Stumbled upon this and honestly... has anyone checked the actual dimensions of the stands yet?? I've been hanging around these forums for years but tbh I still feel like a beginner when it comes to the technical port specs. Since you mentioned using a PS5, you really want to make sure your setup and cables are fully compatible with those 2.1 ports (for the 120Hz gaming and stuff?). Sometimes the fitment is the biggest headache!!! Here are some resources I always use to double-check everything:
- **RTINGS**: Their reviews have the best info on "stand footprint" so you know if it actually fits on your current media console.
- **Sony’s official e-manuals**: I always download these early to check the VESA screw patterns and depth for wall mounting.
- **A/V enthusiast subreddits**: Good for checking if your specific older soundbar or receiver will play nice with the eARC port on a newer screen. Honestly, just stick with Sony if you want that seamless ecosystem, they basically play perfectly with the consoles!!! Just double-check the physical space in your living room so you don't have a crisis on delivery day... maybe?

Noted!

Facts.

Good to know!

Hey, just saw this and wanted to chime in since I have been following the community chatter on some other owner threads recently. Honestly, the BRAVIA 5 is looking like a solid mid-range pick for 2025, but there is one thing I havent seen mentioned yet that usually trips people up. Before you commit to the 65 inch, what is the lighting situation like in your living room? Do you have big windows directly opposite the TV or is it more of a dim setup? I am asking because some folks in the community have been debating the reflection handling on these panels, and if your room is super bright, it might change how you feel about the value at that price point. Also, just a quick word of caution based on some horror stories I have seen over the years:

• Watch out for the specific return window for holiday sales, sometimes they are shorter than usual.
• Check if the shipping includes room of choice delivery or just curbside.
• Make sure you inspect the box for any signs of impact before the driver leaves. If you are getting a 65 inch, you really dont want them just dropping it on the porch in the rain! It is a total nightmare to deal with a cracked screen return during the December rush when stocks are low and everyone is stressed out.

Hey,

I totally get wanting to avoid last year’s “everything sold out” moment. I did almost the same thing with my BRAVIA (not the 5, but similar tier) two years ago. I hesitated on Black Friday, checked again on Cyber Monday… and the exact model/size I wanted was gone or only in sketchy third‑party listings. Ended up paying about $250 more a week later.

Based on that, here’s what I’d *carefully* suggest for BRAVIA 5:

- **Discount expectations:** For a newer Sony line, I wouldn’t “count on” more than ~$300 off, maybe $400 tops on the 65" if a retailer is pushing it. Sony is usually more conservative than, say, Hisense or TCL.
- **Where to watch:** In my experience, **Best Buy** and **Costco** are safer bets than random Amazon sellers. Costco especially if you care about warranty – you might want to consider their extended coverage instead of chasing the absolute lowest price.
- **When to get serious:** I’d start checking **the week before Black Friday**, then daily from Black Friday through Cyber Monday. If you see the BRAVIA 5 at your target price from a reputable seller, I’d be careful about waiting for “just a bit lower.” That’s where I messed up.

Lesson I learned: for Sony TVs, it’s better to grab a solid, verified deal slightly early than gamble on a perfect one and end up with either no stock or sketchy sellers.

Hope this helps!

Hey,

I totally get trying not to repeat last year’s "hesitate and miss it" situation… been there.

**1. Understand the issue (what’s realistic for BRAVIA 5 deals)**
Sony is usually more conservative than, say, Hisense/TCL, but there *are* patterns:
- Newer lines (like BRAVIA 5 if it’s this year’s/late-year model) usually see **~15–25% off** on Black Friday/Cyber Monday.
- Bigger drops like **$400–$500 off** tend to hit when:
- It’s a mid–high tier model, and
- There’s either a newer successor announced, or
- Retailers are doing stackable promos (gift cards, rewards, etc.).

So, in your $1,000–$1,400 range, a 55" BRAVIA 5 is pretty realistic, and a 65" might sneak in if you catch a bundle or open-box/warehouse deal.

