Sony KV 32FS100 - 32" WEGA CRT TV - silver Review

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(More customer reviews)Okay - first of all, I don't know I'd buy the TV from an on-line retailer, because, the sucker weighs 170 pounds (yeah, that's right ONE-SEVEN-ZERO). You better like wherever the heck you install it, unless you're superman - moving it is going to be like throwing your brother around the room...
But, once you get it where you want it - the picture, the sound, and the display are all pure SONY and excellent. I looked at alot of different 32" TV's before I bought this one. And yeah - with Sony you pay for the SONY brand-name... but, this TV is actually quite a bargain compared with others. In terms of picture quality, it is quite nice (I mean, without being HDTV - which is really unbelievably good). The "pan-and-scan" widescreen and the 16:9 compression are kind of neat features... If you watch alot of widescreen DVD's, this is a nice feature. Personally, I don't get all that bent out of shape by letterbox... but I know many do.
I have SONY primarily as my audio/video... so it integrates well with older SONY stuff. The box is big - 35 inches as I recall (the measurements are in the descript). It fills up an entertainment center nicely. I would really make sure that your entertainment center is rated for the weight. If you are using some "put together" furniture (usually made out of MDF or pressboard) it is going to collapse under the TV's weight. SONY makes a nice stand for this TV (I don't have it - but I've seen it)... you might want that stand.
When compared with Phillips(both the 4/3 and the widescreen), Toshiba, and JVC - this is probably the best in class. It looks great with Digital Cable (I have Comcast) and the component inputs are slick... makes the colors and the sharpness very vivid. SONY has a "digital enhancer" mode for various types of media (film, cable, etc.) I don't know if that really does much - seems to me to add artifacts to the screen so I don't use it... I leave it on VIVID myself...
Anyways... you won't be disappointed for the bucks....

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You'll be hard-pressed to find more screen, more features, or more quality for your dollar than with Sony's stylish KV-32FS100 32-inch WEGA television. The set's flat-screen Trinitron picture tube cuts down on glare and minimizes image distortion, and its wealth of video technologies ensures that you'll enjoy sharp, vivid pictures from a range of source components.One of the KV-32FS100's coolest features is its 16:9 enhanced mode, which delivers maximum picture quality by concentrating all viewable scan lines within a letterboxed image--wasting none of its horizontal resolution on rendering the black bars that border a widescreen image.Velocity modulation (selectable: off, high, low) improves the definition at picture edges, creating sharper images by slowing the CRT (cathode-ray tube) beam's horizontal scanning during demanding work--say, when rendering transitions from light to dark parts of an image--and speeding it up when scanning easily rendered sections, like broad dark areas. The set's three-line digital comb filter further enhances resolution by removing blurred edges between colors and reducing dot crawl (tiny, moving dots of color along a sharp color separation in a vertical line, as in a depiction of a character's striped T-shirt).Top-of-the-line component-video inputs minimize digital and line-scan artifacts from compatible video sources, while standard composite- and S-video inputs accommodate all DVD players. You can choose between a set of rear AV inputs and a set of front AV inputs for extra convenience when hooking up a camcorder or gaming console. A rear AV output offers both fixed and variable-level analog audio outputs for hookup with, for instance, both a VCR and a surround receiver. You can label the set's video inputs and channels for easy selection.The set produces stereo audio with 10 watts per channel through built-in speakers that border the screen. Other video technologies include auto white balance, Dynamic Picture Processor circuitry, tilt correction, Trinitone color temperature control, and vertical aperture compensation. S-video detection automatically senses and switches the set's input to match an S-video source signal.What's in the Box TV, RM-Y180 remote control, remote batteries, warranty information, and a user's manual.

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Sony KV-32HS420 32-Inch FD Trinitron WEGA HD-Ready CRT TV Review

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(More customer reviews)I have spent the last two years looking at HDTV capable TVs. The technology is changing and the prices are dropping so much that you could literally spend thousands of dollars today and several months later you might see a better TV with a newer technology for a much lower price than what you just paid. Beyond the fact that the newest equipment is becoming yesterday's technology every few months, you also have to practically be a digital video display scientist to understand all these latest technologies. If you don't believe me then go ahead and try asking some questions at your favorite electronics and TV store and you will understand what I mean. What is an HDMI interface ? How is it different from a DVI interface ? What is 3:2 reverse pull down ? Can I watch SDTV (standard definition or NTSC standard) on a wide-screen HDTV ? Your mind will spin and you will become more confused as the questions go on and on as you realize that buying a TV has become a full time job in itself. To complicate things even worse is that the television stations, cable TV providers, and satellite TV companies keep delaying or changing their minds about how they want to offer HDTV. Do you want to pay extra for HD digital cable or satellite or are you happy with the limited but free over the air HD broadcasts ? Do you need a DVR ( digital video recorder) for HD ? Does your DVR support MPEG4 compression ? Get ready to spend $500-$1000 on the latest HDTV DVR receiver for your cable or satellite company only to have it become obsolete in a year or two. I do not want to write a technical essay on the details of what all this stuff means because after two years of studying it myself I am just beginning understand all this HDTV video mumbo jumbo.
The fact is that I became tired of waiting for HDTV broadcasts to take over, for the prices to drop, and for the confusion to end. I wanted a TV to replace my eighteen year old 27" Sony Trinitron which still works but its picture image quality is beginning to show its age.There are problems with most of the big screen HDTV technologies out there. Plasma TVs don't last, LCDs have poor contrast and ghosting, DLPs have the rainbow effect, LCoS (or JVC's D-ILA) is good but its very new and still too expensive. I want a high quality wide screen HDTV but I could not justify investing $3000 or more on becoming a beta tester for the latest technology while all these companies attempt to bring an HDTV to the market at an acceptable price.
This Sony KV-32HS420 32" HD-Ready TV was the answer to my two year HDTV shopping dillema. You can buy one of these impressive TV's for under $1000 or even as low as the $800 plus range if you look hard and work your salesman for a deal. The image quality is great for standard definition, great for high definition, it will display HDTV wide-screen signals with an approximate size of 28" diagonal image width (with the more acceptably annoying black bars above and below the picture image), it has a variety of inputs including one standard only, three S-Video with standard, two component video, and the latest digital HDMI output. It even has audio video outputs for your amplifier. On the video side it has 3D Digital comb filtering, Sony's Digital Reality Creation processors, progressive scan and 3:2 reverse pull-down technologies. What all this means is that you are able to view your SDTV where 90% of the programming is in normal 4:3 aspect ratio but with Sony's state of the art digital image enhancement processing, HDTV (with an add on HDTV digital receiver) and DVDs in 16:9 wide-screen mode, with most of the inputs and outputs you need to hook up your favorite DVD player, VCR, video games, cable and satellite box, etc. The picture quality is excellent and depends on your source. I recommend you use at least an s-video or component video cable to transfer the SDTV (NTSC) signal to the TV. As you would for any newer HDTV you buy expect to spend at least $150 for higher quality cables (monster cable is a good brand) although they are worth it.
There are some negatives to this TV. It's a big, heavy, bulky, older tube technology that we are all familiar with. It takes two strong men to move the entire 165 lbs. but its balanced well and lifting it was actually much easier than I expected. On the positive note this state of the art tube technology with all the latest Sony enhancements make your image near or sometimes even better than the $3000 plasma, LCD, DLP, and other newer technology TVs at less than one third of the price. If you can put up with the negatives this is the best 32" SDTV 4:3 aspect ratio picture with HDTV capability for under $1000 that you have ever seen.
PROS: Excellent picture quality for both standard definition TV (SDTV or NTSC), DVD, and for high definition broadcasts (HDTV with a needed HDTV receiver). A variety of inputs and outputs including the newest and most flexible HD digital input called HDMI. Great for playing Sony PS2, XBox, and GameCube video games in higher definition modes. A great value for the money compared to other HDTV solutions. Save your extra money for when the very large big flat screen HDTVs drop in price, really improve in quality, and the widescreen HDTV channels are the norm.
CONS: Heavy, bulky, difficult to move, a big strong TV stand is needed, uses more power while in use than more expensive flat screen HDTVs. Smaller viewable picture than most larger wide-screen HDTVs. Displays wide-screen with the familiar black bars in a slightly smaller size than a 30" wide-screen HDTV. You must purchase a separate over the air HDTV receiver or get an extra HDTV compatible box from your cable or satellite company to view HDTV broadcasts. Compared to the excellent picture image quality the sound of the dual ten watt stereo speakers is of a very moderate quality.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Besides its size an weight issues there are a number of other lesser annoyances that you run into with while setting up this TV such as a limited preferences menu compared to Sony's XBR series of TVs and a curved front top surface prevents you from being able to place a center channel speaker or cable box on top of the TV. If you are used to a smaller screen size and you currently have a bad NTSC signal or poor image quality you will see more distortion from a bad image source and it will be enhanced on this or any other larger screen television. I have a standard definition Dish Satellite w/DVR box with a Monster Cable 3 brand of S-Video cable and the image quality is excellent. You will also want to spend a few hours reading the manual and adjusting your brightness, sharpness, color levels, digital reality creation settings, etc. Test out using the different DRC Progressive, DRC Cinemotion, and Clear Edge modes to your liking. If you are using a satellite or digital cable TV service in standard definition use very high quality video S-Video or for DVDs or HDTV sources use component video interconnects between the receiver and this TV. I recommend the Monster Video 3, Z-300, Professional M series or an equivalent very high quality brand. This Sony TV shows the smallest details from your source signal including any signal interference distortion or artifacts that you never noticed before on your TV of a lesser image quality. For example if you happen to see a trail of square block image artifacts around any object that moves it may actually be an effect from the original digital video signal decompression process in your source signal. Properly setting the DRC modes such as Clear Edge and Progressive modes and using high quality cable interconnects can minimize this undesired effect. Give yourself a few days to adjust to the larger image of this TV and for the tube electronics to warm up and adjust to your particular signal source. You will find that the stereo sound quality is not great but not terrible and ultimately you may want a better external sound system to go along with that clear and sharp Sony Trinitron picture. If you have already committed to going with HDTV wide-screen programming and you don't mind spending $1500 or more then I recommend Sony's wide screen HDTV XBR series and for the larger flat screen HDTV technologies take a look at the reasonably priced JVC D-ILA, Mitsubishi DLP, or the more expensive Sharp Aquos LCD.
The Bottom Line: Compared to the best of the expensive big wide screen HDTVs or the Sony XBR series of tube HDTVs I would give it Four Stars. But with all things considered I give it Five Stars since for under $1000 no other current television can come close to the combined SDTV and HDTV picture quality and the viewing flexibility in the normal 4:3 or widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio of this " Best of All Worlds " Sony 32" HDTV Ready television.

