XBR800 vs XBR950

[sto22]

Is the built in HDTV Tuner the only major upgrade between these.

If I'm going with a HD300 for my DirecTV / OTA tuner, should I stick with the older (and cheaper) XBR's?

[57U]

I think this question was asked a couple of days ago and I think there are additional firewire ports on the more expensive unit too. Find a site with both units and do a line-by-line comparison and see if anything you need/want is on the more expensive one.

[mikehbkwm]

sto22 i would personally go with the new model seems to have better internals nicer looking unit IMO...... im sure its probably got a little bit better PQ but again i havent seen the tv in action im going up to my local ultimate this weekend to check it out...

[proacman]

Originally posted by sto22
Is the built in HDTV Tuner the only major upgrade between these.

If I'm going with a HD300 for my DirecTV / OTA tuner, should I stick with the older (and cheaper) XBR's?

The newer unit has what Sony calls a Super Fine Pitch screen which means HDTV signals should look more detailed. Haven't seen each set side-by-side to verify this.

[everyman]

I've seen the XBR800 and the XBR950. I don't like the 800 series at all. The blacks are not black. The console is not that great. The pq is also not up to snuff. The XBR950's are really beautiful. The sharpest clearest brightest picture ever. I saw the brand new Sony 61 inch plasma. And, I think the XBR gave it a run for the money. One thing, though. I think the WE610's are way better than the 800XBRs. I would not buy the 800 series. Save your money and get the WE series if you can't afford the 950. Hope this helps.

[VirginiaTVDude]

Of course everyman is entitled to his opinion ... but my choice would clearly be the XBR800, unless you can afford the 950 (newer is always nice). My XBR800 has an incredibly detailed picture (after calibration), HD signals are flawless, sports are a real joy to watch. DVD through a nice progressive scan player is awesome as well.

The best advice I can give is the same as 57U ... get the two together and decide if the additional features of the 950 are worth the extra $$$. But surely don't give up on the very reasonably priced 800 units, you will not be unhappy with an 800, it is as good or better a set as any out there in it's range. I personally could not be happier with mine. :D


~JT

[sto22]

Thanks JT,

A few retail sites list the new non XBR sets (WE610) as the replacement for the XBR800 line.

I'd like to think the XBR series is a "step up" from non XBR lineup, but I might be a Sony marketing victim.

The differences I see in the WE610 are:

Slimmer design (which I like)

1386 x 788 resolution vs 1366 x 768 (Not sure I'll see the difference)

Same 100W UHP Lamp. (XBR950 has 120W)


I saw the XBR800 at a local A/V store and came away impressed. It's nice to see and here properly calibrated A/V equipment, vs the bright and boomy show at the mega-retailers.

I'll probably go with the XBR800. I like the 950 but building in a unnecessary (to me) HDTV tuner puts it out of my price range.

sto22