Sony KP-53HS10 53 in. TV

When I first saw HDTVs, I was attracted, but there was one thing that kept me back... the widescreen and the cost. Throughout my lifetime, I have been raised to love Sony, and only Sony; but now I'm an audiophile using assorted brands (Marantz and Yamaha). Sony tody remains my #2 favorite TV maker, on top of my list is obviously Marantz, which is also in my opinion the greatest brand of all time. Well, the Marantz line of televisions is significantly smaller than Sony's. The rear-projection TVs are better than the Sony digital models, but they aren't HDTV ready. So, then I saw the Sony KP-53HS10. I own a KP-53V85 now, which is digital, and I can't be any happier with it. Well, the Sony KP-53HS10 had a $300 greater price tag than the V85. The main difference was that the Sony KP-53HS10 is HDTV ready. Well, $300 isn't too much money as difference. I have seen an RCA HDTV ready 32" (Can't remember model) for $2000, so I was wondering how a 53" TV for only $500 would fare. Well, here's what I found:

Price:
Well, the Sony KP-53HS10 isn't all too expensive for a Sony rear-projection TV. Sony seems to put their TVs in a league of their own, which can't be matched very easily by other brands such as Mitsubishi and Toshiba. Toshiba comes the closest. Marantz was out of the running because they didn't have a comparable model that I could find. RCA is something to laugh at, those prices are simply too high, the Sony build quality is higher. Panasonic, well let's say I recommended two of their products, but the ones I always owned and used broke on me. Panasonic therefore is incomparable to Sony. Well, there you have it, the big three: Sony, Toshiba, and Mitsubishi. Well, after testing out Toshiba VS. Mitsubishi, I found the Toshiba quality to be better. So, the model I picked was the Toshiba TN50X81 which costed about the same as the Sony KP-53HS10. Both were HDTV ready. Well, overall, the Sony was better in just about every aspect. Well, I'll make this pretty brief I guess, Sony is better overall than all of the other brands, even Toshiba.

Warranty:
All Sony rear-projection TVs come with a 3 year parts&labor warranty from Sony. Buying an extended warranty from a store is incredibly stupid, they are only making money of you because you already have the Sony warranty. If the TV already lasts a year or two, it will surely go on to last much longer. I have sent products back to Sony in the past, and I have never had any problems with them at all. Sony makes sending products back very easy, with no hassles.

Looks and Styling:
The Sony KP-53HS10 is a very slick looking TV. I think that it looks better than the Toshiba models. That's really for you to decide, but the Sony nameplate says it all. 'Sony = High Quality', it's the idealogy for most people. When people see Toshiba on the TV (like me), you won't start saying "oohhhh" and "aahhh". The Sonys are known for high quality construction, and very sleek looks. The Sony KP-53HS10 will light up any room, it's just an 'awesome' looking TV.

Durability:
Sony's have been in my house for years and years, and they last year per year per year. We have never had many major problems. Once, our garage was struck by lightning and there was a power surge, and the Sony TV which we had downstairs survived it!!! Well, that's Sony for you, and that's just how the Sony KP-53HS10 will be. It's very solid, and the Sony KP-53HS10 is no exception from other Sony models. This TV will last you for many years to come, just like how Sony TVs are supposed to.

Installation:
The Sony KP-53HS10 isn't much different from most other rear-projection TVs. You should follow the instruction manual, and you'll be okay. This thing has S-video and component inputs. With component inputs, you can get the best DVD picture, and even from progressive scan (Resolution higher than 280i). I already know how to hook up TVs, so it wasn't a problem for me. If you're familiar with them, then there shouldn't be a problem with installing the Sony KP-53HS10.

Sound:
The sound is adequate for most users. I use A/V recievers for all rear-projections in the house, so I don't really listen to TV sound. But if you're wondering, the sound is clear and quite good. The vocals are clear, and the sound doesn't seem to lack bass or power anywhere. Sony does make pretty good speakers, and the Sony KP-53HS10 carries some nice ones. My real suggestion to you is to buy a reciever, something like a Yamaha RX-V995 or Denon AVR-2801. I have my Sony KP-53V85 connected to my Marantz SR-14EX, and it's an unbeatable combination! So for all of you without recievers or amps, the Sony KP-53HS10 should suit you quite fine!

Picture Quality:
The picture quality without an HDTV decoder is excellent! It looks just like the picture on the Sony KP53-V85 which I have. The picture is incredibly clear, vivid, and simply amazing. Now, that's without the HDTV decoder. Well, for most channels, it just doesn't make a difference whatsoever because there are very few programs that are in HDTV format. So, purchasing an HDTV decoder may be pretty stupid now, because later they should go down in price. Well, the DVD quality is unbeatable because it has component inputs, and you can run progressive scan players into the TV. The 4:3 ratio 53" screen beats any widescreen for me. Personally, I don't like widescreen. Some like it, and some don't. I'm one who doesn't. A 4:3 screen size makes the TV actually look much larger, and for me, the picture is a lot more bearable to watch. So, if you want HDTV without the widescreen, then this one of for you! So, how did the Sony KP-53HS10 fare against the Toshiba? Let's just say the Sony KP-53HS10 as superior in every aspect, Sony TVs have simply amazing pictures, that can be beat by only one brand... This brand however does not have TVs which are in the same class as the Sony KP-53HS10 or at least for as little money as the Sony KP-53HS10. Marantz should make a move here, but the Marantz TVs then would be truly unaffordable. You can't go wrong with the Sony KP-53HS10. For an extra few hundred dollars, you can go much further than the KP-53V85. The Sony KP-53HS10 is ready for the future. So just buy it now and enjoy digital TV, and when HDTV programming becomes common, then buy the decoder. Don't get caught back with a non-HDTV TV. Overall, if you want a very sharp and unbeatable picture, go for the Sony KP-53HS10.

Ease of Use:
The Sony KP-53HS10 is similar to other Sony TVs. I found the menu to be easy to use, and you can access all the features through the remote control. There is nothing hard about using the Sony KP-53HS10. Even beginners can learn to use it within minutes!!! Some other brands have harder to use menus, but Sony isn't one of them.

The Verdict:
Sony is the #2 brand in the field of televisions, but the Sony KP-53HS10 is truly in a league of its own. Its quality surpasses that of Toshiba and Mitsubishi. When you drag in a $2500 RCA, the Sony KP-53HS10 screams, "Is that all you got?!" The Sony KP-53HS10 represents value and true quality. You can't go wrong with this TV, the picture is very sharp and vivid, the cost is moreover low, and it is HDTV ready. With the Sony KP-53HS10, you're all set for the future, and this is some of the best that you'll get in the present!

THIS REVIEW IS:

SOUPCRAZE CONSUMER FRIENDLY CERTIFIED!

Happy viewing!