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Deftly balancing size, features, quality, style, and price, Sony's high-definition-ready KV-32HS420 32-inch FD (flat display) Trinitron WEGA television is a technical marvel. The set offers analog and digital high-definition inputs, great audio features, and a suite of picture-enhancing technologies. Whether you're watching VHS tapes, DVDs, or high-definition (480p, 720p, 1080i) broadcasts, your programs will look breathtakingly good.The set's standard 4:3 aspect ratio, Hi-Scan 1080i display, and picture-improvement circuitry let you view a mix of source signals at high resolutions, up to 1080i. DRC--Digital Reality Creation MultiFunction circuitry--upconverts standard interlaced (480i) video sources to 960i or progressive-scan 480p, while inputs as high-quality as 720p (720 lines, progressively scanned) are upsampled to full 1080i. Because DRC processes video signals in real time, it creates an image with 4 times the density of the original signal.Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p and 720p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts. The set's auto 16:9 enhanced mode detects anamorphically encoded widescreen program sources and offers full picture resolution on the video program, wasting none of its usable lines of resolution on the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen.The KV-32HS420's high-voltage regulator maintains consistent image size, despite variations in brightness during scene changes and channel changes, while magnetic quadra-pole technology reduces "beam spot" distortion and improves corner-to-corner focus and picture sharpness.ClearEdge VM wideband velocity modulation improves the definition at picture edges, creating sharper images by slowing the CRT (cathode-ray tube) beam's horizontal scanning during demanding work--say, when rendering transitions from light to dark parts of an image--and speeding it up when scanning easily rendered sections, like broad dark areas. The set's 3D digital comb filter compares each horizontal scanning line with the lines above and below it, as well as with the corresponding lines on previous and subsequent video frames. This results in higher horizontal resolution, higher vertical resolution, and reduced video noise.The KV-32HS420 also employs CineMotion Reverse 3-2 PullDown technology (often called 3:2 pulldown), a handy feature for watching progressive-scan movies in their native 24-frame format. Digital video mastering introduces a common distortion when adjusting 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this distortion, removing the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture.Finally, Dynamic Focus circuitry automatically adjusts the picture during each scanning line for consistent corner-to-corner sharpness.Two high-definition component-video inputs grant optimum connection with a DTV decoder and progressive-scan DVD player, while standard composite- and S-video inputs accommodate all DVD players. The set's HDMI interface provides a digital connection with your DTV receiver. HDMI supports standard-definition (SD), enhanced definition (ED), or high-definition (HD) video, plus multi-channel digital audio--all using a single cable.Choose between rear AV inputs and a set of front AV inputs for extra convenience. A rear AV output offers a switchable fixed- and variable-level analog audio output for hookup with a surround receiver or integrated amplifier.The set features stereo speakers (with 10 watts per channel) and BBE sound enhancement. You can label the set's video inputs and channels for easy selection. If you don't have Dolby Pro Logic processing or a surround speaker system, the TV's SRS TruSurround will simulate surround sound through any 2 speakers.Other video technologies include auto white balance, Dynamic Picture Processor circuitry, Trinitone color temperature control, and vertical aperture compensation. An optional accessory for the set is the Sony audio/video cabinet SU-32HX1.What's in the Box TV, remote control (RM-Y197), 2 AA batteries, a user's manual, warranty information.

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Sony KV-32XBR450 32" XBR Wega Flat-Screen HDTV Monitor with PIP Review

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(More customer reviews)This set is surprisingly good in the following ways:
After owning this set for four months, I am astonished at how BAD other televisions look. When my friend bought a 32 inch WEGA (non XBR) and had us over to take a look, I was appalled by the overdriven picture, extensive red push and large gap between scan lines. It was like watching television through a set of venetian blinds. The same with another friend's Toshiba flat tube set.
Further, if you're a gadget-type person. you'll appreciate the fantastically in-depth service menu. Every conceivable internal setting of the television can be accessed through the remote. We have dropped the red push altogether and the picture is considerably more pleasing than when the set was new.
Finally, the resolution of the picture tube is so much better than standard televisions that flaws, edits, and manipulations in NTSC sources can easily be detected with the naked eye. This could be a turn-off for some casual owners; other television sets are too blurry and inaccurate to reveal the flaws in a broadcast. Not the XBR! With this set, the difference between high quality and inferior broadcasts is as plain as day.
To sum up, this television is superior in every way. In fact, its superiority makes some common NTSC programming look pretty bad. Some owners won't like it, preferring to hide the flaws in the signal by watching through an inferior set.

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Sony's high-definition-ready KV-32XBR450 32-inch WEGA television offersa lot of screen, a ton of features, and the bright, detailed picturequality for which Trinitron WEGA sets are known. The KV-32XBR450's flat,FD Trinitron picture tube cuts down on glare and minimizes imagedistortion, and its wealth of video technologies ensures that you'llenjoy sharp, vivid pictures, whatever your source components.The TV produces stereo audio with 15 biamplified watts per channelthrough built-in two-way speakers that border the screen. One of theKV-32XBR450's coolest features is its 16:9 enhanced mode,which--together with a feature called Hi-Scan 1080i--delivers maximumpicture quality by concentrating all viewable scan lines within aletterboxed image, wasting none of its horizontal resolution onrendering the black bars that border a widescreen image.Velocity modulation (selectable: off, high, low) improves the definitionat picture edges, creating sharper images by slowing the CRT(cathode-ray tube) beam's horizontal scanning during demandingwork--say, when rendering transitions from light to dark parts of animage--and speeding it up when scanning easily rendered sections, likebroad dark areas. The set's three-line digital comb filter furtherenhances resolution by removing blurred edges between colors andreducing dot crawl (tiny, moving dots of color along a sharp colorseparation in a vertical line, as in a depiction of a character'sstriped T-shirt).Top-of-the-line high-definition-capable component-video inputs minimizedigital and line-scan artifacts from compatible video sources (480i,480p, 1080i), while standard composite- and S-video inputs accommodateall DVD players. You can choose between multiple sets of rear A/V inputsand a set of front A/V inputs for extra convenience when hooking up acamcorder or gaming console. A rear AV output offers both fixed andvariable-level analog audio outputs for hookup with, for instance, botha VCR and a surround receiver. You can label the set's video inputs andchannels for easy selection.The KV-32XBR450 offers Sony's CineMotion reverse 3:2 pulldowntechnology, a handy feature for watching progressive-scan movie programsin their native 24-frame format. Digital video mastering introduces acommon distortion when adjusting 24-frames-per-second movies to 30 fpsvideo; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this distortion, removing theredundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture.Freeze Memo lets you freeze what's on screen and view it in a PIP windowwhile programming continues on the main screen. This is ideal for notingWeb site addresses, phone numbers, and contact information on the screen.Channel Fix automatically sets TV to a specific channel (such as 3) forcable box control, letting you switch channels on the cable box via theTV's universal remote control without altering your TV setting. TheControl S feature (input/output) lets you use the set with other Sonycomponents, controlling all with a single remote control, and only everpointing the remote at the TV--not each piece of gear.Other video technologies include Magnetic Quadra Pole (reduces beam spotdistortion and improves corner-to-corner focus, as well as picturesharpness), auto white balance, Dynamic Picture Processor and DynamicFocus circuitry, color temperature control, and vertical aperturecompensation. S-video detection automatically senses and switches theset's input to match an S-video source signal.What's in the Box TV, remote control (RM-Y184), remote batteries, a user's manual, andwarranty information.

