thinking of buying a HDTV but want your opinion

[sergey semak]

first of all, great forums, been a reader for a long time, first post of mine..

anyway, i want to buy a HDTV for my room and i've been searching for weeks now and i like this model ( SONY KLV s19a10e )..

i think the size is enough ( as i said, the tv is for my room ) and it really has all the stuff i want on it..

-resolution: 1280 x 768 ( can this tv display 720p and 1080i?? )

-HDMI input ( this will be replacing DVI in the future i think??? )

-response time : 10ms

-contrast: 800:1

-brightness : 500cd/m

-50/60 Hz ( not sure about this one )

-can use it as pc monitor

but i need your help.. the specs above are from my research so if you see anything wrong about them please tell me..also, what do you tgink that are the pros and cons about the model??

if you want to leave your opinion you're welcome..

stay cool guys

[sergey semak]

forgot to give you a link if you want to check the model..here it goes

http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProduct.action?product=KLVS19A10U&site=odw_en_GB&pageType=TechnicalSpecs&category=TVP+LCD+TV

[kyleb]

-resolution: 1280 x 768 ( can this tv display 720p and 1080i?? )
To be called "HD Ready" over on your side of the pond the TV has to be able to display both. It resamples both to 1280x768 as that is number of physical pixels on the display, just check out the display in person to assure that it does a good job with both.

-HDMI input ( this will be replacing DVI in the future i think??? )
HDMI or DVI with HDCP is also required in the "HD Ready" guidelines. HDMI is the same digital video as DVI on a different plug that alows for digital audio signals to be passed though it as well, so yeah it is basicly the newer and better verson.

As for the the TV itself; the specs look good but I haven't seen one in person so the most I can say is that Sony displays tend to live up to their specs well.

[sergey semak]

thansk for clarifying me.. i just remembered something.. the aspect ratio is 15:9.. can this be a problem??

i saw this tv in action and i haven't noticed anything but i think you guys know these things better than me!i want your opinion on this matter

thanks again for your input

[kyleb]

Oh wow, yeah, I didn't even notice that. Most 1280x768 displays I have seen sold as TVs are 16:9, they just don't have square pixels. But yeah, with 15:9 you'd want to make sure you can at least run with a bit of letterboxing to correct for that, or perhaps just look for a different display that is built around the 16:9 standard.

[sergey semak]

can you explain better? i'm not that good with this stuff..

[sergey semak]

i will buy the tv for mainly to connect with my ps2 and with ps3 in the future..will the 15:9 be a problem?

[kyleb]

It will make everything look a little bit tall and skiny since 15:9 isn't quite as wide as 16:9. That is unless the display has the option to correct the aspect ratio, in which case you'll be able to run with little black bars at the top and the bottom to properly fit a 16:9 image inside the 15:9 screen.

[sergey semak]

thats odd!i checked this tv and i didn't notice any problem with the aspect of the image! anyway thanks for helping me out here..

one last question..a guy told me that the image settings are all screwed up when we buy a new tv and that we need to fix it by changing the factory settings..ca you tell me the important settings to change? he also said to me that changing the settings scratches the lenses..:???:

[muzz]

What lenses would those be?
Panels?

Hogwash.

As far as tuning the set is concerned, most of the problems are these:
Contrast is set WAY too high from the factory, supposed to make it bright and punchy(and shine- under terrible showroom lighting), this causes blooming.
Red push- I guess manufacturers think people really have redder than red skin, maybe they should stop hanging out at the beach only in the springtime.

Both of these are supposed to help sell sets in the showroom.

Get Avia or DVE to adjust set if your that worried, but check out the picture first.

[pascal]

I am not sure you can use this specific Sony TV as PC monitor.
edited: this specific HDMI will not work with a PC (see the manual).

It has an specific PC RGB input.
Download and read the manual.

