Sony Grand WEGA KDF-E42A10 42 in. HDTV LCD TV
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- Digital TV Standard: HDTV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 14:9
- Broadcast Format Displayed: 720p (HDTV) 480p (EDTV) 480i (SDTV)
- Weight: 61 lb.
- Projector Technology: LCD
- Built-in Tuner: ATSC NTSC
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User ReviewRead All Reviews »
It's funny how display TVs tend to show us the very best
Pros
Decent HD and DVD picture. Extremely light weight allows for moving to play with hookups.
Cons
Crappy SD picture. Not overly impressed with SONY online support so far
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Based on ALL formats and considering that CRT is being faded out, I would have to go with LCD BUT LCD still has a way to go prior to perfection.
I bought this unit after doing some research and figured that LCD was the way to go. I also bought ALL the extras Monster Cables component, HDMI, S-VIDEO. I got a new HD box from the cable company. Played with all the settings until I got familiar with the TV. Our last TV was close to 20 years old, so you know how techonolgy has changed since then.
I found that SD was next to pathetic while HD was really good. I expected a bit of a wow factor with HD and while HD WAS good, there was no wow factor. I check the settings and changed cables here and there.
I sent an email to 'contact us' at Sony and politely explained my dilema. With few words they simply said "check your source". I found that very unprofessional and they should have offered some advice. They could have suggested somewhere along the line that don't expect much of a picture from SD since you're buying this set for HD.
As I mentioned in the title all the TVs are set up to be the best in the store and all the geewhiz picture is there in front of you. BUT, as soon as you get it home, it doesn't seem to be what you bought. One very important thing about shopping around is to ask leading question. I found that too many of these young sales people really don't much about these new TVs. The chain stores seem to have too much employee turn over. Those stores are good for discounted price. But the more established independant specialty stores is where the answers are.
I do like the TV, but would I buy it again? I don't know. Every highend TV store I went to suggested that CRT was fading out and these LCDs, DLPs and Plazmas were the only way to go. Many of these Home Entertainment stores don't even sell CRTs. So, that concept gave me the push that I needed to buy the LCD.
(Update): I stated earlier that I didn't know whether I would buy THIS TV again or not. Let me explain. If I had my choice I would go back to the proven techology of the CRTs and aim for the biggest CRT available. For the most part they're died-hard TVs, we all know that. But considering the fact that CRT is fading out and that's all we ever knew.... and LCD is new to me, yes, I'm a little skittish. So please understand that I'm trying to call a spade a spade. Looking into the future I do like the set and probably would buy it again. (end of update)
CSI does look good though and so do my DVDs. I also liked the plasma but beyond my means at present and too many horror stories about the plasma sets.
I'm not really dissatisfied with the TV, I just expected a little more for the money. The 5.1 is being researched at present and I suspect the Panasonic SCHT930C will be the winner. I also bought the Pioneer DVR-533H-S.
One added note. When you decide to go HD be prepared to buy all components that go with it, good cabling. Decent DVD player. and above all a decent HD digital box to match your signal. We rented ours for $20/mon instead of buying.
First choice was SONY
Second choice was Panasonic
Third undecided
UPDATE... ALMOST A YEAR LATER
My opnion has remained unchanged. The best question you could ask anyone with respect to a product is: "Would you buy this product again?"
My answer is yes to this TV. The only downside I came across was the price dropped substantially since I bought it. But's that's life in the market place isn't it?
The Plazma while seemingly having a "better" picture has a much shorter life span, plus burn-in.
I've heard too many reports from people saying the DLP gives off that rainbow affect.
It turns out another neighbor bought the identical TV as mine (not knowing I had this model) and he loves it.
That's it in a nut shell. Always go top brands and size is your own decision. Don't go TOO big on size as it can be over whelming.
I found that SD was next to pathetic while HD was really good. I expected a bit of a wow factor with HD and while HD WAS good, there was no wow factor. I check the settings and changed cables here and there.
I sent an email to 'contact us' at Sony and politely explained my dilema. With few words they simply said "check your source". I found that very unprofessional and they should have offered some advice. They could have suggested somewhere along the line that don't expect much of a picture from SD since you're buying this set for HD.
As I mentioned in the title all the TVs are set up to be the best in the store and all the geewhiz picture is there in front of you. BUT, as soon as you get it home, it doesn't seem to be what you bought. One very important thing about shopping around is to ask leading question. I found that too many of these young sales people really don't much about these new TVs. The chain stores seem to have too much employee turn over. Those stores are good for discounted price. But the more established independant specialty stores is where the answers are.
I do like the TV, but would I buy it again? I don't know. Every highend TV store I went to suggested that CRT was fading out and these LCDs, DLPs and Plazmas were the only way to go. Many of these Home Entertainment stores don't even sell CRTs. So, that concept gave me the push that I needed to buy the LCD.
(Update): I stated earlier that I didn't know whether I would buy THIS TV again or not. Let me explain. If I had my choice I would go back to the proven techology of the CRTs and aim for the biggest CRT available. For the most part they're died-hard TVs, we all know that. But considering the fact that CRT is fading out and that's all we ever knew.... and LCD is new to me, yes, I'm a little skittish. So please understand that I'm trying to call a spade a spade. Looking into the future I do like the set and probably would buy it again. (end of update)
CSI does look good though and so do my DVDs. I also liked the plasma but beyond my means at present and too many horror stories about the plasma sets.
I'm not really dissatisfied with the TV, I just expected a little more for the money. The 5.1 is being researched at present and I suspect the Panasonic SCHT930C will be the winner. I also bought the Pioneer DVR-533H-S.
One added note. When you decide to go HD be prepared to buy all components that go with it, good cabling. Decent DVD player. and above all a decent HD digital box to match your signal. We rented ours for $20/mon instead of buying.
First choice was SONY
Second choice was Panasonic
Third undecided
UPDATE... ALMOST A YEAR LATER
My opnion has remained unchanged. The best question you could ask anyone with respect to a product is: "Would you buy this product again?"
My answer is yes to this TV. The only downside I came across was the price dropped substantially since I bought it. But's that's life in the market place isn't it?
The Plazma while seemingly having a "better" picture has a much shorter life span, plus burn-in.
I've heard too many reports from people saying the DLP gives off that rainbow affect.
It turns out another neighbor bought the identical TV as mine (not knowing I had this model) and he loves it.
That's it in a nut shell. Always go top brands and size is your own decision. Don't go TOO big on size as it can be over whelming.
