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BlurayMark
 
 
 
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  • Review count
    4
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    271
  • First review
    January 17, 2011
  • Last review
    July 6, 2014
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    4.8
 
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    2
  • Helpfulness votes
    18
  • First review comment
    January 18, 2014
  • Last review comment
    August 9, 2014
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    July 6, 2014
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BlurayMark's Reviews
 
Sony XBR-65X950B Flagship 4K Ultra HD TV: A new standard of picture clarity emerges with Ultra HD — 4x the resolution of Full HD. This TV displays 4K content with remarkable detail and upscales non-4K video to near-4K levels. Plus, it features an impressive suite of Web features to keep you connected as well as entertained.
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
A Huge Leap Forward
on July 6, 2014
Posted by: BlurayMark
from Columbus, OH
Internet Connectable?Yes
Editorial Comment: About 3 weeks ago I bought the Sony XBR65X950B 4k TV. I decided to wait to write a review until I had a chance to more fully experience what it has to offer. I find it very frustrating when people write reviews when they don't even own the product, or they have some vendetta against the company, or they are jealous of someone that can afford such a product, and give the TV a poor rating on that basis. It's funny (not really# how politics can even get into a product review. This should be a forum to talk about a product you own and your experiences and opinions about that product. I own the Sony XBR65X950B. End of editorial.
Prior to buying this TV I had the Samsung UN65HU9000FXZA, Samsung's flagship 4k TV. It had a defect so I sent it back. In the interim Sony released the XBR65X950B. Since I had the Samsung for about 3 weeks I am able to do a fairly decent comparison between the 2 TVs. In a nutshell I thought the Samsung was very good, at times simply amazing. Black levels were good. Color was good. Up converting was good. Sound was decent. 3D was good. Off angle was OK, though I think more of an issue due to the curved screen. Note: To get local stations I have my TV's hooked up to an antennae in my attic. If you have good reception, over-the-air TV video quality is far superior to DirecTV or cable. The local signal is uncompressed. When watching prime time broadcasts the quality is simply stunning. It looks like film. This was the case with both the Samsung and the Sony.
My thoughts on the Sony XBR65X950B
General Comments: Though the Samsung is a very good 4k TV #B+#, the Sony is amazing #A+#, as it should be for such a ridiculous price. In short, it is a much better TV than the Samsung. The black levels are mind bogglingly deep, deeper than the blacks I have seen on any other TV... period. The picture is very bright and sharp. I could not be happier with the Sony...in general. I have a couple quibbles but they are not deal breakers:
• The standard remote does everything it needs to do, but it looks kind of cheap for such an expensive TV. It is not back lit, which I find frustrating. I have an Oppo blu-ray player and it is back lit and I use that feature all the time...since I almost always watch TV in a darkened room.
• Poor documentation. The Sony comes with virtually no documentation. It has a booklet which basically covers setup and safety issues. When I went to the Sony website I could not find anything that would explain the various picture settings like Cinemotion, and the many other features #there are a lot#. When I talked to Sony they said they didn't have any information available yet, and I should look at the documentation for the previous model, the 900A. I found this all unbelievable. The onboard manual is cumbersome and the information is nonspecific to the point of being useless. So, I turned almost all of these features off, as suggested in reviews I have read on the previous Sony models. I did leave Cinemotion and local dimming turned on. When Thomas J. Norton does one of his amazingly thorough reviews on this TV in Sound & Vision magazine I may end up turning some of them back on. At this point I can find nothing on the web that helps in this regard.
Comments
Black Levels
The black levels are stunning, deep, rich, which results in amazing contrast when you have a good source such as prime time broadcast television or a nicely mastered blu-ray. Important to note is that the Sony is able to display the subtle shades of black#gray# and the ability to see those shades in the shadows. I have NO complaints on the black level. In a word, amazing. Note: Bear in mind that I have NOT had my Sony calibrated yet because they recommend 150 hours be logged beforehand. The calibration will happen later this month.
Colors & Brightness