[epicstruggle]

Do you need to buy the tv right away? If at all possible try waiting to get it as close to the release of ps3 as possible. You will certainly get it cheaper or even find a better model.

epic

[Geo]

Do you need to buy the tv right away? If at all possible try waiting to get it as close to the release of ps3 as possible. You will certainly get it cheaper or even find a better model.

epic

What he said. 1080p is ramping up, and that will just make 720p stuff cheaper. And with Xmas and Superbowl past, prices will start drifting down in preparation for the new models which usually seem to become available in the summer.

Re 1080i, "fixed pixel" displays like LCD and DLP that are at 720p "native" (like this one), *can* show 1080i content. . .but it will show it as 720p with a built in scaler. We have two fixed-pixel display HDTV (one DLP and one LCD) and both show 1080i (which is most American broadcast TV --I think ABC broadcasts 720p) just fine so far as I can tell.

[london-boy]

1080p is all nice and all but let's stay in context here:

- the guy is in the UK, and 1080p here is gonna be a non-issue for YEARS.
- the guy is looking to buy a 19" set, meaning he wants that kind of size. 1080p panels won't be on such small panels for years, if they even bother making them. 1080p will probably never come to sets smaller than 32" and even that is pushing it. No point in telling the guy there are 50" 1080p DLP sets coming out in the next few months if he really just wants a little thing for his bedroom! ;)

Sergey, just to clarify:

If you buy a set that has the HD-Ready logo (most LCDs these days do, but i think some smaller ones don't, so you might want to be careful), the set WILL have the following:

- HDMI (or DVI-HDCP, same thing really apart from sound)
- Component
- Able to display at least 720p, meaning it needs to have at least 720 vertical lines (NO minimum has been set for horizontal pixels though)
- Able to display BOTH 50Hz and 60Hz
- Able to take a HD signal through Component.

If you get a HD-Ready set without one of the above, you can return it as it shouldn't really be HD-Ready and the shop has misled you (come do, they just put the HD-Ready sticky on TVs that are not compliant).

The Sony is a good set, but if you're looking to buy such a small set, you might want to try other brands. At the price of that 19" Sony you can probably buy a bigger Samsung or other brands. At such sizes, any difference in IQ becomes very hard to notice anyway.

[sergey semak]

well.. you guys are being very helpfull,you really are and now i just might lost my mind for this model

http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProduct.action?product=KDL-V26A12U&site=odw_en_GB&pageType=Features&category=TVP+LCD+TV

basically its the same model but it has more features and the screen size is 26"!!what do you guys think of this option??

i know that 1080p models will be available in a near future but i think that a very few ps3 games will support that resolution.. anyway, if i wait a bit longer the 720p model prices will suffer a slash!! can anyone tell me so, buying one of those sets will be "wasting money"...when are these models supposed to hit the market?

thanks

[pascal]

The KDL-V32A12U has great image quality and wider color range, much better contrast and black levels.
No digital conection to the PC, only analog.

Philips are excellent and have better connectivity options.
Panasonics are very good.

Samsungs are good and cheap. IIRC also have good PC connectivity.

[sergey semak]

so do you think that not going with a sony bravia and buy another set is a better deal?can you be more specific and point particular models??

[Geo]

1080p is all nice and all but let's stay in context here:



Well, the context was in the impact on 720p pricing, so far as waiting as long as possible for a guy who really wants it for PS3 (which isn't available yet, of course).

[sergey semak]

thats a point, right now i will not have any advantage by buying that tv.. when will 1080p models hit europe? this is crucial to the price cuts on 720p models

[pascal]

First, I must say I like Sony as my previous CRT was a Sony Trinitron and my current LCD monitor is Sony. I also have two Sony trinitrons TVs and other gadgets.
I am too looking for a new HDTV.

I saw the Bravia S-series in the stores and I was not impressed (KLV-S26A12U). http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProduct.action?product=KDL-S26A12U&site=odw_en_GB&pageType=Overview&category=TVP+LCD+TV
Unfortunatelly I could not do my own configurations/tests, then maybe I will change my mind after some tests.
Also from information from the manuals we cannot connect the PC to the HDMI interface. We have to use the vga interface (analog) if we want it as a PC monitor.
This maybe is not a problem for you.

