Sony Bravia Question

I know that this isn't directly PC related however I do also intend to use what I'm about to speak of as a monitor on top of a TV for my game consoles.

I'm looking to get a LCD or Plasma display around 32" and around the $800 point.

I've found a couple good ones so far. A Samsung LNT3232H and a Panasonic TC32LE70, each are $750.

However I've also managed to find a Sony Bravia 32" KDL32S3000 720P Native TV for $749.99. I'm considering getting this due to it's name in the realm of TVs and the fact that it has a 1600:1 contrast ratio, which seems to be about the sweet spot for good blacks and vibrant colours.

Anyone have anything to add to this? Any information would be a GREAT help.

Thanks. ^^

Jam it back in, in the dark.

A brand name just means that their marketing department is well paid. I've had a Sony LCD, and their scaling and deinterlacing abilities are severely lacking. Since it's a 720p set, it is very important to get this right since there will always be some kind of scaling (there is almost no content that is 768 native). I wouldn't go with the Sony, unless you are getting it from a store with a generous return policy, so you can see how the set performs with your content and the conditions of your viewing area. Going to see the TV in person is not useful, because the demo content typically stinks, the set is torched, and the lighting of the store usually hides the potential deficiencies of black levels.

I am not much help when it comes to LCD, because I think they're terrible in all aspects other than geometry and pixel mapping. I am pleasantly surprised by the quality of JVC's LCDs, however. You may want to look at those in addition to the big names.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Well I won't be watching TV on it, only playing my PS3, 360 and PC on it. All of which are HD and can run in 720P. So scaling of SD content aside is this going to be a problem?

Also the Panasonic one that I mentioned has a contrast ratio of 7000:1, but is that going to make the blacks suck real hard?

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

All content will be scaled because the Sony, like many 720p LCDs, are in reality, 768p.

The contrast ratio specifications means nothing, and is another marketing game. You will see sets with astounding contrast ratios, yet the black levels will be garbage. You need to see the set for yourself.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Do you know of anywhere where I can read up on these? Specifically the Bravia series?

I was speaking idiomatically.

Look around on AVS Forum. They have something to say about everything.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Alright, thanks man. I think I'll be getting it anyway for it seems to be the best I can afford right now, and despite some minor issues I don't think I'm going to be disapointed. The image quality will probably still be be the best I've ever set eyes on and I won't know if it's bad or not for I've never seen better in order to compare it. In other words ignorance is bliss as they say, but at least I'll still be somewhat versed in the world of HD, perhaps for a future purchase after I'm done school and pay off my loans ^^;

P.S.
Best thing I've seen in action to date is my budget LCD monitor. It's a ViewSonic VA1912wb, 700:1 contrast ratio, 16:10, 5ms refresh rate (only plus), 1440x900 native res (which nothing uses). So I feel pretty good about this Bravia ^^

FELIPE NO

Oh well, I hope Im not too late... Be careful with those Sony Bravia, some of them have an annoying clouding problem. (Eh... 2006-2007 Models, 2007-2008 Models are another story)

As far as I remember for LCDs, Samsung came with some of the finest screens at the time.. you may want to research a little bit more about that Samsung.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I have no clue whether I jumped into a boiling pot, or a soft bed with this one, But either way I'm stuck with it, and love the TV to death.

I ended up getting a 37" Sharp Aquos. I chose it mostly due to the faster refresh rate (< 6ms) and because it looked better then the 32" Sony Bravia side by side both running 720P content and it was the same content on both.

Any thoughts on this move?

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Slayer X

I have no clue whether I jumped into a boiling pot, or a soft bed with this one, But either way I'm stuck with it, and love the TV to death.

I ended up getting a 37" Sharp Aquos. I chose it mostly due to the faster refresh rate (< 6ms) and because it looked better then the 32" Sony Bravia side by side both running 720P content and it was the same content on both.

Any thoughts on this move?

Excellent choice. My friend has a Sharp Aquos, and he couldn't be more pleased.

You shouldn't go Bravia unless it is on the mid/high end (V/W/XBR series), basically Sony outsource their low-end screens to AUO and Samsung. Basically, You are not getting a Sony product.

Just in case, I'm not saying that Sony Bravia sucks, it actually is one of the finest LCD screens out there. However, to get the "real Bravia stuff", you will have to pay... a lot.

How ya doing, buddy?