Just purchased KDF-50WE655

[NateB323]

I'm new to the forum, so I'll start off by asking, "what's up?" Now, I just bought a KDF-50WE655 from CC for $2,560 on a super two-day sale. They only had the 42" Sony on display so I have not yet been able to see the 50". Anyway, for me observing in the store, it came down to the Sony or the Panasonic PT-50LC14. The picture quality on the Panasonic was excellent in the store and it was a hard choice between the two. The thing that sold me on the Sony was the built-in HDTV tuners. The TV will be delivered next Thursday and I am anxiously awaiting its arrival. What can anyone tell me about this model? What does regular cable look like on this set? Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

[57U]

Regular cable can look pretty bad if you don't have a good quality signal (garbage in = garbage out), except you can see the garbage really clearly on an HDTV.

See the FAQ "What you need to do to your new HDTV". This often helps with the picture quality.

[jdub76]

just purchased a panasonic PT-42LC14. Love the picture but an annoying hum emminates from the set that is noticeable during quiet passages. Does the sony do this? I'm considering return the panasonic and getting a KDF-42WE655

thanks,
J

[hammondc]

I just got the same set Jdub. How do you like it? I know i am inlove with mine. Biased though since I went from a 25" magnavox that is 6 years old to this. :hyper: :rockon:

[strutter]

so did the KDF-50WE655 come in yet? whats your opinion? thinking about getting this one myself and am wondering what people like and dislike about it. :rockon:

[gparris]

I was looking for a setting up a home theater for a friend's rec room using the 42 or 50 incher Sony set...both looked fantastic at CC.
The thing about it was not only the picture, but the reduced bulk and weight getting it downstairs and the lack of burn-in and no convergence like my home's Mits CRT RPTVs have...so your comments would be appreciated....the "web special" is now $2699.99, so you must have got quite a deal!

[logman]

I bought the KDF50WE655 on the 12th from Conn's, $2499.99, with 1 year no interest. It is really a great set. I tuned it up with the AVIA disk this weekend and it made a huge difference. The Picture and Brightness are higher than I would have expected but it doesn't look as washed out as it did initionally.

It really does show bad video sources though, some DVDs have looked great and others terrible. Also, it took me about a week to notice the fan noise but now every time it gets quiet I notice it. and I'm sitting about 13 feet away.

It is thin on top so I had to build a shelf for my CC speaker.

Jim in Houston

[mattdoc]

I have the older KF42WE610 (42 incher) and I love it. It's is great knowing that I don't have to worry about anything like burn-in or convergence with it. I simply banged through the Avia calibration DVD to get the colors looking perfect and I was good-to-go.
I bought mine through BB and did their reward program. You get $5 back for every $125 you spend. On a purchase like this it ends up being about $120 back in gift certificates that you can use to get a boatload of movies, new DVD player, whatever you want. Definitely the way to go.

[NateB323]

Well guys, I finally got my Digital Cable w/HD hooked up yesterday and so far so good. The HD channels look amazing! I have tuned the set with the Avia DVD and I must say, even the regular digital channels look great. As far as tunning this TV, the presets (Vivid, Standard, and Pro) are set very well from the factory. The vivid setting has way too much White Level (Picture) for regular digital or analog cable, but in HD it looks amazing. Of course I adjusted it, but the white level is really the only setting that was way off. The set didn't seem to push red more than 15% and green was right on. Excellent set so far, and I'd recommend it to anyone considering a Sony RP-LCD! :cheers:

[pdubois64]

Hi...I just purchased a 50" Sony Grand Wega and it arrives on Tuesday. Just wondering if this Avia calibration DVD you speak of comes with the set or do you have to purchase separately?

Also, why do these sets not have an optical audio input??

Thanks :canada:

[57U]

Disc with TV? - No. See the FAQ on "What you need to do to your new HDTV.

Optical audio sends digital signals which can be used by an A/V receiver to supply DD5.1/DTS sound, etc. Most TVs can't do anything with this signal and therefore only require the analogue audio connection (Red & White RCA cables).

[Kevfan]

I've been trying to decide between the 50WE655 and the 55WF655 since the price is within 200 dollars. But I keep thinking the 50 is crisper with better detail over the 55.

Anyone with the 50 compare it to the 55 with the same results?