Aside from the striking black levels, the main thing you'll notice is how bright the colors are. When watching a program from a good source the colors just pop off the screen. The picture is so good that you forget to watch the show because you are so dazzled by the crisp, clear, bright, colorful picture. For example, I was watching a blu-ray the other night, a very touching coming of age movie called "The Way, Way Back" with Steve Carell. It's an indie film. I literally went back to watch different sections of the movie over again because I was so distracted by the incredibly clear picture that I forgot to pay attention to the story.
Up Converting
I have watched some 4k clips on You tube but other than that everything I have seen is up converted broadcast television and blu-rays. The few 4k clips I've seen are absolutely beautiful. Much to my surprise, the up converted broadcast television and blu-rays were amazingly bright, sharp and detailed; i.e. a huge step up from 1080p. Interesting to note, I could see little or no difference between the up converted 4k video and the You tube 4k clips. This is not meant to be negative in any way. Both sources were absolutely amazing. There are upper limits to how clear something can be. I believe Sony is approaching that limit. As obvious as it might seem I must point out that the quality of the 4k clips, the up converted broadcast television and the up converted blu-ray is TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON THE SOURCE QUALITY; i.e. if you are watching a poorly mastered blu-ray that is being up converted to 4k on your Sony, it's going to look bad, possibly more so than it would on a 1080p TV, since the imperfections will essentially be magnified on a 4k TV. On the other hand, if you are watching something that is expertly mastered; e.g. most Pixar movies, the up converted picture you see on the Sony XBR65X950B is going to be shockingly clear. You will be amazed. I can hardly wait to see a 4k movie when the Sony media player comes out later this month. It should be a sight to behold.
Off Angle
To be very honest I don't really care much about off angle viewing. If I spend $8000 for a TV, I am going to be sitting directly in front of it. However, for those of you that don't have such an ideal setup I will make a few comments on off angle viewing. Much to my surprise it's actually pretty good. In fact it's better than on most TVs. The only TV I have seen to this point that can match the Sony is the Sharp Elite, which they no longer make. I can't really give you specific angle percentages and I'm not sure how useful that would be anyway, but I can tell you the picture remains true until you go significantly off to the side, and then the picture does not degrade to the point of being unwatchable. It simply is slightly washed out. So, as long as you plan to sit in front of your Sony or slightly to the side, you don't have anything to worry about.
Remotes
I really haven't used the touch pad remote much other than on You Tube, where it works pretty well. It's good for browsing the dozens of included apps, as it allows you to scroll through them. The IR remote is very good, though as I mentioned before I am disappointed that it is not back lit and it doesn't seem worthy of being paired with an $8000 TV. None the less, I find the remote to be highly functional and laid out in a logical fashion.
Internet
I have limited experience using the browser, which are always a bit cumbersome on a TV. I have, however, taken a look at several of the included apps. I found them easy to access and responsive. There are literally dozens of apps on the Sony, but you do have the option of adding apps to a Favorites screen, which is very helpful.
Audio
The speakers are amazingly good considering other TV's I've had, including the Samsung 9000 mentioned above. They certainly won't replace your receiver or a good sound bar, but they do a very nice job.
3D
I'm not a big fan of 3D but I do have a few 3D movies. I haven't taken the time to really explore much in this area yet. One thing I did note is the 2D to 3D mode is actually not bad. I was a little surprised by that since I have had that feature on previous TVs and not been very impressed. This appears to be a step up.
Summary
The Sony XBR65X950B is an amazing TV but you'd expect nothing less considering Sony's reputation, and the huge price tag. I am very impressed with it and I will be anxious to see how it looks after calibration, though it's difficult for me to imagine how it could look much better. The Samsung 9000 is a very good 4k TV but the Sony is an amazing TV. I would compare it to a Honda Civic #a very good car# and a Lexus #a much more up scale car#. It's the difference between buying something that is good and buying something that is spectacular. For me, I can skimp on the brand of paper towels I buy, but when it comes to TV's, I want the best. The Sony XBR65X950B is the BEST.
Internet content most enjoyed: YouTube
What's great about it: picture, brightness, black levels, decent sound, great up convert capability
What's not so great: the remote and the lack of documentation
I would recommend this to a friend!
Picture Quality
5 out of 5
5
Sound Quality
4 out of 5
4
Features
5 out of 5
5
+136points
149of 162voted this as helpful.
 