**2. Multiple angles to watch (technical + where to buy)**
From a more technical POV, for your use case:
- **Motion handling / sports**: Sony’s processing is still one of the safest bets. Motion interpolation + black frame insertion is usually better tuned than most brands. Good for sports if you tweak it (turn off soap opera effect).
- **PS5 gaming**: Double-check *before* buying that the exact BRAVIA 5 model has:
- **HDMI 2.1 on at least 2 ports** (for 4K120, VRR)
- ALLM / “Game” picture mode
- Low input lag (<20 ms at 4K60, ideally <10–15 ms at 4K120).
Sony is decent here, but some models lock you into weird dimmer HDR in game mode. I’d wait for reviewers (RTINGS, HDTVTest, etc.) to actually measure input lag and HDR brightness.

**Retailer differences (not just price):**
- **Best Buy**:
- Sometimes same price as Amazon, but with **extra promos** (e.g., gift card, free enrollment in Total membership, or discounted Geek Squad protection).
- Open-box “Excellent” condition during Cyber Monday can be a *sleeper deal* and cut another $100–$250.
- **Costco**:
- Often slightly *less aggressive* on raw discount but you get **2nd year warranty + good return policy**. For a pricey Sony, that’s a pretty safe option tbh.
- Sometimes they bundle with a basic soundbar.
- **Amazon**:
- Good for flash / lightning deals, but stock can vanish fast.
- Watch for third‑party sellers on “too good” prices; I’d stick to “Ships from and sold by Amazon” or a major retailer.

**3. My recommendation (how to avoid missing out again)**
What I’d do in your situation:
1. **Set targets now** (rough ballpark):
- 55" BRAVIA 5: aim for **20–25% off MSRP**.
- 65" BRAVIA 5: if it hits **$1,400–$1,500 with any kind of bonus** (gift card, membership, soundbar), that’s decent for Sony.
2. **Start checking seriously 7–10 days before Black Friday**. Sony stuff often gets “Black Friday pricing” early, then the same numbers reappear on Cyber Monday.
3. Use **price trackers** (Camelcamelcamel, Keepa, etc.) for Amazon, and create wishlists at Best Buy & Costco so you can compare quickly.
4. If you see your target price hit at a reputable place **before Cyber Monday**, I’d personally buy and not gamble further. Many stores will do price protection / adjustments if it drops again within a short window.

If you share the exact BRAVIA 5 model number you’re eyeing (e.g. XR-65X*** or whatever Sony ends up calling it), you can get more specific info on expected brightness, gaming features, and a more realistic “walk-away” price.

Hope this helps! Let me know what size/model you’re leaning toward and I can sanity‑check the specs and what I’d pay for it.

Hey,

If you’re budget-focused, I’d plan this less as “wait for Cyber Monday” and more as “track the price floor for 4–6 weeks” and pounce when it hits your target.

For Sony specifically, here’s what I’ve seen the last few years (BRAVIA X90/X93/X95 and similar tiers):
- **Headline discounts**: usually ~20–25% off MSRP on newer models, sometimes 30% on the 65" if it’s not the brand‑new wave.
- **Extra savings** often come from **stacking**:
- Store gift cards (Best Buy / Target: $100–$200 with higher-end TVs)
- Card promos (Amex/Chase offers, 5% store cards, etc.)
- Warehouse clubs (Costco/Sam’s) giving **2‑year warranty + concierge** that saves you buying an extended plan.

If your budget is $1,000–$1,400:
- 55" BRAVIA 5: totally realistic to land it in the **$1,000–$1,150 effective range** once you factor in gift cards/cashback.
- 65": I’d expect **$1,400–$1,600 effective** for a good deal, not a unicorn deal.

Practical plan:
1. **Track price history** now with tools (Keepa for Amazon, Honey/Camel, etc.).
2. **Set your own trigger price** (e.g., 55" ≤ $1,100, 65" ≤ $1,500). If it hits that any time from mid‑November through Cyber Monday, just buy.
3. Buy from somewhere with **price protection / easy returns** (Costco, Best Buy Elite, Amazon) so if Cyber Monday is $100 cheaper you can sometimes price‑match or return/rebuy.

Also, watch for **bundles** that effectively shift cost:
- TV + Sony soundbar with $300 off combined
- TV + store gift card (you’ll probably use it anyway)

So yeah, $300–$500 off isn’t crazy, but I’d think in terms of **total effective cost** (discount + gift card + warranty value), not just sticker price.

