Customer Reviews

Sony KDF-42E2000 42-Inch 3LCD Rear Projection HDTV

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

The reviews for the 46" model apply very well to this smaller model. The picture quality is superb under a wide variety of light conditions. The HDTV channels from Cablevision are brilliantly clear. But even ordinary cable channels look good. We were able to install the TV ourselves without trouble. It was light enough to carry up the stairs easily. And the instructions are very well written, even for someone as non-technical as me. The only hick-up was that a setting on the TV for sound somehow got switched to silent and it took us a half hour to figure it it wasn't the cable connections but rather a simple toggle on one of the setting. We purchased a special Sony DVD player that improves the signal quality (Sony DVPNS75H for $120). It makes movie DVDs crisper and was a worthwhile expenditure. The only slightly irksome thing is that to go from cable to DVD to VCR you have to click through each of the eight Video inputs instead of going to the desired one directly. But overall, we couldn't be happier with the picture, the sound, the ease of use and the price!

We did a ton of research on HDTVs including LCD and Plasma. We chose this one because we didn't need the slimness of the above TVs and also we wanted it to fit in our armoire, where the back would not be seen. We we were concerned with the energy usage of the other types, and this one is Energy Star rated. Right from the start, we were impressed with this TV. From it's ease of usage to it's outstanding picture quality, we are very happy with our decision. Right now we have standard cable, and the picture quality is amazing. We can only imagine what it will be with digital HD! When we did the initial channel programming setup, it also picked up 50 digital music channels that we weren't able to get on our old TV, plus a couple of other digital channels. We have read other reviews where this happened, and we think it's because of the tuner, a definite bonus for us! We hooked up our upconverting DVD player with HDMI cables we bought from Amazon for only 19.99, and that along with our surround sound system, make watching the movies at home a true theater experience.

I spent weeks researching and viewing the current crop of widescreen HDTV's in order to make an informed selection, with my main objective being to find a 'maximum bang for the buck', lower priced, high quality, reliable HDTV I could 'grow into' (i.e. one that would work great with my current analog standard defenition cable subscription, and my current non-upconverting DVD player- eventually, I will subscribe to digital and digital HD cable, and purchase an 'Oppo' upconverting DVD player). I needed an HDTV for our bedroom which would: A) receive free off-the-air network HD programming; B) excel in displaying analog SD (standard definition) cable by 'line doubling' or 'upconverting' the SD signal effectively; C) display a stunning, 'filmlike' HD picture using a non-upconverting 'standard' DVD player. I found all of the above and then some in the KDF-42E2000. This is my first foray into off-the-air HD, and the picture quality/resolution watching NBC, CBS, and FOX is STUNNING to say the least! Once you watch TV in HD, everything else will pale in comparison, even though this TV does a good job handling SD signals. If you live in a major metro area, you will be able to use an indoor 'rabbit ears' VHF/UHF TV antenna to get most off-the-air HD stations. In my case, I do have some difficulty in receiving NBC at times, and I have to re-orient the indoor antenna frequently. I may eventually just put a better, directional TV antenna and rotator in the attic for better reception. As far as Sony reliability goes, I still have my original big screen TV (a huge 4:3 53" Sony CRT rear-projection model that I bought back in 2000) downstairs in the family room, and I have not had one problem with it in the now 7 years of owning it and using it daily. If you are in the market for a truly great, affordable HDTV that won't 'break the bank', this model will more than suit most people's needs.

Yes you have to replace the bulb in this TV, but this is a requirement for all LCDs and plasma TVs. There is a small access panel that makes this a simple repair you can do at home when the time comes. Just keep the cost of a replacement bulb in mind when purchasing the TV (~$300).

The picture this TV puts out is amazing, the TV is very light, and for the price you just can't beat this TV. It has the same resolution as its 56" big brother. The menu system is easy to use and inputs are plentiful. The built in speaker work fine, but are not a replacement for a home stereo.

If you have the room for this TV (medium foot print) and want to save money over a wall mounted LCD/Plasma you will not be disapointed with this TV.

The ordering process and the delivery of the tv set were excellent. The people who delivered the tv set were very helpful in getting it set up...