What did Sony do to the 34-inch XBR?!?!
The Sony XBR brand has always been some of the best products in their respected TV types. The 34-inch version hit its pinnacle with the KD34XBR960. This 220 lb. monster may not have a big screen or look that cool, but it had arguably the best high-def picture you could buy. The TV had everything too: 3 firewire inputs, memory stick; HDMI; ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuners, DRC, cable card, and the best tube Sony has ever made: the Super Fine Pitch Trinitron.
Check out the newest XBR though. (KD34XBR970) Looks the same, but that can be deceiving. This TV is branded as an XBR but is nothing more then lasts years non-XBR (KV34HS420) with an ATSC tuner in it! Talk about disappointing. This new "XBR" does not have firewire, no cable card, no memory stick input, one less RCA input, but this biggest let down is the lack of the Super Fine Pitch Trinitron. This once great TV has been reduced to just another widescreen HDTV.
So if you are looking for a great 34-inch tube TV, the new XBR is not it. Find the old one.
Filed under: CRT
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
henning @ Apr 3rd 2006 4:57PM
That's really too bad. I still maintain that my 35XBR48 SD television (still in use) is the best 35" SDTV I've ever seen.
Jason @ Apr 3rd 2006 7:55PM
I have the 34XBR960, and really like it. Had a hard time finding a stand that it wouldn't crush though. ;-)
I'm wondering what the resale value will be like in a couple years...
Deathwish238 @ Apr 4th 2006 11:01PM
Sony no longer makes CRTs with Super Fine Pitch. Way to go Sony.
splynch @ Apr 6th 2006 7:32PM
What about the ##xs955 series? It may just be me (and the fact that i own one), but im pretty sure that they were made (and still made in the 34), with the super fine pitch tube. The picture is amazing... way better than any plasma or LCD.
Brandon @ May 3rd 2006 12:01AM
You're correct. The xs955 has the exact same picture tube as the xbr960.
Howard Petersen @ May 4th 2006 11:35PM
Where can I buy the Sony TV KD-34XBR960 and Stand
SU-34XBR3 in Australia?
Thanks,
Howard.