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Sony KP-61S75 -- Rear-Projection NTSC-Standard Television
Pros
Excellent audio performance.
Cons
Pricey, NTSC-analog resolution only.
Recommended it?
No
The Bottom Line:
NTSC-standard analog-only rear-projection television. Price is too close to the superior H/DTV-ready sets to make this set a good value.
The Sony KP-61S75 is a 4:3 aspect ratio (width-to-height), 61-inch (measured diagonally) NTSC-standard rear-projection television (RPTV). This set is from Sony's "S" line of RPTV's, which generally sell for around 20% less than similarly-sized RPTV's from Sony's "V" line. The features between the two lines of TV's do not vary greatly.
NTSC-Standard Resolution
As this is an NTSC-standard set, its highest horizontal display resolution is 480-interlaced (480i). Interlaced resolution means that each video frame is divided into two 1/60th-of-a-second fields, with the first field containing the frame's odd-numbered lines and the second containing its even-numbered lines. With progressive-scanning (such as the 480p resolution), an entire 480-line frame is projected each 1/60th-of-a-second. The higher resolution sets, such as EDTV's, can handle the digital television (DTV) resolution of 480p, while HDTV sets can handle the 720p or 1080i resolutions.
Aspect Ratio
When widescreen material, such as the output from an anamorphic DVD (sometimes having an aspect ratio of approximately 16:9, or 1.85:1 and sometimes being even more vertically narrow, with an aspect ratio or 2.35:1), is displayed on the 61S75, black horizontal letterbox bands will have to be projected above and below the image to compensate for its dimensions. On the other hand, since regular TV broadcasts and pan-and-scan VHS movies are still in the 4:3 (1.33:1) aspect ratio, this TV has the right size screen for somebody who plans to almost-exclusively watch that kind of material.
Cost-Effective Alternatives to the 61S75
As of the Spring of 2001, prices for H/DTV-ready have currently dropped to the point where some of these higher-resolution TV's have street prices that are the same, or even a bit less, than the 61S75. For example, Mitsubishi's 46807, a 46-inch 16:9 H/DTV-ready TV, now sells for $2,000. However, at the 61-inch screen size, whether in the 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio, H/DTV-ready sets are still selling for quite a bit more than the 61S75. If your budget is restricted to around $2,000 for a TV and you absolutely must have a 61-inch screen, then you'd want to consider this set. Keep in mind that, even with NTSC-standard RPTV's at this size, you can find equal quality and lower prices with alternate brands such as Panasonic and Mitsubishi.
Picture Quality
The picture quality of the 61S75 is competitive with what you'd get with other 61-inch RPTV's. As the line structure in NTSC-standard video becomes apparent, especially on a TV of this size, you'll want to keep a fairly large minimum viewing distance, probably about six feet or more. Picture-enhancement features include a 3-line digital comb filter (boosts image quality with input from the RF and composite-video jacks, but not S-Video and component input).
Lacks Vertical Compression Found on other Sony's
Unfortunately, the 61S75 lacks the vertical-compression widescreen-enhancement feature found on some of the other Sony TV's, such as their line of direct-view Wega sets. It's really too bad Sony left this feature off this $2,400 TV, as it's a substantial improvement and it's found on Wega sets which sell for as little as $700. The vertical compression feature, during display of widescreen images, digitally creates the black letterbox bands on the screen, thus allowing the widescreen image area to have all 480 interlaced lines of resolution. With the 61S75, the set uses part of the image resolution to create the letterbox bands, meaning only about 300 interlaced lines are left for the widescreen picture itself.
Tuning Features
Tuning features include five favorite channels, "express tuning," and "speed surf." Channel caption and video label give you a choice of on-screen identifiers for various channels and inputs (i.e., DVD, VCR, DSS, etc.). The freeze memo function lets you freeze the current image, such as when you want to copy and address or telephone number from a TV broadcast. The V-Chip allows you to limit your childrens' viewing of inappropriate material.
Audio Features
The audio section of the 61S75 will provide accurate playback even of movie soundtracks. The MTS stereo audio system has dbx noise reduction. The stereo amp in the set puts out 17 watts per channel. Each side of the cabinet has a two-way speaker system behind the grill, with a 5-1/8 inch woofer and a 2-5/8 tweeter. Audio volume can be automatically limited by the "Steady Sound" feature.
Remote
The RM-Y906 remote will also control video gear from Sony and other manufacturers. Like most Sony remotes, this one is on the large side, making it impractical to operate with one hand.
Inputs/Outputs
Rear-panel inputs include one component, two S-Video, two composite, and two RF. There are L/R analog audio inputs to go with all of the video inputs. There's also a single L/R analog audio output, which you can set at fixed (line-level) or variable output, depending on whether you'll use it to feed a receiver or extension speakers. With its 17 watts-per-channel output, this TV actually could power a small set of extension speakers. However, TV audio is not really optimized for the same kind of widely-spaced stereo separation that sounds good with stereo musical sources. If you really want speakers for your audio-for-video, it's best to go with a full-fledged surround-sound system.
