Sony Bravia V Series - Are there any problems out there?

[falco]

I have just purchased the 32" V series Bravia.

The only negatives I can think of are:

It only has 1 HDMI

No DIGITAL tuner

1 year warrantee

[Garincha]

Hi Falco, Mind sharing how much you payed for the 32 V and where from, have been agonising over buying either this or the samsung for the past week and have you noticed any of the problems mentioned viewing SD content?

[Drizt]

SD looks find (digital) as long as the source is good..... by that i mean its not heavily compressed.

[Guest Big Cat]

Considering the world cup is in SD only that could be quite a drawback, I'm considering the big bucks for a bravia but what a waste if it can't give a descent picture for world cup matches.

Just wondering if there are bravia owners out there who watched the aus v greece game and thoughts on the PQ?

Terrible picture quality in the Aust Greece game but I understand that it was a one-off stuff up at SBS and not an indicator of things to come for the World Cup.

[falco]

A couple of other "negatives" for me that I forgot to mention in my previous post

It doesnt have any Scart connectors so it doesnt do RGB. I had to buy a $100 RGB to component converter.

VERY slow to cycle through the av inputs with the remote.

The picture quality on a SD Topfield PVR is excellent. I also have Austar satellite and the PQ on some of those channels is very ordinary. But thats not really the fault of the Bravia.

I paid $3400 with three years interest free, & 5 year warrantee, from Harvey Norman in Qld.

Harvey Norman have dropped the price on the Bravia as the new Sony models are due in September and they will be 1920x 1080 and have 2 HDMI.

I looked at the Samsung (expensive model) and the V series Bravia, side by side, and I could definetely see the difference in the picture quality. I know the panel for those two come off the same line, but the electronics that produce the picture sure dont.

For anybody thinking of buying either the Samsung or V Bravia, go and have a look at them side by side. You can see the difference.

[MichaelR]

A couple of other "negatives" for me that I forgot to mention in my previous post

It doesnt have any Scart connectors so it doesnt do RGB. I had to buy a $100 RGB to component converter.

VERY slow to cycle through the av inputs with the remote.

The picture quality on a SD Topfield PVR is excellent. I also have Austar satellite and the PQ on some of those channels is very ordinary. But thats not really the fault of the Bravia.

I paid $3400 with three years interest free, & 5 year warrantee, from Harvey Norman in Qld.

Harvey Norman have dropped the price on the Bravia as the new Sony models are due in September and they will be 1920x 1080 and have 2 HDMI.

I looked at the Samsung (expensive model) and the V series Bravia, side by side, and I could definetely see the difference in the picture quality. I know the panel for those two come off the same line, but the electronics that produce the picture sure dont.

For anybody thinking of buying either the Samsung or V Bravia, go and have a look at them side by side. You can see the difference.

I am quite keen to get a new tv - about 40 inch. I like the Bravia V, but was concerned about the amount of pixelation I have seen in the shops. I would like to learn more about what impacts picture quality generally, and pixelation in particular. For SD, what difference would the improved resolution of the new 1920 x 1080 make? Also, based on other comments, why would there be quite so much difference in the quality of channel 9 football vs channel 10 football.

[sephiaya]

Hi, in reguards to the X-Series, pepole are saying that SONY have finally regained there edge on TV again. apparently this is going to be the new TRINTRON in LCD, which mean that it will be unreal.

Anyhow i was readin that the difference between 720P and 1080P is not that significiant.

Nothing like the difference between 480P and 720P.

1080P is twice the Res but i was reading (and i will try and find the link for you guys) that the difference is not worth the moeny, and that it is only really noticible on 55"+ Screens.

I am tossing up between a 32" Bravia V and a 42" HD Plasma. The only negative for plasam is the burn-in. But the quality difference is i think worth the risk.

LordG i rang Samsung today and i got them to find the call between the operator and me, and i got a personal appolgy from the guy. He said he did not realise (cu#t). But i am extremly sorry for that info i gave you, as i recieved the info first hand from Samsungs tech support i only thought it to be true.

Guys 1 last Question, would you notice the difference between a Unit that displayed 6.4 billion colours, and one that produced 29 billion colours.

Thanks

[Hussla]

Hi, in reguards to the X-Series, pepole are saying that SONY have finally regained there edge on TV again. apparently this is going to be the new TRINTRON in LCD, which mean that it will be unreal.

Anyhow i was readin that the difference between 720P and 1080P is not that significiant.

Nothing like the difference between 480P and 720P.

1080P is twice the Res but i was reading (and i will try and find the link for you guys) that the difference is not worth the moeny, and that it is only really noticible on 55"+ Screens.

I am tossing up between a 32" Bravia V and a 42" HD Plasma. The only negative for plasam is the burn-in. But the quality difference is i think worth the risk.

