@ 27dnast
Although in all of my review searches, I didn't read anyone really complaining that the x30 was missing something... Seems like the consensus was that, in the $3000-3500 price range, the x30 had a fantastic picture.
And I agree! Not fantastic, AMAZING picture! Really! But not as good colour balance and whites as the Yamaha DPX series.
^^^ I would agree with this. Here's my question: The rs45 claims a 50000:1 contrast ratio. It looks incredible to my eye. The x70 is claiming a ratio of 70000:1. How visible is this difference? At some point, do these ratios get to a point in which they are moot?
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Again, I agree. I saw the X70 and X30 and X90 side by side, on 3 identical screens, same size, in 2 different set ups:
1. Factory settings
2. Professionally calibrated
In both cases the contrast gain was almost imperceptible. Perhaps in the shadows you could pick up a little bit more detail. But by little bit I really mean almost nothing more. Watching the same scenes (Gladiator in the arena and under the colosseum) you can barely notice any contrast or blacks difference.
What you
can notice are 2 items:
a) Colour balance and whites are identical in X70 and X90 and not as good in X30 (but still excellent).
b) 4K really does make pixels disappear (even close up I could barely make out pixels) and this gives a very analogue feel to the image. The closest I've ever seen to a Barco 3 tubes or celluloid projection.
Factory calibration against professional calibration (yesterday they gave an other hour of calibrated viewing experience) only increases (not decrease) the differences.
So, given:
- the above
- how much importance I give to colour balance and whites
- my budget limitations
I am now considering more and more to go for an X7/X9 over the X30.
But I wish that someone from this forum could confirm to me that the colour balance of the X7 and X9 are the same as the X70 and X90.
As you said, the marginal contrast gain is almost unnoticeable to my eyes. I know that I would lose an amazing analog feeling chosing last years, non E-Shift, devices, but... beggars can't be choosers! I can't have everything!
IMHO the real BIG difference between X70 and X30 is this incredible analog feel and colour.
@TypeA
Again, I completely agree. Try to calibrate the black and white levels on a Sony VW95 at the same time! You cannot. And calibrating one influences the other so, in the end, any contrast calibration on a Sony VW95 must include a tiny bit of guess work...
Oh... and please, please, please... do not refer to me as "sir"! You are the knowledgeable and experts here. I am very lucky to have your advice and help. So, I should be calling you sir and not the other way around!
For everyone, my name is Tommaso and I'm from Italy (nobody is perfect!) but live in japan!