Flat screen, s-video, overall picture quality, variable audio, no annoying buzz/hum; the TV is very nice all around

Geometry problems (stretch/shrink problem), VM is probably one of the worst features on a TV, component video, the notorious pink/purple lines, and other things I will explain.

NOTE: This is for the KV27FS13. Since it is only one number up, I figured it would be fine being reviewed here.

I am satisfied with the wega that I bought (after all, I have taken back three TVs); I am keeping this unless it breaks.

The general picture quality for this TV is outstanding. Obselete standard cable TV signals will not show off the TV's potential; you'll need something like digital cable, satellite, a DVD player, or a video game console using s-video to show off what this thing can do. Really impressive. To be perfectly honest, your typical NTSC display doesn't have much longer to go. It's quite clear that they've mastered it and the new TV standards should be the way to go from now on. But they're too pricy, so it's nice that Sony offered a nice alternative.

The flat screen is great. The geometry could be better, because there is some weird horizontal scrolling going on. Nothing to make you want to take the TV back, but still annoying at times. To "detect" this (or train your eye to see it), put on a news network and pay close attention to the news tickers at the bottom of the screen. They stretch and shrink at different points on the screen. If you're not focused on doing that, though (especially in video games), it really doesn't bother you. Although, sometimes you will notice it, and when you do, it's annoying.

This model has three inputs; AV (2), S-Video (1) and component (1). There is no need to use AV if your TV has S-Video (unless of course, you don't have a s-video cables for all of your products).

The s-video quality is outstanding. My PlayStation 2 and Dreamcast games look incredibly good. It practically looks like a computer monitor (although I haven't been spoiled by a true VGA input on a TV). Very sharp, vibrant, detailed display.

Normally, I would say go with component, but sadly, the wega is not cut out to handle component input. It's almost as if it's *too* strong. Where s-video shines, component tries to enhance it but just ends up letting you down. Not only is there shadowing on EVERY edge visible on the screen, but there's a ton of convergence as well. You can tweak the brightness, contrast, color and hue all you want -- it is embedded into the component display regardless. As a result, component actually looks inferior to s-video. You can notice little differences, but the flaws presented in component don't make them worth having, if they're going to be ruined by the lousy display. In other words: if you're using a wega (at least the one I am talking about) stick with s-video and buy a switcher if you are using more than one s-video device. Sony would have been better off putting two s-video inputs in this model and having no component whatsoever. Because while component is superior to s-video, the TV can't fully handle it, so there is no need to have it on this model. Besides, there is hardly a differnece between the two anyway. So by sticking with s-video, you are missing out on a little, but not very much.

General TV speaker audio isn't the best in the world, but it gets the job done, and is far from being awful. Variable audio output is much nicer, especially if you have a nice sound system.

And now for the pink/purple lines that everyone has been talking about. Every review that is more technical refers to these lines. Which indicates that EVERY wega has a "bad" tube. Come on Sony, just admit that there is a flaw in the model. Better to tell the truth than lie.

These lines, or bars, whatever you'd like to call them, are only really able to be seen when there is a really bright, white object on the sides of the screen. So it isn't like you see them all the time. True, they shouldn't be there and this is a serious flaw, but at the same time, you can learn to live with it (assuming it doesn't get any worse.) I have no idea why the tube resorts to doing this, but it's obviously a flaw. Nothing is perfect, but you'd think that for the price of the TV, after the horizontal stretching/shrinking and component flaws, you would expect no more!

The final flaw, which I won't hold against the rating (since you can turn it off), is the VM option. WHY would anyone want to use this? For normal TV, edges are way too sharp and everything looks 100% unnatural. Not enhancing to the display by any means; it only downgrades the overall quality. This feature should have never been included. There is no point in using it, both on low or high "quality". The nice thing is, you can turn this off.

To those with sensitive ears like me: there is no annoying hum or buzz. You will not get a headache after sitting in front of the TV for just five minutes. A major plus in my book.

You can't go wrong with this wega, however, it would be nice if Sony did something about the flaws. Thankfully I went with a four year plan with the store (in other words you get a brand new TV if it breaks, no waiting for a tube or something stupid like that), since I know for a fact that Sony is probably among the worst in the world (literally) when it comes to customer support. They've got away with ripping people off for way too long now.

But if you are pretty much set on buying the TV, don't think twice about it: this model is very satisfactory. Can't go wrong with it. For the most part, it's outstanding.

