Sony FD Trinitron WEGA KV-32FV310 32 inch TV
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- Screen Size: 32 inch
- Built-in Tuner: NTSC
- Screen Type: Flat Screen
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3 16:9 Enhanced
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Sony KV-32FV310
Pros
Near HDTV quality, Amazing sound
Cons
Widescreen detection feature doesn't work, Heavy
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
This TV is the closest thing to a HDTV without spending the extra $700-$1000 more for a HD unit that is still in the growing stages of technology.
Price-wise aside, this TV has been rated the best non-HDTV out there, and I'll tell you why! I must start by mentioning that I did alot of research once again to see what TV's had the most features, at a reasonable cost. It came down to three brands of TV's: Toshiba, Panasonic, and Sony.
The Toshiba 32AF43 was in the same price range as the Panasonic CT32SL, so I compared these two sets first. The Toshiba had many features but lacked in many that I desired. The Toshiba lacked: BBE Sound Enhancement, Channel labeling, DBX Stereo, Edge Correction, front S-Video inputs, Picture-in-Picture, Scan Velocity Modulation, Sound Logic Leveler, Vertical (16:9) Compression and the Wide Band Video Amplifier.
The Panasonic CT32SL (read my full review), did much better and included many of these features, yet didn't offer the 16:9 Vertical Compression, but was very reasonably priced. So, I bought it! To make a long story short,(read my review), the video images were too pixely! So, I returned it and picked up the Sony KV-32FV310, which was not my first choice, only because of the extra $300 cost. Trust me when I say, "the extra $300 was worth it", and here's why!
The KV-32FV310 to start is a beautiful looking set, with a gray cabinet and gun-metal blue shroud around the screen. The features that set this TV apart from all the rest are: a High Voltage Regulator(increases brightness and focus), a 10 bit 3DYC Comb filter(the same used on ALL Sony HDTV's), Dual Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) inputs, and 16:9 Enhanced Mode, to name a few.
The 16:9 Enhanced Mode slightly compresses the scanning lines into a widescreen mode that allows the viewer to see the full 480 lines. No image quality is lost because all of the scanning lines are concentrated in the 16:9 window and none are wasted on the non-usable portion of the screen(the black bars above and below). This feature truly works and your movie quality jumps up to near HDTV quality!
Sony's Aperture Grille truly is the determining factor why Sony pictures are much crisper than other TV sets that ALL USE the Invar Shadow Mask. Just look closely when you walk into your next electronics superstore. Sony's display, close-up, shows colors streaming through hundreds of fine wires in a vertical array, while ALL other sets have the Shadow Mask which separates the signal into cheese grater bits. The aperture grille thus allows more electrons through and virtually eliminates the 'blocky/pixely' picture that is produced by ALL other sets. Take a close look, you'll see!
The sound produced by this TV is comparable to a mini Home Theatre System. With 30 watts of total audio power, including 15 watts for the built-in subwoofer, you'll be pleasantly surprised by this units audio impact. I had to move my regular stereo speakers to the back of the room because the TV audio + the speakers produced a over abundance of Bass.
The Video menu allows plenty of options to max out your TV's viewing potential. There are 3 color temp ranges, with cool being the best. Clear Edge VM allows the viewer to tighten the crispness of the picture. Though this sounds good, it can increase you pictures pixely look some what. What I like is that Sony has given the user 3 options, not just on/off. I find the LOW setting, still gives you that amazing crispness when watching digitally animated movies like Monsters Inc. and Shrek, yet doesn't over do it.
The Audio menu gives the ears a true workout when the Bass and Treble are maxed and WOW effect is turned on. WOW provides a dramatic presence with a full, deep bass sound and when enabled, kicks in the BBE, that when activated, further enhances the audio performance.
The only problem that I've come across is the TV's ability to detect a widescreen "anamorphic" DVD and automatically switch to 16:9 "Enhanced" mode. Sony sells this feature as ID1 detection, and I've seen it work on my neighbours new 40" Sony XBR. I've contacted Sony recently and will see what they come back with. Right now, it's not a huge deal as I can go into the Setup menu and manually change it.
UPDATE: Almost a full year later with this unit and...NO ISSUES !!! Wow, what a concept! This TV has stood up great with the same great clarity since Day 1. We watched Shrek 2 the other night and once again this TV performs like a HDTV due to it's HD-Comb Filter. It's the time to buy as well, as the set is now $300 cheaper than last years model. Also, it 'NOW' includes a Memory Stick input so you can show your JPEG/MP3 pics from your great Mexico Trip (if you own a SONY digital camera)!!!