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Sony HDR-CX150 16GB High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this camera on Monday, had fun with it for two days, and then returned it. Although I can't afford it, I then closed my eyes and ordered the HDR-CX550V. I basically went from the bottom of the Sony consumer class to the top in one fell swoop.
Things I liked about the CX150:
* FABULOUS quality in adequate light. The video in 24 Mbps mode is stunning. Search YouTube for examples. Every hair on my cat, dust particles in sunlight, it all shows up with beautiful resolution. It's amazing. Almost Blu-Ray quality. You won't find any consumer-class camcorder with better quality.
* 25x zoom , when used with a tripod, lets you get really close
* "macro" works without any special settings. Just put the lens an inch away and it will focus. Resolves fingerprints.
* Amazingly tiny. With no hard drive or tape drive, the unit is frighteningly small. You can put it and all the cables + charger in a camera case designed for a DSLR + telephoto
* PMB software works, has good basic editing. Used it to grab frames from movies - almost don't need the "still" function if 1990x1080 res is good enough.
* It will take a 32GB memory stick, even though the feature list says they only support 16.
* The touch screen is responsive
* "touch the object" spot focus, spot white balance is cool
* Give it the NP-FV70 battery and it will record for hours and hours
Things I either did not like or features missing (by "missing" I realize that you have to pay more). Don't mistake the length of my 'cons' list as hating the little guy - it's a good camera for what it is designed to be.
* A bit pricey. I think it is worth about $450.00, not the $549.00 list
* No wide-angle. I wish Sony had made the lens go from slightly wide-angle to about 15x, instead of from normal to 25x.
* No external mic input
* No hot shoe - not even the Sony proprietary one
* Zoom motor noise is very audible in quiet settings - don't expect to use this camera to record acoustic orchestral music in concert halls
* The "smooth slow-mo 240 fps" is NOT HD 1080i60 quality. Might be OK at 720, but I found it disappointingly blurry. I'd love to see it have the same capability as the Casio EX-FX1 (not holding breath)
* Not enough buttons - too much reliance on the touch screen. I prefer buttons to scrolling through menus. Sony could fix this by providing more than 6 "my menu" choices.
* Auto focus works good most of the time, but when it gets confused it is horrible. Combine that with no quick focus wheel and it is a recipe for loosing shots
* Picture mode is not available in 24 Mbps HD mode.
* The electronic stabilization does not work. I've grown used to optical stabilization in my DSC-H50 and there is no going back.
* Short of using something like the Black Rapid Straps Fasten-R2 screwed into the tripod shoe, there is no way to attach a neck strap. I almost dropped it several times.
* The plastic housing is sensitive to noise - any little touch while recording will show up as sound in the video.
* No windscreen for the mics. Combine that with no external mic capability and you won't be able to hear anything in windy conditions.
* No remote
* No "night shot" infrared
* Low light performance is what you would expect from a small lens size. All the electronics in the world can't fully compensate for glass area.
Summary: if you want a fairly cheap, tiny camera for shooting GREAT quality vids of vacations, the kids and the pets, this is an excellent choice. Want to do more, and you will need to pay more for a better unit. Just want to help other people avoid my experience of being a bit disappointed and having to trade up.

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Capture stunning 1920 x 1080 Full HD video and 3.0 Megapixel images with the ultra-compact HDR-CX150, which features an "Exmor R" CMOS sensor for superior low-light performance, 16GB of embedded flash memory, and a Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* 25x optical zoom lens to help bring you closer to the action.

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Sony KV-30HS420 30-Inch FD Trinitron WEGA HD-Ready Widescreen CRT TV Review

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(More customer reviews)Contrary to popular opinion, you don't have to buy an expensive plasma or LCD (liquid crystal display) TV to get a great high-definition picure. In fact, many experts (including Consumer Reports) assert that high-definition TVs using traditional cathode-ray tube technology -- as this high-definition Sony does -- currently offer a sharper picture than plasma and LCD TVs, plus they are much less expensive and more reliable. This widescreen HD Sony TV has a very good picture with standard broadcasts and an outstanding picture with HD broadcasts and DVDs. If you'd like to get a widescreen high-definition TV now but your budget is limited to a thousand dollars or so, please consider this 30" Sony.

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Bask in the widescreen glory of Sony's panoramic, high-definition-ready KV-30HS420 FD (flat display) Trinitron WEGA television. The 30-inch set offers analog and digital high-definition inputs, great audio features, and a suite of picture-enhancing technologies. Whether you're watching VHS tapes, DVDs, or high-definition (480p, 720p, 1080i) broadcasts, your programs will look breathtakingly good.The set's 16:9 aspect ratio, Hi-Scan 1080i display, and picture-improvement circuitry let you view a mix of sources at high resolutions, up to 1080i. DRC--Digital Reality Creation MultiFunction circuitry--upconverts standard interlaced (480i) video sources to 960i or progressive-scan 480p, while inputs as high-quality as 720p (720 lines, progressively scanned) are upsampled to full 1080i. Because DRC processes video signals in real time, it creates an image with 4 times the density of the original signal. Sony's MID-X (Multi Image Driver) maintains the integrity of a converted signal by minimizing image loss in the scaling process.Progressive scanning, referred to as 480p and 720p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts. The set's auto 16:9 enhanced mode detects anamorphically encoded widescreen program sources and offers full picture resolution on the video program, wasting none of its usable lines of resolution on the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen.The KV-30HS420's high-voltage regulator maintains consistent image size, despite variations in brightness during scene changes and channel changes, while magnetic quadra-pole technology reduces "beam spot" distortion and improves corner-to-corner focus and picture sharpness.ClearEdge VM wideband velocity modulation improves the definition at picture edges, creating sharper images by slowing the CRT (cathode-ray tube) beam's horizontal scanning during demanding work--say, when rendering transitions from light to dark parts of an image--and speeding it up when scanning easily rendered sections, like broad dark areas. The set's 3D digital comb filter compares each horizontal scanning line with the lines above and below it, as well as with the corresponding lines on previous and subsequent video frames. This results in higher horizontal resolution, higher vertical resolution, and reduced video noise.The KV-30HS420 also employs CineMotion Reverse 3-2 PullDown technology (often called 3:2 pulldown), a handy feature for watching progressive-scan movies in their native 24-frame format. Digital video mastering introduces a common distortion when adjusting 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this distortion, removing the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture.Finally, Dynamic Focus circuitry automatically adjusts the picture during each scanning line for consistent corner-to-corner sharpness.Two high-definition component-video inputs grant optimum connection with a DTV decoder and progressive-scan DVD player, while standard composite- and S-video inputs accommodate all DVD players. The set's HDMI interface provides a digital connection with your DTV receiver. HDMI supports standard-definition (SD), enhanced definition (ED), or high-definition (HD) video, plus multi-channel digital audio--all using a single cable.Choose between rear AV inputs and a set of front AV inputs for extra convenience. A rear AV output offers a switchable fixed- and variable-level analog audio output for hookup with a surround receiver or integrated amplifier.The set features stereo speakers (with 15 watts per channel) and BBE sound enhancement. You can label the set's video inputs and channels for easy selection. If you don't have Dolby Pro Logic processing or a surround speaker system, the TV's SRS TruSurround will simulate surround sound through any 2 speakers.Other video technologies include auto white balance, Dynamic Picture Processor circuitry, Trinitone color temperature control, and vertical aperture compensation. An optional accessory for the set is the Sony audio/video cabinet SU-30HX1.What's in the Box TV, remote control (RM-Y188), 2 AA batteries, a user's manual, warranty information.

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Sony KV-32FS120 32-Inch FD Trinitron WEGA Flat-Screen CRT TV Review

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(More customer reviews)I have a Sony 51 inch high-definition tv also, but a couple of years ago I saw this tv at a friends house, hooked up to cable. The picture was amazing. Yesterday we bought one for our den and hooked up to DISH network (satelite) the picture is also the best I've ever seen for a tube tv. Plus it's easy to use and set up and has a feature called CLEAR EDGE that makes the picture even sharper. The only knock is the weight, about 180 pounds. You need two people to move this tv, it is heavy. But heavy usually means quality and this tv is the best on the market in this price range.

