Sony KDL-XBR6, KDL-XBR7, and KDL-XBR8 specs, and release dates!
What could possibly be better than your 52 inch Sony XBR5 TV? The XBR6, XBR7, and XBR8, of course! If there was any doubt about Sony’s seriousness with the XBR line, we can safely put that to rest right now. We’ve just got a hold of the product roadmap for this year, in addition to full spec sheets on the XBR6, XBR7 and the XBR8. The XBR6 and XBR7 lineup isn’t the most interesting compared to the current models, with modest upgrades like DLNA compliance, TV Guide IPG, "Enhanced" XMB interface, and now BRAVIA Sync capability. Also they sport four HDMI ports instead of three while still keeping both component inputs. There’s also a PC input as well, but it looks like the TVs shed the standard RCA inputs. Then again, will we really miss them?
Here’s where the XBR8 gets really exciting though — TRILUMINOS RGB LED backlight! Yes! That’s what we’re talkin’ about, folks. In addition to the LED backlighting, Sony has thrown in their "Advanced Contrast Enhancer PRO", the new BRAVIA Engine 2 PRO, and all of the other features the XBR6 and XBR7 have. Excited yet? We’re foaming at the mouth. Now you may ask, BG, when can we buy one? Here’s where the roadmap comes into play:
There are a bunch of XBR models coming soon, and that also includes a 32" model as well as a 37" one, too. It looks like we’ll see the KDL-32XBR6 around the middle of May and the KDL-37XBR6 around the middle of July. Also, the KDL-46XBR8 will be launching in August. In September and October, the rest of the other models are set to be released. These include the KDL-40XBR6, KDL-46XBR6, KDL-52XBR6, KDL-40XBR7, KDL-70XBR7, and finally the KDL-52XBR8. Hit the jump for the full spec sheets and roadmap!
Thanks, Al!
.jpg)
anyone know what the refresh rate?
Death to floating glass! Death to all such tarting up of electronics–Samsung’s red stripe and amber tinted black. (Death to the hideous unbrazed bicycle fork, too, while I’m at it!)
I’d have bought an XBR last year, but for the form-doesn’t-follow-function floating glass. Now, of course, I’m grateful that my simple, functional, top-of-the-line 1984 NEC will give way this year to an XBR–unless, God forbid, it has floating glass or some other distracting frill.
I personally can’t wait for the XBR8 to come out. Given size vs. technology, I’d expect the 46″ XBR8 to fetch around $4500, while the 55″ will probably be somewhere upwards of $6000, and the 70″ being $8000. Remember, LED has been out, but its still relatively new. Plus with all the other new tech being added in, these prices probably aren’t that far out of sight.
But, does anyone else find 120Mhz annoying? I find it awkward, and it gives what your watching the “soap-opera” effect, that unusually smooth panning motion. Also, I really hope that Sony keeps the floating glass and the same bezel scheme as the XBR4/5. It makes their TVs look elegant and stunning, and it keeps the actually screen “trim” by not adding deep speakers on the bottom (lop-sided?). Personally, I find their new bezel designs ugly and run-of-the-mill. So lets hope. Oh, and I pray to God they decide NOT to make the screens glossy, or for that matter design it with a glossy bezel (I think thats what makes the XBR4 such a fantastic model- matte screen and matte bezel). I hope Sony has been taking notes.
Why would any sane person pay for an LCD that size? It will be slower than a Plasma, It will not have the deep colors a Plasma will, It will not last as long as the new Plasma panels which have a 100,000 half life, it will be a Plasma wannabe…. All LCD’s suffer from intrinsic ghosting….You like 120hz, get a plasma. They already are at 480hz. 120HZ does not work or do what it is supposed to do, which is remove ghosting.
Im curious about the same thing Craig was. The XBR4/5 line used the Bravia Engine Pro processor which was better then the Bravia Engine EX in the non XBR’s.
The new XBR6 has the Bravia Engine (2?) while the XBR 8’s have the Bravia Engine 2 Pro. I thought Sony would keep their superior Pro processor with all the XBR’s?
Also, i assume this means that the Bravia Engine (2) is better then the Bravia Engine Pro(1) right?
Will these be available in the UK or are they sold under a different model no?
I own both the xbr 32″ rear projection tv and now the 52″ lcd xbr tv and I can honestly say that both tv’s seem to compare to one another as far as picture is concerned, What I am having a problem with as yet is that broadcast tv has not caught up with the technology.
The money will give Sony TV and a bargainee there will be to peel? The trash TV to give and not have
i don’t see what the response times are for these….hopefully like 4 miliseconds like the new samsungs???
A few things..
The market dictates which products will succeed and mediocre with mild price always succeed over best with high price.
Sony can produce a good product, but they are equally capable of building in stupid and moronic aspects which begs to question how smart they are.
Sony has been touting for years the “quality” of their “bright” flat screens. These screen are glossy, and extremely reflective. Like a comment about plasmas I had to rearrange my living room for my 36XBR TV because the reflection from every window in the house was beuatifully reflected in the screen. Now the rest of the industry is seeling glare screens to laptop consumers and calling the removal of the Anti-Glare coating an “upgrade” in brightness.
Sony’s XBR line is very good but it is also much more expensive than similar models with high quality. I’ve seen stunning Samsung LCDs and excellent Sharps. I’ve also seen useablity features on lower end vendors that trump Sony. For instance POLAROID included a 2nd tuner so you can do true 2-tuner P-in-P. You can only view two different sources. My Sony 36XBR CRT TV has dual tuners, but Sony doesn’t includes them even in their most expensive LCDs. My mom actually wanted that specific feature in an LCD and it has been wiped out from the market.
