Sony Bravia KDL-40S2000 40-Inch Flat Panel LCD HDTV

by Sony

Product Details

• Item Weight: 67 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 70 pounds
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000EP1IKW
• Item model number: KDL40S2000
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,723 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The sleekly styled, silver 40-inch Sony Bravia KDL40S2000 is packed with the latest high-performance video features, including a wide viewing angle, blazing fast 8ms response time (great for sports and action movies), and a wide color gamut backlight that provides more natural skin tones and highly accurate overall color reproduction. It also offers integrated HDTV capabilities (with an integrated ATSC tuner), digital HDMI video connectivity, and a bottom speaker design that helps save space. The thin profile of this Bravia TV accommodates VESA compliant mounting systems (separately available). The removable pedestal swivels 30 degrees left and right and also tilts forward 3 degrees and backward 8 degrees for additional placement flexibility.

With clean lines and styling, Bravia TVs look great in any room, either on a stand or mounted on the wall.

Like other TVs in the Bravia line, the KDL40S2000 uses Sony's Wide Color Cold Compact Fluorescent Light (WCG-CCFL) to display a color gamut almost 30 percent larger than a conventional CCFL display, which results in deeper reds, more vivid greens, and cleaner blues. It also offers a high response time (also referred to as refresh rate) of 8 milliseconds (ms), which is able to clearly portray fast-moving images across the screen with well-defined edges and without ghosting (streaking or shadowing). The set's Light Sensor feature intelligently adjusts the screen brightness to match the ambient light in a room, ensuring a comfortable viewing experience.

BRAVIA televisions’ new Super-Patterned Vertical Alignment (S-PVA) panels divide pixels into more segments than was possible with PVA (Pattered Vertically Aligned) technology. These segments have an incredibly fast 8-millisecond response time that increases the television’s refresh rate. Dividing the pixel display into more segments also allows a cleaner break between dark and light pixels, improving viewing angles, color, and contrast.

It also features the latest in Sony’s unique S-PVA (Super Patterned Vertical Alignment) LCD panel technology, which divides each sub-pixel into two segments per color for a more refined consistency in colors, contrast, and brightness at wide viewing angles. This seventh generation Sony LCD panel was specially crafted at Sony's plant and produced from one of the world’s biggest mother glass (a huge sheet of glass that can be divided to create multiple LCD panels).

The KDL40S2000 has a 1366 x 768-pixel resolution, 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio, 178-degree viewing angle, and 1300:1 contrast ratio. (The higher the contrast ratio, the greater a TV's ability to display subtle color details and not get washed out by ambient room light.) The Cinemotion 3:2 pulldown cinema video processing detects and compensates film--which is shot at 24 frames per second (fps) compared with video's 30 fps rate--to video for a smooth theaterlike experience at home. The 3D digital comb filter offers 10-bit signal processing that renders superb gradation of grays, resulting in superior picture detail.

Blurred image caused by motion artifacts due to slow panel response time of typical LCDs.

BRAVIA's fast panel response time handles the motion in sports and video games

Other convenience features include:

• WEGA GATE Easy Operation Guide allows you to easily navigate to the most convenient TV functions: favorite channels, TV channel list, external input list, or settings.
• Favorite Channels with the WEGA GATE function, allows you to navigate a list of up to 16 favorite channels without leaving the current channel.
• Wide Screen Mode allows you to watch 4:3 normal broadcasts in wide screen mode (16:9 aspect ratio).
• Parental Control (V-Chip) helps parents monitor what their children watch on TV by establishing rating limits.
• Caption Vision/Info Banner allows closed caption and/or channel programming information to be displayed.
• The Freeze Function temporarily freezes the picture in a separate screen while the programming continues to display, which can come in handy when you want to copy a recipe, phone number, etc. that flashes too quickly across your screen.

It pumps out 20 watts of audio power via its integrated bottom-aligned stereo speakers (10 watts per channel). It has a built-in Dolby Digital decoder (for connecting to a surround sound home theater receiver) and it can also produce SRS TruSurround XT virtual 5.1-channel surround sound from its two speakers. This set offers the following connection options:

• Composite (RCA audio/video): 3 inputs (1 on the side)
• S-Video: 2 inputs (1 on the side)
• Component (Y/Pb/Pr): 2 inputs (with left/right audio jacks)
• HDMI: 1 input (with L/R RCA audio connections)
• PC: 1 D-Sub15 input (with L/R stereo mini plug connection)
• RF: 1 input
• Total audio inputs: 5 (1 side, 4 rear)
• Analog audio output: 1
• Digital audio ouput: 1
• Headphone: 1

Tech Talk
HDMI is a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface to link any audio/video source (such as a set-top box, DVD player, or AV receiver) with your TV--all over a single cable. HDMI supports standard, enhanced or high definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It supports all ATSC formats--standard (SDTV), enhanced (EDTV), and high (HDTV).

