Since there was some discussion in this forum on SD (Tata Sky) content and how it would appear on SONYs with BE3, auditioned the SONY 40S550 & 40V550 at Ezone & Sony Center this weekend. My viewing is 90% Tata Sky and 10% VCD / DVD. So mainly SD content. Viewing distance is about 8-9.
Both stores confirmed that there was NO DIFFERENCE between the 2 SONY models except the outer frame design and looks. Spec wise both are identical. From both stores got confirmation that they both were using SPVA panels and not AMVA. The only difference between 2008 models and 2009 models other than the spec difference was this years 2009 models are manufactured in Thailand while 2008 models were manufactured in Malaysia. The sales guy in Ezone was of the opinion that 2008 SONY models (Malaysia) had better build quality compared to the 2009 SONY models (Thailand). But this is very subjective and each one may have an individual opinion.
SONY Center testing: Tested both these LCDs (SONY 40S550 BE3 & 40V550 BE3) with Tata Sky in SONY Center. The Animal Planet & National Geography channels were crisp compared to the other channels. Did not check for all channels but randomly selected channels from Movies, Entertainment, News & Kids channels of Tata Sky. Kept the setting on both sets identical so that they could be compared. There was no difference in PQ on both these sets, so not sure why 40V550 is almost 10K more (now knowing both are using SPVA panels). The V series stand had swivel while the S series did not have a swivel. Not sure where / how to justify the 10K price difference. At about 8 feet distance the PQ of Tata Sky was passable, but got better as we moved to about 10. At 8, the SONY 32 S550 & V550 as also the SONY 37S400 with BE2 were really looking nice. So I guess the 8 is threshold distance for 32 & 37, but for a 40 screen size at 8, there could be some very slight pixilation on some channels (except Animal Planet, National Geography etc.), but passable (again considering one is not a videophile). My distance is about 8-9 and hence I am leaning towards 40, even though I understand that some pixilation may be seen on certain channels.
Sony Center had all 2009 BE3 models, except for the 37S400 which was a 2008 BE2 model. Price was approx. 58K. However, Ezone had the 2008 40S400 model. The cost of the 40S400 has reduced from 68K approx. to 64K approx., since the 40S550 with BE3 is now at 68K approx. Sony has however not reduced the price of 40V400 (74K approx.) even though the 40V550 (78K approx.) with BE3 is now available.
Ezone testing: Ezone had not got the 40S550 as yet. Hence, compared the 40S400 BE2 with 40V550 BE3 side-by-side. While not very much difference in PQ, on the BE3, Tata Sky PQ appeared to be a few shades better than the BE2. Incidentally there were also SAMSUNG 40B530 & LG 42LG80FR Jazz sets close by playing the same Tata Sky channels. The LG Jazz picture appeared to be a bit more natural (because of IPS panel), while the SAMSUNG & SONY appeared to be a bit more brighter, aritificial?????? (not sure if this is the correct term)....maybe.....but hard to really say.
However, IMO the PQ of the BE3 (40V550) was a few shades superior (crispier?? if I may use the term) compared to the 40S400 BE2, SAMSUNG 40B530 & LG 42LG80FR Jazz. Most people would not make out the difference, but IMO there certainly was a difference from what I could see. Infact the sales guy, insisted that the LG looked most natural ( bcos of the IPS panel) and hence thought that was the best looking, better than the SONY BE3. For me, I thought the BE3 SONY was a few shades better. So it is very subjective discussion and one needs to see personally and conclude. Finally convinced the sales guy, what I meant by PQ and he had to agree that the BE3 appeared slightly sharper in PQ for SD Tata Sky signal. For the special full HD content DVD that the stores play for advertising, PQ on all 4 LCDs was good, but I was checking it out mainly for SD signals.
I asked the Ezone sales guy his very frank opinion, what he thought sold best these days. He very candidly said that while he understood that SONY BE3 was superior in PQ, bcos of the pricing difference, LGs were selling the most the past weeks / months, followed by SAMSUNGs. Reasoning was, even though the PQ of a SONY with BE3 was slightly better for SD content (Tata Sky) etc., feature wise consumers were getting a lot more bang for their buck from a 42 LG (may it be Jazz or Scarlet 2.0). While the comparable features in SONYs was easily 1L+ in price.
So if PQ is important and main watching will be Tata Sky / SD content (VCD / DVD) SONY with BE3 appears to be better, however, am not able to justify the price premium SONY charges. For a slightly less???? PQ experience an LG or SAMSUNG gives a lot more features, e.g. 100Hz Motionflow equivalent, 42 (iso of 40 panel) in case of LG, USB with DivX (in case of LG) playing capability etc. SAMSUNG 40B530 had a very nice PQ too, but the color appeared to be too bright and artificial??, compared to the SONY (of course I did not tone down the SAMSUNG / LG settings to compare with the SONYs, since I never intended to audition the SAMSUNG or the LG. They just happened to be placed at the side). The SAMSUNG 40B530 is available for approx. 55K+-, much lesser than the 40 BE3 SONYs I was auditioning.
While it is very clear that the LGs 42 & SAMSUNGs 40 are more VFM with a few shades lesser PQ (IMO) to the SONY with BE3, somehow I am still leaning towards the SONY 40S550 with BE3. Ask me to give justification / reasoning for the price difference or price to feature ratio and why I am still leaning towards a SONY, I have no answer currently
. For some it would be a no brainer and theyd certainly choose the LG or SAMSUNG based on price:feature ratio, but for others they will still keep looking hard to try and justify the higher price for a SONY with BE3.
Throw in the 42 Plasma angle with its price & VFM reasoning in all this and surely it gets more fun with the thought, let me go back to the drawing board and see, what I really need...a SONY with BE3 for SD content or a 42 LCD that has VFM or a 42 Plasma which is really good for Tata Sky / SD content with great savings (considering one does not have too much of a brightly lit room and is willing to adjust by putting some curtains during the day time etc.).
Have fun guys! For me, I am still thinking if I should really go in for the SONY 40S550 with BE3 or look at the 42 LG / 40 SAMSUNG or think 180 degrees and consider the 42 Plasma option.