Hope this helps you not miss out again this year!

If you’re open to comparing brands, I’d treat BRAVIA 5 as your “picture-quality baseline” and then see who undercuts it on price: in past years Samsung QLEDs and LG QNEDs have been a bit cheaper for similar specs (120Hz, good HDR, gaming features), while Hisense/TCL mini‑LEDs often go even lower with aggressive Cyber Monday cuts but slightly worse processing and upscaling. For $1,000–$1,400, I think you’ll see BRAVIA 5 get a smaller straight discount (maybe ~$300 off) while the competitors drop harder, so Sony might still sit at the top of your budget when others hit mid‑range. I’d line up 2–3 “equivalent” models from Samsung/LG/Hisense now, track all of them with price alerts, and then if Sony doesn’t move much on Cyber Monday, you’ve got a backup that gives you 90–95% of the experience for less. Hope this helps!

Hey,

One angle I’d really keep in mind with the BRAVIA 5 (or any big Cyber Monday TV buy) is **safety + reliability first**, then price.

A few things I’ve learned the hard way over the last 10+ Black Fridays/Cyber Mondays:

1. **Stick to authorized retailers** (Sony direct, Best Buy, Amazon *sold & shipped by Amazon*, Costco, maybe Target). For Sony warranties, this seriously matters. Some sketchy “deal” sites list amazing prices but you end up with no valid warranty or a refurb passed off as new.

2. **Check model numbers carefully.** Sony sometimes has “holiday-only” SKUs that look like the BRAVIA 5 but quietly cut corners (cheaper stand, fewer HDMI 2.1 ports, worse panel binning). Not unsafe, but long‑term reliability can be worse. Google the full model code before you hit Buy.

3. **Freight delivery & mounting safety.** For a 65" especially, I’d absolutely:
- Pay for **in‑home delivery** (or at least inspect the box before signing). Shipping damage can show up as hairline cracks or light bleed that only appear after a few hours.
- If wall‑mounting, use a **VESA‑rated mount** and anchors actually rated for the weight. I’ve seen a buddy’s 65" come down because the super‑cheap mount failed… not fun, and warranty doesn’t cover “TV met the floor at speed”.

4. **Extended warranty vs. gift cards.** Sony sets tend to last, but the **first 2–3 years** are when panel or power‑board issues pop up. If your choice is: same TV, same price, but one deal is a $150 gift card and the other is a 3–5 year protection plan from Costco/Best Buy? For a $1k+ TV, I personally grab the extended protection every time. It’s saved me twice now (one panel failure at year 4, one HDMI board issue at year 3).

5. **Power protection.** If you don’t already have one, budget $30–$80 for a **decent surge protector or small UPS**. BRAVIA sets don’t like dirty power, and a brownout can fry boards. Not sexy, but it’s cheap insurance.

Realistically, for Cyber Monday 2025 I’d:
- Target an **authorized seller + extended coverage + proper mount/surge** over squeezing out an extra $50–$100 discount from a random seller.
- Start watching prices 2–3 weeks before, but lock in when you see a solid deal *with* good warranty + safe delivery terms.

You’ll enjoy the BRAVIA 5 way more for years if you don’t have that nagging “what if the panel dies and I’m screwed?” feeling.

Hope this helps! 👍

Hey,

I did almost exactly what you’re planning with a BRAVIA (different series, 65") two Cyber Mondays ago. I’m a bit of a DIY nut, so I went **full self‑service**: tracked prices myself, bought online, wall‑mounted it, calibrated it, the whole thing.

Here’s how that played out and how it might help you:

**1. DIY price tracking vs “just wait for Cyber Monday”**
I didn’t rely on leaks. I set price alerts on:
- Amazon (Keepa/CamelCamelCamel)
- Best Buy (their own app + Honey)
- Costco (manual checks weekly)

Result: the *best* price actually hit **the weekend before Cyber Monday**, then briefly matched on Cyber Monday morning, then went OOS in a few hours. So, IMO:
- Start checking **seriously 7–10 days before**.
- Set a “buy it now” price in your head (say, 55" at $1,000 / 65" at $1,300) and pull the trigger when it hits, don’t wait for an extra $50.