The Bravia V-series you linked (KDL-V26A12U) I didnt saw myself but from www.avforums.com the image quality is better, with deeper blacks.
But it still dont have HDMI connectivity to the PC and is more expensive.

People like very much the Philips 32PF9830: http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/catalog/catalog.jsp?fhquery=fh_secondid%3D32pf9830_10_gb_c onsumer%26fh_view_size%3D28%26fh_location%3D%2F%2F consumer%2Fen_GB%2Fcategories%3Ccatalog_gb_consume r%2Fcategories%3Ctv_gr_gb_consumer%2Fcategories%3C flat_tv_ca_gb_consumer%26&productId=32PF9830_10_GB_CONSUMER&activeCategory=TV_GR_GB_CONSUMER&fredhopperpage=detail.jsp&language=en&country=GB&catalogType=CONSUMER&proxybuster=VBBTITGKQ1NS5J0RMRCSHP3HKFSESI5P
Good image quality, lots of media access, lots of interfaces including DVI with HDCP.
Maybe the Sony v-series have better blacks. It is expensive.

Samsung has these new LE26M51/M61 panels. http://www.samsung.com/uk/products/television/tftlcd/le26m51bxxeu.asp
The HDMI is DVI compatible. Usually Samsungs are cheaper than Sony and Philips.

The best thing to do is see it for yourself in some store and ask to do some tests.

Anyway, technology is changing fast. If PS3 is your concern then maybe is better wait.
Hope this help.

[sergey semak]

The Bravia V-series you linked (KDL-V26A12U) I didnt saw myself but from www.avforums.com the image quality is better, with deeper blacks.
But it still dont have HDMI connectivity to the PC and is more expensive.




the hdmi input i am talking about is to connect the tv with the ps3 ( the ps3 have 2 hdmi outputs, in case you have 2 hdtv's )..

being able to connect it with the pc is an extra to me, not that big deal.. i will check the models you pointed out, thanks..

the V model is a great system, i already saw one, 26" ( great image )

[london-boy]

the hdmi input i am talking about is to connect the tv with the ps3 ( the ps3 have 2 hdmi outputs, in case you have 2 hdtv's )..

being able to connect it with the pc is an extra to me, not that big deal.. i will check the models you pointed out, thanks..

the V model is a great system, i already saw one, 26" ( great image )

Remember that Sony equipment almost always come at a higher price.

The V-Series Bravia don't have VGA input, so you might want to look elsewhere if u think u'll ever need that. Other than that, if you can afford it, definately go for it, it does have probably the best image quality on Standard Definition sources i've seen to this day.

I think the most important question is, What's your budget?

[sergey semak]

sorry if this question seems a little dumb but what will the VGA be needed for? i really don't have a clue:oops:

[london-boy]

sorry if this question seems a little dumb but what will the VGA be needed for? i really don't have a clue:oops:


If you ever need to connect your PC to the TV. You still can do it through HDMI with a DVI-HDMI cable, but it requires a lot of tweaking to get the right resolution.

But from the sound of it, it doesn't seem you'll ever need to plug your PC to it, so you're safe.

One thing is, if you get an Xbox360, VGA is the best way to connect to a TV/Monitor. Though Component is quite close and pretty much the same to most people.

[pascal]

IIRC you cannot connect a PC with an european Sony V-series because:

- It doesnt have a vga input (IIRC US version has it).
- HDMI doesnt work with PC.

:(

[london-boy]

IIRC you cannot connect a PC with an european Sony V-series because:

- It doesnt have a vga input (IIRC US version has it).
- HDMI doesnt work with PC.

:(

Yep that's what i was saying to him. You can still use the HDMI with a HDMI-DVI cable, but you won't get 1:1 pixel mapping, and finding the right resolution is a bitch - it's something like 1100x650 or something, because the HDMI can't take PC resolutions and will oversan the PC input through HDMI - therefore you have to feed it a smaller res image and let the set rescan it. As i said, a bitch.
There are explanations on how to do it on the AVforums, but i'd personally leave it.

