Video audio, s input and 5.1

Design and construction of the power board

Well I don't know what to say but I am thinking the mexican construction as pointed to in an earlier review is a problem, but I think the design may be seriously lacking as their is a burn mark on my tv stand , and a blown fuse(6.3A 125 V) on the power board. And there is a nice hole burnt throught the board itself. It is nice to know Sony likes to design fire hazard boards. Apparently the fuse blew and caused a nice burnout on the board after an aparent strike by lightining. I say apparent, as the tv was off, and was the only peripheral damaged off of my power bar(surge protector)(stereo dvd, vcr are all fine). I think sony should really examine their power boards response to a power surge. I would think this was random, except I know aperson with the same model that had the same blowout on his board. Luckily I and my friends know how to fix these boards, but I am a bit worried that there was a burn mark on my tv stand. As no one was home, if my stand wasn't fire retardent there would have been a disaster I don't want to fathom. Other than that for the two years I have owned it, it has met my needs and does have a good quality sound and video presentation, but i am really dissapointed to have seen this problem twice, and I wonder how much more prevalent it it.

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none similar

A excellent picture for the money. Sure it is not HDTV but as always Sony come through with flying colors.

No many inputs or outputs but since I am getting a receiver this will not bother me. I will run everything through that

A excellent product that I would advise for anybody to get that cannot afford the higher end stuff. I got such a good deal that I could not pass it up!

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Toshiba 32 inch
RCA 32 inch

Good value.

Only 1 S-video input. Audio out only when speakers are off. Heavy!

A year ago I moved and upgraded to a 32 inch. I went for the PIP -- a feature I actually use to check on other stations when my 2 year old is glued to Barney [she doesn't seem to notice].

The picture is nice. The single S-video input is limiting (I have a satellite dish AND DVD). But the other day when I wantee to hook up a set of wireless phones I discovered that for the audio output to work, the speakers had to be turned off. This is annoying, not only for my the headphones, but if I were running the TV through an amp, then it would be a big pain to just watch through the speakers. (On my old RCA I used to normally watch through the speakers, but if I were watching a movie at night, then I'd turn on the amp [and turn down the speaker]. With this TV, I'd have to pick up the remote and hit about 7 strokes to switch between speakers and amp. Silly).

Other than that the TV has been reliable. Knock, knock... My brother in law has a new Wega XBR. Same size picture, very similar. But an extra grand to have fewer reflections? I work for a living!

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RCA 20 inch

Good value.

Only 1 S-video input. Audio out only when speakers are off. Heavy!

A year ago I moved and upgraded to a 32 inch. I went for the PIP -- a feature I actually use to check on other stations when my 2 year old is glued to Barney [she doesn't seem to notice].

The picture is nice. The single S-video input is limiting (I have a satellite dish AND DVD). But the other day when I wantee to hook up a set of wireless phones I discovered that for the audio output to work, the speakers had to be turned off. This is annoying, not only for my the headphones, but if I were running the TV through an amp, then it would be a big pain to just watch through the speakers. (On my old RCA I used to normally watch through the speakers, but if I were watching a movie at night, then I'd turn on the amp [and turn down the speaker]. With this TV, I'd have to pick up the remote and hit about 7 strokes to switch between speakers and amp. Silly).

Other than that the TV has been reliable. Knock, knock... My brother in law has a new Wega XBR. Same size picture, very similar. But an extra grand to have fewer reflections? I work for a living!

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RCA 20 inch

I bought it because of the clear picture. Very foolish.

Problems started in about 11 months. Picture tube is now gone bad at 12 months & 2 weeks.

I have owned other Sony products thru the years and had problems with all of them. I have no idea why I bought the Sony when it was the most expensive of all brands. Now I'm stuck with a tv that will not work, that I can not lift and even if I could it won't fit into my car. I have called the company but no help. There is no doubt that this set has a defect and Sony doesn't even disagree, they just don't care.
Now I must call a repair shop and have them come and remove the set and repair and return.$$$ At my expence.
I could buy the blue light special at Wal-Mart for 79.95 and get better service.
I will NEVER under any circumstances buy any Sony product again. The company is as bad as the product.

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GE, RCA, Mag., Hitachi, Sharp

Price, trinitron technology, "flat" screen

construction, sound, lack of expandability (few inputs/outputs)

Sony trinitron televisions are always top-notch. except this time.
apparently all sony tube tv's in the US are made in mexico. despite sony's irrefutable reputation as the leading name in televisions, this fact takes away A LOT.
6 months after my purchase, the amplifier's right-side output died. all right-side sound outputs, even the speakers, were dead - - probably due to a bad soldering job.
too bad sony chose mexico as the place to make their tv's.
i will never buy a sony tv or ANYTHING made in mexico or china. that pretty much takes sony out of the equation, but there are other, better brands out there anyway.

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JVC, Panasonic

Cost. Excellent Picture

Only 1 S video input.No component video.Very heavy

I have had this TV for less than a month now and have had
no problems so far.Just some minor adjustments to the video
(factory settings sucks) and i was ready to go.I am very
impressed with the picture quality which is sharp and colors
are vivid.Sound is mediocre.Great 32 inch TV for the price.

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Sony 27 inch

Great Picture(after set-up w/ Video Essentials DVD), Easy set up, Great remote, Dual tuner

Manual
No component video

My Mitsubishi died after 10yrs so I had to find an adequate replacement. I looked at several different brands (Toshiba, JVC and Proscan). I really liked the Toshiba but several bad reviews pointed me to the Sony. The Toshiba had component video and some other extras but not a better picture. Out of the box the picture is good but was not great. After spending about 20 minutes using Video Essentials I got the picture to be about perfect. DVD's look awesome. Controls for set-up were easy to use. The only problem(minor) was the manual. Not as much info as I would like but this may not bother some. The only reason only 4 stars for value is because there were other sets that were about the same price and had component video.

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Mitsubishi 31"

Excellent picture quality, Simple PIP operation, Great for viewing DVD's

No component video, Manual lacks substance,

Really good picture quality for not being HDTV. The PIP is so simple to use(and hook up). The low point is no component video, for this price you should get it. The remote is simple to navigate, but the manual leaves alot to be desired. Especially if you are hooking up a whole entertainment center(all Sony).

Picture, Shape of Tube

Lack of component video imputs

Audio and video clarity has probably moved beyond my ability to determine differences. Also, viewing a T.V. in a store, makes that determination even more difficult. I have been told that component video improves the picture 10-15%.
I have this Sony sitting at home and I can't imagine a better picture. The first thing my friends comment on is the clarity of the picture and the true colors.Moving from station to station or DVD the colors stay true and the picture remain clear and firm. Are there better T.V.'s? Who knows. They are all pretty good anfd after awhile with the way the game is rigged we will all grow dissatisfied with, or lose our appreciation for what we have. So for now I am very happy with the Sony. I got lucky and for ince in my life got a great deal. I'm a terrible shopper and I need luck to get great deals. Oh, about the audio, I don't know, because I use an H.T. system and I can't use the PIP because I have a cable box. I could hook up an antenna to an aux. imput but I'm not motivated right now. With the antenna and the cable box I would have PIP.

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Sony, Magnavox