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Sony's high-value KV-32FS120 32-inch WEGA television packs a wealth of video technologies that guarantee sharp, vivid pictures from a range of sources. The set's FD (flat display) Trinitron WEGA flat-screen technology delivers high image accuracy, wide viewing angles, and corner-to-corner detail with no geometric image distortion. The visually flat FD Trinitron tube minimizes annoying glare from light sources, enhancing contrast. Squares are square, straight lines appear straight, and circles are truly circular.One of the KV-32FS120's coolest features is its 16:9 enhanced mode, which delivers maximum picture quality by concentrating all viewable scan lines within a letterboxed image--wasting none of its horizontal resolution on rendering the black bars that border a widescreen image.Clear Edge VM wideband velocity modulation improves definition at picture edges, creating sharper images by slowing the CRT (cathode-ray tube) beam's horizontal scanning during demanding work--say, when rendering transitions from light to dark parts of an image--and speeding it up when scanning easily rendered sections, like broad dark areas.The set's digital comb filter removes blurred edges between colors and reduces dot crawl (tiny, moving dots of color along a sharp color separation in a vertical line, as in a depiction of a character's striped T-shirt), while magnetic quadra-pole technology reduces "beam spot" distortion and improves corner-to-corner focus and picture sharpness.Program Palette presets offer combinations of picture settings engineered to make the most of specific entertainment types. Settings include vivid, standard, movie, and sports. Channel fix lets you select a specific TV channel (3, for example) for cable box reception. Then you can control a compatible cable box via the TV remote without inadvertently changing the TV from Channel 3.Top-of-the-line component-video inputs (Y/PB/PR) minimize digital and line-scan artifacts from compatible video sources, while standard composite- and S-video inputs accommodate all DVD players. A coaxial RF input accepts a feed from an antenna or an older VCR or cable box. Choose from 2 sets of rear AV inputs and a set of front AV inputs for extra convenience when hooking up a camcorder or gaming console. A rear AV output offers fixed-/variable-level analog audio outputs for hookup with a surround receiver.The set produces stereo audio and BBE sound enhancement with 10 watts per channel through built-in speakers.Other video technologies include auto white balance (which establishes the picture's tint, or hue, by adjusting sensitivity to red, green, and blue light, resulting in truer whites), Dynamic Picture Processor circuitry, tilt correction, Trinitone color temperature control, and vertical aperture compensation (which sharpens picture definition and edge detail on the vertical plane). You can label the set's video inputs and channels for easy selection.What's in the Box TV, RM-Y195 remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, and warranty information.

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Sony KV-27FS120 27-Inch FD Trinitron WEGA Flat Screen TV Review

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(More customer reviews)As the title states, this television "is" perfection! I purchased this approximately a year ago as the centerpiece to a second system and have since found it to be one of the wisest television purchases I've ever made. The only mistake that I made was not getting the model that included the picture-in-picture feature. In conjunction with the Sony SLV-N700 Hi-Fi VHS VCR and the Sony DVP-NS325S DVD Player (Silver), this small system has worked beautifully, with this exceptionally outstanding FD Trinitron WEGA TV enhancing the viewing/listening experience with its superior quality in image and sound!
As features go, there is little to want for that this marvelous television set does not have as is detailed in the editorial review and the technical specifications on the front page for this product, there are however, some wonderful features that I would like to highlight in this review. One of the most important aspects of a purchase such as this is a well written and thought out operating manual with clear and concise setup directions and Sony has done an outstanding job with that whereas many other manufacturers do so miserably.
Given that there are four separate video inputs for this exceptional TV, it can be, as I've been using it, set up as a system independent of a stereo receiver and you can have up to four different devices such as a VCR player, DVD player and camcorder attached to with no problems and still have room for one more device of your choice. Given for such wonderful performance as a stand alone set as functionality goes, you'd be hard pressed to find a better deal in a television set of this quality and price range.
The on screen menu system is perfect on this set, possessing a majority of the functions that a customer would enjoy. Among those features are parental controls; two timers and a sleep timer; four different preset video modes; color temperature; VM (Velocity Modulation; audio setting to include treble, bass, balance, effects and MTS.
The remote is also a picture of perfection providing you've set yourself up with a Sony "system" as you can control the television, the VCR and the DVD player with it, providing that much more ease of use without having to keep track of two or more remotes at once.
For the consummate audio and videophile such as me, this is an outstanding television set! I highly recommend this or any other outstanding Sony television set to any and all who demand quality from their television sets without wishing to dish out much higher dollars for HD and flat panel sets that are "way" over priced at this time. {ssintrepid}

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Sony's KV-27FS120 27-inch WEGA television is a CRT (cathode-ray tube) set that's both stylish and feature-packed. A silver cabinet houses a flat-screen Trinitron picture tube that cuts down on glare and minimizes image distortion. A host of technologies ensure vivid, distortion-free viewing.One of the coolest features is the KV-27FS120's 16:9 enhanced mode, which delivers maximum picture quality by concentrating all viewable scan lines within a letterboxed image--wasting none of its horizontal resolution on rendering the black bars that border a widescreen image.Velocity modulation (selectable: off, high, low) improves the definition at picture edges, creating sharper images by slowing the CRT beam's horizontal scanning during demanding work--say, when rendering transitions from light to dark parts of an image--and speeding it up when scanning easily rendered sections, like broad dark areas. The set's three-line digital comb filter further enhances resolution by removing blurred edges between colors and reducing dot crawl (tiny, moving dots of color along a sharp color separation in a vertical line, as in a depiction of a character's striped T-shirt).Top-of-the-line component-video inputs minimize digital and line-scan artifacts from compatible video sources, while standard composite- and S-video inputs accommodate all DVD players. You can choose between a set of rear AV inputs and a set of front AV inputs for extra convenience when hooking up a camcorder or gaming console. A rear AV output offers both fixed and variable-level analog audio outputs for hookup with, for instance, both a VCR and a surround receiver. You can label the set's video inputs and channels for easy selection.The set produces stereo audio with 10 watts per channel. Its fine-pitch aperture grill allows more electrons to reach the screen surface, while a high-precision deflection yoke guides the electrons accurately for bright, clear images. A headphone jack lets you listen in private. Other video technologies include auto white balance, Dynamic Picture Processor circuitry, tilt correction, Trinitone color temperature control, and vertical aperture compensation.What's in the Box TV, remote control, remote batteries, warranty information, and user's manual.

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Sony Bravia XBR-Series KDL-40XBR4 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been living with a Panasonic PT40LC12 LCD projection TV since early 2002. Originally, it had a great picture...but, over the years (and 2 bulbs later) the quality of the image has deteriorated significantly. In all fairness, this set is used , on average, about 6-7 hours each day...so, it really owed me nothing. Also, it maxed out at 480P, and didn't have HDMI. So, I went out in search of a replacement. I've been looking at current models for about a year and finally decided to get this Sony.
I've had it about one week, and after spending some time tweaking the picture settings (there are a ton of user adjustments available) I finally sat down and watched a few DVDs.
I've got 2 DVD players and the first film that I watched was viewed at 480P using the component inputs. I had seen the same film before and wanted to compare....the image was absolutely fantastic. Although the DVD was a movie, the image looked more like live video. The depth of the image blew me away...the color was perfect...it looked almost like a live network feed.
The next DVD was viewed at 1080I using the HDMI inputs. Again, the image was outstanding.
Adjusting the set is not for the faint of heart. The Vivid and Normal settings are, in my opinion, way too bright...too much contrast and color intensity. Although it appears that they can be adjusted...why bother. They might work if the set were being used in a sports bar, or other venue...but, not in the home.
I concentrated on the Cinema and Custom settings. There are several blogs, technical sites, etc. on the web that discuss adjustments for this set. It's really worth the time to hunt them down. One thing I read was that the 120hz scan feature only works in the Cinema or Custom settings...and Sony's "out of the box" default is to have that feature turned off. So, make sure to check the settings for the inputs you're using.
I concentrated on getting the best image in the Custom mode for each of my attached inputs. I found that "WARM 1" was the setting that provided the best "live looking" image. WARM 2 (the default for Cinema mode) gave the image a look that most closely mirrored a movie theater experience. If you tweak the Custom settings to give you the most "live looking" image...you can use the THEATER button on the remote to switch into a more Cinema looking image.
Also, it appears that you can adjust the levels for each input...so, you can tweak the picture for each device that you connect without changing any of the others. Although I have an outstanding AV receiver which does 1080P video and audio switching (to which most of my components are attached), I found that where multiple device outputs are available, attaching any device directly to the TV allows the picture to be customized specifically for that device....you can still use your surround sound receiver for the audio.
The remote control is somewhat complex (including a hidden compartment at the bottom with a sliding door). It also took a while to learn to navigate through the various setup and adjustment screens...but, in a short time, it really all made sense.
Viewing my standard definition DirecTV channels was OK....I haven't gone to HDTV as I need to chop some trees to get the proper angle and elevation for the 5 LNB HD dish. However, if the HD channels come in as great as the DVD images, life will be beautiful.
I don't, as yet, have either a BluRay or HD DVD player....as soon as the industry decided which will be king, then I'll decide which to buy......and, the prices can only go lower with each passing day. I've seen BluRay DVDs played over this TV and all I can say is...I can't wait to get mine.
All in all...I think I made the correct choice. It was probably the most expensive set that I considered...but, if it stands up over the years, I think it was worth the price. Also, I'm glad that I waited for the XBR4. The previous XBR model wasn't nearly as attractive (e.g., that ugly silver surround). Also, Sony added many improvements (if you can believe them) to this newer model. If you decide to get one of these...please take the time to study the owners manual. Although there are some unexplained and confusing descriptions, it will at least give you a place to start.
UPDATE...I've had this set for about 2 months now...It only gets better. I purchased a blu-ray player and now watch all my DVDs upconverted to 1080P. Watching blu-ray DVDs at 1080P/24 is the best I've ever seen (even in the stores on their demo sets). The "clouding" issue reported on the previous XBR2/3 doesn't exist...so it appears that Sony did solve that problem.


