Which Sony HDTV to buy??

[SonyHD]

Okay, so I want to buy a Sony HDTV.

The TVs I'm looking at are the KP-51WS520 (51" RPTV), the KP-46WT520 (46" RPTV), the KV-30HS420 (30" 16:9 Tube) or the KV-34HS420 (34" 16:9 Tube). I'm open to other Sony HDTVs if anyone has any suggestions.

My logic goes as follows: The 30" is cheapest. The 34" is bigger but more expensive. The 46" is bigger and about the same price as the 34". The 51" is the biggest and not too much more expensive.

I'm a graduate college student, so I'll be moving once or twice in the next 2 years, possibly far to go into a PhD program in some other state. So I kinda like the idea of smaller for this reason, also I currently live in a townhouse, and there is a good chance I will live in an apartment/townhouse when I move (viewing distance from the big screens a possible issue?).

I think I've talked myself out of the 34" b/c the price of the 46" is about the same (maybe cheaper? haven't priced it yet). But I don't like the idea that the 46" seems to need a stand, which leads me to the 51".

I'm really undecided, but leaning toward the 51" just b/c the price difference makes me seemingly have to buy it. I have a relative who works at a store who is going to get me an awesome discount, so I feel compelled to buy soon before he no longer works there.

I'm just posting for some feedback to help me decide... I'm excited with butterflies, this will be a huge purchase for my budget, but I'm willing to make it due to the discount...
:hyper:

Thanks in advance.

[JBHOPKINS]

I'm assuming you are not married, else wifey would have been mentioned as a factor.

I suggest you get the largest possible TV now, for when you DO pair up, the size will be a guarantee that she won't downsize you too drastically.

[fredinva]

So you may be moving.

Larger is better and positively much lighter.

Consider the 42 or 50 Grand Wega's - KF42we???, or the KF50we???

The 50 incher is only 81 pounds!!!!!!!!!!

fred

[B Feelgood]

I bought the 51ws520 a month ago and I have no complaints about it... HD programming looks amazing, and regular SD cable looks alot better then some of the other TV's I have seen... "Widezoom" mode also stretchs regular SD broadcasts pretty good... If size/space isnt an issue, I would defanitly say 51ws520... Good luck :)

[Eddy]

For real home theater, bigger is better.

[Low83]

I have the KDP-57WS655 HDTV and love it HD is awesome, going on 3 weeks and the picture is great right out of the box, getting ready to calibrate with the AVIA DVD in the next couple of days. :rockon:
John

[yoloyd]

Why does it have to be a Sony? Did you check any other sets?

[tonelocdog]

Bigger is definitely better, I would get the (KP51WS520), it has the best price, and good features, The only problem it will take up too much space and weigh about 500 lbs. Ditch them all and get a sony rear projection lcd, If sony is your favorite brand, which I guess it probably is. :zblowup:

[brector]

The only problem it will take up too much space and weigh about 500 lbs.:zblowup:

The 51" is 172lbs.

I would also go with this model - KP51WS520.

[tonelocdog]

:argue2: The 51" is 172lbs.

I would also go with this model - KP51WS520.


I was exageratting, still heavy, and weighs alot

[ChiefsFan88]

I am also planning on making the plunge into the HDTV world. Right now, I am looking at either the Sony Grand Wega KDF-50WE655 Rear Proj. LCD TV or the Sony KP-51WS520 rear proj. CRT TV. Consumer reports latest ratings actually gave the 51WS520 a better rating for displaying both HD and Regular content. Its also cheaper which makes the wife happy. One concern I have is I play a lot of Xbox/PS2 games and I know the CRT base rear projection sets can suffer from burn in. Any advice as to which one to go with?

[57U]

As long as you "manage" your play and vary your programming, burn in should not be an issue. See the following FAQs.

- Burn in
- What you need to do to your new HDTV
- Types of HDTV.

Also, Sony don't really excel at CRT-based RPTVs (they make great direct view CRTs and LCD-based RPTVs) If you want a CRT-based RPTV, you may wish to consider another brand. Sony will also be getting out of the consumer CRT-based TV market in about a year.

[ChiefsFan88]

Thanks 57U. I will take that into account when I go looking this weekend. I really want the Sony LCD rear proj, but the wifey don't like the price tag on that one. One of my co-workers has it and I stopped by the other day to check it out. It was sweet. I might need to take the wife over there to look at it too.

Oh and by the way, nice home theatre set up you got there.

[hdaddikt]

It's really personal taste. I saw some great looking Sony and Mits RP-CRTs. The price is very attractive against the flat screen options. Same basic features, etc.
But I will likely be settling on the Sony RP-LCD TV. There seems to be a snap or clarity to the picture CRT based can't equal. While the blacks do not enjoy the same details as CRT displays, in most other categories they are equal in my eyes.
And no matter how much I try, and believe me I have tried to be as objective as possible, and half the price is a big incentive, but CRT projector sets have a picture that says to my eyes it's being PROJECTED. I rarely get that impression looking at DLPs and even less when viewing LCD rear projection.

There is something out there for everyone!

[HDTV2k4]

I would go with the KV-30HS420 or other tube Sony. I did tons of research before I bought mine (the KV-30HS420) and I am so happy with the decision. The only thing I don't like is this chassis color (bluish-silver). I bought the integrated stand though, which looks really nice.

Why do I think this is the best choice? Well, for starters projection screens cannot match the image of CRT's and flat panels, unless maybe it's DLP, which the KP51WS520 is not. Bigger is by far not always better. There is no doubt my viewing distance is too great for the size of my TV, but I would rather have a smaller image vs. a larger image that is blurry and has poor viewing angles.

The image quality on the KV-30HS420 is simply amazing, it's clear/sharp, and has an excellent contrast ratio. HD and DVD's (progressive scan) also look amazing. Controls are fairly simple, the remote is okay.

I would love to have a 61" Sony Plasma set, but considering the cost (20k!), it's not reality.

Of course if money is not object (you're going to school so I assume it is) then go for the jumbo, high quality set.

I built my entire system for the price of that 51" Sony rear projection set. See below for details.

[SonyHD]

Thanks for everyone's input. I decided and I got a refurb 51" Sony KP-51WS510. The screen is huge and picture quality is great. I immediately got digital cable with some HD channels and wow.

Regular SD cable looks great, HD looks out of this world. My current viewing distance (~6ft) is technically too close, but seems ideal for HD, and doesn't bother me with SD.

I should comment that I think the TV sound is pretty good. Before I hooked up a receiver, I almost thought I had hooked it up because I got the illusion of surround sound (maybe just my room acoustics).

Weight - It is heavy, but was okay to lift with just me, my brother (and my girlfriend helping a little just in case). Took off the cardboard and noticed the cardboard added like 30 pounds... sheesh.


I'm going to try hooking up my PC. Does anyone know the native resolution? I've got powerstrip and seen the native res to be 960:540@60Hz? (from a google hit). I got a DVI cable coming from newegg.com (great site) and only cost me $20 shipped... Cheapest DVI cable any nearby store had was for $50 at bestbuy.

[Hunter-San]

I dont see to many KF-50WE620 around here, but I must say it is awesome for me, has the same goods as a KDF minus some bells and whistles for about 600 bucks less...