, you can have (in theory) a brand new 60" tv for less than $300. Luckily I have a friend at Sony who was able to extended his employee discount so I was able to get a spare bulb with the tv for significantly less than retail.
Personally, I could have spent my life's fortune on the BEST tv, but technology will continue to improve and for the price and features (and confirmed great picture), this should last a good 10-15 years.
Oh yeah, the sound was excellent on the TV. Of course they only played back a Sony DVD on a Sony Progressive scan DVD player connected to Sony's ES line of receivers -- all the high end stuff...I had them mute everything but the tv speakers though and I was still impressed with the sound. The XBR was only hooked up to a progressive scan DVD player, and they didn't even bother with sound as they played an SACD through one of their ES systems to show off the audio. Unfortunately I only saw a great picture every time I viewed these sets due to the DVD in playback -- no idea how cable will look, but from what I hear, it depends on the signal, etc. Also, you can view 4:3 as a normal box in the middle of the screen (with black bars on the left and right), you can stretch it to 16:9 (which might look funky), and you can zoom the 4:3 image so that it displays from corner to corner, though some of the picture may get cut off -- and, as you zoom, you might see more pixelation.
I've typed a lot into a small box, so I hope this made sense and helps. Also, I recommend going to http://www.crutchfield.com/ because they always list a ton of information and BIG pictures for every product they sell.
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dave9022
Rank: Sony Fan
Joined: Oct 17, 2003
Posts: 2
From: NYC
|  Posted: 2003-10-19 17:45
As an update to the previous posts - i too was at the sony store today and was told that when the 950 comes out (~3 weeks) they will be dropping the price of the WE tv's. Right now i heard the 60'' 950 is going to retail at 4k - and the 70'' is going to assume the 5500 price range. That said - there is no way they are going to sell the WE at the same price as the XBR 950 for the same size.
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BBM
Rank: Sony Fan
Joined: Apr 27, 2003
Posts: 5
From: Canada
| Posted: 2003-10-20 10:27
SonyStyle Canada has already shown the MSRP for XBR950.
http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/CategoryDisplays?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&categoryId=45260&navigationPath=32050
You will have a rough idea how much they will be in USD.
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xbrvswe
Rank: Sony Buff
Joined: Sep 19, 2003
Posts: 23
From: California
| Posted: 2003-10-20 20:55
I saw the pricing book at Sony Style about a month ago. At that time I was interested in the XBR800 tv's. The book showed the 60" dropping $500 to $4500. It did not show the 50XBR800 and I was told this model is going to be dropped.
As of this date I havn't seen the price drop. I am assumming it will drop when the new 950 models come out.
Hopefully all models out now will come down in price. 
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JohnDoty
Rank: Sony Fan
Joined: Oct 12, 2003
Posts: 6
From: Austin, Texas
| Posted: 2003-10-23 00:58
I purchased a KF-42WE610 and have almost got the thing figured out after 5 days. (sheesh, the manuals, the cables, the resolution settings) I have to say that with a halfway decent cable box I am getting the clarity of a starship viewscreen with this thing! Even non-HD sources are clear and plenty bright, even with lots of light in the viewing area. I purchased a Toshiba SD-4800 DVD player (last years model) for 97 bucks so I could have a progressive scan player to go with the set. Its picture is lightyears ahead of my 2 year old Sony DVD unit, even with older DVD releases! I was torn between the 42 and the 50 inch model, but I discovered that since they use the same bulb, the 42 was a bit brighter.
Anyway, my views for what they're worth!
[ This message was edited by: JohnDoty on 2003-10-23 01:08 ]
[ This message was edited by: JohnDoty on 2003-10-23 01:08 ]
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nghump
Rank: Sony Fan
Joined: Sep 05, 2003
Posts: 3
From:
| Posted: 2003-10-23 14:01
Lamps (XL-2100U) are $256.17 + Shipping.
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