[sergey semak]

thanks, you are helping me a lot..i just don't want to screw up my money on the first set you know?i think i can make a better decision right now:cool:

[london-boy]

thanks, you are helping me a lot..i just don't want to screw up my money on the first set you know?i think i can make a better decision right now:cool:


No prob! If you give me (us) a list of sets you're interested in, i can give u a run down. :smile:

[sergey semak]

in general i prefer the sony bravia models.. i like the design and also they have the characteristics i want.. of course there are other models but i don't know the references.. i posted in another forum and asked some questions but i'm not getting any answers ( a forum entirely dedicated to HDTV's, it was suggested here) so i'll copy my post (maybe it might have some use to everyone else) and maybe you can give me the answers.. here it goes:

"....to start, i like the sony bravia models.. i am thinking of buying a 26" V series but there is something strange about the reference on these models.. i live in portugal and the 26" V model here is named http://www.sony.pt/view/ShowProduct...gory=TVP+LCD+TV and a 26" V model in england is named http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProd...gory=TVP+LCD+TV

as you can see, they are both 26" models from V series and have different names.. KLV-V26A10E for portugal, KDL-V26A12U for UK!

here goes some questions, i will be extremelly appreciated to you guys if you give me some answers, i don't want to spend my money in the wrong set.. here it goes:

1-i noticed that the uk version have FREEVIEW, someone here knows what is this? the portugal version do not have that option.. anyway, what is FREEVIEW??

2-i am looking for an internet source that have the contrast ratio, response time, brightness, if the tv supports 50/60 HZ, all the technicall specs on hdtv models.. do you know any website that has this kind of info?? anyway, if you guys know, can you tell me these specs on the 26" and 32" V series from sony?? i heard they are a bit different..

3-i might wait a bit longer to buy my hdtv.. the idea is wait until 1080p models arrive, so i can buy one of the above tv's for less.. the question is when will these 1080p models hit europe?

4-i want this tv mainly to play ps2 and ps3 when it arrives.. do you think the V series is a good option?....."

again thanks, you are really helping me

[london-boy]

Ooooh i see...


1-i noticed that the uk version have FREEVIEW, someone here knows what is this? the portugal version do not have that option.. anyway, what is FREEVIEW??

Basically in the UK we get digital TV for free through the aerial. Instead of the 5 analog channels, with Freeview we get some 30 or so channels, all for free, all digital. Mostly the quality is crap, but at least it's MORE crap... :lol:

The difference in model number is probably due to that, Freeview needs a different tuner (a digital tuner... d'oh...).

The UK Bravia's all have digital Freeview tuners. Not sure what you guys have in Portugal.

2-i am looking for an internet source that have the contrast ratio, response time, brightness, if the tv supports 50/60 HZ, all the technicall specs on hdtv models.. do you know any website that has this kind of info?? anyway, if you guys know, can you tell me these specs on the 26" and 32" V series from sony?? i heard they are a bit different..

Not sure about the contrast ratio but the response time is advertised as 8ms (very good). The TV supports all kinds of systems, 50Hz, 60Hz, 480i/p, 720p and 1080i. Sony's website should give you all the specs.
The model has 1 HDMI, component, a few SCARTs, probably S-Video and composite too.
What sets this TV apart from the rest is the Wega Engine, which is not present in the Bravia S-Series so be careful. The V-series are the black ones, the S-series are the silver ones.
The Wega Engine really makes a difference in SD (DVD, broadcasts etc) material, and personally it gives the best pic with those feeds. HD signals are HD and gorgeous by default. On HD the Wega Engine is disabled by the way.

3-i might wait a bit longer to buy my hdtv.. the idea is wait until 1080p models arrive, so i can buy one of the above tv's for less.. the question is when will these 1080p models hit europe?

