Sony 40" XBR800 Tv HD ?

[sportman10]

I just got the new Sony 40" XBR800 direct view set. Could you tell me if the HDTV viewing is the same size with black bars compared viewing to the F38310 in widescreen.do you miss any picture with the black bars on the Sony 40" XBR800 Which is the better set.I want to get a receiver to watch HD sports Here is my question is there a zoom mode on any receiver and if there is do most people use it dose it take away the black bars could you tell me the best way to use my Sony 40" XBR800 for watching HD Sports

[Gregg Loewen]

Im not quite sure about what all you are asking but here goes nothing (or something)...

Your 40 " set does a squeeze mode to increase the resolution for HD and 480 anamorphic material. you will have less overscan when the TV does this than on the RCA ? modeled set you also mention.

the RCA set was plagued with problems and was discontinued.

Most sets (if not all of them), except the new Hits, do not allow for manipulation of the 1080i image. This is kind of like the old "locking on full mode". Certain HD receivers (such as the Dish 6000) allow you to do zoom / stretch functions. I find this very useful. The Dish 6000 also allows for image centering which most other HD receivers do not allow for.

I hope this helped??

Regards

Gregg Loewen
www.lionav.com
gloewen@starband.net

[Nick]

Thanks, Gregg. Always good to hear from an expert.

Would you be kind enough to say a few words on the differences in the calibration of an HD RPTV and an analog RPTV? Also, regarding simple convergence, what is the minimum number of points of convergence on an HD RPTV set you would recommend to those of us who are in the agonizing throws of researching which HD set to buy.

TIA

[Gregg Loewen]

Sure,

At this point in time, you can buy a HDTV ready TV (47" panny) for about $1350, so avoid analog at all costs.

The more convergence points the better (sort of). Toshiba has 56 points which is fine. Some sets have up to 128 but this is some what useless if the user / service interface is lacking fine tuning ability.

FWIW,

Gregg

[Nick]

Coincidentally, I'm seriously looking at the same model panny in the 53" 16:9 version, but hoping the price will come down a notch or two. It's currently $1,699 at CC, down a hundred + additional $100 web-only rebate. IIRC, this model in both screen sizes has a 9-point manual convergence.

[DarrellP]

Go here (http://www.cavecreations.com/tv2.cgi) and you can see exactly what the width/height differences are.

For what you payed for that Sony you could buy one helluva nice 57" 16:9 RPTV.

[Gregg Loewen]

Actually the Panny set may only (as does the Toshiba) 9 points in the user menu but 128?? in the service menu. The Toshiba has 56 in the service menu.

[Nick]

128? WOW! Verrry cool! :)