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The Sony BRAVIA XBR KDL-40XBR4 40-inch 1080p LCD Flat Panel HDTV continues Sony's tradition of making outstanding televisions. The 40-inch screen is ideal for medium-size rooms. Sony does not hold back with any technologies, and the XBR series is its flagship line--so with the XBR, you know you'll get the best quality home theater experience available.
Top-Notch Video Performance The XBR KDL-40XBR4 is a 1080p television with a full 1920 x 1080 resolution, the highest resolution available for the sharpest, clearest picture. The KDL-40XBR uses the most recent HDMI 1.3 interface, which houses both audio and video signals in one connector and has the bandwidth to support the data needed for the high resolution. Sony's Bravia Engine Pro Full Digital Video Processor upconverts all video signals to 1080p so you can watch all your old DVDs on this glorious display.
Sony complements the high resolution with the latest technology in color reproduction. The KDL-40XBR is a 10-bit display with 10-bit processing. Most panels are only 8-bit. The added bit depth here means a larger color palette for more faithful color reproduction and smoother transitions from one color to the next. Additionally, the display also supports the new x.v.Color standard, which dramatically increases the available color space. The end result is a picture that is so detailed, colorful, and vibrant, you'd have a hard time distinguishing it from real life.
The KDL-40XBR4 features Sony's Motionflow technology, which automatically adjusts for and applies the proper processing for optimal motion reproduction depending on the video input. This includes support for 24 frames per second (24p) video, which displays video content at the 24-frames-per-second rate at which it was originally filmed or recorded. With 24p, you get the most faithful possible reproduction of the original.
A Wide Variety of Inputs This Sony television's wide variety of inputs ensures compatibility with your other home theater components. There are three HDMI connections for Blu-Ray, HD DVD, and other technologies requiring the high bandwidth, and two component video inputs, three composite video inputs, one S-Video input, one PC Audio and Video input, and five analog audio inputs. Even with a collection of legacy components, you shouldn't have a problem connecting to the KDL-40XBR4.
Stunning Looks The KDL-40XBR4 not only displays stunning video but is itself a head-turner. It features Sony's unique floating glass frame along with a black bezel that can be interchanged with optional color bezels to match the display to your decor.
Outstanding Ergonomics and Simplicity of Control Sony's Xross Media Bar interface is an award-winning, intuitive on-screen display that makes setup a breeze, with menus and controls logically laid out for quick access. The KDL-40XBR4 also features Theatre Sync technology, based on the HDMI-CEC standard, which means you can easily connect to and control compatible devices. For example, when the KDL-40XBR4 is connected to a compatible DVD player, you can turn on both the DVD player and the television and start playing a DVD with a single push of a button on the remote. When you're done, another push of a button powers everything down. With Theatre Sync, you can spend time enjoying the movie rather than waste time setting everything up.
More Than Just a Television Because more and more people expect to view photos on their HDTVs, Sony developed a Photo TV HD mode that optimally sets the sharpness, gradation, and color to make digital photos look like printed photography.
The KDL-40XBR4 is backed by a 1-year limited warranty for parts and labor.
What's in the Box KDL-40XBR4 40-inch LCD flat panel HDTV, remote control, 2 AA batteries, AC power cord, operating instructions, quick setup guide, warranty card, table top stand, and support strap.

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Sony Bravia M-Series KDL-32M3000 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)I am very happy with this purchase. The TV has very good looks, sleek and discreet. The equivalent Samsung and Sharp had frames too shiny and looked cheap. The picture is great. SD cable looks very good. Audio is very good. Best of all is Sony reliability. My previous experience was the Samsung 30" SlimFit. That had bending issues at first and was replaced. Then it refused to turn on, and customer service was rude and unhelpful. The Slimfit has major reliability problems. I am very happy with this Sony that replaced it.
Adding to this review after 2 weeks of extensive use. I compared this TV to Sony's 37" KDF-37H1000 LCD projection TV. This 32" LCD TV won out because:
1. Sharper picture on HD signal - the KDF-37H1000 is a little more blurry. (Note the KDF-37H1000 picture is better than no-name brand LCDs). The Sony LCDs had better focus.
1a. LCD TVs have a brighter picture. The Sony TVs have 3 picture settings: i) Vivid (very bright, what you see in Best Buy, ii) Standard (less bright, what looks better at home), and iii) Cinema (softer, more reds and earth shades). On the KDF-37H1000, you have to set it to vivid to watch even at home. On LCDs, you have to reduce brightness becuase they're brighter pictures.
2. SD cable on LCD TV is much much better than on KDF-37H1000.
2a. Motion was much cleaner on the LCD TVs. Sports blurred on the KDF-37H1000. I watched a bit of "8 below" Disney's Alaskan adventure with lots of white dogs and snow, and it looked bad, blurry and soft on the KDF-37H1000.
3. LCD TV has much less depth. Looks sleeker. I also tapped my fingers and felt around the frames on the 2 TVs. The LCDs were firmer and fit better. The KDF-37H1000 frame was looser and cheaper materials like a toy.
4. Maintainence costs - the KDF-37H1000 will require $200-400 bulb replacement in 1.5 years. The sales people said this could even happen in less than a year due to bulb malfunctions, just like in a floor lamp or any lamp. Note, Sony is phasing out LCD projection TVs in favor of SXRD, Hence, parts for the KDF-37H1000 will become harder to find. The KDF-37H1000 lamps are already $400 (Sony parts are always costlier - look at their digital camera memories, compared to Canon's).
4a. The complex combination of chips, mirrors, projectors, lamps on a projection TV is more prone to break than the simpler LCD technology. I am an electrical engineer and design integrated circuits for a living.
5. The KDF-37H1000 generates more heat than LCD, but much less than plasma.
6. The KDF-37H1000 has moving parts, such as the cooling fan, etc., All of these are more prone to malfunction.
7. Consumer reports rates the LCD TV reliability higher than projection TVs after looking at consumer repair data. Projection TVs had higher rates of return and repair.
7a. The folks at Best Buy told me they saw higher rates of returns due to reliability on the KDF-37H1000 than on Sony's LCDs.
8. The LCD TV has higher pixel count 1368 X 768, compared to the KDF-37H1000's 1200 X 720. This leads to sharper picture and better focus.
9. Screen door effect on KDF-37H1000. When objects on screen moved, their individual pixels did not move as a group. The picture was constantly dissolving and reforming. Faces had spots that appeared and dissappeared.
10. 2-3 years from now, I can put the LCD TV on a dresser in my bedroom as a 2nd TV, or put it in my study as a computer monitor. Cannot do this with the KDF-37H1000.
11. Moving - when we move houses, the LCD TV will ride easily in the seat in my Honda Civic. Cannot do this with the KDF-37H1000, which will have to go in the back of the truck with my wife.
The KDF-37H1000 was better than the Sony LCD TV in terms of:
1. Sound was much better becuase larger speakers and probably more pwerful amp.
2. A few more features and options that I will not use.
3. Larger screen. However, you must sit further back to avoid seeing spots and motion blurs.
Note the KDF-37H1000 is an excellent TV and very reliable compared to no-name brands. Definitely more reliable than the Samsung Slimfit TVs. We just came out of a bruising warranty battle with Samsung, and their reliability and customer service is pretty bad. The KDF-37H1000 does look very good compared to Samsung or Westinghouse LCD TVs, which had cheap and shiny frames. However, the KDF-37H1000 is just not as good as Sony's 32" LCD TVs. If you want a bigger screen than Sony's LCDs, go 46" or 55" projection. The SXRD projection TVs had better motion. If you're thinking of 37", get an LCD.
One thing the KDF-37H1000 has going for it is Sony reliability. I work for IBM and we design integrated circuits for Sony's products. They require a 100 defective parts per million quality level from us. This is very good in the industry.