The first sets will probably come out this year at ridiculously high prices, but for the first year or 2 they will only be 42" or more. Maybe 37", as there is already the Philips 37" 9830 which has 1920x1080 resolution, but can only take 1080i.
Any smaller set will stay at 720p for a long time.



4-i want this tv mainly to play ps2 and ps3 when it arrives.. do you think the V series is a good option?....."

Prepare yourself to see the crappy PS2 graphics in all their glory, because LCD TVs show every little flaw magnified, but in the end, of all LCD TVs, this one will make it look better than most other sets, simply because the Wega Engine is just one hell of a processing system that makes crappy signal look good - to a certain extent obviously, it doesn't do miracles obviously, but it's much better than most processing on competitors' sets.
At least 26" won't be as bad with PS2 as a 40" set.

[sergey semak]

i see... so the freeview is not a problem at all..

you said that 1080p models will arrive later this year.. but when? is it still undefined?

anyway, in sony website they don't have the specs i asked for ( contrast, response, etc ) and those are very important.. i am comparing the 26"and the 32" V models in sony website and the 32" model says that the Display Technology for 32" is LCD Si TFT Active Matrix, for 26" it says N/A.. i though that the only difference between these models were the sound system power and the screen size.. do you know if they are different? here is the comparison:

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/CompareProducts.action?site=odw_en_GB&pcReturnUrl=%2Fproduct%2FProductComparisonWizard.a ction%3Fsectiontype%3DProduct%26site%3Dodw_en_GB%2 6modelName%3DKDL-V26A12U&models=KDL-V32A12U&models=KDL-V26A12U

as for ps2 crappy graphics, i am already prepared for that lol

[pascal]

Yep that's what i was saying to him. You can still use the HDMI with a HDMI-DVI cable, but you won't get 1:1 pixel mapping, and finding the right resolution is a bitch - it's something like 1100x650 or something, because the HDMI can't take PC resolutions and will oversan the PC input through HDMI - therefore you have to feed it a smaller res image and let the set rescan it. As i said, a bitch.
There are explanations on how to do it on the AVforums, but i'd personally leave it.
That is it: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6509835&highlight=pc+hdmi+sony#post6509835
I could be wrong, but I don't think DVI 1.0 specifies the resolutions that *must* be supported, as opposed to suggested resolutions. Possibly they specify a minimum 640x480 for basic compatability, but for any less popular resolution like 1360x768, it is a manufacturer's decision..

As such, I'm of the impression that the HDMI port on Sony Bravias will only support the mandated HDMI resolutions (which does not include 1360x768), but does include 640x480, 720x480, 1280x720, and 1920x1080i.

If you configure your PC to output 720p over DVI-D to Sony Bravia HDMI, it should work, but there could be some overscan depending on how Sony has implemented the video processing of the HDMI port. You might be able to turn off the overscan or you could have no choice, I don't really know with the XBR unit. Also, all resolutions other than 640x480(VGA) have RGB colorspace that is limited to 16-235 by default. 640x480 has RGB colorspace of 0-255 which is what a PC expects. Unless Sony has added the ability to adjust the RGB colorspace to "Full" or "Limited" this could cause issues with colors not being quite right (or overly bright). I know Sharp Aquos 45" allows you to adjust the RGB colorspace on the HDMI port, but again this is gray area dependent on the manufacturer.

But in US you can use the VGA port with 1280x768 resolution. The 1-1 mapping requires a 1360x768, which has some issues. IIRC only nvidia cards can do that nativally.

[london-boy]

That is it: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6509835&highlight=pc+hdmi+sony#post6509835


But in US you can use the VGA port with 1280x768 resolution. The 1-1 mapping requires a 1360x768, which has some issues. IIRC only nvidia cards can do that nativally.

Powerstrip solves that problem, but it's true, when i connected my PC to my HDTV, it set itself to 1360x768.

Now let's not get into a discussion on why the hell Sony left the VGA port out of their top of the range sets, while keeping it on their lower range (the S-series), cause it really doesn't make sense.