Conclusion
The 61S75 has good image quality and features. If you want an NTSC-standard RPTV, you should take a look at one of the sets in the Sony line of "S" and "V" RPTV's. However, if you're really set on an NTSC-standard RPTV, there are better values from other companies such as Mitsubishi and Panasonic. Also, buying an NTSC-standard set now is like buying the latest horse cart just before (or, these days, just after) the arrival of the Ford Model A.
NTSC-Standard Resolution
As this is an NTSC-standard set, its highest horizontal display resolution is 480-interlaced (480i). Interlaced resolution means that each video frame is divided into two 1/60th-of-a-second fields, with the first field containing the frame's odd-numbered lines and the second containing its even-numbered lines. With progressive-scanning (such as the 480p resolution), an entire 480-line frame is projected each 1/60th-of-a-second. The higher resolution sets, such as EDTV's, can handle the digital television (DTV) resolution of 480p, while HDTV sets can handle the 720p or 1080i resolutions.
Aspect Ratio
When widescreen material, such as the output from an anamorphic DVD (sometimes having an aspect ratio of approximately 16:9, or 1.85:1 and sometimes being even more vertically narrow, with an aspect ratio or 2.35:1), is displayed on the 61S75, black horizontal letterbox bands will have to be projected above and below the image to compensate for its dimensions. On the other hand, since regular TV broadcasts and pan-and-scan VHS movies are still in the 4:3 (1.33:1) aspect ratio, this TV has the right size screen for somebody who plans to almost-exclusively watch that kind of material.
Cost-Effective Alternatives to the 61S75
As of the Spring of 2001, prices for H/DTV-ready have currently dropped to the point where some of these higher-resolution TV's have street prices that are the same, or even a bit less, than the 61S75. For example, Mitsubishi's 46807, a 46-inch 16:9 H/DTV-ready TV, now sells for $2,000. However, at the 61-inch screen size, whether in the 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio, H/DTV-ready sets are still selling for quite a bit more than the 61S75. If your budget is restricted to around $2,000 for a TV and you absolutely must have a 61-inch screen, then you'd want to consider this set. Keep in mind that, even with NTSC-standard RPTV's at this size, you can find equal quality and lower prices with alternate brands such as Panasonic and Mitsubishi.
Picture Quality
The picture quality of the 61S75 is competitive with what you'd get with other 61-inch RPTV's. As the line structure in NTSC-standard video becomes apparent, especially on a TV of this size, you'll want to keep a fairly large minimum viewing distance, probably about six feet or more. Picture-enhancement features include a 3-line digital comb filter (boosts image quality with input from the RF and composite-video jacks, but not S-Video and component input).
Lacks Vertical Compression Found on other Sony's
Unfortunately, the 61S75 lacks the vertical-compression widescreen-enhancement feature found on some of the other Sony TV's, such as their line of direct-view Wega sets. It's really too bad Sony left this feature off this $2,400 TV, as it's a substantial improvement and it's found on Wega sets which sell for as little as $700. The vertical compression feature, during display of widescreen images, digitally creates the black letterbox bands on the screen, thus allowing the widescreen image area to have all 480 interlaced lines of resolution. With the 61S75, the set uses part of the image resolution to create the letterbox bands, meaning only about 300 interlaced lines are left for the widescreen picture itself.
Tuning Features
Tuning features include five favorite channels, "express tuning," and "speed surf." Channel caption and video label give you a choice of on-screen identifiers for various channels and inputs (i.e., DVD, VCR, DSS, etc.). The freeze memo function lets you freeze the current image, such as when you want to copy and address or telephone number from a TV broadcast. The V-Chip allows you to limit your childrens' viewing of inappropriate material.
Audio Features
The audio section of the 61S75 will provide accurate playback even of movie soundtracks. The MTS stereo audio system has dbx noise reduction. The stereo amp in the set puts out 17 watts per channel. Each side of the cabinet has a two-way speaker system behind the grill, with a 5-1/8 inch woofer and a 2-5/8 tweeter. Audio volume can be automatically limited by the "Steady Sound" feature.
Remote
The RM-Y906 remote will also control video gear from Sony and other manufacturers. Like most Sony remotes, this one is on the large side, making it impractical to operate with one hand.
Inputs/Outputs
Rear-panel inputs include one component, two S-Video, two composite, and two RF. There are L/R analog audio inputs to go with all of the video inputs. There's also a single L/R analog audio output, which you can set at fixed (line-level) or variable output, depending on whether you'll use it to feed a receiver or extension speakers. With its 17 watts-per-channel output, this TV actually could power a small set of extension speakers. However, TV audio is not really optimized for the same kind of widely-spaced stereo separation that sounds good with stereo musical sources. If you really want speakers for your audio-for-video, it's best to go with a full-fledged surround-sound system.
Conclusion
The 61S75 has good image quality and features. If you want an NTSC-standard RPTV, you should take a look at one of the sets in the Sony line of "S" and "V" RPTV's. However, if you're really set on an NTSC-standard RPTV, there are better values from other companies such as Mitsubishi and Panasonic. Also, buying an NTSC-standard set now is like buying the latest horse cart just before (or, these days, just after) the arrival of the Ford Model A.
