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| Date Reviewed: 12/20/2005 |
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Strengths: Picture qualtiy (especially in HD), audio quality, color reproduction, design
Weaknesses: Non-HD channels
Summary: Overall, this is an excellent television. HD channels are really fantastic (better than I expected). Regular channels are either so-so or terrible, but you get used to it (just do not watch them as much). Color reproduction is very accurate. I am very happy with this purchase.
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| Date Reviewed: 12/02/2005 |
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Strengths: unsurpassed picture quality in HD. I was shocked. You gotta pay extra for the HD channels, its worth it!
Weaknesses: no video out connections... but I guess I know why do to copyright controls. And the split screen is designed to only work with 4 or 5 of the inputs instead of all 7 for some silly reason . So that sucks, when trying to tape, view and control different so
Summary: great tv. I upgraded from a 27" and glad I quit waiting. It's not as good as a plasma if you want to watch from side angles during the day, but I'm still happy! Everyone who visits after seeing the quality asks if its a plasma. They are surprised when I tell them its not.
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| Date Reviewed: 11/10/2005 |
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Strengths: Great when HD transmission is received...great with DVD player, VCR, etc.
Weaknesses: ANAOLG transmissions really stink....you will wish your old TV was back....but you get used to it.
Summary: You can't go wrong with this television. Price vs. quality cannot be beat.
The only drawback it that analog transmissions suffer....(smaller picture unless you "wide-angle zoom" it...which worsens the resolution). HD broadcast is superb, DVD playback is excellent (not true HD....as close as you can get via DVD)
The TV shines when watching a full-blown HD channel. It is astounding...and your main thought is "Gee...I wish ALL channels were HD!". Unfortunately, they are not...and even "digital" channels offer only 480 and 720 resolution unless it is true 1080i HD. It's too bad you will have to go back and forth between the different broadcast resolutions because you DO NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE...and it will haunt you. (It haunts me!!).
But there is light on the horizon as many channels are jumping on the HD bandwagon...and there is legislation to stop all analog transmissions by sometime in 2006.
This is a great TV to get on the HD train without spending a ton of money. Got mine (floor model) for under $1400.00 and still received the 1-year warrantee. Nothing to break-down, no screen burn, or screen life issues. Just replace the bulb every 3/4 years...and the TV will last until holographic signals are broadcasted in the future....and then you'll have to buy that 3-D television...as HD broadcasting will then pale in comparison!!
Have fun keeping up with technology.
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| Date Reviewed: 08/01/2005 |
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Strengths: Everything...especially picture
Weaknesses: narrow angle for remote control/vertical viewing axis
Summary: The weaknesses I mentioned are inherent in most rear projection LCD TVs and are certainly within reason.
The most obvious outstanding feature of this HDTV is the picture quality! I marvel at the color and clarity...I have no missing pixels and don't think the black levels are nearly as poor as some have suggested. The setup is easy and, although it does take 50 minutes to tune the channels, you only have to do it once! The multiple inputs meet all my needs. The twin picture feature is great for watching two sports at once!
Another quality SONY product!
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| Date Reviewed: 06/29/2005 |
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Strengths: LightWeight, but does not tip easily. Power up / Shutdown time not exsessive.
High detail and color qualities.
Menus easy to navigate.
Memory stick a plus.
Weaknesses: Vertical Viewing Angle.
No Firewire input.
Summary: Setup of this TV took next to no time ( using HD Settop Box - I've not bothered using the QAM tuner yet ).
The first thing I'd suggest, for anyone using a Motorola Advanced Settop Box, is to set the box to output at 1080i - NOT 720P.
Overall - great quality for the price.
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| Date Reviewed: 06/22/2005 |
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 TV Started to make humming noise after only 4 mont ... Strengths: Great picture
Weaknesses: Did not last long before TV broke down.
Summary: TV Started to make humming noise after only 4 months. At seven months TV would not turn on, it would only flash the red blinking light. Very frustrated that this TV only lasted 7 months before it broke. Still under warranty but it is going to take a week before a Sony service dealer can get it fixed. Not very impressed
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| Date Reviewed: 05/25/2005 |
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Strengths: Incredible HD picture. Remote is easy to use. Plenty of inputs. Integrates well with Sony products (DVD, VCR, digital camera). HD card is better (and cheaper) than a set top box.
Weaknesses: The only weakness I've found has been addressed by another poster.
Summary: This set has been perfect from the day I got it. My cable company (Cox Communications) installed the HD card into the back of the set, and except for the rare "hiccup" in the transmission, has worked flawlessly. The different surround selections are OK, assuming you don't have a true surround system, but I bought the set for its reliability, and picture quality, both of which have been outstanding. Friends who have never seen true 1080i HD are completely blown away by the picture on this set.