Component video (also called Y/Pb/Pr) features a three-jack video input, which provides separate connections for luminance (Y), blue color difference (PB) and red color difference (PR). This results in increased bandwidth for color information, resulting in a more accurate picture with clearer color reproduction and less bleeding than you would get with S-Video or composite (RCA yellow video plug) connections. You will need a separate RCA left/right audio cable for sound.

TruSurround XT audio adds three new audio enhancement technologies to produce an amazingly immersive sound experience.

• Dialog Clarity brings movie dialog into Focus during the playback of any surround-encoded material to make speech much clearer and crisper.
• TruBass creates incredible deep rich bass allowing a person to perceive significantly deeper, richer low bass tones that are far beyond the physical low frequency capabilities of the speaker itself.
• The SRS WOW feature widens the soundstage by processing standard two-channel stereo material as well as multi-channel encoded material for a dramatic improvement in the playback of any stereo audio over a two-speaker system.

And in case you were wondering, BRAVIA is short for "Best Resolution Audio Visual Integrated Architecture."

What's in the Box
40-inch Bravia LCD television, tabletop stand, remote control (with batteries), coaxial cable, HD15-to-HD15 cable, printed operating instructions

Warranty
1 year for parts and labor; in-home diagnostic warranty service for one year (for LCD TVs from the Bravia S-Series measuring over 30 inches)

Product Description

BRAVIA S-Series Digital LCD Television

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

220 of 221 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you have not bought this yet, read on ..., September 4, 2006

By 

Just the Facts (New England USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony Bravia KDL-40S2000 40-Inch Flat Panel LCD HDTV (Electronics)

Ok, I admit it took me several visits to Costco, Best Buy and Circuit City before I decided to part ways with $2-3K for a flat screen HDTV. After viewing a myriad of brands I have never heard of before, I decided that the Sony Bravia and the Sharp Aquos were in the top of the LCDs. Not surprisingly, so were their prices.

Both the Sony Bravia and the Sharp Aquos displayed bright whites and dark blacks better than most other LCDs. They also had sharper pictures and more natural colors compared to their cheaper competitors. The only other brand I was impressed with was Panasonic. But it was a plasma and I wanted an LCD.

After reading some reviews here, I was convinced that buying a large flat screen was better done by going to Costco rather than online. You can see what you are buying before you actually buy it. And, Costco has a liberal return policy. Since prices of LCD flat screen TVs are predicted to continue dropping, you might want to get some of your money back. Within one week of my buying an LCD TV from Costco, the same model dropped by $300 and I got it back from Costco without fighting for it!

I bought this Sony Bravia - S series 40 inch ($1,999) AND the Sharp Aquos 45 inch ($2,499) LCD from Costco. In my opinion, the 40 inch Sony Bravia produces a high contrast and extremely sharp picture. It is very, very good. However, the Sharp Aquos provides a noticeable overall better viewing experience. In a way, the picture looks softer, more natural and lifelike. I think, in the end, what you will find better will be a matter of personal preference. In my opinion, if you like amazing sharpness, get the Sony. If you prefer overall balance, get the Sharp. You will be happy with either, so don't lose sleep about it.

Here are a few more tips:

1.) Don't buy based reading the specs or reviews alone. Go to a store and actually watch the TV. Insist that at a component (Y, Pr, Pb) or HDMI cable from an HD source be connected to the TV before you make a comparison.
2.) Make sure you get an HD cable box from your cable TV provider or else your investment may not be worth much. Ordinary, non-HD channels may actually look worse on HD sets.
3.) You don't have to blow a hundred bucks or more for HD cables. Go to Walmart, and buy your HDMI or DVI to HDMI cable (Philips brand) for about $23. I found that using the DVI-HDMI cable to hook up the cable box to the TV gave better results compared to using component cables.
4.) Fine tune or calibrate your HDTV. You can use the THX Optimizer that is included with Toy Story or The Incredibles with your DVD player.
5.) Finally, once you have experienced High Definition you probably will be unhappy with Standard TV. That means, you'll be replacing your other old TVs. That's how I ended up with both this Sony Bravia and the Sharp Aquos. Unfortunately, I'm not done yet. The rest of will be smaller 37 or 32 inch Sharp Aquos.
6.) The Sony Bravia S series has only one HDMI input. You may want to eventually have 2, one for the cable box and the other for an High Def DVD. This may not be a show stopper given that you will probably buy a home theater system that can take several HDMI inputs. However, the Bravia has a set of component inputs on the side. So, if you mount it on the wall, you can still easily connect video equipment without figuring out how to get to the back.
7.) If you watch more broadcast tv than dvds, don't worry about 720p, 1080i (this TV's capability) versus 1080p. At the moment, I am not aware of any broadcast channel doing 1080p. Also, it's too early to determine if Blue-ray will win over HD DVD so committing to a high def DVD system may not be very smart. Save your money until there is a definite winner.