Learn moreabout Magnolia PremiumInstallation   This Elite HDTV supports images up to 1080p. To build a complete 3D home theater system, we recommend you purchase 3D glasses designed for this TV, a 3D Blu-ray player, high-speed HDMI cable and an A/V receiver that is compatible with 3D products. Smart TVGet a world of instant entertainment on this smart TV. Connect to the Internet and stream movies, listen to music and access a wide variety of other content on your HDTV.Learn more about smart products.CinemaNow Napster Netflix Pandora skype
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Try the Elite before you judge it!
on October 13, 2011
Posted by: BlurayMark
from Columbus, OH
Internet Connectable?Yes
Connected to the Internet:Yes
I have had the Elite(the 60" version) for about three weeks. I couldn't be happier with it, aside from the price. The picture is extraordinary, the blacks rich, the colors vibrant, and I haven't had it calibrated yet. One thing I wasn't expecting, but was thrilled to find out, is the quality of sound that comes from this TV. On my Sony (KDL55XBR8) the sound was pretty good, but there were times when I felt the need to turn on the audio receiver. As a result I bought a $300 soundbar. But now, with the Elite, I don't need it. The quality of sound coming from the Elite TV's own speakers is superior to the sound coming from my soundbar. The dilema is, now what do I do with the soundbar?
If I had to pick one thing that stands out on the Elite, I would say the black levels. They are absolutely astounding, to the point that I was distracted by the depth when I first starting using the TV. I have read that the black levels are better than for the previously made Kuro. I have never seen the Kuro's picture, but I would have a hard time imagining blacks any deeper than these.
Though I always sit directly in front of my TV I was actually surpised when I had to get something on the other side of the room and the picture did not significantly degrade as I got farther off angle. This is a huge improvement over my Sony KDL55XBR8.
I talked to a Sony rep at Best Buy a few months ago when I was getting "the itch" to buy a new TV. I was frustrated to find out that (according to the Sony rep) the HX929 was not a step up in quality from the XBR8. I said, "It's been almost three years. You mean to tell me that in three years Sony has not come out with a better TV?" He advised me to stick to my XBR8. I was astounded. Then I heard about the Elite at Best Buy a couple weeks before they came out. I talked to two of the sales people and they were both excited about the new Elite's coming out. When they came in a couple weeks later I knew I had to have one. So if you have a KDL55XBR8 and you want a TV that is better, with better picture, sound, black levels, and motion enhancement (and you have the money), this is your TV. You won't regret anything about the purchase...other than the price.
Internet content most enjoyed:YoutubeWhat's great about it: The black levels, color, off angle viewing, with surprisingly good soundWhat's not so great: just the price...everything else is amazing.
Internet content most enjoyed: YouTube
What's great about it: Incredible picture...much better than it looked in the store, great black levels, incredibly good sound for an LCD
What's not so great: the price
I would recommend this to a friend!
Picture Quality
5 out of 5
5
Sound Quality
5 out of 5
5
Features
5 out of 5
5
+34points
49of 64voted this as helpful.
 