Thanks

[JE21]

Hi Kev,

I've been looking at the 55" as well but my wife thinks we only need the 42" (what does she know :bow: ) I think I got her compromising on the 50". After looking at both the 50" and 55", I think the 50" looks better and I will hopefully be ordering it this weekend. Good luck on deciding!

[Kevfan]

JE21

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I feel your pain. I think the 55 is going to be a tough sell to my wife no matter what the picture is like.

So, I definately feel your pain. Good luck on your purchase.

[KatEyes]

Disc with TV? - No. See the FAQ on "What you need to do to your new HDTV.

Optical audio sends digital signals which can be used by an A/V receiver to supply DD5.1/DTS sound, etc. Most TVs can't do anything with this signal and therefore only require the analogue audio connection (Red & White RCA cables).

So does the 5.1 sound come from the HD tuner/cable box optical digital? Do TVs with built in tuners have optical digital outputs for OTA?

[57U]

Yes, but they may have digital coaxial audio outputs, instead of, or in addition to, optical connections. See the FAQ on "Cables & connections".

[eklektique1]

I will be purchasing the 55 in the next couple of months. I liked the 50, but I like 5 more inches better. 60 is a little too big, but 55, just right. I thought the picture looked great on both.

[Niaw1]

My 50 was delivered last Monday. Have Comcast digital STB with new HD STB being delivered this coming Monday. Currently using splitter in front of digital STB to get "second" input for twin view (using VHF/UHF input). Noticed something interesting when I did auto-program for this input: I can pick up about 10 -15 HD channels (including Comcast's INHD/2), plus all Music channels provided by Comcast's digital STB. BTW - I even went to Comcast office with digital STB to exchange for HD STB and was refused - Comcast to install ($9.50 charge) HD STB on Monday.

[coyote]

Cablevision tells me that I shouldn't be getting the HD channels I'm getting (NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, FOX) without a set-top box or cableCARD.
My 50 was delivered last Monday. Have Comcast digital STB with new HD STB being delivered this coming Monday. Currently using splitter in front of digital STB to get "second" input for twin view (using VHF/UHF input). Noticed something interesting when I did auto-program for this input: I can pick up about 10 -15 HD channels (including Comcast's INHD/2), plus all Music channels provided by Comcast's digital STB. BTW - I even went to Comcast office with digital STB to exchange for HD STB and was refused - Comcast to install ($9.50 charge) HD STB on Monday.

[labatt90]

Dear coyote, you said "Cablevision tells me that I shouldn't be getting the HD channels I'm getting (NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, FOX) without a set-top box or cableCARD." What tv do you have? I get them as well and shouldn't be. I believe when I did the auto program is when my internal HD tuner received them unscrambled through my cable line. Oh well for them.

[labatt90]

Yes, but they may have digital coaxial audio outputs, instead of, or in addition to, optical connections. See the FAQ on "Cables & connections".

Could you elaborate for my situation. I have a few HD channels and know for a fact that a few certain shows are in 5.1. I have also been wondering lately why my tv doesn't have optical connections, what was I going to do? As your above quote answers that for me, can you explain this. -> Do I have to have special cables to get the 5.1 signal to my receiver? James

[labatt90]

Yes, but they may have digital coaxial audio outputs, instead of, or in addition to, optical connections. See the FAQ on "Cables & connections".

I have cable fed into the tv. To get the 5.1 sound to my receiver, do I need to have special cables since optical connections are not available.


James

[labatt90]

I am still curious, but thought I should look at my tv and just found an optical out in the back. YAY!!!! I quickly connected an optical cable from my tv to the receiver and disconnected the regular audio cables. Sounds better already, but I would love to see a HD show or football game that is in 5.1 now. Do you know what my quickest feed will be tonight?

James

[coyote]

I have the 50" with built-in tuner, the model this thread is about.
Dear coyote, you said "Cablevision tells me that I shouldn't be getting the HD channels I'm getting (NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, FOX) without a set-top box or cableCARD." What tv do you have? I get them as well and shouldn't be. I believe when I did the auto program is when my internal HD tuner received them unscrambled through my cable line. Oh well for them.If you have the Basic Broadcast package, the HD channels you listed are part of what you're paying for. You SHOULD be getting them!