Enjoy.

350 of 360 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Buy It From a Store - Great Image But Questionable Reliability, June 8, 2006

By 

S. Yun (Reston, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony Bravia KDL-40S2000 40-Inch Flat Panel LCD HDTV (Electronics)

I did a lot of research before I purchased this TV. It was the right combination of performance and design so when the price dropped on Amazon I did not hesititate to order it.

Once it arrived, I basked in it's warm comforting glow as I threw broadcast content, dvd's and games it's way. It handled everything with grace and elegance as the beauty of it's screen seemed unfallible.

But alas, this lasted only for ONE DAY. . . .

Less than 24 hours of taking delivery of the TV, it broke. You turn on the TV, the screen shows up for 2 seconds and then it powers down on it's own. The standby light flickers on and off, with the TV unable to be revived. Apparently there is something wrong with the power management board which I discovered after doing some research on AV forums and other owners. Sony seems to be aware of the problem as well since it's documented in their manual but doesn't feel the need to do anything about it.

The joy I had felt just one day before, quickly left my body and turned to scorn. I called Amazon first to see what my options were. Wouldn't you know it, I had none on a TV over 27"; no returns, no exchanges. So I talked with Sony. . . .

They offered to fix it, but wouldnt' send me a new replacement unless it was deemed unrepairable. If a replacement was sent, it wasn't even guaranteed to be new. A refurb is more than possible. Wonderful. So with no other recourse, I sent it to be repaired.

The repair place that was assigned has not been confidence inspiring even though they are an authorized service provider. When they came to my house, they told me the repair would take one week. Now they say two. Next week it'll be a month, who knows.

Anyways, I share my story as a public service to my fellow shoppers. This is what you should learn from my misfortune:

1. You can't return this TV or any other TV 27" and up from Amazon.
2. Buy from a brick and mortar store so you can return it if you want.
3. This TV has a known issue with the board on some units, get an extended warranty and save yourself some grief.

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE best HDTV for the money, period!, September 25, 2006

By 

Vin Dawg - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sony Bravia KDL-40S2000 40-Inch Flat Panel LCD HDTV (Electronics)

Like many others, I did all of the research and parked myself in the TV showrooms of Best Buy, Circuit City, Sound Advice, etc. and I can tell you without a doubt, that this 40" Sony Bravia had the best picture and sound quality of them all. Even beat out the 37" Sharp Acquos!

First of all, I am convinced that LCD is the way to go over plasma. My friend just bought a Samsung 42" plasma, and although the salesman told him that they corrected the burn-in problems with the newer generations, he can clearly see the ghost images of the 4:3 pillar bars when watching a 16:9 broadcast. He also told me that his TV gave off quite a large amount of heat. Those 2 aspects alone were enough to persuade me to go LCD. LCDs use less energy, burn-in is impossible, they are immune to glare (especially helpful if your room has a lot of southern exposure), and are much less delicate when handling. If you even lean a plasma TV too far to one side, your TV may be cooked!

Are there any flaws to LCD? Well I did notice a slightly less vibrant color palette than a plasma, and they say that the blacks are not as true as a plasma, but NOT if you get the Sony Bravia. The 1300:1 contrast ratio brings out the clearest details with the black levels like any plasma I've seen. The color reproductions are also flawless. Some LCDs have limited viewing angles, but this Sony has almost no angle distortion for 180 degrees off center.

I have it hooked up to a DirecTV HD receiver via HDMI and the resolution, color, contrast, and sound are excellent. I have heard that the screen goes blank when switching between HD and standard def channels if you use HDMI. That, my friends, is a known flaw with most cable set top boxes, NOT this TV! It switches perfectly fine with DirecTV receivers. I have a Sony "upconverting" DVD player and it's hooked up via companent cable, and movies have never looked better!

That brings me to my ONLY flaw of this TV. ONLY 1 HDMI INPUT!!!! WHY??!! I cannot fully utilize the upconverter of my DVD player without the HDMI connection, but it is a very miniscule negative. Component cable is still HD and produces very palapable images. I have my digital audio hooked up through an ONKYO stereo receiver. I highly recommend either digital optical or digital coaxial cable for sound, if possible. These receivers have come way down in price so I think it's worth the extra couple of hundred bucks for premium 5.1 Dolby and/or DTS surround sound. It will truly complete your home theater.

Anyway, I hope I'm coming across loud and clear when I say that this is simply the one HDTV to get. I would not go larger than 40" on an LCD. The 46" had some definite pixalization and I agree with another reviewer that the extra large screen technology for LCDs is not quite there yet.

Bottom line, I've only purchased Sony TVs for the past 20 years, and they have yet to give me a reason to do otherwise.