Number of video inputs

Picture quality No manual convergence User manual

We''ve been looking for a big screen for a while, and finally bought this one based on what we saw in the showroom. I cannot begin to say how disappointed we are in this set. Picture quality is questionable - the set puts up ghost images of any hard edges (confirmed using test images with Video Essentials). I couldn''t get rid of them at all, so I called the service guy (who was completely baffled). The bottom line is that this set is going back to the store and we''ll replace it with the Panasonic, the one we should have purchased in the first place.

Picture quality

The Sony VVega series has a cordless earphone feature that would have been perfect for the TwinView.

I have been looking for an HDTV for a long time. I wanted something widescreen, as I find myself playing DVDs more than actually watching TV signal (which is currently standard cable).

I was given a gift about 2 months ago : a Sony VVega 36" 4:3 non-HDTV (at a killer price). I accepted the gift (who wouldn't), but everytime I looked at the screen I had to remind myself I got it free. Now, that's not fair to me OR the person who bought it for us.

So... I stumbled on the opportunity to exchange it (thank god for good friends who work for retailers). The original TV had come from future shop, and we had the reciept. Since the original TV was a floor model and below employee discount, they were willing to take the TV back, and sell it to someone else. I "upgraded" to the 51HD40, and will never look back.

This TV holds my attention. It is crisp and clear (remember to read the manual before judging it : you need to run the autoconvergence after the first 30 min of use). The images are sharp, including DVD and XBox signal. (Always cautious of burn-in; I know). If you go for this TV, splurge on the high quality Composite connections; this TV will reward you for it. Also, I'm impressed with the angles it will allow you to watch at. I don't have some 30,000' sprawling Mexican Villa, so seating and viewing angles is important to me.

The audio is above average from my experience. The VVega audio was average, but the "virtual Dolby" on the 51HD40 is really good, and doesn't come across as too strong on the "mid" channel. The only thing is that it will never really substitute a high quality sound system (or even a budget one). I strongly recommend getting one, if you don't already. The THX sound test sounds fine, and you can differentiate from the different sound sources, but it's just not what it needs to be.

Ooo, and the 4:3 stretch function is nice. If you don't like the stretch, then use standard and leave the preview channel guide up.. it's a nice complement, and the jump function means more.

I think it speaks volumes that my wife admitted that even though we had to pay to get this one, that it was a great buy. (context: she didn't much like the idea in the first place)

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Comparable Panasonic, Hitachi and Toshiba

ultra bright picture tube When i brought it home i was surprized on how light it was.Very good sound with onboard speakers.Two high definition inputs.Two s-video inputs.Ultra sharp filmlike picture.

This my first widescreen tv. So i'm not used to viewing 4:3 pics on a 16:9 monitor.

The kp-51hw40 16:9 high def tv to me is the best tv i've ever bought. I has a very bright but sharp picture.Also the corner to corner imageing is very percise.It has alot of inputs in the rear.{2 component 2 s-video and 2standard av inputs} So if you have alot of equipment to hook up you will have no problem here.There is only one down side to this tv is there is 4 different settings for picture quality.If you are as particular as i am with picture quality,then you also own the VIDEO ESSENTIALS DVD. {price$49.99} So what i'm getting at is ihad to set up each picture mode one by one.It took me about an hour bot when i was done this monitor kicked ass. So in conclusion if you are looking to buy a HD tv soon i would highly recommend it.It is rather pricey but well worth the money.

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none

First of all, this is about the salesmen. Circuit city and ABC warehouse work on commission, Best buy does not. I know one thing ABC is willing to lower prices. So negogiate if u can. I went into ABC warehouse and looked at the Toshiba 50HXB1 and the picture was dark. The salesperson said some people come in and play around with the TV's. He showed me the Hitachi and lowered the price from 2799 to 2399 right on the spot. The toshiba was 2499. I just was not thrilled about the picture. IMO the pioneer sd-533hd5just had an unbelieveable picture. The toshiba I am not sure yet...am going to another ABC warehouse to see another one. The pioneer is $1,000 more than the toshiba. According to reviews the Toshiba 50hxb1 is excellent for the money...Don't be fooled and buy the 50hb1...the reviews pretty good on the lather one.

Hear r some features of the toshiba 50hxb1 - glare resistent shield - automatic convergence of HD 4:3. 2:3 pulldown sets automatically adjusts picture control to the brightness of its environment. 4:3 Normal - displays image @ full height in center of screen. The 3 theater modes blows up or stretches image (picture) to various degrees both horizontal n vertical. # picture presets: Movie sports standard. Remote is backlit. These r just some of the features. ABC had the price at 2499 sears and best buy had the older one 50hb1 at the same price. Sears n BB don't cary the newer ones SO BE CAREFUL WHEN U BUY AND LOOK AT THE PRODUCT ID # TO MAKE SURE IT IS THE ONE tv U HAVED REVIEWED. I am not a sony fan but I am looking for a good deal and one that fits in my budget.