LordG i rang Samsung today and i got them to find the call between the operator and me, and i got a personal appolgy from the guy. He said he did not realise (cu#t). But i am extremly sorry for that info i gave you, as i recieved the info first hand from Samsungs tech support i only thought it to be true.

Guys 1 last Question, would you notice the difference between a Unit that displayed 6.4 billion colours, and one that produced 29 billion colours.

Thanks

Plasma burn in is more hype than truth and don't forget you can get a similar effect on LCD's too.

[sephiaya]

i know that new gen plasama are no-where near as bad for Burn-in.

What effect can you get on an LCD. i left my last LCD on a still picture for about 45Min and i turned off the screen, and there was not burn of any sort.

[Preemo]

i spend a huge amount of time looking at everything out there and the Sony was clearly the best (in the flesh) although others seemed better on paper. I've had it for two months now and I still think the picture is the very best.

Issues I've had (as this is what you posted the question to get):

- the remote control is pretty much useless as a multi-function device controller as it only controls Sony equipment. Pretty arrogant IMHO.

- You can't rename external inputs (but you have a pre-set list including VHS, Satellite, Cable Box, Receiver etc)

- If you disable an input, it still comes up on the menu as a choice (but it does have "skip" beside it)

- You can only store one set of custom settings. I would like one for during the day and one for when the room is completely dark for movies

- there is very little documentation about the effect of some of the advanced picture control options, and recommendations on how to set it up

- you can't set up individual sound levels for each input so switching from one source to another (e.g Foxtel to VCR) means you get different volume levels and need to manually adjust each time.

I run everything through my receiver in order to get the best sound. As a result I only use one picture input on the TV...not sure why the lack of even more inputs should be a big issue. Also, I don't use the TV sound, but when I initally set it up, it seemed perfectly fine to me (for a TV).

I do agree that 40" is smaller than I would have liked and the price is a premium to other products, however Sony sell lot's and I think their value proposition stacks up.

BTW - I chose LCD over Plasma because the TV is in family room and during the day the wife prefers the blinds open and lots of natural light in the room. As night we get a totally darkened room and despite the fact that the blacks are not perfect, I have not found that distracting in the least.

[sephiaya]

well for a family room you would want LCD, becasuse Kids and others woudl always touch stuff, leave blank screen and so on. are you running your LCD at mac contrast, or something lower.

The reason i would prefer Plasma to LCD would be simply because Budget,

2600 for 32:" LCD, or 2600 for 42" HD Plasma

1300:1 Conrast as opposed to 10000:1 Contrast

i most likely wont be buying a new TV till at least i get to Uni which is 3 years away.

And most off all i run a lot of 2 player games, and i would prefer the Nintendo Wii on a massive screen.

(Man swinging my light saber and Darth Vader)

Anyhow what price did you ge the bravia for , and what are you running.

The only advantage for LCD for mewould have to be the sharpness, but that would eventually present a prob, as 720P does not require the res that most LCD's have.

[Hussla]

i know that new gen plasama are no-where near as bad for Burn-in.

What effect can you get on an LCD. i left my last LCD on a still picture for about 45Min and i turned off the screen, and there was not burn of any sort.

Some LCD's are prone to it some arent, the phenomenon is called Image Persistence.

I've seen it on

Some BenQ LCDtv's

Some LG/Philips

And most notable ona 37" Toshiba

[Drizt]

for some reason your the only person on the forum who has seen it though...

everyone else has definately seen plasma burn in at some stage or another.

In regards to the poster above... you have to tell the TV to skip the other inputs..... It works on my parents Bravia.... when you toggle through the sources, it only comes up with the ones i have not skipped.

Maybe you have done it wrong ???

Some LCD's are prone to it some arent, the phenomenon is called Image Persistence.

I've seen it on

Some BenQ LCDtv's

Some LG/Philips

And most notable ona 37" Toshiba

[Hussla]

for some reason your the only person on the forum who has seen it though...

everyone else has definately seen plasma burn in at some stage or another.

In regards to the poster above... you have to tell the TV to skip the other inputs..... It works on my parents Bravia.... when you toggle through the sources, it only comes up with the ones i have not skipped.

Maybe you have done it wrong ???

And as I've said I welcome you to come down to my store in Geelong and witness it first hand.

But yes it is a documented occurence:

http://compreviews.about.com/od/monitors/a/LCDBurnIn.htm

http://www.lifehacker.com/software/lcds/re...rnin-146469.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image_Persistence

So its not all in my head and it doesn't seem to affect all LCD panels. Ie I've left my BenQ computer screen running all night on the same image and it didn't appear to leave any mark on the screen.

[Preemo]

In regards to the poster above... you have to tell the TV to skip the other inputs..... It works on my parents Bravia.... when you toggle through the sources, it only comes up with the ones i have not skipped.

Maybe you have done it wrong ???

