KP-43HT20 + Dell PC = ECPC

[BobV]

I bought the Sony KP-43HT20 this evening from Best Buy, for $1349. It will be delivered Wednesday and I'll post my results here. It's really not such a big deal, it isn't very expensive, but I spent a lot of time getting an understanding of all the issues. It's almost like a cult thing at this point with all the variables we have to consider. In a couple of years I'm sure it will be a lot easier and probably a lot cheaper too.
My little TV quest started out with finding a good TV monitor to connect to an Entertainment Center Personal Computer (ECPC). I'm convinced that there will be a PC in everybody's entertainment center in a couple of years, so I'm working on my prototype. I bought a new Dell PC and ripped all my CDs to MP3 files on the PCs hard disk. I now have a real nice jukebox app that plays through my stereo amp and sounds great, but I'm not happy with the S-Video on my 10year old 27inch Hitachi, hence my quest for a great monitor.

[AdminJoe]

I am working on a wireless pc for my entertainment center as I type....

The pc will house mostly mp3s...

[BobV]

OK Joe, you may have already solved the problems I'm still anticipating. I see that you have a 57inch Sony and now that I know you are working through your entertainment center I know that we are on the same track.
I've had a dedicated Dell Dimension in there for about a month now, displaying on a standard computer monitor and via an S-video connection, on the entertainment center TV (which will be replaced with the Sony KP43HT20 tomorrow) I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the HD display will be good enough that I'll be able to read my computer output 800x600 resolution.
57U warned me about burn-in on these monitors, so I have a screen saver activated after a couple of minutes of dead time.
The screen saver is actually the photo-album du jour which paints with random wipes, so it is pleasant to view and easy on the monitor.
I'm using a Logitech cordless keyboard and mouse, which works quite well except I wish it had a longer range.
So far, I have 1600 tracks of audio in MP3 files that I ripped from my CD collection. I use MusicMatch Jukebox to manage the library and it lets me drag whatever I want into a playlist. The computer stero out goes to my Teac receiver/amplifier, to some Bose speakers. The music quality is excellent.
Are you displaying your computer video on your 57inch Sony? If so, are you using the S-video input and if so, how does it look?

[BobV]

My new KP43 was installed yesterday. I asked the installers to connect just two inputs, standard cable TV and S-video 1 from my EC-PC which was running a slideshow screensaver.

I couldn't ask for a better display from either input. It is the best conventional cable I have ever viewed. There are no lines because it upconverts the cable input. The pictures displayed from the PC were just like looking at a backlit photo.

The delivery guys told me to save the box for 30 days in case I had to return it. I told them that nobody was taking THIS set.

When I start the Word program on the PC, the menus can be read from across the room.

I had been apprehensive about how my cable programming would appear because the Best Buy salesman showed me a terrible picture when I asked him what it would look like. I think he was trying to sell me a subscription service, because my cable picture is just perfect.

So, at this point I am very pleased with the set and I haven't even provided it any digital input.

[BobV]

I'm starting to load up this TV now.
Video 1 = Composite Video VCR
Video 3 = S-Video Personal Computer
Video 5 = Component Video Progressive Scan DVD player
Vhf/Uhf = Cable

I'm very satisfied with all four inputs. All provide better pictures than a conventional TV.

The DVD provides the best picture as you would expect.
The set is able to display two pictures side by side, so I put in a DVD disc and displayed Video 5 in one window and Video 1 in the other. Video 1 is the same image in composite format, so I can compare a digital input to a composite input, side-by-side.

The images were very similar and for what I was viewing, probably either would be acceptable. I was showing a skiing DVD. The most obvious difference was in color. The DVD snow was whiter. Close examination showed the DVD to be sharper. The action scenes were good on both inputs. The DVD menu screen was sharper, but the composite screen was quite readable.

So far I have only provided 480p inputs and am satisfied with the upconversion to the set's resolution. My next purchase will be an HDTV receiver which will connect to the Video 6 component input.
Then I'll finally see true HDTV.

At this point I am very satisfied with the KP43HT20, and would recommend it to anyone considering a mid-size HDTV monitor.

[Bocaben]

Just purchased one KP-43HT20 today as well.
I probably went to the same BestBuy you did on Saturday and the price was $1699, then went back on Sunday and it dropped to $1399. I made the purchase but then went to get a DVD 655P since BestBuy was out, and I found the TV there for...$1098
So I went and purchased it there (I will have to cancel the BestBuy delivery).
I picked-up the following:
43" KP-43HT20 at $1098
Home Theater Sony HT-DDW740 at $258
DVD player Sony DVP-NC655p AT $198
PLUS free credit till Jan '04

Ben in Boca

[BobV]

Way to go Ben! You got yourself some good deals there. We are still marveling at the picture quality of this DTV and really appreciate having a changer type progressive scan DVD player. It plays our CDs DVDs and homemade MP3 CDs.

You didn't mention the store where you got your bargains. I still need to add my receiver and antenna and would like to talk to you about it since you are in my area. I'll email you.

The feature of the TV that makes it so useful is the 6 Video inputs, two of which are component video. We are using Video 5 for the DVD and Video 6 is reserved for the receiver. Video 1 is the VCR and Video 3 is the PC, which shows the slides of our family and trips with whatever music we want in the background.

I'll talk to you about the Sony receiver. It might be worth my while to swap out the one I'm using for a Sony product to eliminate a remote.

Good luck with your system. Keep us posted.

[BobV]

Originally posted by Bocaben
Just purchased one KP-43HT20 today as well.
I probably went to the same BestBuy you did on Saturday and the price was $1699, then went back on Sunday and it dropped to $1399. I made the purchase but then went to get a DVD 655P since BestBuy was out, and I found the TV there for...$1098
So I went and purchased it there (I will have to cancel the BestBuy delivery).
I picked-up the following:
43" KP-43HT20 at $1098
Home Theater Sony HT-DDW740 at $258
DVD player Sony DVP-NC655p AT $198
PLUS free credit till Jan '04

Ben in Boca
Where is "There" Ben?

[Bocaben]

Oops!
Forgot to re-read before posting. The 'there' place is Brandsmart in Deerfield Beach. They are as much as a pain to deal with than BestBuy, but their price was much better.

I've got everything hooked up now, and I am a very happy camper. About the remote and your idea to stay with Sony to avoid carrying another one, I would forget that because whatever I do, the functionality between the various element requires you to carry the 3 of them. It is so bad that I am ready to spend $100 or more for a universal remote.

BocaBen