[midknight]

Anyone got any updates on availability of this set, I pre ordered mine on July 13th but have absolutely no idea when it will arrive though

[PC1108]

No nothing new, only what I've heard and can see on Sony website, but as we all know that's not entirely accuracte!
Kourosh has been giving updates on availability but not heard anything for a while so maybe its still on-track for Mid-August?

[midknight]

Originally Posted by PC1108

No nothing new, only what I've heard and can see on Sony website, but as we all know that's not entirely accuracte!
Kourosh has been giving updates on availability but not heard anything for a while so maybe its still on-track for Mid-August?

This lack of concrete info is so frustrating

[PC1108]

It is indeed, just pooped into my local Sony Centre in Cheltenham to see if they had anymore info. They said they are still waiting on a confirmed stock date from Sony UK, although they have 8 sets on reservation, presumably to fulfil pre-orders? The guy was hoping they'd start to get stock in the next couple of weeks but again nothing concrete!

[Raveologist]

Originally Posted by PC1108

It is indeed, just pooped into my local Sony Centre in Cheltenham to see if they had anymore info. They said they are still waiting on a confirmed stock date from Sony UK, although they have 8 sets on reservation, presumably to fulfil pre-orders? The guy was hoping they'd start to get stock in the next couple of weeks but again nothing concrete!

Lol thats a funny mental image, you must be very irritated with Sony....

[PC1108]

Yes I was, and now have been banned from the store forever!

[nix]

Originally Posted by Raveologist

In my case there are several reasons:

1. Even though I am not particularly interested in 3D at the moment, if I am going to make big purchase such as this I would like to be future-proofed for if/when I do eventually want to 'go 3D' (ie when Gran Turismo eventually comes out and I get a PS3!)

2. Any large item going in our living room has to be approved by the Mrs . The 'dumbo ears' of the X4500 do not meet her stringent aesthetics criteria, the HX903 does.

3. I would expect to keep this TV for at least 5 years. There are already a few reports of people unable to get their X4500's replaced due to the difficulty getting hold of them, whereas I would imagine the HX903 will be easily serviceable/replaceable for at least several years to come.

4. Greater DLNA/Internet connectivity. I must be one of the few people without easy access to catchup TV services such as Iplayer (besides on my PC which involves too much effort to regularly connect up to my TV).

5. That difficult to explain but very real (and expensive) need to have the newest AV gear.

A silly thing to pick on, but you didn't mention picture quality?

[Raveologist]

Originally Posted by nix

A silly thing to pick on, but you didn't mention picture quality?

No I didn't. Mainly because the picture quality on the X4500 is already excellent, and so even if the HX903 only equals it I will be more than happy. The few owners reports already coming out of the US seem to indicate that the HX903 has better blacks and motion clarity (apparently 'clear 2' is a revelation), but that the X4500 has marginally better colour reproduction due to the RGB LED's it contains.

Essentially, even if the PQ is no better than the X4500, I would still prefer the HX903 due to the reasons listed in my previous post.

[IanPM]

Originally Posted by Sirez

What a load of crap, how can cnet publish a review of a 3d tv when they don't have the ability to watch 3d material on it because they don't have a 3d blu-ray player or the required glasses and a transmitter it just seems like a waste of time to me and the review and it's rating worthless.

Nonsense. Most of what people watch is 2D. Besides, the review does state that the 3D portion will be reviewed once Sony provides the hardware.

[Sirez]

Originally Posted by IanPM

Nonsense. Most of what people watch is 2D. Besides, the review does state that the 3D portion will be reviewed once Sony provides the hardware.

How is it nonsense? It's like reviewing a car without even driving it, they should have waited until they could do a complete review testing all the features on offer rather than just trying to be one of the first to publish a review.

People want to know how it fairs against it's rivals with regards to crosstalk issues when showing 3D, it will have have an effect on which tv some people buy and so should be in the review.

