 The Average Joe's Review |
| Review Date: December 14, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Mr. E, Los Angeles, CA |
I bought this TV in a BF sale. So price was not a factor. Basically I got it for cost or what the current 42" plasma are selling for. I wanted an LCD over a plasma since I have little kids and the burn-in issue was a major fear. The kids will pause the DVR and leave the room 20 times a day. So even with the current low cost of 42" plasmas, I knew I would need a LCD instead of the plasma.
I am a Sony TV fan. I currently have a Sony 32" tube & 43" big screen and have been very happy with the picture and life of these TVs. So for now, Sony is still held in high regards with respect to brand loyalty for their TVs. Sony DVD players, that would be a whole other negative review.
As stated, the remote on this TV is shoddy. I to have issues with using it since I have to press the buttons numerous times to have it switch video options. I would place the remote quality below a all-in-one remote. But, since we will all have cable/sat, this should not be a big issue since we will rarely use this remote other then to switch from TV to games/DVD.
The TV itself is fantastic. Picture quality using component cables from DVR to TV was much better on analog/digital and HD channels then in the store. I found very little jaggedness around the edge of the things being shown as I noticed when looking at them in the store. Analog pictures come in very good using a cable DVR. Digital is very clear. HD is WoW. Remember, I have the 43" 1080i big screen, but this TV gives the HD a whole new life. Even TNT/HD looks great!
780 vs. 1080. The average person will not see the difference. If you have the extra $1000, buy the 1080I version of this TV. The difference is a slight clarity in the picture which you probably will not notice at 8-10 ft away.
These are my issues with the TV. There are a lot of +s, but we all just want to read to see if there are any problems or issues we can not live with before we buy it. Well I recommend this TV and would buy it again, but here's what I had issues with.
Issue one is that this TV only has one HDMI port. Bascially it gives you a better picture and sound using one cable instead of 4-5 cables (3 component and 2 RCA /or/ 1 optical cable for sound) My DVR has a DVI port so I bought a cable to allow me to use this instead of the component cables. Since it only has a DVI on the cable box, I will still need a RCA or optical cable for sound. I bought an upconverting DVD player, have a PS3 and the cable box all have HDMI connections. I purchased an HDMI switch from Monoprice.com ($112)which allows me to hook up to 5 HDMI devices into the TVs one HDMI port. So it is the same as having a TV with 5 HDMI ports! The picture is slightly crisper and the wiring in the back of the TV has gone from about 15 wires(components/optical) down to only four HDMI wires.
My biggest issue with this TV is the DVD playback quality being played on it using my progressive scan DVD player. I was a little disappointed because the picture is a lower quality then if I played the DVD using my big screen. It's still good, eqivalent to the digital cable channel picture quality, but it lacked that crisp perfect picture I was expecting and looking forward to. UPDATE-I bought a Panasonic S52 upconverting DVD player ($50 Buy.com)and it has improved the picture quality from my prior progressive player significantly. Plan on buying one if you get this or any other TV. Blu Ray from the PS3 plays very clear and nice.
Issue three is the factory settings. When you first turn on the TV, you almost have a tear come down and want to return the TV back to the store before the wife says I told you so. Go to the AVS forum and get the settings they recommend for the TV and then you'll be in heaven. This is not rocket science, just changing the color, hue, backlight etc in the main menu to get the TV to look just right! Once done, It makes a big difference in the overall look of the picture quality.
Overall, you will love this TV. Buy it, and enjoy, you've made the right decision.
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Second Sony....and loving it.
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| Review Date: December 14, 2006 |
| Reviewer: J. Fulton, |
We got the same deal as another reviewer (Circuit City). We were looking for a 32" for the bedroom but walked out with a 40". Why? Well the price was the clincher, but what a great TV.
