I have my new sony 36 for about a week now.

The bigger picture suits my room better but it is no where near as good as my scrolling bars FQ75. The picture is noisier, esp with SKY digital. I am watching more analogue BBC than ever, and i dont think it is because of the bigger size. It has just got a lot worst.
Last night i was watching Harry Potter (Chambers) and the detail was soo soft, the contrast, esp on dark scenes was just terrible. It looked as if the TV could only display about 3 shades of Black/Grey, huge areas of fixed shade no natural graident.
When i was using the THX optimiser on my Star Wars (Clones) I couldnt displat the Black drop shadow on the THX logo in the brightness test. What is going on. Is my set a poor example, or do others display similar problems???
My old tv (FQ75) had none of these problems, but it had the very annoying scrolling bars!

Using a sony DVP NS900 with QED RGB only Squart leads and Arcam/yamaha sound, Mission speakers etc...

[andrewmellor]

Mmmmm....this sounds worrying!!
I'm just in the process of having my FQ75 replaced direct from Sony uk due to 'scrolling bars'.they offered the FQ80 and are delivering this set tomorrow.
Quite a coincidence you posting this really because I only yesterday have spoken to Sony and have got them to assure me that they will hold my FQ75 for 2 weeks in case the replacement set does not match up because apart from the scrolling bars, which is only really visable on full dark background and is not at all intrusive during 'normal' viewing it is one of the best pictures I have ever seen on any tv to the point where I still make comments on how 'good' the picture is and I have had the set since December.
In saying that though I'm hoping the FQ80 will be as good as (or dare I say better!) without the bars issue and I've also read a lot of positive reviews on the new set that lead me to believe it should be fine.

It was the wife that pushed me to ask the question yesterday so it shows how much of an impression the tv has made!!!!!

Hope you get something sorted with your set,

cheers...Andrew

I only got my fs76 yesterday...initial tests are good, sky digital on rgb is good, dvd on rgb is superb !! - watched "oceans 11" and the picture is perfect.... also no buzzing as per some sony threads. Sound is reasonable too..

[SimonO]

Ronancoll... You're right, it's not as good as the FQ75 which I also owned previously... Watch out for the black bands on the FS76 as they are far more annoying than the scrollling bars were on my FQ75 IMO...

On a positive note, the overall colour tone has improved with time on my set and the geometry is very good...

[WSH]

Clio: If you put your ear near the lower vents on the left hand side you hear no buzzing at all when the TV is muted and there is a picture. I will phone john lewis tomorrow if the general consensus is there is none.

I think the darker band (stretching right across my set about 6-8" from bottom of screen) on my FS76 is getting slightly more pronounced. Has anyone else noticed this? I am positive this band was not present, or at least noticable, when I purchased my set a few months ago.

I am going to give it a week or so, if it continues to get darker then im going to ask for a replacement.

Are you not tempted to go for a replacement SimonO or is it better the devil you know? I am starting to think the latter.

Regards

Tom

[mansell]

Originally posted by andrewmellor
Mmmmm....this sounds worrying!!
I'm just in the process of having my FQ75 replaced direct from Sony uk due to 'scrolling bars'.they offered the FQ80 and are delivering this set tomorrow.
Quite a coincidence you posting this really because I only yesterday have spoken to Sony and have got them to assure me that they will hold my FQ75 for 2 weeks in case the replacement set does not match up because apart from the scrolling bars, which is only really visable on full dark background and is not at all intrusive during 'normal' viewing it is one of the best pictures I have ever seen on any tv to the point where I still make comments on how 'good' the picture is and I have had the set since December.
In saying that though I'm hoping the FQ80 will be as good as (or dare I say better!) without the bars issue and I've also read a lot of positive reviews on the new set that lead me to believe it should be fine.

It was the wife that pushed me to ask the question yesterday so it shows how much of an impression the tv has made!!!!!

Hope you get something sorted with your set,

cheers...Andrew

Not to worry Andrewmellor

I've got a FQ80 and have to say the picture is brilliant (even through rf) .

you won't be dissapointed !
also looks great !

[SimonO]

Yes, I'm thinking about a replacement, but it won't be for the same set if I do... Like you, I don't think the black band was as noticable when I first got the set, however I got JL to deliver a new set and it had the same problem..!

I'm also interested to know why my set cannot display the THX drop shadow when my previous FQ75 could..?

Tommo24 what other sets are out there that are any better..? I can't afford a plasma so am limited to 36" CRT... I don't like the picture on the Philips and the build quality on most of the 'other' brands just isn't as good IMO...

I will wait to see if this new Panasonic lives up to expectations...

[WSH]

We have just had an engineer to look at the buzzing on our FS76. He said the reds and yellows bleed and the picture is soft also. Not good.

Can the halo effect on the 9607 during movement be stopped by switching it to 100Hz from PP? I may consider the Philips now.

SimonO

I had a really good look around before going for the FS76. I dont believe in my opinion that there is a better 36" CRT out there at present.

I was messing around with the settings the other day and turned the brightness down slightly. This has virtually got rid of (to my eyes) the dark bar across the screen.

The picture also seems better now the brightness has been reduced, maybe give that a try.

I too cannot afford a decent plasma and love the build, functions, picture and sound of the FS76. I'll be sticking with mine for the time being.

Regards

Tom

I am really concerned now with my TV. When watching dvds like bladerunner the dark scenes have an almost 'isobar' effect when showing black. What i mean is that the same colour appears in circular patches lightening in rings from dark to light (if you know what i mean) My old FQ75 did not do this. I will need to investigate this futher and if i am not happy i will be contacting sony.

As a foot note the same time i changed my TV i had to get a repair carried out on my Sony DVP NS900 which was randomly sending out an AV switching signal which would couse my TV to change temporarly form say AV! to AV" or AV£ and back again.

So is the problem the TV or is it as a result of the repair to my DVD player.

I think what i will try tonight is playing back DVDs on my playstation. As bad as it is i would think if the TV is working correctly and the problem lies with the DVD player the pictures should not be as bad as they currently are

[SimonO]

I've swapped my FS76 for the Toshiba 36ZP38... Arrives Friday so I'll let you know if it's any better..!

I got a KV-LS65 and I don't got none of those problems mentioned above. I wonder why since the FS76 is "Top spec."

I've got a question though; When you guys mention "scrolling bars", what do you exactly mean by it? And is it only a problem with Sony TV's?

[WSH]

DON'T look for the scrolling bars Blaz! Yes its just with Sony's.