Picture quality, 16:9 compression, PIP

HEAVY

Got this setup last night and the first thing I did was put in a bugs life and I saw things that I never saw with my 27" RCA. Like freckels on some of the bugs and such. I was blown away as was my wife. She thinks the set is too big but women do not understand that "size does matter". Still working on the 16:9 compression. It seemed to make the 16:9 viewable area small. Any way it took 4 guys at tweeter to get it into my SUV and took about 3 to get it into the house and on the stand. Well worth the weight though.

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27" RCA TV

Good picture; Good sound; Ample set-up menu

Screen glare; average appearance

I spent quite some time at the dealer in my attempt to determine what set would satisfy my requirements for a 36" set. Actually, one of my requirements was low cost (well, I really blew that off with this set). I wandered the store investigating all the 36" models, but kept coming back to this one. Despite the cost, I finally broke and purchased it(primarily because my wife was not with me at the time). When I discovered the weight and size of the box, I decided to have it delivered (which was good, because delivery and set-up was free). They delivered it while I was at work. The second they left, my wife called me up, and in her typical sarcastic tone asked, "could you have found a bigger TV?", to which I replied, "well, it didn't look that big next to the projection sets!".
Set-up was fairly easy and straight forward. After playing around and re-setting everything the installation people set, I finally got everything to my satisfaction. I connected my DVD and after some brow-beating from my three daughters, caved in and inserted "It's a bugs life" as our first selection. I was quite impressed with the picture and sound quality. It was a drastic improvement over our 27" Trinitron.
The set's weaknesses, or my complaints: I do not like the silver color. When you view the set from head on, you can see the speakers beneath the grill which detracts from it's appearance. The black half inch band around the perimeter of the tube is annoying. Why Sony could not have made the bezel smaller to cover that up is beyond me. The flat screen creates a much better picture, but I find reflections more dramatic than our old standard Sony. The screen becomes difficult to see when we open our curtains, even with the contrast to its brightest setting. I am going to have this checked, as our old Sony never seemed to have this problem. I have no complaints in the evening hours, as the picture is excellent. Overall though, I find this set a drastic improvement over our old one.

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Sony 27";

Weight. Not the greatest for viewing text output from PC (I guess that is why people still use monitors in their computer room - and all regular tv's would have the same problem I guess) . All other PC output is great w/ s-video (3d games, web surfing, dvd, etc). Speakers are just OK, but who uses the tv speakers anyways? Remote can't control a receiver.

This review is for KV-36FS16. I got an awesome tv for an awesome price. The cosmetic damage is not even noticeable in my entertainment center. I don't know if the extra cost of the KV-36FV16 over this is worth it. Check out circuit city's wb site and compare for yourself. Picture and features are more than I could have imagined. You can name channels, and have a quick list of favorite channels. Have not tried regular dvd output to component video, but if my s-video picture is any indication, I am sure it will impress. Speakers are OK, but I have a receiver, so I will not knock them too much, because Sony knows that most people paying this much for a tv will be connecting to a receiver. Remote is fine, and is universal, but does not control receivers, just vcrs, cd players, etc. Lots of bang for my buck. My ratings acknowledge the fact that I only paid $1100 for a $1600 tv. If I paid full price, I would have put value at 4 stars, but kept overall at 5.

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20" rca

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Sorry gang,I didn't won't to review the Sony KV36FV16 against the KV36FV26,in that I may cause concern,but I was told that is what we're doing here.I bought the KV36FV16 at Circuit City for $2149,$1749 TV,$360 5yr warrenty,$200 best stand,$40 shipping.The salesman assured me the only difference was the Manual 16:9 mode.At home I downloaded Sonys spec.& features from Sonys home site.I found 3 other items of concern,besides auto 16:9 enhanced mode,the FV26 has (dual driver speakers),IR headphones,& a joystick on the remote control.Called MyDigitalUniverse.com.and the Video salesman (Guy Hall)fixed me up.I paid $1499 tv,$250 shipping,(White glove) they set it up & give a 30 minute demo,I'll not let them go until I check it out thoroughly.$200 warrenty,$199 Sony best stand.==$2148.A $1 less and I got the "FV26" that I wanted in the first place. PS,sreen problem plying DVD?? Must set DVD to 16:9 aspect. Good Health & Fortune Al. "PJ"

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n/a

Picture...Incredible. Auto 16 X 9....

Yeah...it's freakin heavy!

Got a great deal on this at PC richards w/Matching stand..the tv, aesthetically, looks great in my living room. I actually have the FV26, which has the Auto 16x9 feature....very convenient, and the DVD's well, the picture is utterly fantastic. I've got it hooked up to a Toshiba DVD player using Monster Component cables, and like I said the DVD's are crystal clear. The speakers, Tv speakers, are pretty good...u can turn it up pretty loud and get nice clear sound. But like me, you're better off if u can running it thru a AV receiver. I run mine thru a Yamaha RXv-800 and it sounds fabulous...just added a JBL subwoofer to my surrounds, popped in the movie U-571, and my eyes bugged out of my head. Not only is the picture great, but the sound was phenonemal...the depth charge explosions in the movie shook the walls of my aprtment.