[Sirez]

A video review I just found on g4tv, not a very scientific review and I seriously doubt they would even know what ISF stands for but it is atleast somewhere else that praises the Sony's 2D picture quality and in their comparison is just behind the Panasonic plasma for 3D and ahead of it's Lcd rivals.

Sony Bravia 52" 3D HX909 HDTV Review - G4tv.com

Still waiting for a review I can trust from somewhere like Avforums to appear.

[IanPM]

Originally Posted by Sirez

How is it nonsense? It's like reviewing a car without even driving it, they should have waited until they could do a complete review testing all the features on offer rather than just trying to be one of the first to publish a review.

People want to know how it fairs against it's rivals with regards to crosstalk issues when showing 3D, it will have have an effect on which tv some people buy and so should be in the review.

First, yes, I agree, people want to know about the 3D. That said, the TV doesn't come with the 3D pack, and the review does say that when Sony sends it, the review will be updated. Which seems fair.

Getting reviews up first is how people get paid in these days of Google. That's just a truth we're all going to have to live with until the system changes and Google rewards quality, not speed --I'm looking at Engadget and others here.

It's not like reviewing a car without driving it at all. It's like reviewing a car, but not mentioning the climate control.

[Sirez]

Originally Posted by IanPM

It's not like reviewing a car without driving it at all. It's like reviewing a car, but not mentioning the climate control.

Your making it sound like the 3D feature is insignificant, people will be paying about £1000 more than none 3D tv's for this insignificant feature.

[richard plumb]

Originally Posted by Sirez

Your making it sound like the 3D feature is insignificant, people will be paying about £1000 more than none 3D tv's for this insignificant feature.

People might also be paying for the led local dimming, or the other features that make this set Sony's flagship. It's the best TV for picture quality that they are selling. For 2D.

Yes 3D is a significant new feature, but lots of people are looking forward to it as a normal TV too

[sledwich]

Originally Posted by richard plumb

People might also be paying for the led local dimming, or the other features that make this set Sony's flagship. It's the best TV for picture quality that they are selling. For 2D.

Yes 3D is a significant new feature, but lots of people are looking forward to it as a normal TV too

I think the 3D feature is going to divide as for me with one of the hx903's on order I could not give a stuff about 3D, I though Raveologist got it about right IMHO. To purchase a set like this at the cost it is, you have to consider that most people with families will look at around another 500-600 just to get started with 3D

2xKids glasses @99ea
2xAdult glasses @99ea
3D BluRay Player ~150
<edit>
3D Adapter £60
</edit>

I will be only concerned with the 2D aspect until these prices are dropped significantly. I just dont want to trade in my TV when I do come to buy into the 3D stuff.

Having said that - I am sure there is LOTS of people who will be looking to utilise the 3D right out of the box.

[sledwich]

Just seen the review in What Hifi - Wow! that was a nice review although are these guys on the payroll at sony or what?

[richard plumb]

Originally Posted by sledwich

Just seen the review in What Hifi - Wow! that was a nice review although are these guys on the payroll at sony or what?

Don't think so, Sony just have a really good set of TVs this year. Last couple of years they were getting average reviews at best.

[sledwich]

Originally Posted by richard plumb

Don't think so, Sony just have a really good set of TVs this year. Last couple of years they were getting average reviews at best.

I have to say if this set is nearly as good as they say it is - I am going to be well pleased.

[PC1108]

Well we've hit August, hopefully only a week or so for some of us and we'll actually be receiving our new TV's!!

[sledwich]

Speaking to Sony Center in Cambridge over the w/e they are saying that they have been instructed to no longer accept orders for these sets. They have been allocated only 2 for delivery for whole of august - surely at that rate its going to be a long wait?

They are just as angry over the situation as we are. Sony - great tv's, **** service!

[midknight]

Originally Posted by sledwich

Speaking to Sony Center in Cambridge over the w/e they are saying that they have been instructed to no longer accept orders for these sets. They have been allocated only 2 for delivery for whole of august - surely at that rate its going to be a long wait?

They are just as angry over the situation as we are. Sony - great tv's, **** service!