Bottom line...No regret! If you want to keep to the 4:3 ratio size of TV's, yet don't want the high price of the other's, then get this TV for it outstanding picture and sound quality. Cheers! ;o)
The Toshiba 32AF43 was in the same price range as the Panasonic CT32SL, so I compared these two sets first. The Toshiba had many features but lacked in many that I desired. The Toshiba lacked: BBE Sound Enhancement, Channel labeling, DBX Stereo, Edge Correction, front S-Video inputs, Picture-in-Picture, Scan Velocity Modulation, Sound Logic Leveler, Vertical (16:9) Compression and the Wide Band Video Amplifier.
The Panasonic CT32SL (read my full review), did much better and included many of these features, yet didn't offer the 16:9 Vertical Compression, but was very reasonably priced. So, I bought it! To make a long story short,(read my review), the video images were too pixely! So, I returned it and picked up the Sony KV-32FV310, which was not my first choice, only because of the extra $300 cost. Trust me when I say, "the extra $300 was worth it", and here's why!
The KV-32FV310 to start is a beautiful looking set, with a gray cabinet and gun-metal blue shroud around the screen. The features that set this TV apart from all the rest are: a High Voltage Regulator(increases brightness and focus), a 10 bit 3DYC Comb filter(the same used on ALL Sony HDTV's), Dual Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) inputs, and 16:9 Enhanced Mode, to name a few.
The 16:9 Enhanced Mode slightly compresses the scanning lines into a widescreen mode that allows the viewer to see the full 480 lines. No image quality is lost because all of the scanning lines are concentrated in the 16:9 window and none are wasted on the non-usable portion of the screen(the black bars above and below). This feature truly works and your movie quality jumps up to near HDTV quality!
Sony's Aperture Grille truly is the determining factor why Sony pictures are much crisper than other TV sets that ALL USE the Invar Shadow Mask. Just look closely when you walk into your next electronics superstore. Sony's display, close-up, shows colors streaming through hundreds of fine wires in a vertical array, while ALL other sets have the Shadow Mask which separates the signal into cheese grater bits. The aperture grille thus allows more electrons through and virtually eliminates the 'blocky/pixely' picture that is produced by ALL other sets. Take a close look, you'll see!
The sound produced by this TV is comparable to a mini Home Theatre System. With 30 watts of total audio power, including 15 watts for the built-in subwoofer, you'll be pleasantly surprised by this units audio impact. I had to move my regular stereo speakers to the back of the room because the TV audio + the speakers produced a over abundance of Bass.
The Video menu allows plenty of options to max out your TV's viewing potential. There are 3 color temp ranges, with cool being the best. Clear Edge VM allows the viewer to tighten the crispness of the picture. Though this sounds good, it can increase you pictures pixely look some what. What I like is that Sony has given the user 3 options, not just on/off. I find the LOW setting, still gives you that amazing crispness when watching digitally animated movies like Monsters Inc. and Shrek, yet doesn't over do it.
The Audio menu gives the ears a true workout when the Bass and Treble are maxed and WOW effect is turned on. WOW provides a dramatic presence with a full, deep bass sound and when enabled, kicks in the BBE, that when activated, further enhances the audio performance.
The only problem that I've come across is the TV's ability to detect a widescreen "anamorphic" DVD and automatically switch to 16:9 "Enhanced" mode. Sony sells this feature as ID1 detection, and I've seen it work on my neighbours new 40" Sony XBR. I've contacted Sony recently and will see what they come back with. Right now, it's not a huge deal as I can go into the Setup menu and manually change it.
UPDATE: Almost a full year later with this unit and...NO ISSUES !!! Wow, what a concept! This TV has stood up great with the same great clarity since Day 1. We watched Shrek 2 the other night and once again this TV performs like a HDTV due to it's HD-Comb Filter. It's the time to buy as well, as the set is now $300 cheaper than last years model. Also, it 'NOW' includes a Memory Stick input so you can show your JPEG/MP3 pics from your great Mexico Trip (if you own a SONY digital camera)!!!
Bottom line...No regret! If you want to keep to the 4:3 ratio size of TV's, yet don't want the high price of the other's, then get this TV for it outstanding picture and sound quality. Cheers! ;o)
