Sony KD28DX50, KD28DX50U, KD28DX51 ? - Quick Question

[ChaiseyLain]

Hi, Hope to be a regular on these boards. It's taken me a while to find a good one!

I have finally decided after a bit of research, to go against a 100hz TV and have pretty much come to the conclusion that I will get the Sony KD28DX50 (still open to suggestions otherwise), but just wanted to clarify what (if any) the differences were between the above 3 models. Is the KD28DX51 exactly the same as the KD28DX50 specs wise except a different design? I think I actually prefer the older, all-silver design of the KD28DX50. And furthermore, is there any difference between the KD28DX50U and KD28DX50? Why the 'U'?

To sum things up in general I'm just looking to get a TV less than £500 which has IDTV, NTSC/PAL compatible, S-video, and is good quality and reliable.

Can I throw one more thing in? What improvements were made to the Sony KD28DL11/DL10 for it to become the KD28DX50?

[HowieC]

To clear up one point, the 'U' simply indicates UK model. Some retailers include it some don't.

[philangst]

KD28DX51 is being advertised as a "new model" but I havent found the difference as yet.

[Breeza]

I spoke to Sony about the DX51 on Friday and they are sending me the full spec in the post (2nd class).

However I did get them to run through it on the phone. The thing that stood out was the it has 2 scart sockets but BOTH are RGB! It also supports both NTSC formats through AV.

Looks wise its totally different to the DX50.
http://www.qed-uk.com/?i=10VZE13QcGJ...&bp=dx51b&bi=b

I think it looks nice, my wife is not convinced though.
Anyone seen one of these on display anywhere?

Cheapest I have seen the 28" inc stand + delivery is about £525

[philangst]

I quite like the way the TV looks. Anyone on here seen the pq?

[ChaiseyLain]

Thanks.

The 51 does seem significantly more than the 50. £525 for 51 and £420 for 50. Is it worth the extra £100? Can get a 100hz telly for an extra £100 (even though I decided against it) Any suggestions as to which retailer to buy off?

[TV Headache]

Originally Posted by Breeza

I spoke to Sony about the DX51...The thing that stood out was the it has 2 scart sockets but BOTH are RGB!

I would be very surprised if that were true since every Sony 50Hz IDTV so far has had only one RGB scart. (hence those of us with DVDs players and digital video recorders or Sky boxes need an external switch).

[ChaiseyLain]

Someone help! Now everyone is saying it's better to not get an IDTV, but instead get a standalone one. Since you can't record properly with IDTV and the freeview system gets outdated very quick, and you're stuck with it.

[Breeza]

Hmmm,

Received the spec & glossy this morning & guess what, they contradict each other.

Glossy: 2 RGB scarts
Spec: 1 RGB, 1 SVideo.

Looks like the glossy is a misprint then. I don't think I have seen a TV with just two scarts and both being RGB. Oh well.

[TV Headache]

Originally Posted by ChaiseyLain

Now everyone is saying it's better to not get an IDTV, but instead get a standalone one. Since you can't record properly with IDTV and the freeview system gets outdated very quick, and you're stuck with it.

Sorry to say this but I dissagree on all three counts. 1) I for one say better to have IDTV - based on experience 2) You can't record 'properly' with any TV so let's not single-out IDTVs and 3) Freeview has not become outdated so far, and is not showing any signs of doing so in the near future. If you buy an up-to-date IDTV (Sony's DX51 for example) you will be able to access all the channels (even TOTV, with the right card and CAM), use the 7 day EPG (when it finally goes nationwide) and connect it up to a digital video recorder (such as a Pace Twin or Humax PVR8000T) and be able to record 'properly'. And if one day it becomes too old and slow to run certain interactive applications in the future you can still add the latest set-top to your IDTV (if interactive applications are important to you). So you're no more 'stuck with' an IDTV than you are with any other TV.

[MartinImber]

I would recommend the IDTV route as well - better picture quality and simplified operation

[ChaiseyLain]

Thanks for clearing things up.

I guess it is between the DX50 and DX51. Is the DX51 worth the extra £100? Maybe not now since theres only 1 RGB. Where shall I buy it?

[Zaichik]

The Panasonic TX28DTX10 IDTV (which I have) allows you to record from the integrated freeview tuner when the TV is in standby, and also allows you to watch an analogue programme while recording from digital. In my book, that's just as good as a TV and separate freeview box.

[TV Headache]

Originally Posted by ChaiseyLain

Thanks for clearing things up.

I guess it is between the DX50 and DX51. Is the DX51 worth the extra £100? Maybe not now since theres only 1 RGB. Where shall I buy it?

I think it depends on personal taste because the styling appears to be the key difference, along with the look and feel of the user interface. I think that both are designs which look better with their designated stands so if you aren't able to use that you might want to look at the Sony 28DL11 which is even cheaper and is just as up to date as DX51.

I recommend Pricerunner to find the best price but I can't recommend any one of the individual retailers over another because I've yet bought a TV over the web.

[TV Headache]

Originally Posted by Zaichik

The Panasonic TX28DTX10 IDTV (which I have) allows you to record from the integrated freeview tuner when the TV is in standby, and also allows you to watch an analogue programme while recording from digital. In my book, that's just as good as a TV and separate freeview box.

I think there's quite a few IDTVs which will allow that but when you're used to digital picture quality and channel selection there's no way you want to put up with analogue everytime you want to record on another channel. (And you certainly won't be able to do that after analogue-switch-off.) Add to that the hassle of synchosing with your VCR, making sure the tapes in the right place, watching the results at half-res, composite video quality and you have a very sound argument for attaching a digital video recorder with a Freeview tuner since they work completely independantly from the TV and at full digital broadcast quality. In my experience, the difference really is 'night and day'.