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Question: XBR4 vs XBR5? What are the differences, please?
Document: Happy Camper! Did a lot of research and waited for the right blend of features vs price. Narrowed the options down to XBR3-5 or a Kuro. Liked the bezel (and value) on the XBR4 (compared to the XBR3 & XBR5), and the glare on the Kuro's screen was too distracting (if not the for reflections, the Kuro's plasma picture is probably slightly better than the Sony).
None that I have found yet. It is simply an amazing tv. It is Sony's top of the line, and it shows. Don't be sucked in by Sony's latest model, the XBR5. As far as I can tell, and as far as every salesperson I have talked to knows, it is literally the same tv with just a different frame (which I didn't like as well as the XBR4). Check out the specs.
But things have really changed since 1999. Seriously. It's a different world now. But Amazon was real. And they came though.So if you plan to shop anywhere for an LCD TV, please use Amazon. I could  go into missing pixels, Mexico vs. Japan, shopping for warranties at Sonystyle.com, cable vs. satellite, etc. But I think I've bored everyone.And those I haven't bored, I've insulted. So I'll leave it at these 4 final last points.
And sometimes a know-it-all salesperson will tell you that X or Y has much better reviews from "experts". For my money, I always find that the Sony in the store has the best picture.On LCD vs. plasma, perhaps that's more a personal thing. But I don't find the "black level" argument in favor of plasmas particularly convincing. And I like watching 4:3 without stretching, so I'm not about to risk burn-in on a plasma.
Virtually the same model numbers with a few minor variations. Why? Because many of the retail stores offer "match pricing" but can't match the prices on the internet. There may be "servicing" differences also, but I can't confirm that. From my research, the manufacturer's accommodate the retailers by offering internet models with internet pricing. They don't have to price-match with the internet models. We're not just looking at a few hundred dollars, either.
I love my new 40" XBR4.I purchased it after doing a ton of research as to what set would work best for me for video game playing. The set was to go into my newly created "den" aka video game playroom.
I purchased the 40" XBR4 about 3 weeks ago. I have purchased numerous items from Amazon, but was always a bit hesitant about a purchase of this magnitude.The delivery experience:Well folks...I must say that I'm impressed with Amazon and of course the television itself.
The V model is next in line, and its a noticable step up, and many will be happy with this line (check out the V3000, or if you want the best possible price, check out the older V2500 which can be had for close to $1000 in some places if you look hard). The W series is a further, noticable step up, only slightly below the XBR4 in my opinion.
I got Best Buy to price match an unbelievable price I found on the internet (not Amazon), and I ended up paying $50 more for the XBR4 ($1849), than the sale price of the W3000 ($1799). For $50 more it was a no brainer, but given that the price of an XBR4 at Best Buy is $2299, I wouldn't have paid $500 more.
It was probably the most expensive set that I considered...but, if it stands up over the years, I think it was worth the price. Also, I'm glad that I waited for the XBR4. The previous XBR model wasn't nearly as attractive (e.g., that ugly silver surround). Also, Sony added many improvements (if you can believe them) to this newer model.
Answer: In the Sony showroom at the Metreon (SF) the XBR5 had an RS-232 input (for a controller?) and the XBR4 did not.  Otherwise they looked identical.