As for the issue of paging throught the 7 video sources, thanks to the other poster for pointing out the fix. That was my only issue.
The true HD channels (Discovery HD, and INHD 1 & 2) are absolutely amazing.
I only wish I could afford a 55".
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| Date Reviewed: 05/20/2005 |
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Strengths: EVERYTHING
Weaknesses: Takes too long to warm up LOL J/K
Summary: There is no better picture anywhere - not even on top-of-the-line plasmas. NO DOTS NO GRAININESS Sound is better than acceptable MY brother-in-law is very upset that he paid $7,000 for a plasma system and my picture is a whole lot better than his for $5,000 less.
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| Date Reviewed: 04/20/2005 |
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Strengths: beautiful picture, great sound, easy to set up
Weaknesses: none so far
Summary: I bought this set via a friend who work at Sony. My initial concerns about receiving HD broadcast were unfounded. After the initial set up (which took the whole 50 minutes that Sony said it would), I was able to receive digital/HD broadcast. All I did was hook the cable line into the TV. I live in the SF/East Bay area, where Comcast is the cable provider. All I have is the extended basic cable service. But last night I was able to get Fox, ABC, NBC, CBS in HD, as well as a few other channels like KQED, Discovery and a bunch of digital music channel. The HD pictures were beautiful, crisp, clear, normal looking colors. The standard pictures were as expected. The speakers in the is set is great. I don't like to hook up all kind of components to my TV, and this allows me only hook up my DVD player and still get everything I need. The TV is simple to use! One remote for the TV and that's it. I'm happy that I bought this TV. I had to sell my 43" Sony projection TV that I bought 3 years ago for cheap to do it, but it was worth it. I will try to update this review if I experience any problems in the future.
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| Date Reviewed: 03/17/2005 |
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Strengths: Superb picture with HD and DVD inputs. Better than most with SD programming. Excellent internal speakers
Weaknesses: Remote can be a bit awkward. Internal speakers must be disabled to use audio output.
Summary: 2005-03-18 07:23:15 I chose this Sony over other very good sets because it's an exceptional value and provides a picture as good as anything I looked at, including plasma and DLP TV sets.
With SD (Standard Definition) broadcasts, the picture is quite good. Not quite as good as my old Hitachi 27" CRT, but very, very close. In "Full" mode it is very good, in any of the zoom or stretch modes, not quite as good. With a decent DVD and a progressive scan player, the picture quality is breathtaking. Finding Nemo is just amazing in it's color saturation and clarity. Switching over to my satellite HD input, a true HD broadcast is so sharp and realistic that you'll think you're looking through a glass window. It's very impressive! The only disadvantage to LCD technology is its difficulty in dealing with deep blacks in a scene. This is a fact, but one which has only minimal impact on the overall picture quality. The Sony can render deep blacks very well, but that comes at the cost of some loss of detail in very dark areas. This is most apparent in dim night scenes or areas of a picture with very high contrast. The compromise I use is to simply set my picture and brightness levels to a point where the blacks aren't quite as dark as they might be. This provides a pleasing picture and maintains much of the detail in dark areas that might otherwise be lost. A little tweaking will easily give you a picture that is excellent for almost any programming.
I find the sound quality to be well above average for a TV. The sound is full and well defined with reasonable bass response and clear mid and high range tones. It features normal, TruSurround, and simulated Surround modes, but its built in automatic volume control function will only work in normal mode. One nuisance is that you must disable the speakers through the on screen menu before the audio output can be used. This only takes a few seconds, but it means you have to use the TV's remote.
This set has seven video inputs, all of which can be labeled and/or bypassed through the menu system. The HDMI input is preset to use input seven. There is no DVI input on this Sony. The inputs are accessed by scrolling with the remote. The remote is fairly complex and not very intuitive. I prefer using the remote that came with my DISH satellite receiver and have it programmed to control the TV. I only use the Sony's remote when I have to access the menu system for the TV.
This set is not too heavy...about 68 pounds, and can easily be carried by two adults. It is 32" high and just over 14" deep, but it is nearly 48" wide. That's pretty wide for a 42" set and makes a TV stand the most practical way of setting this unit up. Entertainment units wide enough for this set may be difficult to find.
The fan is quiet and can only be heard at start up and at shut down. Bulb life is estimated to be in excess of 3,000 hours and replacements are about $200.
Viewing angles are limited in the vertical plane...about 60 degrees...but are generous in the horizontal plane. (Over 130 degrees). In practice, this presents no real problem since not too many people will be watching this set while standing up.
So, yes, I am very pleased with this purchase. It has picture quality that will compare with plasma or DLP, but at a sub $2000 price point. That plus its built in HD tuner, make this a very impressive buy for a big screen HD TV.
