34XS955 vs 34HS420

[SDNikki]

I'm looking into these 2 tv's and wondering if anyone has personal experience with either and any personal pro's and con's.
I know about the built-in tuner, but don't know if we would really utilize it since we will most likely get cable (DH needs his ESPN) and Cox here gets all the local networks in HD. The cable card option isn't that much of an advantage for us (a few $ a month less than a STB).
The XS955 is $300 more, but I like the way it looks better (black instead of silver on front).
Is the picture on the XS955 significantly better? Any other sig. different features between the two?

Thanks in advance for any input!

[AnimeMusouka]

From what I've seen by comparing them at the store, the KD-34XS955 has a better picture, IMHO (It has a "Super Fine Pitch CRT," as Sony calls it). That becomes evident when you put your face up close to the tube and then move back away. When you do that with both TVs, you'll see that the KV-34HS420 has greater space in between the scanlines. Also, the picture in the KD-34XS955 looked like it had an opaque tone to it, something I found to be more soothing to the eyes, but that others might not like.

[SDNikki]

Thanks AnimeMusouka!

that info will probably be helpful since the tv will be a little less than 6 feet from the couch. The easier on the eyes, the better :)

Anyone else?

[tonelocdog]

I would get the cheaper one if you have no use for the cable card, and they are both trinitron wega's tv, just one is more expensive then another because its a newer model, and extra features, which u mention have no use for, althought im sure you can't see the difference in picture on both of them.
Just my opinion

[kevinthegreek]

:bow: i JUST bOUGHT THE KD34-XS955 AND I'M WONDERING ABOUT THE CABLE CARD SLOT ALSO WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OVER COAXEL CABLE PORTS? ANYONE? :patriot:

[Ratman]

CableCard enables encrypted digital cable channels from the cable provider. You still have to use the coaxial inputs either way. Therefore... no advantage or disadvantage.

[bbrs617]

The only advantages is you will be able to get rid of the cable box and its a only 1.75 per month in Houston with TWC. The Box is 7.00 per month I think.

The disadvantage is that you will not get
Movies on demand
I-control
Program info
Next program info
No clock to look at

I thought about switching to the cable card but have yet to do it. :usa1:

[AnimeMusouka]

The only advantages is you will be able to get rid of the cable box and its a only 1.75 per month in Houston with TWC. The Box is 7.00 per month I think.

The disadvantage is that you will not get
Movies on demand
I-control
Program info
Next program info
No clock to look at


I use a cable card on mine and go to http://www.titantv.com to get around the no program info issue. Their TV guides are pretty good and free.

[SDNikki]

Well, we finally decided on the kd-34xs955. It should be here next week so I will post more then to let you all know how it goes. We decided to get the Cox HD (basically for ESPN and the HD-DVR) and also hook up an antenna to see if we get better HD picture that way. Wish me luck :hyper:

[d6500k]

Luck is not an issue! You have purchased a fine display. I have measured and calibrated several and the results have been outstanding. These have a full set of geometry and color temperature controls in the Service menu which make them very controlable for an ISF Tech.

Have fun and Good Viewing,

Doug k

[jr_G-man]

Does anybody know the actual width of the 34HS420?

Sony and other websites all list it as 39-1/8", but Crutchfield has it at 38-5/8". Anybody have the oppurtunity to actually measure it?