New Model: Sony KV-32XBR250
Written: Dec 14 '99 (Updated Dec 15 '99)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Great picture quality, especially for DVDs
Cons: The set is heavy, 176 pounds
|
|
|
| bobby.noblitt's Full Review: Sony KV-32XBR250 |
The Sony KV-32XBR250 Television is a new model, replacing the KV-32XBR200. With the new model, Sony lowered the price (to $1899 MSRP) and added some nifty features. Thanks, Sony!
I bought this TV about a month ago when my previous Sony XBR broke after about 15 years of use.
The most unique and innovative feature of this set is called "Vertical Compression", and is designed to enhance the playback of widescreen DVDs. This feature enables the user to set up his DVD player for a 16:9 display. Anamorphic DVDs (sometimes labeled "enhanced for widescreen TVs") are then transmitted to the TV with no compression. The TV automatically compresses the picture to the correct proportions, and (evidently) no detail is lost. On anamorphic DVDs such as "The Fifth Element", "Shakespeare in Love", and "Earth Girls are Easy", the video quality is stunning. A viewer might think it is high-definition rather than NTSC. Detail, color accuracy and contrast are excellent.
Proper adjustment of the picture settings is very important with this set. The factory settings are not very satisfactory. I used the "Avia" DVD in making the video settings, but "Video Essentials" should work well too. Four sets, or "modes" of picture settings are supplied. I found the "Movie" mode preferable for all sources. All four modes may be customized to the viewer's preferences. Using the "Avia" DVD, I set Picture and Hue to the center position on their scales. Brightness and Color were properly set a click or two to right of center. I set Sharpness to left of center by about 10 clicks.
The set's features are excellent, including dual-tuner picture-in-picture and four sets of audio/video inputs. A component video input is supplied and is preferable if your DVD player supports it. A set of wireless headphones is included, a very nice feature. Like other sets in Sony's Wega series, it has a flat screen. This really does help to reduce glare, since a smaller area of the room is reflected, compared to a conventional screen.
The remote is well-designed and easy to use.
The built-in speaker system is fine for every day TV watching, but for movies, I use my component stereo system.
In sum, this is a great NTSC TV. Considering the quality, it is a good value, especially for users who enjoy watching DVDs.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
bobby.noblitt
|
|
Member: Robert Noblitt
Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.