Learn moreabout Magnolia PremiumInstallation   This Elite HDTV supports images up to 1080p. To build a complete 3D home theater system, we recommend you purchase 3D glasses designed for this TV, a 3D Blu-ray player, high-speed HDMI cable and an A/V receiver that is compatible with 3D products. Smart TVGet a world of instant entertainment on this smart TV. Connect to the Internet and stream movies, listen to music and access a wide variety of other content on your HDTV.Learn more about smart products.CinemaNow Napster Netflix Pandora skype
 
Customer Rating
5 out of 5
5
Absolutely Amazing
on October 9, 2011
Posted by: BlurayMark
from Columbus, OH
Internet Connectable?Yes
Connected to the Internet:Yes
I have had the Elite for about three weeks. I couldn't be happier with it, aside from the price. The picture is extraordinary, the blacks rich, the colors vibrant, and I haven't had it calibrated yet. One thing I wasn't expecting, but was thrilled to find out, is the quality of sound that comes from this TV. On my Sony (KDL55XBR8) the sound was pretty good, but there were times when I felt the need to turn on the audio receiver. As a result I bought a $300 soundbar. But now, with the Elite, I don't need it. The quality of sound coming from the Elite TV's own speakers is superior to the sound coming from my soundbar. The dilema is, now what do I do with the soundbar?
If I had to pick one thing that stands out on the Elite, I would say the black levels. They are absolutely astounding, to the point that I was distracted by the depth when I first starting using the TV. I have read that the black levels are better than for the previously made Kuro. I have never seen the Kuro's picture, but I would have a hard time imagining blacks any deeper than these.
Though I always sit directly in front of my TV I was actually surpised when I had to get something on the other side of the room and the picture did not significantly degrade as I got farther off angle. This is a huge improvement over my Sony KDL55XBR8.
I talked to a Sony rep at Best Buy a few months ago when I was getting "the itch" to buy a new TV. I was frustrated to find out that (according to the Sony rep) the HX929 was not a step up in quality from the XBR8. I said, "It's been almost three years. You mean to tell me that in three years Sony has not come out with a better TV?" He advised me to stick to my XBR8. I was astounded. Then I heard about the Elite at Best Buy a couple weeks before they came out. I talked to two of the sales people and they were both excited about the new Elite's coming out. When they came in a couple weeks later I knew I had to have one. So if you have a KDL55XBR8 and you want a TV that is better, with better picture, sound, black levels, and motion enhancement (and you have the money), this is your TV. You won't regret anything about the purchase...other than the price.
Internet content most enjoyed: Youtube
What's great about it: The black levels, color, off angle viewing, with surprisingly good sound
What's not so great: just the price...everything else is amazing
I would recommend this to a friend!
Picture Quality
5 out of 5
5
Sound Quality
5 out of 5
5
Features
5 out of 5
5
+58points
71of 84voted this as helpful.
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
A lot of fun
on January 17, 2011
Posted by: BlurayMark
from Columbus, OH
I sell at video stores blu-rays after I watch them and decide either that they were not that good or they don't have replay value. I fully expected to be selling this one. I was shocked to see how much fun it was. Kevin Bacon was great. Michael Gross was very entertaining. Fred Ward and Kevin Bacon had good chemistry. Bobby Jacoby did a good job playing an obnoxious teenage boy. The picture was quite good. I was a little surprised by that. All things considered, this is fun movie. I would definitely recommend it.
What's great about it: the acting and special effects
What's not so great: I can't really think of anything
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
 
BlurayMark's Review Comments
 
Learn moreabout Magnolia PremiumInstallation   Enjoy a picture that is 4 times clearer than HD with this Sony XBR65X900A TV. To build a complete 3D home theater system, we recommend you purchase 3D glasses designed for this TV, a 3D Blu-ray player, high-speed HDMI cable and an A/V receiver that is compatible with 3D products. Watch and store 4K content with the Sony 4K Ultra HD media player.
 
