 Excellent LCD HDTV |
| Review Date: January 1, 2007 |
| Reviewer: John W. Nickelson, South Jersey |
This TV had the best picture in the store in the 32" LCD category. For the space I had- the viewing area was 55 inches from the TV - anything larger would have been too much. The rule of thumb is to buy a TV whose diagonal is ½ the distance that you'll be sitting from the TV. I would have bought a plasma if they had a 32 inch size, but the smallest I could find was 42"
The LCD HDTVs still lag behind the other HDTV types in the area of color and motion. The Sony KDLV32XBR2 comes darn close colorwise. It is fabulous. This is my second sony. I also own a 34 inch 9x16 WEGA CRT-type HDTV. Watching a football game is slightly better on the WEGA, due to its better motion processing. If you buy a cheap LCD HDTV you'll definitely notice the inferior color and motion.
On the other hand, LCD TVs lead the others HDTV types in terms of space-saving, no-burn-in, longevity, power consumption, and brightness. These TVs are better in a well lit room than the plasma variety.
The Comcast technician connected the cable box to the TV using the component input, which requires 5 cables. I had bought an HDMI cable beforehand but he said I bought the wrong cable, which was incorrect. He said that cable box has a HDMI output but after reading the cable box manual he was referring to the DVI output, which isn't HDMI. Be careful if you use the HDMI input on the set because I've heard that you'll have trouble using the zoom feature on non-HD channels. I have a regular DVD player connected to the other component inputs. I am going to use the HDMI input eventually for an HD DVD player , when they come down in price.
This is a 720p HDTV. Make sure you set up the cable box or satellite receiver to output 720p. It doesn't look as good with an 1080i signal, which is what my cable box was originally set to (the comcast technician who set it up didn't know the difference , the idiot). Fortunately he left the manual for the cable box and I figured it out after he left. If I were you I would call Comcast or your satellite TV provider and make sure that their box can output 720 p. As far as waiting to buy a 1080p set, I do not believe it would be worth the wait. The difference between 720p and 1080p on a set this small would not be noticeable. You will not get better motion processing on a 1080p set for the same response time, which is 8ms on this set and all of Sony's LCD TVs at this point.
CONS: One annoying thing is that you have to cycle through all the 7 input selections, even if they are not being used. It would be nice if the TV could be set up to skip inputs that are not in use- all I'm using are two, one for DVD and one for cable. Also, I would have liked if Sony would have put a "ZOOM" button on top of the set(you can ZOOM but use have to scroll down the menus). I set up the TV so my sister doesn't have to use the TV remote, just the cable remote. It is confusing for a non-techie to have all these remotes around. She turns the TV off and on using the power button on top of the set. She switches from the DVD to cable by hitting the TV/VIDEO button, again this button is on top of the set. Some of the regular DVDs are made to work in the ZOOM mode. If that button was on top of the set, she wouldn't have to pull out the TV remote at all.
There is no picture-in-picture, which is not important to me especially on a set this small.
All-in-all, this is a spectacular set. Once I had the cable box configured correctly, the picture is an unbelievable WOW. I'm very happy with it.
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Sometimes more is better
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| Review Date: December 2, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Julie F, Plymouth, MI |
After doing some shopping for a nice HD LCD tv, I found that although this Sony is definitely pricey for its size, it more than makes up for the price difference in pure quality. Picture is very detailed, and the HD is AMAZING. I was initially going to go with a little larger set, but with a lower quailty brand...and when all is said and done, I'm glad I ended up with the 32" Sony.
For my space, anything larger would have been overkill, and I'm thrilled with it. It was two minutes to set up out of the box, and the menus are very easy to navigate. (ie you do not have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out).
I would highly recommend this television to anyone that wants an extremely nice tv, but would like to keep their tv from dominating their space. |
No complaints-wow
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| Review Date: February 26, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Harry E. Stone, New York, NY |
While I only have had the set for 4 days, I felt I had to add my input. The picture quality on HD channels exceeded my expectations. If the picture signal input is not that great do not blame the TV.I live in NYC and use Time Warner cable with a HD box with DVR. The DVR box is highly recommended. Only $9 a mo. but so easy and convenient to use.
READ the manual! You cannot expect to get top performance if you never read the manual. My wife and I spent about an hour figuring out the manual. Setting are easy and no problem. Don't buy expensive HDMI cables. Buy cheap on Amazon. Saved $600 by buying on Amazon! |
I'm happy
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| Review Date: January 30, 2007 |
| Reviewer: M. Randle, Sumter, SC United States |
| I purchased this TV from Amazon. I'm not an expert on HD LCD TVs, but I don't see how one could expect a better picture. It also makes regular TV look very good too, almost like HD. I've always had good luck with Sony "top of the line" products. |
Amazing Picture
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| Review Date: December 27, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Willydakid, NJ |
I saw the quality of the XBR Bravia unit next to the "non Bravia" set in a store and could tell the difference easily. I finally broke down and got this TV and couldn't be happier. The programs that are broadcast in HD are incredible. I'm a sucker for the educational shows like those on the Discover Channel and the images on Discovery HD are amazing. You know those images you see in the store on the great tv's and wishing that you had that at home. THIS UNIT DELIVERS THAT!!!