Hi,

With regard to your parents Bravia, I think you mean when you toggle inputs via the input select; but if you use the Wega Gate it does not disable them on the menu.

well for a family room you would want LCD, becasuse Kids and others woudl always touch stuff, leave blank screen and so on. are you running your LCD at mac contrast, or something lower.

The reason i would prefer Plasma to LCD would be simply because Budget,

2600 for 32:" LCD, or 2600 for 42" HD Plasma

1300:1 Conrast as opposed to 10000:1 Contrast

i most likely wont be buying a new TV till at least i get to Uni which is 3 years away.

And most off all i run a lot of 2 player games, and i would prefer the Nintendo Wii on a massive screen.

(Man swinging my light saber and Darth Vader)

Anyhow what price did you ge the bravia for , and what are you running.

The only advantage for LCD for mewould have to be the sharpness, but that would eventually present a prob, as 720P does not require the res that most LCD's have.

Plasma's glass(?) screen is better with kids because it is more touch proof, but the Bravia is touch resistant. Don't know what that means exactly, but I suspect earlier LCD's were more vulnerable. Touch wood, my 2 & 4 y.o kids have not touched yet.

No, I'm not running anywhere near max contrast...

I agree with you the price on Plasma is sooo much better, but the light reflection from three different walls was too big an issue for me to go with Plasma.

I paid about $4,500 and run component, although I am going to upgrade to HDMI as soon as I can afford the $100 cable :-)

[Drizt]

I paid about $4,500 and run component, although I am going to upgrade to HDMI as soon as I can afford the $100 cable :-)

Can highly recommend www.htcustomcables.com

[Drizt]

A friend of mine just picked up a Sony Bravia 40" V series LCD from JB HIFI in the city for .....

*drum roll*

$4170

[Nhutty1503560152]

damn thats a great price.

and i thought my price of $4300 was good last week!

But i did hear that a friend enquired at Sony Central in the city and they gave him a price of $4000 for the V series 40"

[red_october]

Just bought a Bravia V series 40" from HVN for $4290, got delivered last Friday.

Played Finding Nemo and Narnia DVDs thru it, and hooked up an LG-5100P HD STB, the pictures from the DVD were brilliant, I was blown away by the colours, tho I must say that the skin tones from HD TV seems to be a bit rich.

I haven't played with any of the settings yet, must remember to do it before the World Cup starts on Friday

[Drizt]

Just bought a Bravia V series 40" from HVN for $4290, got delivered last Friday.

Played Finding Nemo and Narnia DVDs thru it, and hooked up an LG-5100P HD STB, the pictures from the DVD were brilliant, I was blown away by the colours, tho I must say that the skin tones from HD TV seems to be a bit rich.

I haven't played with any of the settings yet, must remember to do it before the World Cup starts on Friday

good to hear, do a search for my thread on setting it up...

if you find some better settings than the ones i put up, please reply with them... tah

[sephiaya]

Hey PREEMO, are you buying a HDMI cable from a store.

$100 man i would not. look at eBay, look what you can get.

$42.50 (Including shipping from AUS) for a 3 Metre HDMI approved 24K Gold HDMI cable.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/3-metre-Digital-HDM...1QQcmdZViewItem

do not be suckered into JBHI, man i was talking to the guy and he was talking so much ****.

anyhow good luck

PS. Does anyone know a great price form the Bravia-V series, is 2640 good.

Thanks

[Guest Red_Devil_99]

Hey PREEMO, are you buying a HDMI cable from a store.

$100 man i would not. look at eBay, look what you can get.

$42.50 (Including shipping from AUS) for a 3 Metre HDMI approved 24K Gold HDMI cable.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/3-metre-Digital-HDM...1QQcmdZViewItem

do not be suckered into JBHI, man i was talking to the guy and he was talking so much ****.

anyhow good luck

PS. Does anyone know a great price form the Bravia-V series, is 2640 good.

Thanks

Is that the price for 32" V? If so, that is a great price. Mind telling me where you get that price?

[Drizt]

Is that the price for 32" V? If so, that is a great price. Mind telling me where you get that price?

Cables wise, you cant go past www.Htcustomcables.com

and thats a fantastic price

[JCT]

I was just about decided on a 40" V series Bravia until I saw how poorly AFL/VFL football telecasts compared with an HD plasma, such as the Panasonic 42PV60A. Despite its 8 msec response, the Bravia seems to be prone to smearing and pixellation on fast moving footy action whereas there is no similar problem with the plasma display.

Because I have now observed this phenomenon at several different Melbourne stores for live telecasts from channels 2, 9 and 10 (each using HD set top boxes), I can only conclude that it must be an inherent problem with LCDs, or is there something I am missing in all of this?

This limitation is a real pity as otherwise the Bravia seems to me to be the ideal TV.

[madmax]

That's not an uncommon opinion. If you can see it and it bothers you, better not buy it.......