flat screen, excellent color/picture, black are black

only 1 s-video input, no component, no pip

first, to correct a previous reviewer, you _CAN_ turn off the volume entirely. there's an option in the menu system to turn off the internal speaker, set it to surround or not, etc.

with a dvd player and a decent dd receiver, i really felt it was time to upgrade from a 20" tv.

i debated this sony (27s42) vs panasonic (d10/d20) vs a toshiba (27v71). the panasonic d10 was $50 cheaper and tweeter had a floor sample of the 27v71 for $399 but no remote. the 27v71 definitely had a ton more features incl. 2 pip, component, 700 lines resolution. the sony27sf12 (wega) looked fantastic as well but not $200 better.

decided to stick with the low end 27" sony because it had a nicer picture and the reviews here. i didn't think i'd ever use pip and at 27" i don't know if component would make much of a difference....and i already had a s-video cable lying around.

the only annoying thing i've noticed (besides my lousy cable reception) is that when using the dvd, unless i turn "picture" down all the way there's pulsating of white lights near 1/3 down the tube. it's most obvious at menu sections of dvd...not noticeable during actual movie scenes.

if it annoys me enough i may return the unit, either for a another sony or the panasonic. would love to have gotten it for less but tweeter offers price matching up to 60 days...

Similar Products Used:

sharp 20" tv

The flat screen, clarity and color.

Video inputs

This TV I got at a great price, under $300.00 so I really can't make a fuss about the single video input. The TV is fantastic compared to a 27 inch Sharp I purchased just prior to this. I had no choice but to return the Sharp and go for the more expensive Sony. Trust me, I have no regrets.

Similar Products Used:

Sharp 37 inch, and Toshiba 31 inch

Good sound and picture quality

Difficult programming

This is the best television set I have bought until now. The sound and the picture quality are very high and would satisfy anybody.

Picture, User friendly, Surround sound, Ability to have the output either variable or fixed, Price, and reliability

The performance of this TV is outstanding. The picture is crystal clear. The output offers me the capability to allow full control of the audio from my home theater system, which is really nice when you don't want to have several remotes in front of you. Sony has made the controls extremely user friendly, as in you don't need to spend too much time reading the user's manual. I like the fact that when you turn the TV's speakers off, they are really off. I had a Panasonic 27 inch TV. It's speakers never completely shut off. There would always be some noise coming out of the speakers. Not with Sony. I also loved the price as I only paid $399.99 at Ciruit City for it. It doesn't have some of the fancy options like PIP or V-chip, but that's ok. Those options are a waste of money.

Similar Products Used:

I have owned the 32 inch version of this TV for several years.

Beautiful picture

None yet

I don't know what everyone's beef is with the remote...I love it. I think it's very easy just flippin channels and working through the menu. The picture clarity on this TV is incredible. Especially with DVDs and sports. And as for the lack of inputs...I just bought a switcher with S-video inputs, (you could also just get a receiver which I am working on) and I didn't even know what S-video was until I bought this and once I discovered it I was amazed. I use my Dreamcast with this TV and the picture increased dramatically. Another thing, for little 10 watt speakers this thing comes packed with a pretty decent sound to it. As for the Trinitron screen, I've been in love with it since I took it out of the box. After having this at home I go to friend's houses and look at their bubble TVs and wonder how they can stand it. Bottom line...for the money 399.99 at Best Buy you can't go wrong. This TV is great.

Similar Products Used:

RCA 27"

Great Color and Picture

Remote

I bought this T.V at Sears for $370 an I could'nt be happier with it. I use it for for DVD's only in a small HT setup in my bedroom and it preforms flawlessly. I have a reciever with S-Video switching so the one input does not bother me. I do agree with others that the remote could use some work,but thats minor because I don't use it anyway. The picture is incredible for 400 bucks and I don't think you will find a better one for that kind of money. So overall if you are looking for a bedroom T.V you should consider this one.

Similar Products Used:

RCA 27",Panisonic SuperFlat 32"

Good Picture, decent sound, easy setup.

Remote, would have liked another set of RCA inputs.