[kyleb]

1360x768 works fine on Radeons as well, even in the drivers by default.

Also, 1280x768 is 15:9 rather than 16:9, so you generally won't want to use that for a 16:9 display even if it is 1280x768 native.

[pascal]

The V-series have a better contrast (V-series 1300 , S-series 1000)
The V-series has wider color range because they have a WCGCCFL backlight.

[sergey semak]

but there are differences between the V series? check the link on my last post!

[pascal]

Now let's not get into a discussion on why the hell Sony left the VGA port out of their top of the range sets, while keeping it on their lower range (the S-series), cause it really doesn't make sense.You are starting to read my mind :)

I would like an HDTV with the Sony panels and engine and the Philips connectivity (dvi, hdmi, usb, flash, etc..) and ambilight :D

[london-boy]

but there are differences between the V series? check the link on my last post!

You mean between the 26" and the 32" V-series? Nope, your link also says there are no differences. Unless you need Romanian and Slovanian Menus! :lol:

[sergey semak]

lol! yeah, i don't know why but i read it all wrong...my mistake lol

anyway, i read somewhere that the 32" had a better response time than the 26"

[sergey semak]

i noticed a difference!!

Digital Comb Filter -PAL 3D Comb filter for the 32" and 3D Comb Filter for the 26"

don't know if that is very important.. do you know if there are differences in the response time?

[london-boy]

lol! yeah, i don't know why but i read it all wrong...my mistake lol

anyway, i read somewhere that the 32" had a better response time than the 26"

Dunno to be honest, they're both quoted at 8ms - which is not a real figure anyway, but that's another issue. You'll get no ghosting, that's what's important.

[london-boy]

i noticed a difference!!

Digital Comb Filter -PAL 3D Comb filter for the 32" and 3D Comb Filter for the 26"

don't know if that is very important.. do you know if there are differences in the response time?


It's a typo. Obviously they're both PAL, cause they're in Europe, and they're both 3D comb filters. :grin:

[sergey semak]

"I'm not able to make the following decision, I've seen both TV's at the dealer and both looked alright, anyhow, I can buy a S 32" for less than a V 26"."

The V26 uses a slower panel than the V32 & V40... so ghosting should be on par with the S32 (minimal, but present). So, given the choice of a V26 or S32, I'd take the S32.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6509835&highlight=pc+hdmi+sony#post6509835

this is from the link that PASCAL posted ( 1st post of that page )... but i read somewhere else that the response times where different between V26 and V32.. do you have any link to response times? i tried but no luck at all

[pascal]

Wait a minute!
I just saw the new Sony models available in the US site: http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start?CategoryName=tv_flatpanel_26%22to42%22&Dept=tvvideo

The KDL-26S2000 has the same contrast rate of the KDL-V26A12 and is cheaper.

[pascal]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6509835&highlight=pc+hdmi+sony#post6509835

this is from the link that PASCAL posted ( 1st post of that page )... but i read somewhere else that the response times where different between V26 and V32.. do you have any link to response times? i tried but no luck at all
Both are 8ms from the specifications in the sony site.

[sergey semak]

what sony site?where are those?lol

[pascal]

:lol:

Voila

V26 here: http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?CategoryName=tv_flatpanel_26%22to42%22&ProductSKU=KDLV26XBR1&TabName=specs&var2=

V32 here: http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?CategoryName=tv_flatpanel_26%22to42%22&ProductSKU=KDLV32XBR1&TabName=specs&var2=

[sergey semak]

i checked the 26", i am happy with the specs.. i am decided, just going to wait until there is a price cut ( probably when the 1080p models arrive, anyone knows when? )...

[Randell]

You are starting to read my mind :)

I would like an HDTV with the Sony panels and engine and the Philips connectivity (dvi, hdmi, usb, flash, etc..) and ambilight :D

hell me too, and atr £850 not £1500-£1800.

the LG panels have good connectivity and reviews and pricing. Might go that route.