True 1080p from Sony: 5 new Grand Wega SXRD models and 6 new BRAVIA LCDs
By Richard Lawler 
posted Jun 1st 2006 2:40PM
posted Jun 1st 2006 2:40PM
For the Grand Wega LCoS-based SXRD sets, the XBR line will include 60- and 70-inch (KDS-R60XBR2 & KDS-R70XBR2) models with two 1080p HDMI inputs, a front mounted HDMI input, 0.61-inch SXRD microdisplays, and the same Digital Reality Creation Multi Function Version Two Point Five image enhancement technology featured in the LCDs to upscale SD and 720p or 1080i sources. They will retail for around $7800 and $5300 this fall. There are also three 50-, 55- and 60-inch models (KDS-50A2000, KDS-55A2000 & KDS-60A2000) in the A2000 series releasing this summer with the same feature set and Cinema Black Pro for up to 10000:1 contrast ratio. Their prices are $3500, $4000 and $4500 respectively.
Read - Grand Wega announcement
Read - Bravia announcement
Knowing Sony these should look great.
Boy, I sure feel dumb now being stuck with my original 60" SXRD 'TrueHD'. I guess it is the consumer's responsibility to know that when Sony's marketing monkeys shout "we do 1080p!!" they are not necessarily talking about the set's ability to have 1080p input. Methinks SED will be my next upgrade, but G-d knows I will be way more careful about the fine print.
Man, I've been waiting for them to upgrade their SXRD line to accept 1080p forever. I'm so disappointed that they've left out a 50" option from the XBR lineup, instead choosing to cripple the technology and sell anything below 60" as part of the A2000 lineup. So annoying.
So I get punished with less sophisticated video processing just because I don't have enough room in my apartment for a 60" television?
Oh Sony, so many mistakes lately. You just lost my business.
Whatever happened to CableCards?
Has Sony dumped these altogether?
so hot ,i wish i had a job to buy all this hot sony products.
RE: Whatever happened to CableCards?
From the Press Release:
"The new models are digital cable-ready with an integrated CableCARD™ slot and TV Guide® on screen program guide."
Goose-
Interesting.
This little tidbit is noticibly missing from the Bravias announcement.
Goose-
Interesting.
This little tidbit is noticibly missing from the Bravias announcement.
OK, time for a savior, bought my 50in SXRD "1080p" not a month ago yet, is there anyway I can upgrade the wega engine or HDMI inputs to allow 1080p input (I too was entangled by missing the part that it may be native 1080p, but it only accepts up to 1080i, from what I've researched Wega does a decent job of upscaling 1080i to 1080p.. but still)
Anyway, Question: Is there anyway we will see an upgrade somehow to 1080p input seeing as the display itself is actually 1080p
or Since I bought it less than a month ago from Best Buy (Got 1300$ off with my employee discount), to return it, at all?
Very nice.
Anyone notice they got rid of those awful side speakers and put them on the bottom, out of the way, as they should be?
I don't think I'll ever be impressed with the flat LCDs these companies put on the market. Until they add the LED backlighting and get the blurring to stop, they've got nothing. N O T H I N G. And for N O T H I N G, they want $4000. Huh?
@Carl
I'm in the same boat - I bought a 50" SXRD back in October. While it would be nice to be able to accept 1080p signals, the fact remains that 1080p isn't an "official" HD standard. And, it's nigh impossible to tell the difference between 1080i and 1080p on that set, since it upconverts to 1080p anyway.
So, maybe Sony will offer a firmware upgrade for existing SXRD owners. But, I'm really not that concerned about it. I'm more than happy with the PQ on my SXRD.
@Chris
Yeah I've heard I'm not missing much, but seeing as I just bought it, I don't know it would be nice to have 1080p input, but it sounds like its physically possible to update the Wega engine, I'll be talking with my Magnolia people in my Best Buy (Got 1300$ off it w/ my new dc!!) Anyway, still dont have anything that has true 1080i content anyway, seeing as the TV only accepts up to 1280x720 on the vga port.. But I agree; PQ is amazing for this set anyway.
Chris,
I'm not trying to be a jerk here but from what I understand and strictly as a point of clarification, 1080p actually is part of the ATSC standard. 1080p60 is not but the more common 1080p24 (most films seem to be mastered in this correct?) as well as 1080p25 and 1080p30. If I'm wrong, someone please correct me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATSC
James,
Although it is in the spec, there isn't enough bandwidth to deliver it to you unless you want it very compressed.
Of course Cable and Sat could do it, since they have a controlled system, they are more likely to downrez like they do now then to increase it.
For some time the only way to get 1080p will be with Blu-ray.
No matter it is still nice to have a TV that is ready for the future and can get the most out of Blu-ray.
@James
No offense taken. I stand corrected. =)
I still maintain, however, that I'm not missing much since the set does quite a good job at scaling and upconverting. Plus, by the time 1080p becomes mainstream, it will be time to upgrade my set again. =)
I just bought the KDS-R60XBR1 last week. Should I go return it and wait for the XBR2 to come out...?? I am little bit confussed now as I don't know what to do with it. Is there lots of difference between XBR1 and XBR2? If so, what are the differences? Would the picture quality be better on XBR2 since it has 1080p? Please reply.. Thanks a lot!!
Sweeet, i totally was waiting for this 1080p input upgrade. it was so tempting to buy the 50" sxrd for $2700 at my best buy but im glad i held out. so whats the actual release date for this? what do they mean by summer?
i work in a sony store and was trained by smart people on these matters, the reason none of the previous sets have accepted 1080p is the hdmi connection, this new generation, everything coming out from this summer on will accept it as they use a newer version of the hdmi, are they upgradeable? i am not sure, its very tricky cause hdmi has copy protection build into it so i am not sure whether u can just switch it out for a new hdmi
Could anyone tell me the story with 1080i and 1080p for my 50'' sxrd, because I was under the impression that it worked with 1080p.I just bought it on sunday, should I take it back, if I do, what should I get? One thing else I noticed is the screen displays a white blob in the center of the screen when the tv is off , and you can see that same blob while watching tv when dark pictures are on. Any help will be much appreciated.
sony is a peice of shit, all of the old people that go into my store are looking for nothing but sonys and they think that bcause they used to be great back when they were young (million yrs ago) that they are going to be the best.