[David Mackenzie]

The reason being you have the two opposite extremes for the panels rise,fall with black moving fast across a pale section. Its also my opnion with an interlaced signal such as "sky" that this may add tp the problem

That sounds about right, expect the part about the interlaced signal. It was 100% a panel issue - I could quite clearly see it was a liquid thing rather than an electronic/processing one (and it happened on Progressive video too).

[bad robot]

The V series uses "wega" correct?
Theirs no way of turning this on/off and like any other form of enchancement usually it has some trade offs in certain circumstances so might be interesting to discover if the S series without "wega" perhaps has less ghosting issues. Wega isnt used on HD content i believe, mmm i wonder if its even used on progressive?

F1 this Sunday for those willing to put to the test for both ranges.

[David Mackenzie]

WEGA's been dropped completely. It's "BRAVIA Engine" now.

BRAVIA Engine doesn't cause any ghosting problems though as far as I know. You can't turn it off - it's part of the circuitry. Any sort of obnoxious picture adjustment can be turned off on this TV.

I think BRAVIA Engine is applied to everything (in different ways).

[A P Murnaghan]

Lyris,

Thanks for the great review - I am on they way to the shops tomorrow, the new V series does seem to be what I've been waiting for!

Just one question - does the remote still have the leaning features of previous models?

I'm on cable here - there is no freeview signal available - and I would really like to program the remote to work the cable box (as well as all my other Sony Kit (DVD recorder, VCR etc).

[ash]

Lyris, cheers for the pics, more would be welcome, when your not busy that is. Does the new V model suffer from that ghosting for the first 10 mins like the old V series?

4/10

8/10

[David Mackenzie]

Just one question - does the remote still have the leaning features of previous models?

Nope - it only controls the TV now. Looks like you might have to go and get a cheap Harmony remote or something of the sort (although personally I've always preferred just getting used to having a ton of different remote controls).

There's just about no ghosting at all. It's so close to non-existant that I can't say if it happens more when it's first turned on or not. I don't think it needs time to warm up.

[bad robot]

Ok yeah should of known the name changing. Curious Lyris, in your review you mention VGA @ 1360x768 1:1 I presume that was a typo meaning 1368x768 or thats the best your drivers are offering?

Would be very interested for you to try the HDMI again and use the Nvidia underscan tool or (ATIs) to fill the screen manually to see what resolution you can maintain with zero overscan. 1200x700 was my best on the V40 with HDMI Nvidia.

Id also like to here your thoughts regarding the overscan which was OTT on the last models as i reported with approx 2.5" - 3" horizontal missing on the V40 from last year. You could i suppose compare a paused DVD scene from a traditional player to playback via VGA and possibly "underscan tweaked" HDMI.

Alot of work but would be helpfull for many others

[David Mackenzie]

Ok yeah should of known the name changing. Curious Lyris, in your review you mention VGA @ 1360x768 1:1 I presume that was a typo meaning 1368x768.

Nope, that's not a typo. There's actually no such commonly supported standard as 1366x768 on computers. So instead we output a picture with 6 less pixels horizontally and fill each side of the screen with 3 blank rows.

I don't have a DVI to HDMI cable I'm afraid - the manual states explicitly that the HDMI terminal will only accept video resolutions though. If I ever get access to a cable I'll of course try it (anyone want to let me borrow one?)

I'll try and get you examples of the overscan. I'm going to post some Halo 2 pictures in a minute. Maybe someone else with a 480p Xbox and an old V can take pictures too so we can compare how close the on-screen display is to the outer edges of the screen?

[David Mackenzie]

All right, usual disclaimer - pics don't do it justice.

Super Smash Bros Melee (American 480p Nintendo GameCube)

Freeview

Insurance Commercial

ITV1

Would you buy a car fro mthis man?

Sky News, also shows what was once called "WEGA GATE" - now called "MENU"

Halo 2 - Xbox 480p

NOTE: I have a preset on my TV that I've nicknamed "Xbox Mode" which deliberately exaggerates the colour. I do this because I find the output form the Xbox to be very, very dull and most of the games are very boring looking to me because of it. So, this probably ISN'T the way the creators of the game intended it to be seen.

