Customer Reviews

Sony KP-57WS520 57-Inch Hi-Scan 1080i HD-Ready Projection TV

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It seems the power supplies on these units fluctuate in quality. While some have reported no problems, myself and some other in the HT forums have found that these sets have power supplies that fluctuate in quality and/or are simply very vulnerable to RFI interference.

I took delivery on a 57WS520 and right away I noticed the picture had "snow" in it on dark backgrounds, even when the set was not hooked up to any source and even when the set was hooked up to a double conversion UPS (meaning it was running off a battery to ensure clean power on my end)! However, no matter what I tried, this snow did not go away. It was on DVDs, cable, anything that I hooked up. In addition to the snow, it had fast moving light colored interference bars that moved in different directions around the screen, varying in size and intensity. Since there was nothing hooked up to the set and the set was hooked up to a clean power supply, I had to conclude either my set was defective or the set in general had problems like this. When I found another person on a home theater forum having the exact same problem with the exact same model and every possible offending component in his TV repaired with little success, I leaned towards the latter, that it was a design problem with this set. I am debating whether to bother trying another or just return it for a refund. It's one of those problems that you may or may not have depending where you live, but it is very annoying if you do have it.

UPDATE: I have taken delivery on a second 57WS520. This set has issues similar to the first, however they are not as severe and they occur less frequently than the first set. I have decided to keep the set because aside from this problem it looks great, and all of these sets seem to have at least one quirk with picture quality. While it is likely Sony could have avoided this problem by using a better power supply, it seems they wanted to cut costs here.

If you can live with this minor problem, this is a fantastic set, especially for the price.

Same story as other reviewer. 14 months after purchase the TV dies and the on switch blinks 9 times pauses and blinks 9 times as a repeat pattern. 500$ to 600$ is the apparent cost to fix. They say it is probably a "deflector card" which they said is related to a power supply is probable because it makes no start-up sounds.

Sony refused to tell me what the 9 blink code pattern means and the repair service sounds like they are guessing at the cause and probability of fix. ("I'm 90 % sure"). But my service at least gaurantees either a fix or the cost of only a single service call (100$ for 5 minutes of taking the screws off the back).

If you buy this TV make sure to get the extended-&-re extended warranty (and factor it into costs of camparisons with TV's w/o the warranty.

I too have the (power supply?)interference referred to by another user and now understand why this TV never has been to quality expectations.

As long you get a lawyer who will cover "all" the costs of the class action suit (in other words don't poor any good money after the bad), I think you may have a winner.

I mostly use my television for watching movies. Others in the household watch standard television (DirecTV with no HD programming, yet). The television has a beautiful picture for DVDs. The size makes standard television a little less than graceful, but its still worthwhile.

This television is a solid value for the price. No problems with it, at all.

While this review is for a model that is many years old now, I still think it is useful to present it. We've owned this set for several years now. The picture is as sharp now as it was the day we first turned it on and tuned it, and we've never had the first problem with it. If I ever replace it, it will be to go with a 1080p 3D set.

This set had many nice features, but of course we don't really use them. Sound goes out to surround speakers directly from our receiver, and we don't use the many inputs on this set because again, that is handled by our receiver. For years we've only used an HDMI to DVI cable to go from the receiver to the TV.

I think this all goes to reporting a history of quality for Sony consumer electronic products. I have owned Sony CRT and LCD monitors, receivers, DVD players, currently a Blu ray player, mega CD and DVD changers, a hi-def camcorder, a USB enabled turntable, and probably a few more things I no longer remember. I have only ever had one problem with a Sony device ... the DVD mega-changer no longer responds to its remote control, and that is only a minor annoyance.

This was a great TV. For buying something new, I'd recommend going with more modern features. However, there are no circumstances under which I would not recommend going with a Sony product.

I bought this TV about 4 years ago and it still works fine. I haven't had any problems with it what so ever and Because it's a Sony I expect it to work for another 4 years. I have it hooked up to a Time Warner cable box and an HDMI cable and the high definition looks great, as well as DVD's. I like the PIP feature, you can watch a DVD and a ball game at the same time. In the past we've also had Christmas music on sirius satellite radio and a vhs tape with a fireplace scene which I think is cool. You really won't need a home theater sound system with this TV because it has a big sound (as well as a big picture) all on it's own.

My husband purchased this particular television in October 2005. We've never had any problems with it, and it continues to function beautifully. One thing I'm confused about: description indicates it has an HDTV monitor, yet I've been told it's not actually an HD television. I don't see a difference in quality of picture when watching a regular movie channel or the same channel on an HD channel, though picture quality is very good. Am I missing something?

Picture quality on other televisions that are HD capable seem to be far more crisp.

Also, I'm wondering since this set is 5 years old, will it function with a BluRay system, in terms of delivering that quality of picture?

Thank you.

On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being excellent, I give this television 4.5. It's proven to be a good investment.

Purchased the TV from Best Buy in Feb. 2005. No issues with the TV for the first five years. Because it is a Sony, I do not for see any problems in the next 5. I also own a Sony 36" picture tub TV that in going into its 12 year without any problems. The only thing about the TV that I do not like know is the size. LCDs take up a lot less space, but they still have yet to stand the test of time. This monster has last 5 years and I am sure it will last another 5, so 1040 HD picture is what it is no mater what size or how big the TV may be. Hence, I will be sticking with this TV a few years more, and will replace it with another Sony.

This tv is great! It puts out great theater sound all on it's own. Great size for PIP viewing. HD quality makes you feel like you are on the sidelines. Highly recommend. Have owned for 4 years and have had no problems at all.

I bought the TV used on craigslist....wonderful HD picture with my Dish...plays movies great....lots of inputs/outputs...only downside is no HDMI connection...just component and DVI inputs. Other then than great TV so far.

I have had this TV for several years now, watching all types of HD programming and DVDs. Very good picture, especially in white/black compared to LCD at a much lower price that flat screens. It is a little large (in depth) but if you ahve the space I highly recommend it.