upstill@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU (Steve Upstill) (10/22/85)
As my primary indulgence for finishing my thesis, I recently bought a Sony 20XBR monitor/receiver. For the uninitiated, this is the 20" version of Sony's top-of-the-line consumer video set. It's got everything: full-function remote, RGB input, three video inputs, stereo decoder, on-screen display of controls, plus what is supposed to be the best tube Sony has ever produced. So much for the theory. This set lists at $1000 (and can be had for $800). I felt a little trepidation beforehand, spending so much on a toy. Is it worth it? It took about 10 minutes to convince me: yes, absolutely. This is the finest TV picture I have ever laid eyes on, so much so that (how's this for an ambivalent feature) it makes me WANT to watch TV. There is a contrast-enhancement circuit designed to get the most out of the available dynamic range; in conjunction with the tube design, it makes the blacks pitch black and contrast excellent. Sharpness is unequalled; when the jaggies glitter across my screen from lines in the picture, I get a little thrill down my spine. Everybody loves this set: my mother was amazed; my wife, who couldn't believe I was spending $800 on a TV, was convinced; my videofreak friends have started visiting just to watch it. In sum, if you are in the market for a new (particularly for a LARGE new) TV, consider this one. It's easily worth it. Steve Upstill PS Disclaimer, hedge, denial of profit.