upstill@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU (Steve Upstill) (10/27/85)
In response to queries about my Sony 20XBR review:
A salesman once demonstrated to me that an ENTER key has to be hit to
change channels. E.g., hit 7 then ENTER to switch to channel 7.
This can be a real pain if I'm switching to cable channels in the 15-35
channel range. Are channels reassignable? (Can channel 7 be made
to be an alias for channel 22, e.g.) Is there programmed channel
scan (whereby channels with no signal can be programmed to be
skipped automatically when doing an up/down channel change).
You have two options: you can either enter channels directly, or use
the "Channel Up" and "Channel Down" keys, which scan through a preselected
set of channels in numerical order. So actually, you can switch back
and forth between two channels if you just set it up to scan those two.
Setting a channel in the scan set is easy, but it is just about the only
function you have to go to the set for.
Are you using the RGB feature at all? Is it documented well?
Is it easily hooked up to an IBM PC or other personal computer?
I imagine the connector is not compatible as is, but are adaptors
available? If using the TV as a monitor, is the screen readable?
No, I'm not using the RGB at all. The connector is a "PX-34" 34-pin
connector, with the pin connections listed in the manual for the set.
Judging by the resolution in video, I imagine the readability would be fine.
Dual RF inputs?
Three, actually: VHF-UHF, cable converter, and "Aux"
How is the sound quality?
Through the speakers, better than other TVs. Through my stereo, as good
as the source allows. Subjectively good stereo.
How much does the TV weigh?
55 pounds without speakers.
What are the warranty terms?
I'm embarrassed to say I don't know, and the manual doesn't say.
BTW, a local discount house (without showroom, and probably few
other services) advertised a price of 699 for the 20XBR. This
is at the same time that major retailers are selling it for 899.
Not a bad deal, eh?
Better than that, it's cause to assault your credit limit.
Yours in Gourmet Video,
Steve Upstill
Thanks much,
Stan Tazuma
Teltone Corp. ....uw-beaver!tikal!stan
rob@panda.UUCP (Robert S. Wood) (10/30/85)
I am going to have to stop reading net.video. I was so impressed by the reports on the xbr that I went looking. After finding my usual discount (local) outlets on "back-order", low and behold a major appliance store brochure arrives in the mail (Lechmere Sales) with an offer of the KV-25XBR for $1099. I made the 45 minute drive to New Hampshire (no sales tax) and picked it up. It is great. The first thing to my eyes when I turned it on at home impressed me greatly. And the sound on Alfred Hitchcock this week was good stereo. Now I need something to put it in, my old TV rack is too small, the TV is 25X21. I have a VCR, Receiver, Cable box, and RF switcher. Any ideas on racks? Rob Wood decvax!genrad!rob