The Best T.V. Ever?

by Kris Lavery

y ten years of experience as a custom audio and video systems sales consultant have taught me a few “Do’s” and “Don’ts.” I have learned that too much “tech talk” makes people’s heads spin. This is an example of a “Don’t.” Following up and delivering on the promises I make is a very big “Do.”

In this ever changing industry, another thing I try to avoid is making general statements about what brand or technology is “the best.” Anytime I am asked questions of this nature, I try to point out that products may have many features or performance enhancements, but unless they address a customer’s needs or desires, they are of no benefit to them. For me, it has always been about what is best for the customer.

In March of this year I had the pleasure of being introduced to the Sony Qualia 006, and I began to reevaluate my philosophy on grandiose statements of superiority. Why? Because this 70 inch High Definition TV is quite frankly, the best TV EVER!

Now, before I undermine my credibility, I should point out that there is evidence to support my statement, but I will get into that in a moment. For now, I will provide a little background.

Qualia, a little known subset of Sony Consumer Electronics is Sony’s indulgence in what is possible, in what could be, and what should be. Many electronics companies have two distinct product lines, with one positioned as a clear step up in quality, performance, and ownership experience. Qualia does not take a step up, it bounds over, and resides somewhere in the stratosphere.

Qualia is a family of ultimate products from Sony with the goal of being the “flagship” entertainment electronics of the brand. The Qualia umbrella covers a digital still camera, a portable music player, a sleek home audio system, and some other remarkable endeavors.

The Qualia 006 as mentioned above is a 70” HDTV. What makes it worth devoting an entire article to is that it is the first television to deliver a truly ultimate HDTV experience. HDTV signals can be broadcast at a maximum amount of detail that would feature 2.07 million pixels. Yet almost all of the most desirable HDTV sets on the market such as Plasma, Flat LCD, or various micro-displays like DLP are limited to only about 1.04 million pixels.

So, when watching the season finale of Everybody Loves Raymond in HDTV on a Plasma, you are only seeing about half the detail being put forth by CBS! There is no denying that HDTV broadcast is stunning, but currently we settle for half the detail on most HDTV sets because that is where TV technology is currently.

Qualia says, “Welcome to the stratosphere,” boasting full 2.07 million pixels (1920x1080) displayed with progressive scan. Imagine shopping for a new camera where every camera on the shelf was 1.0 mega pixel, and then there was one that took pictures twice as detailed. With the progressive scan, the image has not only twice the detail, but is smooth and easy on the eyes even during periods of high action and motion.

Detail is just part of what makes the 006’s picture better than any other set available now. Sony employs their SXRD or Silicon Crystal Reflective Device technology to give this set its eye-popping color, brightness, and deep, dark blacks.

The key word in the abbreviation is “Reflective.” By bouncing the light necessary for the picture off of this new SXRD device, better contrast can be achieved. A television’s ability to make convincing blacks affects all of the other colors and shades of gray.

This article does not permit me to list some of the other technical merits that have led professional reviewers to make statements like “the best I have ever seen.” To be able to make a statement like this yourself, you truly need to see it.

To experience Qualia you can visit the mere handful of specially selected Authorized Qualia Dealers across the U.S. such as Custom Audio Video in Bluffton. Otherwise, visit the Sony owned Qualia stores at the Forum Shops at Caesars in Las Vegas, or on Madison Avenue in New York.

Other TVs will catch up to the Qualia 006 in some of the performance categories eventually, but until then it wears the crown. And until then, I can safely make wild, grand statements about its superiority without a conflict of integrity.

This article provided by Kris Lavery of Custom Audio Video, LLC. Member CEDIA