Great Picture, easy setup,intuitive remote.

Users Manual is scant - not allot of detail.

I am very impressed with this set. My first rear projection and I was a bit hesitant to make the leap from direct view to projection. This set is fantastic with DVDs in progressive mode. Color is fantastic after slight adjustment with a calibration disc (Avia or Video Essentials). As with allot of other sets this one emphasizes red so you might want to tone it down.

Quite a bit of my viewing is off of satellite (Dish) so I was concerned about getting a wide screen but the different view modes makes this a moot point for me. I find Wide Zoom works best for viewing 4:3 material off the Dish. This set is extremely easy to set up but the manual doesn't go into much detail about what settings you should use for different material. Easy to figure out though with a bit of experimentation.

As a new rear projection user I did take the extended warranty, which includes free pro convergence once a year to realign the CRTs and cleaning. I bought this set on New Years day sale and have been very pleased. Definitely check this set out.

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None

the Picture quality is unbelievable! I looked at every possible projection tv 51 - 53 inches. This Tv is hands down the best for the money. There are 7 video inputs on the back, and the built in speakers are great. I have a definitive tech home theater and find the actual built in speakers to be a viable alternitive. I would definately recommend considering this tv.

The only weakness I have been able to identify is the small surface area on top of the tv which is an issue if you plan on placing a center channell on top of the tv.

The price is negotiable. I got it down to $2300 and the sales person would have went lower make sure you negotiate. Try a store other than circuit city and best buy. These store will nock off a $100 or so but don't have the ability to offer you a true good deal. Other stores especially those where salepersons make commision will cut the price until you buy. For the money you will be hard pressed to find a better deal.

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looked at evrything in the $2000-$3000 price range

Picture and number of connections

Manual

This is my first HDTV and projection TV, and I am very happy with the choice. The sharpness of HDTV, only eight in my area, is life like. DVD's, my preferred use for TV is almost like being at the movies. I recommend this TV over any of its competitors or sizes.

I do not recommend Home Entertainment a place to do business...the sales guy lied to me about a few things that did not effect the TV, but I am tired of doing or giving business to crooked people/companies. I am looking for simple answers before I give my money, and an honest answer is all I want in return.

Great Picture, great features

None worth mentioning

I had been looking for a year or so at HD tvs and finally decided to make the plunge. I looked at Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Toshiba etc. I knew most any of them would look good in HD and DVDs. I wanted normal satellite and over the air to look good too. With this TV satellite and over the air look pretty good. At least as good as 4:3 image shown on 16:9 screen can look. DVDs look great for the most part. I don't have HD yet but hope to have pretty soon. The sound is quite good for TV but I use Home Theatre setup on satellite and DVD. I believe this is as good a tv as you will get in this price range.

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my first HD tv

Excellent Colors, great picture in picture capabilities, remote is easy to use. Not very deep, unlike Hitachi

Not as bright as the hitachi.
The top is narrow so you can't put any components on top of it.
The vivid mode is very bright but seems to introduce artifacts and funny looking "block" text letters. I don't use the Vivid setting because of it.

I initially purchased the 53" Hitachi but something just didn't look right. The picture was very bright, but not realistic. I spent numerous hours trying to adjust the settings but just couldn't get it right. I went to various Sears and Circuit City's to see if it was just my TV, or if it was all Hitachis. I came to the conclusion that it was the Hitachi. So I swapped it for the Sony and immediately noticed a difference. The colors are much more vibrant and realistic. However, it isn't as bright as the Hitachi which can be a slight problem if you are in a room with a lot of windows. The picture in picture features are pretty cool too, better than the Hitachi. The remote is easy to use, same with the Hitachi, but the channels can be changed much quicker than the Hitachi which was quite annoying. In addition, the remote on the Hitachi had to be directly pointing at the TV, whereas the Sony is much more forgiving. I had the Hitachi for 3 weeks before getting rid of it and after just 2 days, I have been much happier with the Sony. I initially did not consider the Sony because EVERY salesperson at Circuit City and Sears (about 6 different stores and 10 different people) told me the Hitachi was the better TV...they said the Hitachi had a better lens system which gave it a clearer and brighter picture. Although I may have to agree with it being brighter and maybe a little clearer, the colors are so much better on the Sony that to me it is a better TV. I would strongly suggest you play with the settings on the Hitachi before buying it because it is not easy to get the colors to look right. I probably spent 30 hours trying to adjust the Hitachi, although the Sony was pretty much great right out of the box.

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Hitachi 53UDX10B