Our first Sony is a 60" that we love and the 40" is just as good. Over the past couple of years LCD TV's have emerged as the trend of the future. The biggest difference is that the 60" has a bulb that can be replaced after burning out or getting dim over time. This television does not have that feature. It's said to last about 7 years on average so we'll find out.
If you're looking at TV's and deciding on one, my advise is this: The technology is getting high fast. 1080p is the future (can you really see s difference? If you can, by all means, buy it!) 1980X1080 is true high definition, but if you're sitting far enough it's hardly noticeable. You'll want HDMI inputs, the more the better.
Now all those options will cost you more, but these are what to remember.
Finally, I would say, so to the store, look at Samsung and Sony. Everything else is trying to be them.
We love this TV and it's easy too see why. That must be why you're here. |
Still Haven't Found Anyrhing Better
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| Review Date: February 20, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Ann Schoenstein, Maryland |
I purchased this TV the day before Black Friday. Now it is February, and still I have nothing really bad to say about the TV. Well, the slight curve and gloss part on the bottom slightly irks me, but that's just me. Anyway, as other reviews have said, there are no problems switching from regular to high-def channels as there were in the 40S2000.
I sit about 10-12 feet away from the TV (big room), and the picture quality is great. However, if I get less than 5 feet away, the quality gets noticeably worse (I should really say less great), even on HD channels, but it's all relative.
A little hint involving contrast: If you are placing this TV somewhere where there is nothing blocking it, I *highly* recommend setting the backlight to "light sensitive". Basically, the IR sensor on the TV automatically adjusts the backlight on the TV to the light in the room. I find this gives the TV optimal black levels, ones better than some plasmas, in my opinion.
Anyway, this TV is awesome. I have gone to stores recently, and still think this is the TV to get in this price and feature range. Sure, you pay a bit more (it is a Sony, after all) but I have found no problems at all. Picture quality is great, there are plenty of inputs for people who don't need HDMI (it's just a cable, people). Some people complain about motion blurring, I have seen no motion blurring on this TV.
Being a developing audiophile, the speakers on the TV should suit the needs of the non-picky average consumer. I found that a volume of 30-40 (out of 100) was a good volume. I hooked up my own external speakers, but that's just personal preference.
Buying this TV is a large leap of faith (you are spending over $1500), especially for me, who doesn't watch copious amounts of TV. Buying this, however, has led me to watch more TV then I ever have. For a TV buyer on an under $2000 budget, this is the TV to get. |
Vivid colors, no problems.
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| Review Date: March 11, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Mark Isham, Raleigh, NC USA |
Colors are amazingly vivid, wow! I especially recommend watching the programming on Discovery HD, amazing!
Eagle shippers were professional - called ahead to schedule a time for deliver, and even unpacked from the box and setup on the entertainment center.
Only regret is that there is only 1 HDMI connector, but that's pretty minor in the grand scheme of things.
All in all a great product. |
Amazon & Sony - perfect together
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| Review Date: April 4, 2007 |
| Reviewer: MICHAEL A. FAULKNER, Brielle, NJ |
After considerable research and visits to local stores, I bought the Sony 40" at Amazon (after initially considering a Sharp Aquos). The comments of reviewers here at the Amazon site were most helpful. Ordered the unit on a Wednesday, got a call from Eagle(the shippers) on Friday afternoon and it was delivered on Saturday. Eagle was great. Plugged the unit in and I have been enjoying my Sony Bravia tremendously for a week now.
Had one morning when the digital channels disappeared. But a call to Sony pointed me to Cablevision who corrected the problem. Sony Customer Service was patient and complete.
Most helpful were the reviewer comments regarding other stuff. I went with the Monoprice HDMI Switcher to expand the HDMI ports and went with the Sony CD/DVD Player (DVP-NS75H). The result is truly GREAT!!! Add on Cablevision Triple Play services and I have a simple array of excellent technology products, with fine customer service and at affordable prices. Did I mention the competitive Amazon pricing?
Thank you to all reviewers. |
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