Overall4 out of 54 out of 5
Beautiful set
By LoLo1263 from Mandeville, LA
We will never purchase a new product from Sony or Best Buy. We have been Sony owners for years and, when it was time to replace our main household television we immediately fell in love with the new 4K. Although we knew the price would probably come down a bit as it was introduced. we were assured on more than one occassion (by two sales reps at Best Buy and a visiting Sony rep) that due to the technology of this set, it would only drop slightly in cost over the next year or two. Our friends that we have tried to sell on the set, are all getting the last laugh. It has dropped over $2100 (65") in four months. Certainly makes me concerned. Is Sony not expecting this Television to last???? Will never fall for the "sales speeches" of either company again. In addition, hired the geek squad that were suppose to be pro's and show up with a Sony rep since the television was so unigue---Sony rep did not come with Geek squad but they hooked it up fairly easily. We could have done it ourselves.
Customer Avatar
BlurayMark
Columbus, OH
This is a review?
January 18, 2014
I wanted to read what you thought of the TV, not what you thought of Best Buy ..no Best Buy sales person (or Sony rep, for that matter) would ever know where the price of the product will go. How could they? They don't know what competitors will come out with or what the competitor might change the price to. Do you think Speedway knows how much Shell will charge for gas a week from now? Not a chance. It's a risk you take when you buy a new product. It's not Best Buy's or Sony's fault. They don't have a crystal ball. You gambled and you lost, but you have the tv. The question is, do you like it?
+6points
8of 10voted this comment as helpful.
 
Sony XBR-65X950B Flagship 4K Ultra HD TV: A new standard of picture clarity emerges with Ultra HD — 4x the resolution of Full HD. This TV displays 4K content with remarkable detail and upscales non-4K video to near-4K levels. Plus, it features an impressive suite of Web features to keep you connected as well as entertained.
 
Overall5 out of 55 out of 5
Best television I have ever seen.
By KaywinnetLee from Casper, Wyoming
If you have ever owned a regular LCD TV then you know that black is not black. Black on most LCD TVs is just dark grey. This TV reminds you of what black is supposed to look like. When this screen goes black in a dark room it disappears, just as it should. Every bright color is more bright and beautiful because true black is present.
The one weakness of the full array LED lights is that when you have a small logo in the middle of an otherwise dark screen you can see that panel of lights illuminating a slightly larger area. But unless you are looking at an OLED TV it's unavoidable. Besides that it's also not a real problem when viewing actual content.
Now color, absolutely wonderful. I am buying new movies like candy just to test the colors. Life of Pi and Avatar were the first discs I popped into my new 4K upscaling player. I was very excited and not the least bit disappointed. It's not easy to get 4K content right now but it's also not entirely necessary. Bluray movies look fantastic and so real. Motion is smooth and 3D movies look better on this TV than they do in theaters. Active 3D is hard on my eyes but it's nice that the quality is there to make it worth trying once in a while. Pairing the glasses for the first time was cake. Powered them on and they were ready to be used immediately.
The TV is expensive, no argument to be made against that, but if you are looking at UHD TVs and the quality of your home theater experience is worth investing in you can not make a better choice for this size of TV. All of the best features Sony can offer in a TV are there and it looks sleek and stylish before ever you turn it on.
A TV like this definitely deserves a surround sound, but I will add that the build in speakers are actually very nice. And with an optional wireless subwoofer you could probably skip a soundbar if that's what you were leaning toward.
I had the Geek Squad set this TV up for me and they did an amazing job. Now I am just waiting for a professional calibration. I don't see how the picture quality could get any better but there's only the one way to find out!
Customer Avatar
BlurayMark
Columbus, OH
Calibration
August 9, 2014
FYI. Good review... Geek Squad said 150 hours of play time minimum before calibration.
0points
10of 20voted this comment as helpful.
 
BlurayMark's Questions
 
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BlurayMark's Answers
 
Sony XBR-65X950B Flagship 4K Ultra HD TV: A new standard of picture clarity emerges with Ultra HD — 4x the resolution of Full HD. This TV displays 4K content with remarkable detail and upscales non-4K video to near-4K levels. Plus, it features an impressive suite of Web features to keep you connected as well as entertained.
 

How many 3D Glasses?

In the "Product Features" description in the main body of the listing it states 4. In the "What's Included" it states 2. Which is it?
2 pairs included
9 years, 9 months ago
by
BlurayMark
   Columbus, OH