If you have the Family Cable package, you're also paying for ESPNHD, FOXsportsHD, INHD, UniversalHD, and one or two others. But you will NOT get those with just your TV - you need a cableCARD or digital cable box for those.

[labatt90]

I have the 50" with built-in tuner, the model this thread is about.
If you have the Basic Broadcast package, the HD channels you listed are part of what you're paying for. You SHOULD be getting them!

If you have the Family Cable package, you're also paying for ESPNHD, FOXsportsHD, INHD, UniversalHD, and one or two others. But you will NOT get those with just your TV - you need a cableCARD or digital cable box for those.

I did not know this. I seriously thought that I should have to pay for a HDTV box to get HD channels from the cable company. When I saw that I got these channels I didn't think I was supposed to. How do you know this is true for the Time warner cable company in northern NY that I pay. And is espn hd free if I get the cable card? Or is that a premium channel that would require me paying for digital cable? James

[atomicapples]

I am looking into the older 42WE610. It's on sale right now at BB for $1889. What are the differences between the 610 and the newer 655? I mean should i spend a little more for the newer model?

Eric

[MDJ51]

I get them to. The Cable guy says there is no way. I said i do but don't tell anybody. Tvs with the tuner built in can get them. Its OTA(over the air) I guess.I tried the digital box but that made things worse so had the guy take it out. Have the Sony KDF-55XS955

[gparris]

I am looking into the older 42WE610. It's on sale right now at BB for $1889. What are the differences between the 610 and the newer 655? I mean should i spend a little more for the newer model?

Eric

The 655 had upgrades with the built in digital tuner, QAM, and cable card and possibly, a slightly brigher bulb with a "refreshed" look for 2005.

If these upgrades are of no interest to you, get the discounted 610. :D

[atomicapples]

The 655 had upgrades with the built in digital tuner, QAM, and cable card and possibly, a slightly brigher bulb with a "refreshed" look for 2005.

If these upgrades are of no interest to you, get the discounted 610. :D

In terms of how fast the technology improves, the built in tuner, QAM, etc are very hard to passup on!! it might be the 655. :)

Eric

[splinter]

Also the 655 has HDMI instead of the DVI port on the 610 model. If you go with the 42we610, I think you should be able to get it cheaper than $1889. Some people have gotten the 50" 655 model for around $2300

[labatt90]

I get them to. The Cable guy says there is no way. I said i do but don't tell anybody. Tvs with the tuner built in can get them. Its OTA(over the air) I guess.I tried the digital box but that made things worse so had the guy take it out. Have the Sony KDF-55XS955

Funny thing is that I don't get them if the cable is not plugged into the tv. How would this be if they are OTA?

[REX]

JE21

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I feel your pain. I think the 55 is going to be a tough sell to my wife no matter what the picture is like.

So, I definately feel your pain. Good luck on your purchase.

I like the 55 MUCH better -- for this one reason....

THE DARK GREY ACTUALLY HELPS WITH CONTRAST

I'm sure Silver is the "In" thing right now, but it does nothing to improve viewing.

[chad2261]

I get them to. The Cable guy says there is no way. I said i do but don't tell anybody. Tvs with the tuner built in can get them. Its OTA(over the air) I guess.


Same here. I have the KDF-42WE655 and I get those same HD channels with just the analog family package. We are scheduled to get digital cable this weekend. The owner's manual suggests putting a splitter between the digital box and the wall and running one line to the box and then to the TV's UHF port and running the other line straight to the TV's cable port. This way if I don't get the HD channels with the digital box then I'll still get them through the analog connection. :rockon:

[chadnorm]

I got my HDTV in December, and highly recommend Sony.

Circuity City had a deal in December on the 55" Sony KDF-55WF655 for $2598, and they had 18 mos no interest, and a Gift card for 10% of the purchase price. So, I got the stand for nearly free with the gift card. The Z-line 55" stand is great, and it is black so has a different look from all the frosted glass ones you see these days.

I was new to HD, so when I found that I could get sound for 24, CSI, Lost, NFL, and other great shows in Dolby Digital I was blown away! This is via the TV Optical Output to any Dolby or DTS receiver. It is like watching TV brodcasts via DVD, except the picture is better.

HDTV is great, or anyone new to it, congratulations, enjoy being a couch potato...I do!

:hyper: