Thursday, August 21, 2008

Sony Bravia V-Series KDL-42V4100 42-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Reviews


Ready for HD done the Sony way? Sony's KDL-42V4100 brings 1080p picture quality home with amazing, Sony-exclusive features like the latest version of Sony's respected BRAVIA Engine fully Digital video processor, which uses a collection of unique SONY algorithms to significantly reduce noise and produce sharp, vibrant, life-like images. With Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE) you get real-time image processing to dynamically adjust backlight levels for improved Contrast without masking details the filmmaker intended you to see. ACE delivers deep blacks in darker scenes, as well as fine details in shadows and other dark areas of the picture for a difference you can truly see. Add to that a sophisticated, piano black design, 24p capability so you can get the most out of the movies you watch on Blu-ray and DVD, 4 HDMI inputs along with three other HD-capable connections, enhanced Xross Media Bar(TM) with 3D graphics and integrated TV Guide program information, built-in DMeX functionality, and what you have is a television that can bring dreams to life. BRAVIA Engine fully Digital video processor 24p True Cinema capable DMeX capable New TV Guide IPG New Enhanced (XMB) User Interface with Rich 3D Graphics BRAVIA Sync capable S-Force Front Surround Voice Zoom Dolby Digital V-Chip Parental Control VESA hole spacing compatible Piano Gloss Black color 1-Year Limited Warranty Input Ports - 4 x HDMI (1 Side/3 Rear), RF Connection, 3 x Composite Video (1 Side/2 Rear), S-Video, 2 x Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Input, PC in (D-Sub) + Audio In (Stereo Mini), 6 x Analog Audio Input (1 Side/5 Rear), Audio Out, Optical Digital Out, Headphone Jack Approximate Unit Dimensions - 28.4 (H) x 40.8 (W) x 12.1 (D) with Pedestal Approximate Unit Weight - 63 pounds
Product Details
  • Color: Black
  • Brand: Sony
  • Model: KDL-42V4100
  • Dimensions: 26.80" h x 4.40" w x 40.80" l, 63.00 pounds
  • Display size: 42
Features
  • 16:9 Full HD 1080p Resolution (1920x1080p) LCD Panel
  • DMex compatible; allows seamless feature upgrades
  • BRAVIA® Sync (HDMI-CEC)
  • Enhanced XMB with 3D graphics incl. TV Guide
  • HDMI x4, HD Component x2, PC Input
The BRAVIA V-Series HDTVs add an easy-to-use graphic interface and digital expandable to premium Full HD 1080p performance with Sony's Xross Media bar interface.

Thanks to some great new features V-Series HDTVs make the user experience more fun. Sony’s rich graphics make accessing video content and digital
images colorful, fun and easy to do. TV channels, inputs, and digital images can be quickly accessed and enjoyed by the entire family. When the family wants to find out what’s on TV and to quickly access it things get a whole easier with the integration of TV Guide’s Interactive Program Guide (IPG) into Sony’s exclusive Xross Media Bar (XMB) user interface. TV Guide On Screen delivers updated program listings to users. BRAVIA Sync includes BRAVIA Theatre Sync HDMI-CEC functions along with the added functionality of controlling BRAVIA Syncenabled camcorders right on the TV screen using the BRAVIA HDTV’s remote control. No more getting up and down from the comfort of your easy chair to fast forward through those forgettable moments or rewind back to those magic memories. Sit back. Relax. Enjoy life with BRAVIA V-Series HDTVs.

Key Features

  • New: TV Guide IPG (Learn more)
  • New: Enhanced (XMB) User Interface with Rich 3D Graphics (Learn more)
  • 16:9 Full HD 1080p Resolution Panel (1920 x 1080p) (Learn more)
  • BRAVIA Engine fully digital video processor (Learn more)
  • Advanced Contrast Enhancer circuit (ACE) (Learn more)
  • 24p True Cinema capable
  • DMeX capable (Learn more)
  • BRAVIA Sync capable (Learn more)
  • S-Force Front Surround Voice Zoom (Learn more)
  • Robust Connectivity with 4 HDMI inputs, 2 HD Component inputs, and a PC Input (Learn more)
  • Piano Gloss Black color
  • Remote: RM-YD023
  • Voice Zoom
Which Bravia HDTV is Right for You?
  • Comparison chart of features for all Sony Bravia HDTV Series
  • What size TV should I get?

Full HD 1080p

Full HD 1080p logoFull HD 1080p means our connections accept 1080p signals and the display will render that signal in Full HD 1080p. The flexibility of native 1920 x 1080 displays allows any high definition content to be viewed without the need to downconvert images to the native resolution of the display. Take full advantage of Blu-ray Disc players and PlayStation 3 systems that can deliver 1080p content.

(Found in S, V, W, Z, and XBR Series HDTVs)

Go back to list of all features.