If you're looking to make a nice investment for a Home theatre TV, you cannot beat this one,. YEah, some cable channels don't look that great, but some do. IT"S THE SIGNAL...pure and simple. DON'T have the TV shipped,,,I would buy it locally if u can and have it delivered...and tell them to send 2 guys to deliver it. And spend some time tweaking it when u get it...took me almost two weeks to adjust it so I finally had the picture I liked, but it was worth it.

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Much older Sony..Toshiba

Great picture. Anamorphic DVDS are the best. Nice and heavy to thwart thieves. Great sound too.

If your signal is weak it really shows the flaws. A little pricey.

This is a great set. I was a little leary after hearing some people complain about bars on the side and discoloration. I have since learned that the guns inside are sensitive so don't drop it. I had mine delivered and it turned out to be flawless. Just have it delivered and make sure it is working properly before the guy leaves. I was going to get an XBR 400 but decided against it. I live in the boonies and by the time I get high definition broadcasts in my area they should be a lot cheaper and come with digital decoders built in.

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Magnavox

Looks, Style, component video, flat screen

weight, price, quality

For $1700 you should get a lot more. like a matching stand and more inputs. The picture detail on this set is horrible. I have an s-video connection from my sat. dish to the tv. I should get a clear picture but all i recieve from sony is a very fuzzy and pixelated image. This did not happen when i had my old 27" sony connected in the same way. i dont know if this is a flaw in the set or if its the reception form my sat. watching sports like basketball and hockey is a joke the players become very pixelated and loose there soft edge when they move fast across the screen also white letters loose there detail so it becomes very hard to tell what the score is. I also connected my nintendo 64 and it looks very pixelated as well it becomes almost impossible to play a game without becoming sick. DvD throught component looks good but a little grainy not the high end picture you would think you would get from a $1700 set. I am going to return this set for a full refund. if you are in the market for a new 36" t.v. dont but this one it sucks. I would like to know if anyone else had these same problems and if so what they did to fix them. bbyrne@davispartner.com

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sony 27"

Huge bright flat screen. Beats a three-gon any day!

Heavy as an m-f'er

Best TV I've had yet. The picture is great, and DVDs look incredible. Love the flat screen... never have glare and picture is still great from a side angle. Sound system is really nice in the FVs. I wish I sprang for the FV26 instead of the FV16 - would like the auto 16:9 and the wireless headphones would be great when my wife wants to sleep and I don't (fits my bedroom perfectly!). I echo the thoughts of another post-ee -- wish I could have afforded the XBR, but the FV16 makes is easy to settle. I also got the matching stand, and the unit looks beautiful. Only problem with the stand is it'll only hold 4 components. I have DVD, VCR, Receiver, Satellite and TiVo. No where to put the fifth component. Time to lose the VCR? I think so. All in all a wonderful TV and the most beautiful item of furniture in my room.

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RCA 35" or 36" (I'm not sure what it was)

Flatter screen, sharp-beautiful-detailed picture - especially with DVDs & LDs, component video input, matching stand available

HEAVY / no picture weaknesses attributed to the tv

Sharp and detailed picture, especially with the digital formats. The capability of 4 video settings allows for quick change of the detail in the picture you are viewing.
Crisp/clear image reproduction. Easily viewable in bright or dim surroundings.

Some minor loss of detail when viewing cable input, I can really tell a big difference in the strength of the cable feed from channel to channel, with the Sanyo I could not. Some channels just pick up better than others in my area.

The direct view tube was much sharper than the projection TVs in this size. The tv has a wide viewing area, remaining clear and sharp when viewing for the side, past 45 degrees.
No glare experienced from any angle.

Good sound from the various effects offered.

Yes, heavy, I tried to pick it up in the store with a friend before purchase, have it delivered.... matching stand gives the appearance of one piece.

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Sanyo 26" tv / 41 to 45 inch projection tv's

Excellent Vivid pictures,anamorphic support,Totally flat screen, Almost close to digital.( I wish i got the XBR)

Philip is right, almost same weight of my fridge. Picture Tube can easily be de-calibrated when tilted or mishandled by delivery.

I like the anamorphic adjustment.(too bad only manual set up).Make sure if getting at Sears (or might as well shop to other place than Sears)arrange propper handling and delivery and assigned two or three people to lift the unit. The tube can be mis aligned easily. I love the picture detail but make sure to calibrate or set up properly before using.(Try using Avia software for video testing). Sony should have made this tubes like the computer monitors that u can adjust from left to right, up and down. It only have tilting adjustments. Perfect for midsize apartment room.
This unit is really way heavy. Im satisfied with the performance. Direct view are still the best than projection.
Don't forget to keep your warranty updated. This is a very sensitive unit!!!!

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