gjphw@mhuxo.UUCP (WYANT) (02/12/86)
Like several other subscribers to this newsgroup, I have been seeking the
ideal, all purpose monitor/receiver. It must be high resolution with lots of
alternate inputs for VCR's, home computers, electric shavers, etc. Most of my
focus has been on SONY products because they are most accessible. I have seen
the KV-25DXR, KV-25XBR, and have tried the KV-20XBR but haven't been entirely
satisfied. But now for some history.
Several years ago, SONY first marketed a high resolution video monitor for
professional use. I have not seen this particular unit but have heard rave
comments about it. The SONY XBR series of home receiver/monitors derives from
this commercial monitor.
SONY's present flagship model is the KV-25DXR, a 25-inch digital TV with
stereo decoder and some home planning program built-in (a 27-inch digital TV
is due out later this year). The analog version of this is the KV-25XBR.
Both of these models have identical excellent pictures with 3 composite video
inputs and analog and digital (TTL) RGB connections. Two 20-inch versions are
available: one with all of the features of the larger sets (KV-20XBR) and a
model without the RGB connections and detachable speakers (KV-2084R). For
those more monitor oriented, a 13-inch edition (KV-1311CR) of the XBR without
the stereo decoder but with RGB (analog and digital) and 2 composite inputs
has recently been offered for sale. All of these models share the same video
performance characteristics (400 line horizontal resolution which corresponds
to a 640x400 pixel pattern or a 2000 character display capability).
As a receiver, I have had the opportunity to compare the 20XBR with a NAD
MR-20 (NAD's 20-inch high resolution receiver) using a broadcast TV signal.
The colors on the NAD appeared more "natural" than on the SONY, especially if
you prefer oversaturated (intense) colors. The NAD has 3 composite video
inputs but lacks the RGB connections of the SONY. A PROTON monitor/receiver
has also been recommended in this newsgroup due to the "better" colors, but
PROTON also lacks RGB inputs. As a monitor, I found the 20-inch XBR too large
to be convenient though the kids certainly thought the games were more fun
than on our present 13-inch Teknika monitor.
Now that I have provided some information to all of those who may be
interested (and probably many more who are not interested), I am seeking
information from people who have some experience with the small SONY
monitor/receiver (KV-1311CR). Has anyone seen this model? Has anyone used
this unit as either a monitor or television? With only an early effort, I
have found only one mail-order outfit, and no retail stores, which carry this
13-inch monitor/receiver. Does anyone have more information about this?
Thank you for your replies.
Patrick Wyant
AT&T Bell Laboratories
Naperville, IL
*!ihnp4!ihwld!gjphw
*!mhuxo!gjphwzarifes@bnrmtv.UUCP (Kenneth Zarifes) (02/19/86)
> > As a receiver, I have had the opportunity to compare the 20XBR with a NAD > MR-20 (NAD's 20-inch high resolution receiver) using a broadcast TV signal. > The colors on the NAD appeared more "natural" than on the SONY, especially if > you prefer oversaturated (intense) colors. The NAD has 3 composite video > inputs but lacks the RGB connections of the SONY. A PROTON monitor/receiver > has also been recommended in this newsgroup due to the "better" colors, but > PROTON also lacks RGB inputs. As a monitor, I found the 20-inch XBR too large The NAD and the PROTON monitors both have about 370 lines of horizontal resolution. The XBR's all have 400 lines. Did you notice this when you did your comparison? Is 30 lines of resolution difference observable? > > interested (and probably many more who are not interested), I am seeking > information from people who have some experience with the small SONY > monitor/receiver (KV-1311CR). Has anyone seen this model? Has anyone used > this unit as either a monitor or television? With only an early effort, I > have found only one mail-order outfit, and no retail stores, which carry this > 13-inch monitor/receiver. Does anyone have more information about this? > I have used the KV-1311CR as a television and as a monitor. As a television it is outstanding. As a monitor it is even better. It is IBM compatible and I have seen it used as a monitor for the Amiga using the analog RGB inputs. It looks better than the Amiga monitor. Yes, there is some flicker in 640x400 mode, but it can be minimized by adjusting the contrast, etc. My CLD-900 looks incredible through the composite video input. The Good Guys sell it here. And so does Micro Age I think. They were selling them as monitors for the Amiga and Compaq DeskPros and 286's. -- {hplabs,amdahl,3comvax}!bnrmtv!zarifes --Ken Zarifes