Sony HDMI TV+DVD?

Gr8Day2baBeav

Three weeks ago I decided that the time is near to make the jump to HDTV. The knowledge and flow of ideas in this forum has been really helpful. As most in this forum, I am extremely interested in the best picture quality I can possibly get from the products I end up choosing. In lies my question.
I have decided to purchase a Sony KD-34XBR960. Which I must admit is becoming a hard TV to come by here in the Portland, Oregon area. I would really like to take advantage of the HDMI interface for watching DVDs when I get my new TV. I have been looking at the Sony DVP-NS975V which has the HDMI as well. From some of the things I’ve read, namely CNETs review on this product, they say that it’s a better device for fixed pixel displays and not optimal for a CRT based set. Does anybody have any thoughts on this? I know there are a few other players on the market at this point with the same capabilities. Would I be better off going with one of these other models or maybe waiting a while to see what kind of new upscaling DVD players hit the market in the near future? I just picked up the Motorola DCT 6200, so I’m good to go with my program watching but I would really love to be able to watch DVDs in the highest possible quality, taking advantage of what this TV has to offer from the get go.

borromini

As long as you have a return policy for any DVD upconversion player and have the temperament for returning products to try other models, you should get the Sony player and see how well it works with its cousin. If there's one thing we've learned in the past year with upconverting DVD players is that it's a hit-and-miss sceanario when trying to find a suitable display and vice-versa. CNet's remark is by no means exhaustive or completely definitive. You've already decided to get what's considered by many as the best CRT HDTV (also maybe the most expensive) and so for that much money, I would recommend that you take a deliberately patient approach to finding the ideal DVD player and let your eyes do the convincing. Keep in mind that the most compelling results have been on 54"+ screens and since your screen is 34", upconverting DVD players may have limited results, but if it looks better than what a good progressive-scan DVD player provides via Component Video then it's worth it. The ideal situation would be to setup your HDTV when you get it and compare the Sony DVD player with a progressive-scan DVD player that you either now own or can borrow from a friend. Use images from a sample movie on both players and gauge the results. If the progress-scan looks better than the upconvert player...return it and try another brand and see what you get. Again, for what you're about to invest in an HDTV, I think it's a worthwhile process. Good luck!

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D&D

I have also bought the Sony KD-34XBR960, don't have it yet but am anxiously looking forward to the daywhen it arrives. I looked at that Sony DVD player and had questions about the audio part of the DVD when using a HDMI connector. Since the HDMI cable carries both video and audio and I want my audio to to to my receiver, I wondered if the fiber optic audio connector on the DVD would still be producing a signal. I got on the Sony "chat room" at Sony.com and asked Sony that question. They said, "good question" but they didn't know the answer. Then when they responded via e-mail to me the next day they said" "We cannot promise you that a Sony DVD is compatible with other manufactures. The following day I purchased a Toshiba SD5970 which several people have and were excited about on the in the DVD area of this forum. Anyway you might check out that portion of this form, seems to be lots of information there. Believe me when I say I hope you just love your new HDTV. (From all I've read I don't understand the above comments about how the up conversion will work with a 34" TV.)

Tripper

You will not be disappointed with the Sony KD-34XBR960. I purchased the older "910" model hooked to an HD300 Sat Receiver using the DVI output at 1080i. DVD's played in progressive scan via component outputs are incredible. I think for this size box you won't see much difference with a digital to digital connection. This box has one of the most beautiful HD pictures you will see....Period. Enjoy!

Turdfurguson

I too have the "older" model kd-34xbr910 hdtv. I have the LG-3510 upscaling dvd and htdv ota receiver in one. I have a comcast motorola hdtv cable box hooked up to the component inputs. I also have from the wall cable input directly to tv. 90% of the time I am completely satisfied with the 910. Other times I am frustrated with the set being too dark. In a lot of cases I rarely see defined lapels on dark mens jackets. I find myself fiddling with the white level and contrast too much. My find my feelings the same with the LG upscaling dvd player. Maybe my impression was I was going to see some really big magnificent difference in dvd picture. Kinda like you see when this set really shines and displays the most beautiful picture seen when using hdtv cameras and broadcast standards. (the olympics for example). What is also frustrating is watching movies broadcast on comcast hdtv cable, HBO hdtv and the rest, and comparing the same movie using my LG dvd player, most of the time there is a better sharper image using the darn cablebox. I have tried switching the LG from DVI to component and back and notice no improvement. Don't get me wrong the dvd picture is good, but not striking. Let me state, I am not disappointed, I expected just a little more. As I walk in the stores now and look at all the new sets plasma, dlp, lcd, etcetera, I truely smile and know that my CRT provides me with as good a picture as anything they have set up. Summarizing, you have the set, (the best deal for the money, your not paying plasma prices for the CRT), you have the reciever, shop and again buy the best dvd player you can afford. Over 90% of the time you will have this great big grin....

studranger

got me the std HD 34 in model for less bucks than the xbr--WAYYYYYYYYY less and side by side in the store unless you are an artist the avg person doesnt need to spend the xtra bucks for the xbr-the xbr is more of an ego trip i suspect--for the=gots to have the BEST--regardless of cost or the fact its no better in pic quality than the cheaper model

Anie

Actually, I felt all I needed was one of the smaller Sony models,
which did blow me away when it was hooked up. But then
I wanted a larger one though I worried it might be less
clear due to bigger size. Nope. The XBR960N is just unbelievably
clear, with fantastic contrast, color and lack of dots or scan lines
of any type with good HD signal.

The problem is that what you and others see in the stores
are the horrible shared displays of 480i program material.

And that can't begin to show what a HD tv model can do.

Most of us don't want to spend more for something like
the XBR960(N) but in this case the extra $$$ is more than
worth it. But this is true only with HD broadcasts of
material that meets the HD specs at 720p or 1080i.