WMV HD over VGA

So.... these Sony BRAVIAs have adjustable backlights huh?

This looks so much better in real life.

Pictures of the PAL DVD of The Incredibles as well as some of my favourite live action movie transfers as well.

[Molhoy]

Loving your work Lyris!

Superb review: I was utterly gripped from start to finish. Your evidently high standards and attention to detail mean that I trust your opinion far more than I would any magazine review.

Good stuff!

Not that I really had any doubt before - you had me sold before either you or I ever saw one - but I am now certain that the new V series is for me. I have managed to sell my Samsung for a decent price and am ready to sign the dotted line on the 18 month interest free credit deal at the Sony centre tomorrow morning!

My only remaining doubt is the question of inches (if you'll excuse the expression!) Having spent the last five months or so with a 32" LCD I have become accustomed to the size and, for TV/film viewing, I have begun to think it's too small. On the other hand, for gaming I'm not sure I want/need anything bigger. Part of the problem is that when watching TV/films I sit no closer than 10 feet away (on one sofa) and as much as 14ft away (on the other). On the other hand, for gaming I sit much nearer - around 5-6 feet away.

Hmmm... decisions, decisions.

Anyway, keep up the good work, Lyris. I am certain that your commitment to the V-series cause has sold plenty of these TVs. Sony should be paying you commission!

[David Mackenzie]

Thanks

I think Sony should pay me commission for putting up with their constant blunders and for selling me a "Ready for HDTV" LCD WEGA 2 years ago but never mind, they got it almost right this time so all is forgiven!

Here's some more pictures.

Futurama Season 2 (NTSC)
Don't buy the PAL versions of the Futurama DVDs. They're totally screwed up (you can see an example of that over at the DVD Comparisons page of my web site in my signature).

These pictures were taken with Colour Space set to Wide. Since Futurama was designed for NTSC television, I think this is the wrong setting. I'm going to need to learn more about this setting.

The very, very mild edge enhancement on these screens is the disc, not the TV or DVD player.

The Rock (Criterion Version) NTSC
The best authored DVD in the world. Almost no filtering I can see.

Disney's Mulan (Australian PAL Version)
A really nicely drawn 2D animated film with a great DVD transfer, but with some edge enhancement.

^ The flesh tones aren't that off in real life.

Look at the green in this one! ^

The Incredibles (PAL)
The NTSC version of this film is gacked. The PAL version is... Incredible (ba dum psh!)

This was me when I saw my credit card bill this morning

The red looks blood red on the actual TV, not sort of orangey like it does here. Ignore all the noise, that's my camera.

Look at the detail on the ground! What a well produced DVD.

Psychonauts (480p Xbox)
This is one of the few games on the Xbox with beautiful colour and it's one of the funniest and best games ever made IMO as well. This is the one where the pictures really didn't come out anything like as well as they appear on the TV.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone

Got my Sony 40V2000 tonite.

Sony store £2300 with guarantee till 2010 world cup!! odd.

ITS B****Y AWESOME. I cant describe how good it is. I am just a TV watcher, nothing too scientific like the gifted Mr lyris (many thanks to you) but I do like good toys and they need to be right!! This thing is so so right

Plugged in, swithed on with SYK+ and Pioneer home cinema. It powered up and BANG, welcome to Bravia! Sky looked stunning! it was only the news with Balir, but it was so vivid. Eastenders and Corrie were great ........... didnt improve Sonia though!

Played with all the settings a bit ......... however will savour that treat on Saturday and Sunday whilst watching the GP and FACup!

It was this or the £5/600 cheaper Tosh 37WLT66/Sony V40S2010. I even looked at a Panasonic 42PDX60 plasma. However I am so so pleased that I dug deep and bought this one. I'm sure all the others are stunning and bet you cant tell the difference between one LCD and the next once you get it home. But for me this is the dogs!!

No pixels or lag or anything like that. Smooth, clear as glass. Its a different view of TV, the colours seem "noticable"!