Digital Media Extender (DMex)

Sony's Digital Media Extender (DMex) offers a digital connection path for optional modules like the BRAVIA Internet Video Link, as well as other modules you can add in the future. Innovative DMex expansion capabilities integrate into the award-winning XMB user interface making HDTVs a powerful entertainment platform that not only meets current needs, but expands to meet tomorrow’s needs as well.

Go back to list of all features.

BRAVIA Engine Technology

The latest version of Sony’s respected BRAVIA Engine fully digital video processor uses a collection of unique SONY algorithms to significantly reduce noise and produce sharp, vibrant, life-like images.
  • Dynamic Noise Reduction: Intelligently identifies and dramatically reduces noise in the signal according to the motion and brightness of each scene for clearer, crisper images.
  • Detail Enhancement: Improved image enhancement algorithms render greater overall detail.
  • Contrast Enhancement: Works with the Advanced Contrast Enhancer circuit to optimize the contrast for every scene to create better depth and reality.
BRAVIA Engine technology optimizes the color, contrast, detail and clarity of every scene for the exceptional performance that BRAVIA HDTVs are known for.

Go back to list of all features.

Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE)

Part of the cinematic drama in film-making comes from details found in shadows and dark areas of the picture. Sony’s Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE)n uses real-time image processing to dynamically adjust backlight levels for improved contrast without masking details the filmmaker intended you to see. ACE delivers deep blacks in darker scenes, as well as fine details in shadows and other dark areas of the picture for a difference you can truly see.

Go back to list of all features.

24p True Cinema

Movies and many prime time TV programs are shot at 24 frames per second. This means that TVs operating at any refresh rate that is not an even multiple of 24 will have to do some interpolation to present the content. TVs operating at at 30Hz or 60Hz traditionally solved this via a method called "2:3 pulldown". The television repeats the first film frame over the first two fields of video, and the second film frame over the next three fields of video (1, 1, 2, 2, 2), and continues to do this with the 3rd and 4th frames, the 5th and 6th framer (1,1,2,2,2 - 3,3,4,4,4 - 5,5,6,6,6), and so on until 24 frames are displayed over 60 refresh cycles. This discrepancy in the number of times frames are displayed can lead to a jerky motion in filmed material which some viewers notice for example, especially with scenes that pan.

120, on the other hand, is an even multiple of 24. Ttelevisions with 24p capability, operating at 120Hz, can display an equal number of frames for every refresh cycle.

The benefit— You can watch movies in natural, cinematic motion, the way they are seen at the cinema. Every single frame of the movie can now be seen without using additional video processing that converts film-based images to video reproduction. Additionally, 24p True Cinema input capability can be used along with Motionflow™ 120Hz technology for outstanding fluid motion beyond what you would typically see at the cinema. Once you experience 24p video it will be hard to view video without it.

(Found in S, V, W, Z, and XBR Series HDTVs).

Sony's Blu-ray disc players wisely take advantage of this by including 24p output capability.

Go back to list of all features.

Rich Graphic On-Screen Control Interface

Delivering a fun user experience is what the new rich graphics are designed to do. Accessing video content and sharing digital photos with your family and friends on an HDTV is now fast, easy and fun. Colorful thumbnails cascade before your eyes allowing you to visually choose what you want to see. Viewing digital images through Sony’s photo viewer is now more organized and can be quickly accessed.

Go back to list of all features.

TV Guide On-Screen Interactive Program Guide

TV GUIDE logo The TV Guide On-screen IPG delivers continually updated program listings to users. The guide requires no subscription fees or phone connection and is available at no extra cost to the consumer. Sony is the first company to integrate the TV Guide On-Screen User Interface into a custom interface — Sony’s exclusive Xross Media Bar user interface.

(Found in all V, W, Z, and XBR Series HDTVs)

Go back to list of all features.

Connectivity

In 2007 Sony included HDMI CEC capability in select HDTV and BRAVIA Theatre Home Audio products, which led to a one-touch function Sony feature called BRAVIA Theatre Sync This feature allows the access and control multiple tasks and system operations with one button ease. BRAVIA Sync is now being introduced as the name for a new family of control features that not only includes BRAVIA Theatre Sync, but will now include BRAVIA Sync. This feature allows the user to control a CEC-enabled camcorder connected to a BRAVIA HDTV via an HDMI cable by using the HDTV’s remote control and an on-screen display that shows camcorder transport functions.

(Found in all V, W, Z, and XBR Series HDTVs)

All Connections
  • 4 HDMI — High Definition Multimedia
  • 2 component video inputs
  • PC Input: Limited to resolutions supported by both the PC and the Sony TV. See Sony TV users manual and PC documentation for supported resolutions.
Go back to list of all features.