**2. DIY calibration & gaming setup (saves money, better results)**
Instead of paying for “pro setup” or Geek Squad, I:
- Used **RTINGS / YouTube** calibration settings as a baseline.
- Turned on Game Mode, VRR, ALLM, and double‑checked input lag settings manually.
- Tweaked motion settings for sports (reduce soap‑opera effect but keep motion smooth).

Takes like 1–2 hours, but for streaming + PS5, it’s a huge win and totally doable yourself.

**3. Wall‑mounting: DIY is fine… *if* you’re careful**
If you’re even slightly handy, a decent mount from Costco/Amazon + a stud finder works. Just:
- Follow the **VESA spec** listed for the BRAVIA 5 size you want.
- Mount into **studs only**, no shortcuts.
- Don’t cheap out on the bracket; a $40–70 name brand is a decent option.

If your wall is weird (metal studs, plaster, brick) or you’re not confident, I’d honestly pay for mounting. Replacing a shattered 65" isn’t worth the “I saved $80” story.

**4. Where DIY beats retailer “deals”**
Retailers will try to bundle:
- Overpriced HDMI cables
- Questionable calibration services
- Extended warranties you might not need

What worked for me instead:
- Buy the TV standalone where it’s cheapest.
- Get **your own** certified Ultra High Speed HDMI (cheap on Amazon).
- If you’re cautious (I am), grab an extended warranty only if:
- It’s from Costco (built‑in) or a solid 3rd party, **and**
- You’re keeping the TV 5–7 years.

**What to expect on discounts (based on past Sony behavior)**
For a newish BRAVIA line, I’d *realistically* expect something like:
- 55": maybe **$250–$350 off**
- 65": maybe **$300–$450 off** if you hit a good window

Sony’s usually more conservative, but stacking **gift cards / rewards** can matter:
- Best Buy: rewards points, sometimes $100 gift cards on certain sizes.
- Costco: not always the lowest cash price, but warranty + return policy are hard to beat.

**Lesson learned from my upgrade**
DIY everything you reasonably can (price tracking, calibration, most installs), and use pros only for stuff that can go very wrong (mounting on tricky walls, electrical, etc.). That balance kept my total cost down and I still ended up with a properly set‑up TV.

If I were you, I’d:
1. Decide your **walk‑away prices** now for 55" and 65".
2. Set alerts on all major retailers.
3. Plan to start checking **daily** the week before Black Friday.
4. Be ready to buy early if it hits your number, even if it’s not technically Cyber Monday yet.

Hope this helps! If you narrow it down to a specific 55" vs 65" model number, people here can probably help with more targeted settings for PS5 + streaming too.

Hey,

Long‑term BRAVIA owner here (had a 900F, now on a BRAVIA 5‑tier set for ~1.5 years). If you care about **owning it for 5–7+ years**, I’d plan Cyber Monday like this:

**1. Prioritize model + panel over the absolute lowest price**
I’d absolutely rather pay $150 more for the BRAVIA 5 I want than “save” on a lower tier. Sony’s processing and motion hold up really well over time – my old set still looks great and handles streaming compression better than newer budget TVs.

**2. Watch for bundles that improve long‑term use, not gimmicks**
If Costco / Best Buy throws in a 3–5 year warranty or Allstate/TotalTech style protection for cheap, that’s worth more than an extra $100 off IMO. Panels usually either fail early or run forever.

**3. Realistic discount window**
From what I’ve tracked: 15–25% off is realistic on mid/high Sony by Cyber Monday. $300–$500 off a 65" isn’t crazy, but it might be a short “doorbuster” window or specific to one retailer.

**4. For PS5 + streaming use**
BRAVIA 5 is a solid long‑term pick: motion stays clean, HDR tone mapping is consistent, and input lag’s been totally fine for me on a Series X/PS5 mix. No regrets.

So: decide now which size you *really* want, set a price you’d be happy with for the next 5 years, and pull the trigger when it hits – don’t chase the absolute rock bottom.

Hope this helps!