Tell me I'm crazy, please

[CCMOO]

OK, I need a pep talk. A local dealer has a new, in-box 34xbr960n that he'll deliver to me for $1,100 after tax. I know it's a great deal, and I've been reading this forum for a month now about what a great TV it is. But I'm getting what I think is cold feet - worried about it being discontinued, worried about the few threads I've read about geometry issues and it having a dark picture.

So tell me to stop being an idiot and get this TV.

Thank you in advance.

[joebxr]

[QUOTE=CCMOO]OK, I need a pep talk. A local dealer has a new, in-box 34xbr960n that he'll deliver to me for $1,100 after tax. I know it's a great deal, and I've been reading this forum for a month now about what a great TV it is. But I'm getting what I think is cold feet - worried about it being discontinued, worried about the few threads I've read about geometry issues and it having a dark picture.

So tell me to stop being an idiot and get this TV.

Thank you in advance.[/QUOTE]
If someone needs to convince you to do anything, then you shouldnt' do it. By the concerns you've expressed, you obviously don't feel comfortable that you will be happy with it, so DON'T DO IT !!!

[Q of BanditZ]

Where there's doubt...then there is no doubt.

[Sparco]

There's no such thing as a good deal if it isn't something you want..

[biker19]

Are you sure that's a new in the box unit?

If it's all legit I'd get it.

[CCMOO]

you guys make ALL your decisions without doubt at all? i envy that. i'm a guy who overanalyzes. one of my many faults.

this is a sony authorized dealer, by the way, so i'm at least not worried about that. and yup, it's in the box and new.

so let me rephrase: 960 owners/955 owners - tell me what you've thought about your purchase. you happy?

[Q of BanditZ]

^^ You'll be doing cartwheels with either of those. ;)

[DSperber]

[QUOTE=CCMOO]960 owners/955 owners - tell me what you've thought about your purchase. you happy?[/QUOTE]Happy? HAPPY???

Once properly adjusted, you will simply not believe how GORGEOUS this set's HD picture looks!!!

If a 34" diagonal set is right for you (remember, it's not a "big screen") and your planned viewing distance is going to be somewhere around 5'-7', then prepare for ectasy.

Buy it. Price is a steal (if it's really new-in-a-box).

[mapson]

CCMOO, you're crazy, you should not get the tv. Dealer's mad, can you tell me who and where so I can have a little chat with them? :)

[CCMOO]

Dsperber, thanks for the response. I've read your posts as I've researched the 960, and you've been a big help to a lot of people.

One question I have that I haven't really had answered yet: Is there an issue with Directv SD signals? I've read that these look bad on the 960. Still going through earlier posts, but if anyone has a good answer, I'd love to see it. Thanks!

[Myke256]

$1,100 for a NEW XBR960? You'd be crazy not to buy one. The TV is amazing. One you get it in your house you'll lose all those feelings of uncertainty, I promise. I'm the same way whenever I buy something expensive.

[DSperber]

[QUOTE=CCMOO]One question I have that I haven't really had answered yet: Is there an issue with Directv SD signals? I've read that these look bad on the 960.[/QUOTE]I have DirectTV for SD, and watch it on all the TV's around my home including my XBR960 (on INPUT1 via S-video). I also have INPUT1 set to DRC=Progressive and that improves the picture somewhat, at least I feel that way.

Also, I have to sit further back to watch SD on this set than I do when watching 1080i HD. This is quite standard, as the recommended viewing distance is not only a function of screen size but also a function of resolution. If you sit too close you can see the 480i artifacts. Sitting further back helps to make them disappear (although obviously the picture will also seem smaller, as you're further away).

I have to say that the look of analog SD (from high quality D*, in my case) is indeed a bit different on the XBR960 than it is on either of my other two old Sony XBR Trinitron sets (one 13" in the kitchen, and one 27" in the den). On those older 4:3 XBR Trinitron sets (from 1992-1994 vintage) the picture looks "perfect", just as SD is supposed to. Crisp, sharp, natural color and texture... especially on skin. Classic analog TV appearance.

In contrast, on the XBR960 I feel that all analog SD (not just high quality SD) looks a bit "digitally processed" (as it probably was), sort of how an MPEG clip looks on your computer monitor. Sort of how OTA SD recorded to LS3 speed (i.e. slow-speed MPEG) on a JVC D-VHS VCR looks when you play it back... a bit digital.

Nevertheless, I find that the SD picture on the XBR960 is perfectly fine... very good. Just a bit "different" than SD has ever looked on any other TV I've ever owned (including my Mits 35"). Different, but not "bad".

Again, I think it just looks a bit "digital" and that distracts me, no question. But just like LS3, it is perfectly acceptable for watching D* SD.

As it turns out, I very rarely watch SD on my XBR960. That's what my other sets are for (including the Mits 35" which is physically right next to the XBR960). I watch only DTV/HD on my XBR960 about 99.999% of the time.

[CCMOO]

I have the same 27" Triniton, which I've loved for a long time, in my family room. It's got a great picture, but I've wanted to upgrade a little in size - plus I've wanted HD. Thanks for the analysis/warnings/tips on DirecTV SD.

I'm trying to imagine talking my wife into leaving the 27" next to the new XBR. Wow.

[TCB]

Oh, brother, trust me on this one...you should get this television. I've had mine for almost a month now and I am enamored with the picture. I've hooked up Xbox 360 and am using it as my gaming rig. I'm also watching a LOT of HDTV. Olympics? Yeah. Lots of other HD stuff, too.

I have another nice rig in the house that is sitting empty presently (110" Firehawk/Infocus 7200/dedicated theatre).

Buy the tv and you'll be happy.

[triumph66]

[QUOTE=CCMOO]
So tell me to stop being an idiot and get this TV. [/QUOTE]

Read above and say it over and over again.

Overanalyzing will kill you. Just buy the damn tv already and be satisfied.

[theroys88]

CC has the tv for almost 1900 dollars. Lets see a 800 dollar saving. A no brainer.

[nick2003]

If your geting cold feet about geting an XBR i'd hate to see you shopping for another tv sense the XBR is the best you can get next to a profesional display. Get it you won't regret it, I have the Sony 30HS420 which is below the XS and XBR in terms of picture quality and i couldn't be happier unless i had a XS or XBR of course.

I do the same thing with buying electronics and ive had about 5 diffrent hdtvs before my sony and i haven't had one regret with this tv.

[dsanbo]

Only thing I'd add is:Caveat Emptor........The old saying "If it sounds too good to be true....."
If you ask the guy where he/she got it....why it's still in the box (like, they never even turned it ON to see if it worked...?? :rolleyes: ) Can they show you a receipt/biil of sale/bill of lading.....??! The LAST thing you wanna do is buy a "hot" set....your joy over a good pix will be quickly quashed if you end up spending your time in a 6X8' cell.... :eek:
Am I overreacting??? Probably....and I hope that's all it is.....But, for my $$$...I'd err on the side of caution.....If you can't get PROOF in writing that the set was /is legit.....RUN...do NOT walk...away....pronto!!
Good luck in your decision.....

[CCMOO]

Thanks, all, for the pep talk. And this is a Sony authorized dealer, a pretty big name in town, so I'm thinking I'm OK. But thanks for the tips on making sure paperwork is in order. I'll do that, too.

I'll be back to let you know how this works out.

Thanks again...