(note, I am seated 14 Feet from the screen, if I move in to 10ft the picture does deteriorate you can start to see pixels. I will re-check this more accurately once ive got all the settings made as I spent a lot of time thinking about 37 or 40 or 42 so maybe this will help you decide, based on initail reactions i'd say be careful you dont go too big, however the screen does fit much closer into the corner of the room than my CRT ..... )

Just imagine HD .......... roll on 21st June, I have more reasons than most for wanting England to progress in Wcup, my HD install is 21st June ......... I think thats the day after our third game!

Need to order the stand, its the Alphason designs Ag94/2, but I cant decide on black or silver. It'll be black me thinks!

Anyhow, hope this helps someone with their choice.

I am very very satisfied, now going to watch Hudds Town beat Barnsley.

[Wobag]

Excellent review Lyris, noone whould buy one of these without reading it!

A couple of questions, whats the vertical viewing angle? As a bedroom set mine will need to be watched sitting and laying down, when I will be at the eyeline of the base at a distance of 8', is there any textbook fade?

OK the speakers are 'tinny', could you put that in context, I bet any built in tv speakers sound poor if you are used to a fancy sound setup, how would you say they compare to a Sony VEGA CRT from 4 or 5 years ago?

[David Mackenzie]

A couple of questions, whats the vertical viewing angle?

It's extremely good. There is a bit of fade but it's hard to notice. It's mainly the reds that turn a little more brown at extreme angles but I think you'll be fine. I'll make a video clip if you want with me moving around the screen?

I'm afraid I can't comment on Sony CRTs because I've never owned one (actually the old LCD WEGA was the very first Sony electronics product I'd bought in over a decade, bar headphones - no joke).

I only very recently got "proper" speakers. I'd relied on TV speakers before. The speakers in this new BRAVIA are considerably tinnier and less convincing than those on the old LCD WEGA. Keep in mind the old TV had the speakers sticking out at the sides and the BRAVIAs have them at the bottom which explains most of it.

They're no worse than most TV speakers but I do recommend you plug in your own external ones.

[David Mackenzie]

Originally Posted by guru

Lyris, I notice you took some interest in the JVC LT-32LXD7. What made you go for the new Sony v series over the JVC? Do you think the JVC lacks anything compared to the Sony?

Sorry, just noticed this!

I haven't had an in-depth look at the JVCs the same way I have for the Sonys (just being a normal consumer and all). But I did try one out in a store with my GameCube. I'd say they are perhaps second to the Sonys.

I went for the Sony V2000 for a few reasons.

1. The scaling to me looked better - cleaner, more natural (it costs 450 pounds more!)
2. I was intrigued by the idea of Live Colour Creation.
3. And part of it was the fact that I trust Sony to come through on picture quality after the last Sony LCD I had.

But I did want to see if I could save 450 pounds so I did give the JVC a good look. You can read about that here:
http://www.avforums.com/forums/showt...20#post2741020

(Keep in mind in that link I compared it to the OLD Sony V).

Well Lyris, i tried your settings. Good work, but i'm not sure about "natural colour" turned off, for people faces look like they have too much make-up (mascara?). When you turn on this setting, they're more...hmm...pink ; but more natural too. Also, i didn't see much difference when i reduce the backlight (i have energy power on high).
Last thing, blacks are beautiful, but it's really hard to avoid blacks that are too deep on people clothes ; the black, here, is too uniform. Not sure if the tweakings in the advanced settings will help, or perhaps the gamma?

[ash]

Lyris, all your pics were going great until you posted those ugly men on #430! It should be ladies!

This is interesting, anyone had a chance to compare this with the Toshiba WLT58/WLT66 and also Lyris and others, how much difference is there between the old model and this in terms of PQ and black levels?

Also, is this your setup:

Or is it in the living room? Some pics of your setup would be nice if you don't mind

[David Mackenzie]

Yup, that's my setup - I don't have much cash for anything other than the TV and speakers so I have to sit it on my desk! This actually works really well and the quality of the pictures pleases me a lot when I'm sitting 1 or 2 feet away - so most people should be flat out delighted.