Optimized Theater Mode

Developed in consultation with the Sony Pictures Entertainment movie studio, most 2008 Sony BRAVIA LCD HDTVs feature our optimized Theater Mode. Selecting the THEATER mode on the BRAVIA HDTV remote automatically adjusts a number of key elements that have an important impact on reproducing movies better. Skin tones and lighting are seen as natural without over-enhancing color and contrast. The picture is fine-tuned for a dark viewing environment just like the cinema and optimized for LCD display technology. Even the right amount of film grain is included. All of this helps preserve the mood and detail so you enjoy the cinema
experience that you go to the theater to see, right in the comfort of your home.

Optimized Theater Mode is another great example of Sony HDNA in action. We not only create the exciting movies that you see at the cinema but also enhance the home viewing experience to
recreate it as only Sony can.

(Found on most Sony BRAVIA LCD HDTVs.)

Note: Optimized "Theater Mode" was developed in consultation Columbia Pictures, a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

Go back to list of all features.

Audio Features

S-Force Front Surround
Built around a sophisticated set of Sony algorithms, the S-Force Front Surround enhancement function generates realistic surround sound from the two speakers in the TV. Unlike some other "virtual surround" technologies, S-Force Front Surround sound does not need to be bounced off of side walls or other surfaces to hear three-dimensional sound. No matter what the size or shape of the room it's possible to hear sounds from behind you.

SRS TruSurround XT
TruSurround is a patented SRS technology that solves the problem of playing 5.1 multichannel content over two speakers. TruSurround delivers a compelling, virtual surround sound experience through any two-speaker playback system, including internal television speakers and headphones. It is fully compatible with all multichannel formats up to 5.1 channels. High-quality virtual surround sound can be experienced with just the two hidden, downward-firing side-mounted 2.2-channel dome speakers built into the TV.

SRS TruSurround XT technology delivers an amazing, simulated 3D effect with clear dialog and powerful bass.

TruSurround XT audio also adds three audio enhancement technologies to produce an amazingly immersive sound experience.
Stereo broadcast reception is offered for MTS and SAP with 181-channel capacity. A sound leveler keeps audio volume consistent during channel changing.

Go back to list of all features.

Which Size HDTV is Right for My Room?

size chart

With standard-definition TVs, the rule used to be that viewers would feel comfortable watching a set from a distance of 3 to 6 times the screen size in inches. With HDTV, the resolution is so much better that you can sit closer to a larger TV without noticing the pixels. So with HDTVs, the rule tends to be you can sit anywhere from 1.5 to 3 times the screen size (in inches) for the best experience. If you know the size of the room you have already, where you want to sit, and where your new HDTV should go once you get it, you can figure out the size HDTV you should get.
  • Minimum size= Viewing distance/3
  • Maximum size=Viewing distance/1.5
Go back to list of all features.


Customer Reviews

Sony Bravia HD 42" LCD TV5

Received the TV it was packaged for shipping very well.
Took it to my computer room and connected it up and it worked very well from 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Suddenly it would not display the the upper HD Channels. I came to the conclusion that the new TV was not the problem. Somehow it had to be my newly installed COX HDMI receiver for the new TV. Contacted COX the next day they came out and located a filter that had been previously installed by COX in the line serving the modem for my computer and now the new Sony TV. After the COX one way filter was removed from the cable line I have enjoyed watching the HD channels very much on the new Sony HD LCD TV. Excellent clear 1080 pixcel pictures. Can't wait to watch the Olympic games this month on the newly received TV.

If you'd asked me yesterday...2

I'd have said I loved it. Excellent sound (without additional speakers); awesome color and sharpness with DVD and HD cable. Lots of little "extras" like variable sleep timer (up to 2 hours), timer settings (I've been known to use this as an alarm clock), dimmer options, ambient room lighting automatic adjustment option, many device inputs, and more.

HOWEVER. There's always a "however," isn't there? Mine is just 5 days old. I thought it was by far the best TV for the price (and I got mine very inexpensively indeed, thanks to my extended warranty on my old television). Then, today, it went white. The entire screen (even the black "bars" set around a 4:3 picture - I don't like to distort the image, so I leave bars) is a purplish-whitish-grey and it doesn't matter which input setting I use. Other televisions hooked up to the same inputs are fine - I checked. I wasted hours trying to get Customer Service or Technical Support at Sony. Finally, I contacted my vendor for a replacement, which they agreed to provide.

If it had lasted years, I'd have said nothing. If I had done something to the television, like dropped it, spilled something on it, or pushed some bizarre button sequence on the remote, it would have been my own fault. But I just got this thing five days ago, and the screen went white in the middle of my viewing a DVD. FIVE DAYS? That's a new low. And NO customer support from Sony - which just added insult to injury.

Since I have no way of knowing what actually went wrong with the screen, or how likely it is that I'll have this problem with the replacement, I will give this two stars (instead of one). But be careful if you choose to buy this item - and make sure you get a warranty!




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