Excellent sound and picture quality especially with DVD; sexy look

weight 100+lbs, only 90 day warranty, poor after-sales service

heroor's ratings

Sound: 5.0
Ease of Use: 4.0
Picture Quality: 4.0
Durability: 1.0


I purchased this TV 4 months ago at a factory outlet (birch run, MI). It was sooo heavy both my wife and I suffered back and wrist injuries attempting to move the TV into our second floor apartment. I was pleased with its initial performance although I didn't notice much of a difference in comparison with my earlier JVC traditional curved screen 27" TV. Then, all of a sudden it failed to power on . I was suggested by the sony customer service to either consult a nearest service center, which is in another state or approach an authorized private service center. Since the warranty covers labor for only 90 days, the private authorized service center is charging $200 for diagnostic/repair which is only tentative and may even go higher. This is outrageous not only to spend such an amount for a TV costing 489.95 purchased with the technical backup and experience of a brand name like Sony but also not having a TV for more than 3 weeks while it is under diagnosis/repair.

Similar Products Used:

JVC 27" TV

Great picture, Nice Looks, Heavy (keep people for stealing it i think), svideo, composite video

remote could've been backlit

After having this for more than a year i have no regrets, i just wish i could afford the 32 in at the time. The 16:9 mode is nice, the sound is really tinny, but i have a reciever so this is not a issue. With a sony DVD, don't know model number, that my old roomate had the pictue for movies was amaizing. I am know using my PS2 for a dvd player with the s-video output that sony makes instead of the rca. The picture is still fine, i don't think that there was much of a difference with the sony.

Similar Products Used:

none

Flat screen, component input for a dvd player, 16:9 compression mode, 3 line digital comb filter, plethora of menu options, 5 different viewing modes, excellent picture quality and color. Exceptional value!

100lbs. I would have preferred the tv in black. I am getting used to it looking like a huge computer monitor. I wished this unit had the 3D Digital comb filter.

My older tv still to this day performed very well. I opted for an upgrade. I wanted a flat screen televison with a component video input for my Sony DVP360 dvd player. I liked that this tv offered many adjustments for the picture. I have a receiver so sound from the tv itself did not make any difference. I purchased Monster Cable 3 Component cables to connect my dvd player. I used a Monster Cable S-Video 3 cable on my old set. The picture quality and resolution after viewing Toy Story 1+2, Dinosaur, and Bug's Life simply astounded me!!!! I went to a very high end Audio Craft store earlier and viewed Dinosaur on the 64 inch Pioneer Elite 710HD HDTV monitor. It was hooked up to a Progressive scan Sony 9000es along with better component cables than Monster 3. The picture was great! But not overwhelming. I assumed for $8,000 this set should have brought tears to my eyes but it did not? I was more impressed with the picture on my 27 in Sony Wega. There was more brightness, more detail, and looked more real instead of too filmy. HDTV smoothes over the sharp details that a picture tube can deliver. For $600, I could not be happier with dvd viewing! I found the picture on this set to be more dynamic with details. Don't get me wrong, HDTV is AWESOME with the additional tuner receiving programs in 1080i. But DVD viewing on these expensive models does not compensate the price. I have witnessed probably the best HDTV out there and would have been disappointed at spending 8 grand plus close to another $1000 for the tuner. I suggest to anyone to wait until these HDTV's lower in price and INCLUDE the tuner. I am going to wait several years until the price comes down on HDTV. Until then, I have an excellent 27 Sony Wega to watch DSS and DVD's.

Similar Products Used:

1995 27 inch Sony Trintron

Intuitive Menu System, Universal Remote

Grainy Picture Tube, Poor Speakers, Price

This television set is a good one, but for the features, it's not worth the high price. It desparately needs an extra input or two. Also, the picture tube is amazingly unclear and grainy. Colors look washed out, even with a digital signal or a device hooked up with Component Video.

I have been thorooughly disappointed with this Wega set, especially considering it's high price compared to competing products and it's lackluster performance.

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic Tau, JVC I'Art

REMOTE IS VERY USEFUL AND EASY TO USE.

DID NOT FIND ANY WEAKNESSES TILL NOW.

I GOT THIS DEMO PIECE FROM THE STORE AT A GOOD DISCOUNT AND SO I ENT FOR THIS BUT IAM NOT REGRETTING AT ALL, IT HAS GOT EXCELLENT PICTURE QUALITY AND CRISP SOUND, WITH NO GLARES AND LOOKS SLEEK. DVD MOVIES ARE LIFE LIKE.

Similar Products Used:

SAMSUNG 27 AND PANASONIC GAOO 27

Picture, Flat Screen, 16:9 mode, tond of inputs

big and heavy. I wish the 16:9 mode would stay selected when I toggle thru video inputs.

Excellent Television. I shopped around alot and for the price, this was the best TV out there. As it has been pointed out, if flat screen doesn't matter, then you can save a couple hundred dollars by buying a different brand with the similiar features and a traditional curved screen.

But to me the flat screen is worth it. I often watch TV from across the room by my computer desk while I'm working. The desk is at about a 30 degree angle from the screen. The flat screen gives me a much better view than a traditional screen. Also my computer moniter is flat screen and I have become accoustomed to looking at it.