I'll try and get some more lady pictures later if Tony Blair doesn't do it for us

[ash]

Originally Posted by Lyris

Yup, that's my setup - I don't have much cash for anything other than the TV and speakers so I have to sit it on my desk! This actually works really well and the quality of the pictures pleases me a lot when I'm sitting 1 or 2 feet away - so most people should be flat out delighted.

I'll try and get some more lady pictures later if Tony Blair doesn't do it for us

1-2 feet! WOW you are brave LOL!
And those pics would be lovely

hi everyone, like all you guys who have taken the plunge i am really pleased with my 40V2000, Lyris thanks for your quality advice. i am hoping i will have time to sort out my settings over the w/e. One dimbo question to ask regarding upscalling via componant inputs. I have a denon dvd player connected this way and according to the dvd instruction book i should set my TV to progessive scan mode. I guess this is done automatically as i can't find any reference to this in the TV manual. Leading on from this is the picture output automatically sent at the optimum level or can different levels be selected. Sorry i did warn you i am no expert, any help would be much appreciated.

My general PQ expirence is that sky premium and news channels are excellent likewise channel 5 but BBC1 is poor (v grainy) i am suprised and would have thought their output would have been one of the best.

[Jacko51]

Lyris - are you able to watch a bit of the cup final on your new Sony this afternoon and let me know if there are any motion problems with an ordinary digital as opposed to HD signal? Cheers.

[David Mackenzie]

One dimbo question to ask regarding upscalling via componant inputs. I have a denon dvd player connected this way and according to the dvd instruction book i should set my TV to progessive scan mode. I guess this is done automatically as i can't find any reference to this in the TV manual.

That's right, the TV detects all modes automatically - be it PAL, NTSC, PAL Progressive, NTSC Progressive etc. You'll see the screen adjust and "480p" or "576p" appear at the top left.

Jacko, what channel is that on? I'll take a look.

[Jacko51]

BBC1 and SkySports 2. Thanks.

[Wobag]

Is the stand height adjustable, if so whats the smallest distance between the bottom of the picture and the surface its standing on?

[emrysdavies]

Lyris,

Sorry, but cannot find your review on the 32V2000U. Would you kindly lead me to it? Thanks.

Regards,
Emrys Davies.

[David Mackenzie]

Sure: http://www.lyris-lite.net/kdl32v2000_review.html

[David Mackenzie]

Hey everyone,

a quick update on the Component input on this screen.

I hooked up a computer (ATI video card) using a component dongle to test. The good news is that there is no edge enhancement on 720p and 1080i so those of you wanting to use an Xbox 360 with this screen have nothing to worry about.

For 480p over Component there is this small quibble. There is a little vertical edge enhancement on 480p (and presumably also 480i). It's by no means unbearable (especially not if you're sitting back) and it's very hard to spot on most sources (just using a computer shows it up) but I'd like Sony to fix it because it's removing some detail.

Anyone with an Xbox 360 need not worry, of course. I'll be phoning Sony when they open on Monday and will ask for a fix to be readied. I don't want to scare anyone - just giving you full details!

[aardvark179]

Anybody tried hooking a PC or Mac to the hdmi input? What resolutions does it report, and can you do 1:1 pixel mapping via the hdmi port?

[Ian_S]

Originally Posted by Wobag

Is the stand height adjustable, if so whats the smallest distance between the bottom of the picture and the surface its standing on?

For the 40" it's 174mm from surface to start of screen. It's about the same for S and V series, don't know about the 32", I imagine it would be less. It doesn't appear to be height adjustable and comes ready fixed to the TV, although I assume it can be removed.

[David Mackenzie]

The manual says there is no 1:1 over HDMI. It explicitly says to use the PC Input for hooking up a computer. The conspiracy theorist in me thinks this is intentional to stop convergence between PC monitors and TVs (in other words to make you buy one of each).

It could be wrong, but I doubt it. If someone could clarify I'd appreciate it.