Customer Reviews

Sony KV-27FV17 27" FD Trinitron WEGA Flat-Screen Television with 2-Tuner PIP

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

 

 

I purchased this t.v. last week and couldn't be happier. The picture and sound quality is terrific. The flat screen allows you to see the picture just as clearly from any angle. I also love the picture in picture feature, which is much easier to use than the older versions you had to run through a VCR. When I bought the t.v., I didn't think I would use the PIP, but now that I have it, it is on constantly! Also, it has a game hook up in the front of the t.v. for easy plug-in, plug-out; very convenient if you don't have room to keep your game system hooked up all the time. I know there are flat screen brands available for less, but this t.v. has the 3-D digital comb filter...definitely top of the line without spending a thousand dollars!

Granted, after watching television for 10 years on a 19" screen, almost anything would be a step up...

One day, after watching me do something on my computer, my wife mentioned that the 17" monitor was almost as large as our TV screen. I started thinking, and decided it was time to step into the 21st century for our home entertainment.

After checking out websites, and retailers, we decided to take the plunge with the beautiful Sony Wega 27" TV. Needless to say, we have not been disappointed. The screen size is perfect for the living room of our apartment. Anything bigger might have been too much. A rule of thumb is this: Screen Size x 3 = optimal viewing distance.

Picture quality on the flat screen is incredible. Obviously, it isn't like HDTV, but it is still incredible. The viewing angle is very large - you can stand off to the side and view the screen and not miss much (if anything). The remote control and set up are very easy, and the speakers actually sound pretty good. We have home theater, so we don't use the TV's speakers, but every now and again, we'll use them when our son is asleep. They aren't bad at all!

The TV itself is gorgeous. The cabinet is a slightly darker gray than earlier Wegas, and I think this is an improvement. It serves to make it stand out at retailers, especially since companies like JVC made some silver-colored cabinets after Sony broke the mode with its original Wegas.

If you are looking for a 27" color TV, you would be doing yourself a favor by considering this model.

Given the number of complaints I've heard about the Sony Wegas (pink lines, color distortions, picture warping, etc.) and having seen some of the problems on early Wega models in showrooms, I was hesitant about purchasing one. After looking at dozens of models at a variety of stores however, I'm pretty convinced that the majority of problems have been fixed on the more recent models. The Wega KV-27FV17 picture was superior to any other 27" television I looked at over several weeks, and so I decided to take one home. I can report that after a few weeks, I've had no problems, and the picture quality is superb. I have noticed the slight picture bulge some people have complained about when reading the tickers or crawls at the bottom of the screen on business channels. It's minor, so unless you're purchasing a set to obsessively read business or news crawls, it's nothing to lose sleep over. That said, the picture when watching everything else is excellent, and spectacular when using an S-cable or component cable to watch DVD's or digital cable/satelite systems. I'm very pleased with this model.

The SONY WEGA KV-27FV17 is an excellent looking Flat Screen TV set. It has a Digital comb filter that increases picture resolution and reduces noticeable dot-crawl, which is visible on less expensive 27inch brands. It has 1 Front and 2 Rear composite audio/video inputs plus a Rear S-video input for DVD, Laser Disc players and Super-VHS recorders for higher picture resolution. It also comes with 2 Rear RF Jacks. It also comes standard with Clock, Sleep Timer, Last Channel Recall, Remote and V-chip. It also comes with Audio Enhancement of real stereo sound and simulated 2-speaker surround sound. However, the picture is what counts first. I saw this set last weekend with a satellite signal and DVD demo. It looked superb.

The Trinitron tube has been notorious for a light vertical pink stripe that has been commonly noticed on the left or right side of the screen. It's only visible on occasion depending on what is shown on the screen. I have been to Best Buy, Circuit City, Conns, Sears and have viewed all the display models and found that every Sony Wega 27" has this problem (some worse than others). I've even been online and have found that other owners have complained about the same problem. Sony authorized repair shops in my area have told me that they get alot of 27" in for repairs. I bought it though b/c Sony does have the best clarity and resolution compared with any other flat 27" TV on the market. Trust me, I returned a perfectly fine Toshiba FST because the resolution wasn't as clean and crisp. What's also great about this model is the speakers are side mounted that improves the sound greatly. The older model WEGA had there speakers mounted on the bottom which created a rattling sound when the volume was too high. The 2 tuner PIP comes in handy when you want to channel surf while waiting for a program to return from commercials. Not worth the extra [amt] though. But you have no choice, this particular television does not have a model w/o PIP. What's also great about this set is it has a 16:9 compressor that allows you to watch anamorphic widescreen DVDs with greater resolution. Furthermore, the problem of scan lines which plagued the WEGA models below this is not existant on this set because of the new 3D Comb Filter. In other words, you see a clean, sharp picture without those annoying horizontal lines. Overall this is a great set, but it definitely loses marks for the pink lines and price.

I've had this TV since 2001 (or so) and I have to say it's the best tube TV I have ever owned or used. I have had ZERO problems with it. It takes a few seconds to fire up, but so does everything else attached to it.

Pros:
Multiple Inputs. You can never have too many. Best are the component ins, which allow me to use my Samsung DTBH260F.
Picture Clarity. I can't watch HDTV with this TV, but when watching downscaled HD programs, the picture is way sharper than I thought a SDTV could be capable of.
Good Sound. The speakers are plenty loud and clear sounding.

Cons:
Certain sound frequencies cause the TV cabinet to vibrate, even at low volumes. I've noticed it's usually female voices. The female investigator on Law & Order, SVU, makes it rattle every time. Other than that, the sound is always perfect.
It's Heavy. Not insane heavy, but most people may want help lifting this TV.

It will be a bittersweet day when I trade this TV for a flat panel HDTV.

You have read the specs so I will not go over them. I have had the 27" since 2002 and have moved it 5 times and it works great. The only flaw that I have seen so far is it takes forever to turn on. I would say that it takes 20 seconds to warm up and a picture to be visible. When I first bought it the picture took around 3 seconds, still thats not to bad for a 4 year old TV and over 6000 miles of travel on it. My original rating was 4 stars but with time it deserves the extra star.