The Sony was better than the Panasonic Tau in that the comb filter stops convergence problems that the Tau has. The 16:9 option is killer. One thing that does annoy me, though, is that the 16:9 mode automatically deactivates when I switch between video modes. Then I have to go into the big obtrusive, (but easy to use) menu to turn it back on.

The other day I hooked up my Philips 950AT DVD Player to the set via Silver Serpent component cables from www.bettercables.com, and the picture is superb! Rich and velvety, the details jump out at me.

I don't have any problems with pink lines on my set, and no strange noises during start up either. I give this set a thumbs up.

Similar Products Used:

Samsung 19" that I have had for seven years

Picture, Flat Screen, 16:9 mode, tond of inputs

big and heavy. I wish the 16:9 mode would stay selected when I toggle thru video inputs.

Excellent Television. I shopped around alot and for the price, this was the best TV out there. As it has been pointed out, if flat screen doesn't matter, then you can save a couple hundred dollars by buying a different brand with the similiar features and a traditional curved screen.

But to me the flat screen is worth it. I often watch TV from across the room by my computer desk while I'm working. The desk is at about a 30 degree angle from the screen. The flat screen gives me a much better view than a traditional screen. Also my computer moniter is flat screen and I have become accoustomed to looking at it.

The Sony was better than the Panasonic Tau in that the comb filter stops convergence problems that the Tau has. The 16:9 option is killer. One thing that does annoy me, though, is that the 16:9 mode automatically deactivates when I switch between video modes. Then I have to go into the big obtrusive, (but easy to use) menu to turn it back on.

The other day I hooked up my Philips 950AT DVD Player to the set via Silver Serpent component cables from www.bettercables.com, and the picture is superb! Rich and velvety, the details jump out at me.

I don't have any problems with pink lines on my set, and no strange noises during start up either. I give this set a thumbs up.

Similar Products Used:

Samsung 19" that I have had for seven years

Great picture--now that I've done some tweaking...this is a re-review to explain...

Sound quality, but another tweak I'll mention in this re-review will address that too.

I've had a few people e-mail me and ask me if I was ever able to get cable to look its best (and if so, how). The answer is a definate yes. Here are the changes I made:

1. I calibrated the movie mode for DVD using the AVIA guide to home theater. Then, I set the standard mode to match, but I brightened it slightly and took a little red out. I now use standard mode for cable and it looks great!

2. I bought a higher quality cable for the wall to tv run.

3. I bought a Monster Cable HT700 from Circuit City. It is a surge protector with something they call a STAGE 1 clean power filtering system. It didn't make a huge impact on picture --though I think colors may be slightly more refined, but sound, WOW WOW WOW! It improved TV sound somewhat and totally rocks my world through the stereo! If you care about your stereo sounding the best, this is a MUST buy! It runs about $80.

Oh! One more thing...in my opinion, EVERYONE should turn that nasty VM (=velocity modulation) OFF...not low, OFF!

The only thing that's less than perfect now is that little geometry problem in the right corner...can you believe it? I get everything else figured-out just how I want and they're bringing a replacement because of that on Thursday!

I've decided to give this baby top star rating after I've given it some of the patience and TLC something like this deserves.

16:9 Anamorphic Compression, FLAT Screen, Component video input, aesthetic value

Sound, but who really uses the tv speakers for any REAL purpose!? Hook it up to a home theater

If you are considering a new television for the purposes of home theater, but don't have the bucks to go digital yet, BUY THIS TELEVISION!! The 16:9 (see note at bottom) compression is definitely one of this tv's best features. I was worried that this feature would be a gimick (like that velocity modulation crap... DON'T use that!) but that's far from the truth. I'm pretty critical when it comes to video, but this is utterly amazing.
I wouldn't buy this television if you don't have/don't plan to watch DVDs. It's simply not worth it; however, if you're looking for a wonderful television at a reasonable price, buy this one. It's the best thing without going digital or HD.

IMPORTANT: Most stores that have this television on display have it on a cable channel. This does not by ANY means show this television off. If the picture looks a little weak in the store, it's because it is weak, but not because of the television. Hook this bad boy up to a widescreen DVD with component cables and you'll be blown away.

NOTE: Let me try to briefly explain the 16:9 compression feature. First of all, you must be watching a wide-screen format (such as DVD) and have the player set to squeeze the wide screen picture to fit a regular screen. (The picture is now distorted and everyone looks fat.) Then, the picture is sent via cables (I recommend component video if possible, but s-video is ok too) to the television. The television then sqeezes the picture the OTHER way so that it is regular-looking, but doesn't display information (in the form of black bars) at the tops and bottoms. All the television's display power is squished down and concentrated making a better picture. Phew! It sounds complicated, but it really makes for a GREAT picture. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions about this or any other audio/video matter. Danaleia@hotmail.com