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| Date Reviewed: 03/09/2005 |
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Strengths: Great picture,only weighs 46lbs, easy to move
Weaknesses: none
Summary: This is the best tv that we have ever owned. It has enough inputs for anything you want to watch. It has 3 different picture modes and plenty of color brightness. We are going to buy a another one shortly.
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| Date Reviewed: 03/06/2005 |
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Strengths: Color (fleshtones especially), Best contrast in dark scenes of the bunch of sets in it's class, cable card gives control back to TV remote
Weaknesses: would prefer full split screen PnP as option
Summary: First let me address a few reviewers before me who have stated weaknesses involving switching between 7 video inputs, even when not needed. ALL 6 additional video inputs can be skipped over with some menu option selections - video labels - skip ... read your manuals, people, or at least tinker with the set before you post inaccurate reviews.
Not only does the picture size and quality keep you inside the house watching shows or sports events I used to skip over before (maybe too much so, couch potato syndrome??), because there's no flicker, you can sit even closer making this screen even that much larger in perspective. The cable card HD tuner eliminates the cable box and allows you to use your TV remote as we did in the days before cable scrambling. We all know universal remotes are nice, but they never have full functionality compared to the remote that comes with the product. To top it off, the picture is better with the cable card too, now if they can somehow get a "satellite card" feature!!
If there's a minor bone to pick, it's the sound does not match up with my panasonic plasma's BBE sound even though it has more speakers, go figure??
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| Date Reviewed: 02/27/2005 |
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Strengths: Picture with all input sources. Sound quality
Weaknesses: Have to scroll through all video inputs even it they are not hooked up. Remote does not control all features of other sony products (vcr/dvd).
Summary: I spent a lot of time researching HDTV products in stores and on websites. I narrowed my search to DLP and LCD rear projection technology. I chose LCD because I felt the picture was sharper and the colors better on the LCD. I do not see the screen door effect on the LCD, nor do I see the rainbow effect on DLP that others have mentioned. I chose sony over panasonic (i have the 42" model) because to my eye the sony had the better overall picture. I have only had the tv for a couple of days so I can't speak about reliability, but I can tell you that the picture with an HD signal is INCREDIBLE.
I hooked the tv directly to the cable input without a cable box. The built in tuner tuned all available channel including broadcast HDTV. You would expect the HD channels to look great, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that even the analog channels look very good. I have also hooked the tv up to a progressive scan dvd player(sony also). The picture quality and sound are outstanding.
The menu system is fairly comprehensive and relatively easy to navigate. I am sure it is no different than any other tv of this type and requires time to get used to it. My only complaint is that you have to scroll through all video inputs to find the one you want. I only have three out of eight hooked up, and you can only scroll one way.
So far we are very pleased with the tv. I understand that the lamp life is questionable (I was told DLP is the same) but you will be amazed at the picture quality with HD and other inputs as well.
Be wary buying on line. I had a problem with one trying to add additional fees after placing an on line order. I ended up buying at Howard's (sourthern CA) for about $100-150 over on line vendors without the hassle. Hope this helps. Good luck shopping
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| Date Reviewed: 01/12/2005 |
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Strengths: picture quality, color, and sleek design
Weaknesses: none
Summary: After expensive yearly repairs on our Zenith large projection tv, we decided to purchase a SONY which we feel is the best television manufacturer around. My husband was not interested in a plasma tv because of burn-in issues and his concern that the plasma tvs have a short life span. After looking at many types and sizes, we selected this model because the picture quality is outstanding and the colors are brilliant. In addition, the tv is sleek-looking. We are very happy with our purchase so far. We considered an extended warranty plan, but found that there is only one lamp which costs about $199 and can be easily replaced by us. Although this seems expensive, it is much lower than our previous tv that had 3 lamps costing a lot more. We did purchase a SONY surround sound system and the sound is excellent, so we cannot comment on the television speakers by themselves.
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| Date Reviewed: 01/07/2005 |
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Strengths: THE PRICE FOR THE SIZE AND QUALITY EXELENT
Weaknesses: THE ONLY THING BAD ABOUT IT IS THE SPEAKERS BUT DONT MATTER IF U GOT A THEATER SYSTEM RIGHT?
Summary: MAN I LOVE MY TV I GOT IT A MONTH AGO AND THE QUALITY, SIZE IS JUST RIGHT FOR THE MONEY (2,300 TOTAL AT BESTBUY),THE ONLY THING IDONT LIKE IS THE SPEAKERS IN IT BUT WHO NEEDS THEM WHEN U HAVE A HOME THEATER SYSTEM RIGHT?
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