SONY 34 Inch Super Fine Pitch(TM) XBR(R) Television KD-34XBR960
Finest picture quality of any other CRT, LCD, or Plasma on the market.
Equipment I Have <br />Sony KD-34XBR960N 34\\" Widescreen HDTV (HR10-250 connected) <br />DirecTV HR10-250 Receiver <br />2 DirecTV R10 Receivers <br />Sony RDR HX715 DVD Recorder <br />Terk 3-LNB HD Satellite Dish <br />Sony 27\\" Standard Definition TV <br />Sony 13\\" Standard Definition TV <br /> <br />Praise and Info <br />If you do a web search, many online retailers will drop the letter `N' at the end of the model number (Sony KD-34XBR960). <br /> <br />Like most everyone else who has purchased this Sony TV, I agree that it offers the FINEST picture quality of any other CRT, LCD, or Plasma on the market. To get better quality than this you would have to upgrade to a high-end and very expensive projection TV system. <br /> <br />Standard definition and high definition broadcasts are both flawless. High definition is of course superior. Sound quality is also excellent, even without external speakers. If you're a TV video quality \\"Hitler\\" or \\"Mussolini\\" (fanatic) like I am, you insist on the most perfect picture quality possible. I have had Sony TVs since the 1980s, and the 960 required the least amount of adjustment and calibration. Some may not even need to make any adjustments, since the out-of-box picture quality is practically perfect. It depends on how discerning you are. <br /> <br />Even though it is not required, I would highly recommend The AVIA Guide to Home Theater DVD. It is much easier to use than the Video Essentials DVD. This will ensure that you have the best audio and video settings. <br /> <br />Even though resetting the service mode settings is often discouraged (for good reason), I tweaked the service mode settings to correct overscanning and to eliminate the slight push of the color green. <br /> <br />Changing the service mode settings can mess things up for you if you don't know what you're doing. Do some reading first and use caution. <br /> <br />After tweaking the TV, the picture is flawless. The white and black levels are the best I've everseen. Even the most highly-degraded VHS tape looks better with the 960. <br /> <br />Criticisms <br />Quite a few people have had both serious and small problems with this model of Sony TV. I have had it for over a month now and I have had no problems. I did purchase the in-home extended warranty just in case. <br /> <br />Suggestions <br />An additional HDMI input would be much better. One HDMI for the HD satellite receiver, and another for the DVD Recorder. Component input for the DVD is fine, but HDMI would be better. <br /> <br />A CableCard slot that supports a DirecTV access card would be great. Then Sony would have to include a satellite cable input. DirecTV probably will not allow this for some time. <br /> <br />The TwinView (Picture-in-Picture) and Scrolling Channel Menu should be able to use the component and HDMI inputs simultaneously. <br /> <br />Hints <br /> <br />Color Axis <br />Everyone says to switch the Color Axis from Default to Monitor. For the most part I prefer the Default setting, which doesn't push as much red as you might think. For HD programming though, the picture is better on the Monitor setting. <br /> <br />In-Home Delivery <br />Unless you are strong and have at least two other strong friends, definitely plan on getting in-home delivery or free in-home delivery for this TV, which is at least 200 pounds. The two guys from the local freight delivery service had to use a maximum amount of effort to get it from their truck onto the Sony stand in my bedroom. <br /> <br />Extended Warranty <br />The extended warranty with in-home service is recommended, especially for a 200-pound TV. I paid for the 4-Year Extended Warranty. In four years I'll probably be buying a new Sony TV anyway, assuming Sony comes up with a TV better than the 960 in 4-5 years. <br /> <br />Sony Matching Stand <br />The Sony SU-34XBR1 matching TV stand is also recommended. Make sure you order this first BEFORE you order the TV. It comes unassembled, but assembly wasactually quite easy. It is very strong and it perfectly meshes with the Sony 960. I purchased it online, then I ordered the TV the same day I received the stand. This way I would be sure that the stand would be assembled in plenty of time before the arrival of the TV.