Flexability, picture quality, 16x9 squeeze option, viewing modes.

1 HDTV input.

After doing alot of reasearch on what type of TV would best suit my needs, I purchased the 53HS10. I was on the fence for a bit after that thinking a Widescreen would be better, and eventually decided to simply get a larger HS10. I'm very happy I did. The picture is stunning even with non progressive DVD players using the 16x9 squeeze trick in video 5. I will soon upgrade to a progressive player, however at this time i'm very pleased with the picture. The review below is unfortunate as a very positive quality of these Sony's is how well they perform right out of the box. You definately received a "lemon". I used the Avia disk to calibrate the tv and made only minor adjustments. The 53" model and 61" are identical TV's in every way, except for size. The 61" when viewing Anamorphic DVD's has the same viewable screen image as a 55-56" widescreen tv. This gives a large amount of flexability when viewing several different formats such as cable tv, vhs etc. I feel it's a perfect "in between" tv. The price, quality etc. are all very nice. I would rather prefer a sturdier cabinet, however in doing so the relatively light weight it currently has would be replaced by a very heavy set. All in all, this is a very popular and quality tv.

Similar Products Used:

None..

Great Picture

For the money, none.

Craig,

I see the same spot. It is almost not noticeable. In fact my 12 year old son pointed it out to me. It does not seem to amount to anything. Picture is outstanding. So it may be an anomaly of sorts.

Only issue I have with the DVD generated picture is with the progressive mode of my Pioneer 434. It works better in the 480i mode with the TV doing the line doubling. The 480 looks brilliant. The progressive looks very good but it is just not as sharp. I know folks have tinkered with the setup, but at the time being I am happy just playing back in the 480i mode.

I hope to slowly work towards a set top box and try the 1080 capability. What joy.

Similar Products Used:

Compared many, took the best.

I will submit a full summary at a later time, but i just wanted to ask a question of anyone out there.
I have the S10, and after a couple of months, I've noticed 2 distinct white spots on the screen. I really notice them during the day, I guess from the reflection. The light is facing the TV. Then, at night in complete darkness, they don't seem to be there, but, when the screen is blue (in the VCR mode), I can definately see the white spots.
Does anyone have a solutions ??? I don't think its the reflection thats causing the spots. If I remove the protective screen, do you think they will disappear ??

picture quality, picture size

dim picture, only one hd input

we opted for a 4:3 format because there is so little wide screen format on the market. and, this tv is quite a bit less expensive than sony's comparable wide screens. have had the tv 6 months. have hooked up a mitsubishi hdtv receiver, a sony digital receiver, and a sony dvd. the hdtv picture is extremely clear and does often appear as if you are looking through a window. the line doubler chip has made a large difference on non-hdtv signals. we keep the room pretty dark, so glare hasn't been a problem. the brightness and contrast factory settings left us with a dim picture. we have pushed those to the top end of the spectrum to get a quality picture.

the sony receiver seems to be in sync with the tv, as far as picture quality and color accuracy go. however, we have noticed that the mitsubishi receiver generates a slight reddish tinge even with the tv set at the same color levels.

with only one hd input, it is a pain to go back and forth between the dvd and the hdtv receiver. overall, we are very happy.

This was the first rear projection TV that I have owned. The picture on this is as good if not better than the one that I had on my 27 Sony Trin(1 year old). Absolutly no grainy look to this television.

DVD looks fantastic, I can't wait until HDTV is a little more affordable and there is more that one channel brodcast in it.

If you like going to the movies you should pick one up and add a small surround sound system to it and you will never need to go to the theater again.

Overall this was a great buy.

Spectacular Off cable performance, Excellent with DVD, great audi, 1st rate quality built and orgonamics, the best 4:3 out there.

only one digital interface

This is a high perfomance TV by any standard. Only one digital interface makes this a product some what a risky choice. But I am certain that there will be a switcher to add to the link. In terms of video and audio performance, it is spectacular, considering I am an experienced and critical video person. The audio is a two speaker set up, but sony used high quality two way speakers and each has its own sealed enclosure for proper base response. Buyers still need seperate audi/DVD set up for serious viewing. In terms of color temperature, my set came close to 65D in low side and moderate in high side. I perfomed grey scale caliberation myself, set up the optical and eelectronic focus as well as overscanning to a minimum bare of two percent. I have had the opportunity to use the Mitsubishi and Toshiba and worked on them for clients. The Sony will outperform both sets in terms of resolution, brightness, picture geometry, interna refelections and ergonomics. I really like the Sony DRC for TV watching. But one might consider getting and external line Doublet or a progressive DVD player. Even if one has either the Sony DVP-S7000/7700 should result in graet video performance using the internal DRC.
Nature and sports ethus. should buy this set and avoid wide screens. One note about the video 5 (digital interface)- the DVD player has to go through this route in order to display annomorphic portion of the DVD.
For those who believe that 4:3 is inferior to 16:9 display set- I say this is the best time indeed to buy a 4:3 set and enjoy the best of both formats. Now NTSC has reached to the age of maturation and this Sony set will give you the most refined NTSC you have ever seen, and its DVD and HD performance is in par amoung the best you can buy today with the exception of Pioneer Elite sets.

