corradoboy

Sony never made PDP's, but re-badged LG panels, similarly their early LCD's were Samsung units. They missed the boat like they always do {Betamax (VHS won), Minidisc (why?), SACD (again, why?), ATRAC (MP3 & iPod)}, convinced that neither technology could seriously contend with their market leading Trinitron CRT tubes. When they adapt to a new technology they always do it well, but their track record for assessing what the market wants leaves a lot to be desired, and their obsession with content control is what will kill them right now. Who remembers the Rootkit fiasco, and they really wanted to make all Bluray discs and PS3 games single license (only play in the first machine they were ever played in) to kill off the 2nd-hand market I believe they have realised what a backlash that would create and have shelved the idea for now.

Diesel

Interesting informed comment CB.

What I would say is [and generally trying not to be A BORE ABOUT IT) in the professional TV industry Sony are absolutely dominant and 'industry standard' on kit; maybe they lose out on consumer marketing/fashion [although I doubt it myself]. I have spent literally millions on their kit [well they do 'update it every 10 months!] and whenever I try Panasonic/JVC etc it always comes back to haunt me and is 'less good'...

Betamax = current 'industry standard' Digi Beta @ £25k a VTR [HD Digi Beta is £80k]; Trintron was always better than shadow mask tubes and is still preffered choice @ £3k per 'broadcast spec' telly.

Sorry - they rock!

D

corradoboy

I've only ever had 2 Sony products. A tuner, which was £20 cheaper than the Denon I should have bought, but as it was just a tuner I wasn't too bothered; and a TV (32" Wega) which was very good. As for hi-fi, I've always preferred British audiophile gear, but even so, have never been suckered into the endless upgrade trap. My 1st decent amp is still in my system, alongside my 1st decent CD player, feeding my first decent speakers, all of which are now about 20 years old and even though I have tried, I simply cannot find anything better for sane money. Jap stuff just draws you into incessant upgrades by trickle-feeding new technology which you probably don't need. My answer is to wait a few years 'til you can get as much of the new tech in a single machine for reasonable money, hence my next purchase will be my first DVD recorder, my first Freeview box, my first HDD video recorder, my first upscaling DVD player and my first HDMI connectable DVD player, and a Sony 860. It will also be only my second and last DVD player before the technology becomes obsolete through BD or HDDVD. It will also be the 3rd Sony product I will buy, but only because the Pana equivalent is flimsy and reputedly unreliable. I ain't no mug.
I don't dispute their dominance in the pro video/TV world, and have no problem with their products in general, but I do have a problem with their attitude towards the public whom contribute to their billions each year as they try to lock you into their philosophy and lock you out of media freedom. They can be tw@ts, much like Micro$h!te, whom I hate with even more venom, although I have never paid a penny for their products and never will.

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

One thing about Sony is they always used to command a premium over other makes.

I bought a 28" Wega years ago for £1100, it was more than the rest of the normal tv's but the best of them IMO.

Now, the Bravia came out recently, flash adverts etc. I thought these are going to be expensive but good.

More recently the price of the Bravia (and other sony tv's) has dropped as low as if not lower than the average flat panel TV. Now to me this speaks volumes of the quality. I wanted to like the Bravia, I would of bought one but after viewing them I'd consider them below average picture-wise.

It seems people used to pay a premium (myself included) for the Sony TV, they no longer have the edge anymore (hence the price)

StickyMicky

just been in today

price SLASHED

£599.99 for the 42" plasma

saw people buying them left right and centre

falkster

I was just about to reply saying the same!!

They have come down in price but we dont have many left in depots so I cant see them lasting much longer than tues/wed of next week!

Diesel

What plasma mate? Is it a Sony or Pany? Model number, rank, platoon? etc

falkster

Hes talking about the Swisstec 42" Plasma from Asda mate

Diesel

Ahh OK. Who makes the gubbins inside? Never heard of the company so guyes they buy from the big guys? D

falkster

I dont have all the details but when I was buying one (LCD) I spoke to a friend of mine who is the buyer for electronics. Most of the names are made up by us (Dual, Onn, Pacific,Durabrand) and he says most of the components inside most LCD/Plasmas can only come from 3 or so suppliers world wide.

For that money you cant go wrong! Even if you were Trisha watching jobless woller it would still last you an age.

StickyMicky

yea most of the tv`s out there are just re badged other makes TBH

i worked in currys when i was 16/17 and the amount of sets that had the same remote control was staggering LOL