I was looking at a Toshiba, I think, and I was impressed by the amount of customization it allowed. Closed captioning fonts and sizes. Another remembered the Zoom preferences per station. Hopefully, Sony is remembering that the user interface is enormously responsible for making features usable. The picture is the picture. Once you buy it you learn to live with what you have. But if I can’t get my TV to do what I want cause Sony didn’t think about the software, i’m annoyed whether the picture is excellent or mediocre.
Too bad Sony’s haven’t included a cablecard slot since XBR1. Mine gives me all comcast’s HD with no box. I guess their in bed with the cable companies now so they can rent more boxes. Oh well, as soon as I can find out the dimesions without stand, I’ll consider an xbr6 or 8 (52 or 55″)
I’m quite confused on the processor as well. Will the XBR 6 & 7 not use the BE2 and use a BE2 EX?
It kind of sucks that the road map shows that the 46″ XBR 8 was suppose to come out in August before the 40″ or 46″ XBR 6, but for some reason you can get your hands on the 40″ and 46″ XBR 6’s. There still is no word on when the XBR 8 is coming out either. Who to blame…Boy Genius or Sony? Ciao!
Also, the Sony XBR’s are an 8 milisecond response time. Nothing lower. You would figure that they would come up with a 4 milisecond response time?
was thinking.. why? Why is Sony wasting their time, resources, money and talent to continue pushing this drivel at us? They should be working on the OLED with the million to 1 contrast. 100% true black and true colors. Each pixel is the color it is supposed to be.
Why would I blow 4 or 5 grand to buy a TV that will be outdated in a year when I can wait a year (or two) and get an OLED?
Because there is no OLED in a year or two in any descent size!!!
I just purchased a 46″ Z Series Bravia because I was told by the Sony people that no other TV’s were going to be released this year. I guess I should have done better research, but I foolishly believed them. I really wanted the ‘best’ TV available as I don’t replace these frequently. I am angry that they basically lied to me about the XBR’s. I guess they are super more expensive. Are they worth it? Should I be upset or just enjoy my TV (which I think is actually great). Don’t trust the sales people at Sony!
Might as well enjoy it. The Z is a beautiful TV. I’m still waiting for the XBR8 and only have blank walls to show for it.
i think lots of people will use their tax money to buy new tvs.
uhm , there is a sony OLED that ready to be purchase at bestbuy . but , at the price 2500$ , 11″ is a headshot. they are still working on the technology but since it news , they need times . it need an extreme small and powerful , even more powerful than the duo core extreme in my computer to handle the very ,very complex task . other hand , oled have no limit of color ( as far as i know) and can handle so much line that it can go as much as the processor can .
@ JackdeSparrow : plasma is good , but too many problem still exist . such as burn in .
BTW , 120 MHZ does exactly what it was meant to do : remove ghost .
@royalef : i have absolutle no idea where did u come up with the ” sony have a very reflective screen and samsung doesnt ” . i have 40″ XBR 4 and 46″ XBR 6 , i have never , ever in my life seen a sony tv with glossy screen , neither is samsung with anti-reflect screen . in my parents bed room is the 8th series and they only watch it at night . why? cuz of the glossy screen , “genius” . yes , i have seen the pioneer kuro . returned it in because it got burn in after 12 hours of playing GTA4 . just 12HOURS ( im hardcore gamers , i play untill my eyes are useless), for 5000 , that doesnt do justice . it gets extremly hot , hotter than my xbox360 when it get RROD . lol. 8ms is not too bad too me. my 30 inch monitor does 2ms and i dont think there’s much diff. ( that just me , i can see the diff. between component and HDMI in 1080i but not this) . so that’s all i know. that’s what i think , maybe im wrong , maybe im right . i personally dont care much XD .
For God’s sake, why don’t you all get a life???
Anyone know if a KDL-52XBR5 can get a firmware upgrade to include the IPG? I’d love to have that.
I have an XBR5 in order and I am being offered an XBR6 for the same price. One person told me stay with the 5, another said go 6. The also said that the 8 is the most comparable in terms of quality to the 5. Any thoughts anyone? I have until next week to decide
Thanks
As I read it, the XBR8 is only available in 55 inch, so its not really comparible to the XBR5.
The XBR6 and XBR7 are so similar in features, it seems to some down to teh 120/240Hz comparison.
Sony currently lists the 52XBR7 for $4200 and the 52XBR6 for $3000. Previously the price difference between the XBR4 and XBR5 was $400 (I got my XBR5 for the XBR4 price because I told the sales guy that the XBR4 was all I was interested in) but it seems the differences between an XBR6 and XBR7 are greater.
Good luck, but my guess is the XBR5 is now out of production so you’ll be waiting for a manufacturer refurbished model. The XBR6 seems to be shipping and the XBR7 is “Accepring Pre-Orders”. If I had the decision to make today, I would wait for the XBR7
Paul
ok you all are morons sony sucks if anything samsung is way better sony is a name plus they are more prone to have defects and a lot more sensitive to bumps in electricity. Plasmas refresh a lot faster and are way more accurate 120 hertz is fake and not accurate at all. Plasmas also have a white wash feature so it can fix burn in. Lcd’s are way too bright and not accurate also pixels go out a lot easier than burn in