I would give tis set a 4.5 for performance and 5 star for value.

P.S. The remote of this unit is some what oversized, hence, if you have above average hand and fingures, it will fit perfect. This indeed a good remote and very easy to work with in dark. It is same as the one comes with all Sony XBR sets.

Similar Products Used:

sony 53HS10, Mitsibishi WS-55805, Toshiba 40x80, sony 36" XBR 250

Well built, sleek design, great picture

The Remote Sucks

This was my first big screen TV. The picture quality looks great, as does the TV. Easy to move around and set up. The remote sucks though. For a $3,500 TV you would think they would put a litle more effort into the remote. I can't complain though. My only recommendation though is to use heavy duty coaxial cable from radio shack to hook up to your cable box or if you split the line several times. Any line noise will be magnified on the TV.

Great Color, Easy on the Eye's, 5 inputs, Easy Service mode controls, Great DVD picture.

None

Paid $2,300 + tax with free delivery and setup direct from Sony.

Great Picture.....

DVD's look really great. I spent about 6 months looking for a big RPTV and I found it in this model.

Only drawback is the protective screen. I have a one year old and needed a screen with a protective screen. Only downside is that it reflects any amount of light.

Similar Products Used:

None

Superb picture with progressive DVD input on anamorphic DVDs, for which it does the 'squeeze'. Surprisingly good NTSC reception with clean cable input.

Only one 480p input. Screen glare. Regular TV now is almost unwatchable. May need to replace 3 other sets withHDTV. Doesn't automatically detect anamorphic signals.

Glad my wife talked me into getting this set. I had been set to fork over almost twice as much for a Toshib TW65 " set. The picture size in 16:9 mode is a very respectable 53 to 56 " and definitely provides a theater like experience from my viewing distance (about 8 feet). Initial reaction to 4:3 material was too big, but it's quite nice after adjustment period, although only with decent cable signals, which is fortunately most of them for me. The set seems much bigger in my house than it did on display at the store. Just make sure the set will fit around corners and doorways as it is a big unit ( 62"W x 60-3/8"H x 27-3/4"D). Once it's set up, it is easy to roll around, even on carpet, which makes set up easy.
Live sports broadcasts are almost DVD-like with the built in line doubler. Excellent picture with anamorphic DVDs through Toshiba SD 5109 via 480p input. Even at 5 feet with a good quality transfer no scan lines are visible. Color was excellent after minor tweaking with AVIA or Video Essentials (in movie or pro mode). I'm sure the picture would be even better after ISF calibration, but I'm happy as it is. Be sure to check out these sites for do it yourself tweaks:
http://home.att.net/~ricardo.david/kp-xxhs10/
http://www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/usefulinfo/sony/sony_tips.html
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/cgi-bin/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=TV+and+Projectors+Area&number=24&DaysPrune=1&LastLogin= (search for 'HS10').
Screen glare is bad primarily if there is a window directly facing the set. Completely room darkening shades would be highly recommended (e.g. HunterDouglas room darkening Duette shades) if el cheapo rolling blinds don't do it for you.
Would have deducted about half a star for lack of additional progressive input, lack of programable remote and glare.

Similar Products Used:

Toshiba 30". Compared Toshiba TW, Mitsubishi, RCA, Hitachi HD sets

Sharp clear picture. Very reasonable price.

Having problem same as last review. Sometimes no picture - have to shut off and restart. Lot of glare w protective screen.

Must say that the picture is awesome especially with DVD.
Using Toshiba 5109 w progressive scan. Upgraded to digital cable - a must for cable reception. Non digital channels
are ok but imperfections are exagerrated.
As I mentioned, I am having a problem with the initial startup - on occasion you get sound but no picture.
If you shut it off and restart, the picture will come on.
If anybody has specific info on who/what/where to resolve, I would greatly appreciate it.
Overall I think the tv is a great buy at the price. I watch mostly cable/tv, so I like the 4/3 aspect better than widescreen. Have recommended to friends, would give it 5 and 5 rating if not for the problem I'm having.

Connected to:
Toshiba 5109 DVD
Technics SA-AX720 receiver
Energy Take 5 speakers

Similar Products Used:

1st projection tv.