I'm also a sucker for Football and Hockey and the games on HD are a totally different experience than on regular TV. My wife noted that she can actually follow the puck now during Hockey games.
The only negative with this tv is that shows are still broadcast in a non HD format. That's not so much a problem with the tv as it is with the networks. I guess they'll catch on soon enough. For those tv junkies out there, this is a must. |
Fabulous TV
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| Review Date: May 29, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Kate O, |
| I love this TV. The sound is great and the picture is fabulous. The delivery was really more than I expected. I got a phone call to set the delivery time and they actually showed up at the right time. They unboxed the TV and set it up for me. I could have done it myself but it was really nice to be able to see the TV working before the delivery folks left. |
Sony TV
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| Review Date: May 12, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Erika, New York |
| Great product. Delivery from Amazon is the best after doing a lot of research on the web. Amazon is a little more expensive but very reliable. |
Sony LCD TV is the Best Ever
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| Review Date: January 17, 2007 |
| Reviewer: A Clever Sheep, Field of Grass |
| My wife and I bought this tv for Christmas, and we are extremely pleased with it. We have it hooked up to a Cox Cable HDTV set-top box, which includes a PVR feature, and our sound system. It's probably got the best tv picture we have ever seen. The HDTV channels look like a picture postcard, almost 3-D. The standard definition digital tv channels are very good. Even the standard definition analog tv channels are nice and sharp, except for one obscure PBS station. I definitely think the extra money for the top-of-the-line Sony was a good investment. Bryan. |
Very Satisfied and HD Cable / HD 'Over the air "solution
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| Review Date: February 8, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Jerry A. Spencer, Charlotte, NC |
After thoroughly researching, I walked into Circuit City expecting to buy a Sony 26" model KDL-26S2010. However, after comparing the 26" KDL-26S2010 to the 32" KDL-32S2010, the 32" model was a better value. Another consideration is a feature called WCG-CCFL as described in the spec section. After a side by side comparison between the 32" KDL-32S2010 (no WCG-CCFL) and the 32" KDLV32XBR2 (has WCG-CCFL), the WCG-CCFL produced a noticeably superior picture, mainly due to the higher contrast ratio and deeper blacks. I didn't mind paying the slightly higher price for an improved picture. Also, the salesman suggested I compare the Sony to a comparable Samsung that was several hundred dollars less expensive. The Samsung picture did appear slightly better to me, but the sound was a little thin compared to the Sony and I also liked the Sony aesthetics much better.
One other point that others might find helpful... I get cable service but they only offer 2 of the 4 major networks in HD. So, I purchased a Philips HD Antenna(Model PHDTV3) for apx $50 and an AB switch to alternate between cable and air sources. After autoprogramming the two sources separately, I now receive 17 HD stations over the air... FREE. Switching between cable and air is a 3 step process that involves selecting input as A or B on the AB switch, selecting between cable or air from menu settings and then selecting between digital/analog from the remote control. This sounds a little confusing, but it was actually easy. Worth the effort as I can now view HD programming from all 4 networks, 2 from cable and 2 over the air (not to mention the other 15 "air" HD channels). Finally, I strongly suggest hooking up to a surround sound system so your ears are just as entertained as your eyes.
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Great picture and audio
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| Review Date: September 14, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Robert Enyeart, |
If I had it to do over, I would - for sure.
I thought default picture settings were about perfect to me.
I did brighten it a bit to see more detail in shadows.
Audio is better than adequate.
Price is right
Shipper was great and arrived earlier than estimated.
(can't trust tracking location, mine said it was still in Ohio when shipper called said they were ready to deliver it)
Ok, a complaint:
The remote is too skinny and not balanced well - disappointing - but can live with it. |
Worth the price
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| Review Date: June 10, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Lynne Menefee, Jemez Springs, NM USA |
| Sometimes it pays to choose the best. This is one of those times. |
Great TV at great price
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| Review Date: March 27, 2007 |
| Reviewer: P. Banerjee, NY, USA |
| This TV is a great product.Quite sleek and the colors are very vivid.Well thats a property of any Sony product!Got a good discount. |
Great Television!!
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| Review Date: February 12, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Mavis, |
| This TV is everything we wanted it to be. Very happy with it. |
Top Segment LCD for Good Value
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| Review Date: July 2, 2007 |
| Reviewer: J. E. Ellis, Leiden, Netherlands (Europe) |
Wow, am I glad we waited to buy ourselves a flatscreen TV.
So many options yet so little real good advice out there. Ended up buying this Sony Screen (mainly because the DVD-R's also from Sony, as is the home cinema set).
Five top reasons to go out and buy one yourself:
1. Great colours and contrasts
2. Sleek Classy Design
3. Not too big, which fits a modest living room/master bedroom just fine
4. Easy set up features
5. If you hook it up with a HDMI cable (to your Home Cinema Set) you're really off
One minor flaw:
1. Sound is limited (mediocre at best); but a medium to up market Home Cinema Set should have that covered.
I recommend to anyone, who's still debating which type of LCD to buy, to opt for this beauty. You won't get much more value for money anywhere else.....
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sony lcd 32"
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| Review Date: June 3, 2007 |
| Reviewer: N. Irizarry, |
| previous channel memory a problem. picture quality is nice. remote control is very limited and not programable to other things, such as dvd player |
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