Totally agree - I ended up canceling my order and buying the LG 55LX9900 instead as Sony could not give me a firm idea on when they would be available.

[PC1108]

Just for clarity are pre-orders satisfied from the shop or central warehouse, as if its from the shop and those 2 sets are for pre-orders then yes its going to be a loooooooooooooooooong wait!!!

[IanPM]

I still think this TV is way too expensive. £2500 + £400 for four pairs of glasses and £50 for the sync transmitter. Is there a reduced priced 3D pack knocking around?

[dls1976]

As I mentioned on this forum some time ago my Sony Centre said October - nobody believed me at the time! It is a shame that so many customers are unlikely to have their sets set-up/installed prior to Sky's 3D launch - 1st October.

[PC1108]

Originally Posted by IanPM

I still think this TV is way too expensive. £2500 + £400 for four pairs of glasses and £50 for the sync transmitter. Is there a reduced priced 3D pack knocking around?

Just after the HX803 was released I know that some stores were selling 2 pairs of glasses, transmitter, BDP-470 Blu-ray player and Cloudy with Meatballs all for £100. Pretty good deal if you ask me so hopefully they do the same post 903 launch.

[PC1108]

Originally Posted by dls1976

As I mentioned on this forum some time ago my Sony Centre said October - nobody believed me at the time! It is a shame that so many customers are unlikely to have their sets set-up/installed prior to Sky's 3D launch - 1st October.

The issue with your original post was that you also quoted the LX903 as being October but that had already launched with people receiving, so the info looked in-correct. However with what we've just heard it would seem that people who did not pre-order early will indeed have to wait sometime until they get their order, unless of course Sony ups production and more stock flows into the UK. Here's hoping!

[sledwich]

Originally Posted by dls1976

As I mentioned on this forum some time ago my Sony Centre said October - nobody believed me at the time! It is a shame that so many customers are unlikely to have their sets set-up/installed prior to Sky's 3D launch - 1st October.

You did indeed' sorry for not referring back to that - totally forgot your post - sorry!

[sledwich]

Originally Posted by PC1108

Just after the HX803 was released I know that some stores were selling 2 pairs of glasses, transmitter, BDP-470 Blu-ray player and Cloudy with Meatballs all for £100. Pretty good deal if you ask me so hopefully they do the same post 903 launch.

The guy in the sony center did say they are already receiving some details of similar packages which will be designed to pull in the punters in the run up to xmas - his words - 'watch this space'.

[Raveologist]

Originally Posted by sledwich

Speaking to Sony Center in Cambridge over the w/e they are saying that they have been instructed to no longer accept orders for these sets. They have been allocated only 2 for delivery for whole of august - surely at that rate its going to be a long wait?

They are just as angry over the situation as we are. Sony - great tv's, **** service!

Damn this is getting stupid. There seems to be plenty of stock in the USA, but I guess the significance of our tiny little market pales in comparison to that of our transatlantic cousins.

One small glimmer of hope: when I spoke to my Sony Centre (Norwich) a few weeks ago they said that preorders would be sent out direct from the distribution centre, and that they expected some early pre-orders would be sent out before they actually got them in store. So hopefully the few being assigned to each store will not be going direct to the earliest orders, because if they do some of us will be waiting until xmas! Although thinking about it, what would be the point in having 2 or 3 sitting around in store? They can't need more than 1 for demoing, and they definitely can't sell them to the first customers to walk in and ask, some of us have been waiting for months!

I think I might give Tec-7 a call tomorrow and check if they have any updates, I wonder if I will come to regret ordering through them rather than a Sony Centre.

[IanPM]

Originally Posted by PC1108

Just after the HX803 was released I know that some stores were selling 2 pairs of glasses, transmitter, BDP-470 Blu-ray player and Cloudy with Meatballs all for £100. Pretty good deal if you ask me so hopefully they do the same post 903 launch.

Yup, that's about right I think and a fair price. Although you could argue they should bundle the lot in when you're spending £2500 on a TV.