I recently was in the market for a larger TV. it was a toss-up between a Panasonic 27" & the Sony. I originally went with the Panasonic, due to more features and a lower price (PIP, etc.) The colors seemed to be a little better on the Panasonic as well. But my "gut" told me to go with the Sony. Ignoring my instincts, I took home the Panasonic. Talk about a mistake!! I soon realized that the colors bleeded into one another and the tube had adjustment problems. I also found myself getting a headache from watching the Panasonic. I later realized the picture was out of focus as well. I took the Panasonic back to the store and exchanged it for the Sony. I am very pleased! The setup was really easy, and I was up and running within 10 min or so. The picture is very consistent and the sound quality is very good. This model is for the lower-end of home theatres and beginners that don't want to fork out a lot of cash. The problem that I really have with the sony is the remote. It's too sensitive and it doesn't seem to "flow" very well. But since I have a universal remote, and won't be using the Sony's, this doesn't bother me too much. Also I would have liked more RCA Inputs, but this TV is really meant to be hooked up to a Home Theatre Receiver. Here is some advise for the people that have the "tilt" problem: This usually happens due to the larger size/weight of the tubes. What happens is that the Yolk of the tube becomes misaligned during shipment. (Either from the factory to the store or on the way home.) To fix this, a repairmen will take the backcover of the TV off and loosen a couple of screws. He then will give the Yolk a "yank" to straighten it out. It is not a defect per se, just an alignment problem. It is more common on the 32" and larger TV's. Contact Sony if you have this problem and see what they can do. I wouldn't try to attempt this repair by yourself, there is a lot of voltage in this TV (Hence the "Woosh" when you power it on). A person could really get hurt messing around with the "insides" without the proper training. One more thing on the weight of the TV; Sony Trinitron's are heavy. So defineatly have a good entertainment unit that can support the weight and an extra pair of hands to help setting the TV in place.

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic 27", Hitachi 20"

Good cheap Trinitron tube. No frills TV for someone who already has a home theater setup and only needs a single video input.

Convergence!

Although Sony's reputation for their crisp, fairly inexpensive Trinitron tubes led me to originally purchase this television, I must say I was horribly disappointed with Sony's quality assurance. The convergence was terrible! After I noticed this, I went to several stores (Best Buy, Good Guys, etc...) and I noticed that it is pretty much hit or miss whether you get a screen with convergence that is right on, decent, or outright terrible. See Ian's review for the KV27S66. I decided to not to play the "find a Sony with good convergence" game, and just shelled out the extra bucks for a Wega. Even though I didn't need the extra features, they seem to have much better convergence on average (and they better!). The Trinitron tube still beats out other brands, so I did not want to swich to another manufacturer. If you decide to purchase this television, I highly recommend checking the convergence (the easiest way without a test DVD is to hit "setup" and look at the edges of the text) and if it's terrible get another TV.

Similar Products Used:

Sony 27FS12

The clarity of the picture when i watch DVDs is AMAZING!!! Simple set up takes less then 3 mins out the box.

Cannot turn volume all the way down to listen to regular cable TV in 5.1!!! =P'' That was a BLOWER! Not enough Inputs. The clock never seems to work.

I was raised to be a SONY FANATIC!! After buying this SONY Television for my first apartment, i see why my father always bought SONY. I was amazed by the sound coming out of the tiny 5 watt speakers. It was amazing cause I have 20 plus feet high ceilings and it still pumped out alot of sound with great clarity. The picture is great for the bottom of the lot SONY 27inchers. None of the colors bleed onto one another like some of the other brands. You have just got to love the preset color settings. The colors are so vivid especially in 'VIVID' mode, a little bit to bright on some channels, this function really shines when u have BRIGHT sunlight entering the room. The 'Movie' mode looks beautiful when i watch a DVD, especially with the SONY home theater in a box DAV-300.The remote control works great, it does get a little sensitive at times but you just have to work it with Finess. My brother in law recently bought the WEGA XBR i could not see my self buying a $2400 for an apartment. This SONY KV-27s42 is my 'WEGA XBR' on a budget!

The only complaints I have to gripe about are the lack of inputs, the Auxilary Sound and the Clock.. This TV only has one Input. I enjoy watching regular TV in 5.1 but you have to turn up the volume on the TV set to get any sound to the Reciever. The final complaint is the clock never seems to keep its memory, I constantly have to set the clock over and over.

All in All this Television suits my Style and Budget.

Similar Products Used:

Some cheap Magnavox i got as a gift... in garbage now thanks to SONY!!

Flat Screen, S-Video, on screen menu, Digital comb filter.

Lack of Video inputs

This is a good set. I use it for my home theater. The Trinitron is a very nice tube with a very good picture. The picture quality compares to the Wega and frankly I agree that the Trinitron tube is a great deal compared to the Wega. I viewed the sets side by side and there is not much difference. For the price it is a good set. This will be the last analog set I buy and I am pretty happy with it. It sure would have been nice to have some more A/V inputs. The speakers are adequate, I don't use them much, unless it's just the news. The set also lets you turn the internal speakers off and set the audio out to variable or fixed for your A/V Receiver. The remote is an older design and I will soon replace it with a Sony 8 in 1 as long as it controls my Carver.

Similar Products Used:

Hitachi