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Affordable Excellence BRAVIA HDTVs represent outstanding performance from the top of the line right down to where it all starts - M-Series. M-Series HDTVs have just the right amount of features, style and performance to make them a great entry level choice. It starts with the 16:9 high definition LCD display panel including a fast panel response time and excellent 178° wide viewing angles. The 3D comb filter reduces dot crawl and color imperfections for fine picture detail, The right connections to enable connection of the latest video sources. And then there's that famous BRAVIA style. A rich-looking space saving black cabinet wraps around the bottom mounted speakers and is accented by silver trim and mounted to the included silver pedestal. Now just about anyone can afford a BRAVIA HDTV!

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Sony® Blu-ray DiscTM Player BDP-BX2 Review

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(More customer reviews)Outstanding quality. This blu-ray player produces a top quality picture. Setup was painless. However, if you like to add all devices to your cable box remote control, I could not get it to recognize this player. I tried all the Sony codes in the manual and then tried the learn process and the cable remote could not operate this player. Not a deal breaker but an annoyance. This player has BD Live which allows for firmware updates over your network but has to be hard wired. It has no wireless capabilty. It does not have some of the newer network features such as Net Flix, You-Tube, Pandora, etc. But with BD Live, maybe these capabilities will be added in future firmware updates. My unit arrived with .006 firmware version. Web site review indicated that version .007 was the latest firmware available. I called Sony for the .007 firmward disc and they sent it free of charge and it arrived in 4 days. Great service from Sony. There is a Quick Start option that I selected so I find this player to be very fast from disc insert to start of movie.
Bottom line: If you are looking for a top quality Blu-Ray player, you can't go wrong with this one. And the firmware can be updated as newer versions come available. If you want the latest internet features, they are not offered with this model. I would highly recommend this player.

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Enjoy Blu-ray DiscTM movies in Full HD 1080p quality and upscale your existing DVDs to near high definition with the Sony® BDP-BX2 Blu-ray Disc player.Connect to the Internet and access bonus interactive features on BD-LiveTM enabled Blu-ray Disc movies [external memory (sold separately) is required], and experience stunning, high definition audio with support for enhanced audio formats including Dolby® TrueHD and dts®-HD Master Audio. HDMI cable included. Plays Blu-ray DiscTM movies in Full HD 1080pPlays DVDs and upscales them to near high definition via HDMITMBD-LiveTM ready (requires USB flash memory)Dolby® TrueHD and dts®-HD Master Audio decodingDeep color output and x.v.ColorTM support (HDMITMv1.3)Quick start-up mode (appox. 6 seconds)Xross Media BarTM (XMBTM) based menu systemManage compatible home theater devices with one remoteHDMI cable includedAudio Features: Dolby® : Yes & Dolby® TrueHD bitstream out over HDMITM (V1.3)Dolby® Digital plus Decoding : YesDolby® True HD bitstream output : YesDolby® TrueHD Decoding : YesLPCM : Yes (multi channel decoder): Yes (HDMITM bitstream out)MP3 Playback : Yes (BD-R/RE/DVD+RW/+R/-RW/-R/CD-R,RW)5dts® Decoding : Yesdts® HD bitstream output : Yesdts® Output : Yes, & /DTS®-HD bitstream out over HDMITM (V1.3)"Convenience: Menu Options : XMB® inspired media barA/V Sync : YesBRAVIA® SyncTM : YesBit Rate Indicator (Video) : YesChild Lock : YesEasy Setup : YesFL LED Dimmer Off : YesMulti Disc Resume : NoParental Control : YesQuick Start Mode : YesStartup Screen : YesGeneral:

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Sony HDR-CX110 High Definition Handycam Camcorder (Blue) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was looking to replace my JVC Everio, that had a 60GB hard drive in it. I loved the convenience of the hard drive, since that replaced an older unit I had that used the small tape cartridges. But the prices for the HD capable units are more than I was willing to pay for a camcorder, so looked at the units that just used memory sticks.
I have the Sony DSC-TX1 digital camera and was blown away by its optical quality, and it even took 720p movies which were just insanely clearer than my 1 year old JVC camcorder. That was when I realized I needed to lose the JVC. Almost all the movies I do are of my son, now 6 years old, so the better the quality the happier I would be. Too many artifacts with the low definition JVC, panning was just ugly ugly ugly, and while it had a great response in low light, the picture quality was just not what I wanted considering how good everything else with my TV and still camera.
I was initially going to get the 100 version of this, since it was so insanely cheap for a 1080 capable camcorder, but the bad low light capability put me off, since most of what I record is in my house. And the very low numbers for optical zoom also concerned me. But amazon conveniently puts little links under the initial product listing if there's a new version, so I saw the 110 and the price was good. I did some digging on Sony's site, somewhat confused that the cheap little 100 had 16GB built in but the higher end had none, but when I saw the rest of the specs in comparison, I felt it was a very good unit to give a test run with. My local brick and mortars didn't have it in stock, so I ordered it from Amazon and got the Saturday delivery early on Saturday, plenty of time to charge it up and try it out.
I left all settings at default except for the quality setting. That was easy to find, and the touchscreen on this unit makes it very easy to operate. As with my sony still camera, it has a "user" screen too where you can pin the six most used functions to save you from having to navigate into submenus. I love this feature, as it made my touchscreen still camera so simple and quick to use.
So I did four test movies, all of the same thing (my 6 year old playing with a huge Geotrax set), at all four of the options for 1080p resolution. The camera is smaller than I had expected, very light and fits well in the hand. The only real buttons to deal with in normal operation are the zoom and the start/stop recording, which are placed well despite the small size of the unit. If you want to grab a still as well, which you can do while recording, that button is on top right behind the zoom, so it's easy to get at. So use is great, no problems.
As I said, touch screen menu is great, so changing settings as I went was a piece of cake.
Started with the highest 24Mbps, then the next down (I think it was 17Mbps), then the "default" one they start you out at, 9Mbps, then the lowest. When I was done, I pulled the card out (nice, quick access on the bottom with a great, sturdy, hinged door). Went into my macbook pro just fine, and i started playback.
I have a 13" macbook pro, the aluminum unibody, that I got about four months ago. So new core2 duo processor, nvidia 9400 graphics... And it could not play the highest or second highest quality movies raw... Which told me that they were going to be great on my windows 7 media center. The third and fourth files played, but since the laptop is not a 1080 screen, it didn't look that good. So I went ahead and pulled the memory card out of the laptop, put it in my Dell Zino that runs my beautiful 46" Samsung HDTV, and played them all.
One thing I hadn't realized is that when it creates the files, it creates them in a native bluray playback format, the folder structure and all. So that should make it easy for people who will want to burn to Bluray.
Anyway, on the media center, i played the highest quality one first. And my jaw dropped, and I nearly had to go buy some adult diapers. WOW. That was all I could say or think. WOW. It was just outstanding, WAY better than I had expected. And it's not like I'm so unfamiliar with HD that even bad HD was impressive to me - my first HDTV was purchased back in 1999, a huge 60" Mitsubishi diamond line TV. So I've been using HD for over 10 years now. And this just knocked my socks off.
I had nearly no artifacting or blurring or anything with the movement of the camera as I've come to expect from camcorders. Even the blurring was minimal. And the shots of things were just crystal clear. I had a 1080p version of the movie BOLT running on the TV as he played with his geotrax, so I zoomed in so that filled the viewfinder, and recorded some of the movie. During playback at that scene, I couldn't even tell it wasn't the original playing back, that it was a recording of the TV from earlier, it was that clear.
I was indoors, in Wisconsin on a winter day with snow falling, so there was no direct sunlight, just all clouds. Only one window's curtains open, and no lights turned on inside. And the clarity and lighting was excellent. Every bit I could hope for.
So I tried the next down quality, and it blew me away. As did the third and then the lowest quality. All looked stunning. When I got down to the lowest, I could see some difference between it and the highest, but for what I was, and will be, shooting (my son), I think I'll end up using the default third lowest setting because it was still jaw droppingly good on my HDTV.
I got the 16GB card since the 32GB card was still in the three digit price range, and i have a habit of transferring the files to my computer as soon as I'm done shooting anyway. And at the third quality setting, the default 9Mbps one, a 25 minute clip used just 1.9GB, so I should get about 3 1/2 hours on this card at this rate, so I'll not have to worry about running out of media for my normal use.
The display is crisp and clear, widescreen format, and not cluttered when recording. Response to touch was very good, only once when selecting something from a bottom of a menu did I have to touch it twice, since the first didn't register. Didn't take any pressure to get it to see my pressing.
The still picture while shooting video worked easily enough, but they're not great quality, so it won't replace your digital camera if you have a good one. But it may give you a decent still shot of something you would have missed otherwise...
All in all, this is waaaayyyyy better than I had expected, and more than I had even hoped for. 100% satisfied with the unit.
I can't attest to battery usage yet, since I have only had it for five hours, and only ran about 40 or 45 minutes of recording through it so far. In a few days I'll pop back in here and edit this with the results I've seen with regards to the battery life, since this is evidently the first review of this model.

