Sony updates SXRD line with five new sets
By Nilay Patel 
posted June 6th 2007 8:46PM
posted June 6th 2007 8:46PM
The $3,000 50-inch KDS-50A3000 (pictured), $3,300 55-inch KDS-55A3000, and $3,500 60-inch KDS-60A3000 units all run the Bravia Engine EX scaler (which only scales up to 1080i), and have interchangeable-color speaker grilles, while the $5,000 KDS-Z60XBR5 and $6,000 KDS-Z70XBR5 feature Sony's "floating glass" look and up the scaler to a 1080p-capable Bravia Engine Pro chip. The A3000s should drop in August, while the XBRs are due this fall. Peep the super mod KDS-Z70XBR5 after the break.
Gotta hand to Sony, they have some really nice designs there. The stand looks awesome!
Sweet... does this mean the older Bravias will come down in price? I've been thinking about one of those for my basement!
Regardless of how you feel about Sony, if you don't want a TV like this - there's something wrong with you.
Can someone explain the difference between the "Bravia Engine EX scaler (which only scales up to 1080i)" and the "1080p-capable Bravia Engine Pro chip"? It says they are both 1080p displays and I was under the impression that all TVs convert images to their native resolution, which in this case is 1080p for both models. Thanks.
The Sony SXRDs are one of the most bang for the buck TV's in my opinion. I definetely want to see if the new models are are better displays than the previous ones - specs sound fantastic but the proof is in the viewing.
What I don't get is WTF they were thinking about with that stand thing for the 70". A standard pedestal would be MUCH MUCH better! This thing now will be the only way to stand it up if you don't want to hang it so if you already have a good cabinet for your prepro/amp or receiver and optical player and power conditioner etc - you can't fit it in that thing. Also what about the wiring - is the back solid? Doesn't look deep enough to hold anything either! So people who can afford a 70" TV are out the $1,000-2,000 they already spent on furniture. REALLY BAD IDEA - why wouldn't they offer two ways of standing it - one for 95% of their clients and then the 5% who will use this TV just as a TV and not part of a HT. Love their LCOS TVs - can't figure out what the hell was going on in their head when they made this kick stand.
@boe: I agree with you on hating that stand, but I can't tell from the pictures alone if you are right about some of your comments (or wrong for that matter). Is that really the only stand that could be used with the 70-incher? It certainly does look like it might be, but I'm hoping not. And could you really hang that monster?!? I'm hoping someone has some more info on this set to clear things up, because you are absolutely right - that stand is hideous.
What you see in the product shots is nothing more than an available stand. Because our new SXRD'S are 40% thinner, they can now be mounted on an appropriate stand. If you do not require this particular stand, the tv does come with a pedestal base.
Screaming - that would be great. Have you seen any pictures of that - I haven't found any or any literature that mentions that opition
http://news.sel.sony.com/en/image_library/consumer/television/microdisplay
I've seen those, but like I said, I can't tell "from the pictures alone" if you are right or wrong. Those three pictures appear to show that the only way to use this set is to put it on that fugly stand, but it isn't definitive. I'm just hoping they weren't stupid enough to actually lock buyers into that stand because, as you rightly point out, it is a "REALLY BAD IDEA."
Seems like manufacturers don't want to make TVs in the sub $2k category. They pack it with features and update specs with some cool names to try and keep that close to $3k price tag. Nice sets, just typical that we can't get these for less yet.
I'm not sure what you're in the market to buy, but I purchased a 50" Sony SXRD (KDS-50A2000) from Amazon back in Jan for about $1800 or so. I think the recent update to this TV is KDS-50A2020. Only difference is a black frame as opposed to silver.
Anyway, I couldn't be happier. Cnet seems to like the series as well. They've ranked it at 8.0 out of 10.
I'm kinda looking at a 55". I'm just going by the article with Sony at $3k. I also recall a few other brands were still high two thousand. Granted that could have been MSRP and not street prices.
So good even Apple uses them in stores, events and promos (though they often cover the "Sony" badge or photoshop it out).