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Capture stunning 1920 x 1080 Full HD video and 3.0 Megapixel images with the ultra-compact HDR-CX110, which features an "Exmor R" CMOS sensor for superior low-light performance and a Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* 25x optical zoom lens to help bring you closer to the action.

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Sony Bravia XBR KDL-52XBR4 52-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)I don't usually write alot of reviews, but I did a lot of research for this tv purchase. We were upgrading our family room tv from a 35in 720p toshiba tv. We were looking at the 52 inch mark, plasma vs lcd. In a quick review make sure you consider what room you will be placing your new tv into. You are about to spend big bucks make sure you are honest about where these tvs are going or you will be unhappy!
First Plasma vs LCD (This comes from my reading again at higher end plasma vs lcd at the $3000-4000 range 52in-61in)
Plasma
Good
-Clearly plasma edges lcd in contrast. If you are looking for the truest blacks plasma wins hands down
-Long life 80000+ viewing hours
-Some people complain of motion artifact in lcds. The "triple football" effect. Plasma does not seem to have this problem.
-Clearly cheaper than lcd at the 46in+ mark, Significantly cheaper if looking at the 60+ inch
Bad
-Heavy (don't think you are going to mount this baby on the wall yourself
-Screen reflection (Must be in a room with low light to no light to really enjoy) Great for dedicated movie room ...family room with windows not so much.
-Burn in for gamers---I think they are working on this but don't take a chance
LCDs
Good
Maybe not the best for true black, but truly excellent. You won't know unless you are a cnet reviewer.
Light- you can move this with your significant other
No chance of burn in
New 120hz refresh has made ghosting football effect no longer an issue
Now have big computer screen if you want to hook up a pc
No reflection from screen. Works well in rooms with light
Bad
If you are looking at 60+inch tv's the price is crazy for lcd--- go get a plasma or direct view
Not the truest of blacks if you must have the truest of true
Ok so that being said the sony xbr seemed like it fit the bill for me. I needed ~52inch, has to go in family room, must work with xbox/playstation. I also watch lots of football so I had to take that into consideration.
Armed with this I went out looking at tv's. LCD overall fit what I was looking for and as I said unless you are making a dedicated movie room go with lcd. As a note sony believes in lcd tech so much they stopped making plasma screens! Don't know if this is all that but sony usually knows their business.
So going out looking at 52 inch lcds you will run into a few choices---
Sony, Samsung, Toshiba, and Sharp.
Quickly I will note that toshiba and sharp are on the lower end. Less contrast, less hdmi inputs etc...however are usually less money! So be sure to look, but overall the samsung and sony tvs are far superior for a few hundred extra. So if you are reading this you are clearly looking at the xbr sonys. It really came down for me to Sony xbr4 vs the Samsung 71 series. These are really close or even almost the same tvs. The sony xbr4 has 3hdmi, 1:13000 contrast, and 120hz. The samsung 71 also 3hdmi, 120hz, but 1-25000 contrast. The contrast generally considered the amount of true black from the screen. Overall I would say that gave the edge to the samsung and if you read reviews you will see people raving about the samsung vs the sony xbr. However! and this is a big however! Samsung coats their lcd's with a coating that does have a moderate amount of reflection. I have no idea why as this killed it for me. And I am serious that you need to think about the lights in your room. If you have any windows or lights if front of the tv that is what you will be seeing in a plasma or samsung. It will drive you nuts! There is no NO reflection from the xbr4. So ultimately I purchased the xbr4 from amazon. The picture is amazing from my hd tivo to bluray, hd dvd, and standard is well standard. Although numbers say the samsung is better in the real world you will not notice the difference. So I am happy to say this is a five star tv.
Also of note:
Sony offers the xbr5 version of this tv. $400 for a piano gloss black rim. Not worth it to me for plastic.
Samsung also offers an 81 series, with 1:500000, and increased backlights. They are about 1G more than the 71 series and xbrs and if you are looking at high end plasmas, I would take a look at these too. However, same reflective coat.
Decide this isn't for you and want to go plasma... Well I looked at that too. Stick to Panasonic and Pioneer and you can't go wrong. Pioneer kuros hands down the best plasma to date!!!!
Good luck
PS-----I didn't have any problems with amazon white glove. TV was purfect. I was called and two guys unpacked with no problem, even helped move the other tv.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony Bravia XBR KDL-52XBR4 52-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

The Sony BRAVIA XBR KDL-52XBR4 52-inch 1080p LCD Flat Panel HDTV continues Sony's tradition of making outstanding televisions, and with a 52-inch screen, you'll be the envy of all your neighbors. Sony does not hold back with any technologies, and the XBR series is its flagship line--so with the XBR, you know you'll get the best quality home theater experience available.
Top-Notch Video Performance The XBR KDL-52XBR4 is a 1080p television with a full 1920 x 1080 resolution, the highest resolution available for the sharpest, clearest picture. The KDL-52XBR uses the most recent HDMI 1.3 interface, which houses both audio and video signals in one connector and has the bandwidth to support the data needed for the high resolution. Sony's Bravia Engine Pro Full Digital Video Processor upconverts all video signals to 1080p so you can watch all your old DVDs on this glorious display.
Sony complements the high resolution with the latest technology in color reproduction. The KDL-52XBR is a 10-bit display with 10-bit processing. Most panels are only 8-bit. The added bit depth here means a larger color palette for more faithful color reproduction and smoother transitions from one color to the next. Additionally, the display also supports the new x.v.Color standard, which dramatically increases the available color space. The end result is a picture that is so detailed, colorful, and vibrant, you'd have a hard time distinguishing it from real life.
The KDL-52XBR4 features Sony's Motionflow technology, which automatically adjusts for and applies the proper processing for optimal motion reproduction depending on the video input. This includes support for 24 frames per second (24p) video, which displays video content at the 24-frames-per-second rate at which it was originally filmed or recorded. With 24p, you get the most faithful possible reproduction of the original.
A Wide Variety of Inputs This Sony television's wide variety of inputs ensures compatibility with your other home theater components. There are three HDMI connections for Blu-Ray, HD DVD, and other technologies requiring the high bandwidth, and two component video inputs, three composite video inputs, one S-Video input, one PC Audio and Video input, and five analog audio inputs. Even with a collection of legacy components, you shouldn't have a problem connecting to the KDL-52XBR4.
Stunning Looks The KDL-52XBR4 not only displays stunning video but is itself a head-turner. It features Sony's unique floating glass frame along with a black bezel that can be interchanged with optional color bezels to match the display to your decor.
Outstanding Ergonomics and Simplicity of Control Sony's Xross Media Bar interface is an award-winning, intuitive on-screen display that makes setup a breeze, with menus and controls logically laid out for quick access. The KDL-52XBR4 also features Theatre Sync technology, based on the HDMI-CEC standard, which means you can easily connect to and control compatible devices. For example, when the KDL-52XBR4 is connected to a compatible DVD player, you can turn on both the DVD player and the television and start playing a DVD with a single push of a button on the remote. When you're done, another push of a button powers everything down. With Theatre Sync, you can spend time enjoying the movie rather than waste time setting everything up.
More Than Just a Television Because more and more people expect to view photos on their HDTVs, Sony developed a Photo TV HD mode that optimally sets the sharpness, gradation, and color to make digital photos look like printed photography.
The KDL-52XBR4 is backed by a 1-year limited warranty for parts and labor.
What's in the Box KDL-52XBR4 52-inch LCD flat panel HDTV, remote control, 2 AA batteries, AC power cord, operating instructions, quick setup guide, warranty card, table top stand, and support strap.

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Sony Bravia S-Series KDL-40S4100 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a remarkable TV for the money, with a great picure and resolution up to 1080p (P for progressive scan -- 1080 lines of resolution with no interlace), and also support for 24 frames-per-second movie playback with Blu-ray high definition DVDs.
Setting up is straightfoward -- you set up the stand where you want it, lift the TV onto it, and tighten 4 screws. It can also be wall mounted. On the back are the large range of inputs: three HDMI, two component, one S-Video, two standard video (RCA jacks) and one VGA port. You can guarantee that whatever you have, you'll be able to connect it to this TV.
The best quality of output and convenience comes from HDMI connections (order some low cost HDMI cables from Amazon; my local stores wanted $50-$179!) A Blu-ray DVD player connected to the TV via HDMI delivers outstanding picture quality at 1080p, with amazing detail. It's so good, in fact, that I found myself noticing film grain more often -- you can practically count the grains!
This TV supports 24 frames-per-second ("24p" in the jargon), which matches the screen refresh rate to that used in movies. The visible difference shows up in shots where the camera pans (moves parallel to the scene). With regular TV playback, panning makes the scene blurry and you can't see much detail because extra "interpolated" frames are inserted to match the TV frame rate. Panning shots in "Casino Royale" blu-ray DVD were clear at 24p, revealing some visual jokes I missed before (e.g. the Richard Branson cameo at airport security). For movies like The Bourne Ultimatum with lots of camera movement, 24p makes the whole movie clearer.
Screen contrast of the TV is also very good. Blacks appear black, color is not overdone (though there is a "vivid" setting if you want to boost saturation). Lower resolution sources at 480i look pretty good -- they are upscaled nicely by the TV. Connecting a Wii with the standard video cables worked fine and produced a good picture.
For HDTV sources, this TV does excellent noise reduction and yet still delivers crisp detail and good color. This is where other LCD TVs fall down, and Sony really has done a great job with the Bravia engine.
Sound from the internal speakers is very good indeed, with dialogue particularly clear. Home theater speakers are better, but then that's true for any TV.
I am very happy with my purchase -- the TV has a stellar set of features at a great price versus more expensive versions with more bells and whistles... which I don't need. It is not the cheapest LCD TV in the 40" size, but the picture quality and number of source inputs sets it apart.


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Ready for full 1080p HDTV?Sony's KDL-40S4100 is your affordable solution, and comes fully-loaded with 24p compatability for smooth playback of filmed content, and a wide variety of HD inputs (3 HDMI™, 2 component inputs, and a PC input) so you can connect it to a Sony Playstation, Blu-ray Disc™ player, and up to four more HD-enabled devices. Now you'll be able to watch all your favorite movies, sports, and games with the pristine picture and vibrant sound that you would expect from a Sony, at a price point that is as surprising as the quality.

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Sony KDF-55XS955 55-Inch HD-Ready LCD Projection Television Review

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(More customer reviews)I've had this TV for about 2 months now. I've connected an HDTV cable box via HDMI, progressive DVD player via component input and TIVO through S-video. So far the TV has performed extremely well, no problems to report. I've also been very impressed with the sound this TV produces. It's so good that I don't normally bother to run normal TV through my AV receiver.
Standard definition looks better than I expected for both straight cable broadcasts and through the TIVO recorded on medium quality. DVD look very good, but the true HDTV sources really shine with this TV - the Olympics were amazing!
The display is bright enough that I actually watch it with the bulb in "reduced" mode (even in the day) to extend the bulb life.
I've had no problems, and as suggested for anything projection systems I've got the TV hooked up to a UPS in case of power failure, and I did spring for an extended warrantee with bulb replacement.

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Go for gold with Sony's stellar, 55-inch KDF-55XS955 rear-projection LCD television. The big-screen, flat-panel set delivers standard and full-fledged HDTV reception right out of the box through its integrated NTSC and ATSC (HDTV) tuners. It also offers digital cable readiness with a CableCARD slot and the latest digital-video interface, HDMI. Weighing a mere 105 pounds and standing just 19 inches deep, the set also offers maximum image with minimal space investment.The set's 1,366 x 788 liquid-crystal display frees you from having to make convergence adjustments or having to worry about image burn-in. Instead you get incredible detail (more than 3 million pixels), high contrast, and even, corner-to-corner brightness from the set's user-replaceable 132-watt UHP (ultra high pressure) lamp.The screen features a wide, 16:9 aspect ratio to match the dimension of most movies and HDTV broadcasts, and the KDF-55XS955 offers compatibility with standard-definition 480i, enhanced-definition 480p, and high-definition 720p and 1080i signals.Sony's CineMotion 3:2 pulldown detection and reversal is a handy feature for watching progressive-scan movie programs in their native 24-frame format. Digital video mastering introduces a common distortion when adjusting 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this distortion, removing the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture.The set's WEGA Engine system maximizes picture performance from any video source by minimizing the number of digital-to-analog conversion processes. This full digital processing engine includes Sony's MID-X (Multi Image Driver), which maintains the integrity of a converted signal by minimizing image loss in the scaling process; and a proprietary optical engine, which employs a trio of Sony's wide-XGA, high-resolution LCD panels, 1 for each of the RGB signals (resulting in a total of 3.28 million dots of resolution).The optical engine also features a special 11-element lens system responsible for the lightweight, ultra-slim cabinet. The lens system bends the light path, creating an ultra-short focal point while maintaining high brightness. This proprietary system delivers vivid images from the center of the screen all the way to the edges.This XS Series Grand WEGA television offers advanced menu functions that are typically found only in service menus: gamma correction (bright and dark balancing), black correction (enhances contrast), white balance (fine-tunes white intensity), detail enhancement (sharpens the picture), and clear white (emphasizes whites).The set includes numerous other features.
TwinView PIP (picture-in-picture) lets you view any 2 sources simultaneously, even at different image resolutions, while the built-in Memory Stick media slot offers ready display of both JPEG images and MPEG-1 video.
A Memory Stick media slot (compatible with Memory Stick Pro and Memory Stick Duo media) grants convenient viewing of JPEG and MPEG-1 files. It can also display customized slide shows using MP3 files for background music.
Authorized CableCARD ability means the set will receive digital cable television systems services directly from the cable operator without requiring a bulky, external cable box.
Live Color is an innovative circuit that emphasizes blues and greens without affecting reds for a more natural, vivid picture. Choose from 3 enhancement levels (high, medium, low) or "off."
Sony's exclusive S-Master 1-bit digital amplifier produces 5 watts per channel (x 2), pumping an additional 20 watts into a built-in subwoofer for rich, full-bodied sound from movies and music.
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface to link the set with any audio/video source (such as a set-top box, DVD player, or AV receiver).What's in the Box TV, remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, and warranty/registration information.

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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1/L 10MP "Exmor R" CMOS Digital Camera with 3-inch Touch-Screen LCD (Blue) Review

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(More customer reviews)It was probably a month or two ago that I saw some press releases on a new point and shoot Sony had coming out, the WX1, which intrigued me. Like a lot of photo enthusiasts, while a DSLR is the weapon of choice, the elusive holy grail seems to be a small point and shoot camera that can slip in your pocket so you can be packing at all times, yet would still take good looking photos that are not so riddled with noise (a problem almost always plaguing point and shoots because of their small sensors) that they look like your tv screen when the test pattern has gone off. As the old adage goes, the best camera is the one you have on you when you need it and a DSLR is a little tough to integrate into your daily accessories.
So in evaluating this camera, perspective is required. This is not the camera you would go to for your best work. It is not the same package of everything you have with your DSLR and collection of lenses shrunk down to something the size of a couple of packs of gum. It is a tiny point and shoot camera that easily slips into your pocket with room to spare that does way better than the average point and shoot. In other words, it's a top performer for the junior varsity but its not ready to hang with the varsity.
Here's the reasons I wanted one:
1. I wanted a small camera I could keep in my pocket for daily use. What a lot of photographers call a "street shooter", something you can pull out and use to grab shots of whatever you happen to run into during your day.
This camera is certainly small. I've seen a few people refer to it as "chunky" and they must consider Ellen Page to be fat. This is tiny. I was surprised at how small the box it came in was, and even more surprised when I found the camera in the small box. My first impression was it wasn't much bigger than one of those old minolta spy cameras. My previous point and shoot camera was the Sony W300, which most people considered slim and stylish, and this camera is smaller in all respects than that. Side by side the WX1 seems slight smaller than the W300, but looking at it alone it looks like a tiny toy camera. I gave the W300 to my wife, and when she caught a view of the WX1 her reaction was "But yours is so much smaller." She was thrilled when I gave her the W300 but now has taken to calling it a hand me down. I went from hero to goat. As they say, size matters.
2. Stealth factor - I wanted a camera that I could sneak into places that don't allow cameras.
You could drop this baby into the front pocket of your levis and still have room for a decent game of pocket pool. I can easily get it, a wallet and even a cell phone all in the front pocket of my jeans. Alone in the pocket, it scarcely makes even a bump that a security guard might notice.
3. Low light capabilities - I dislike using a flash and wanted something that could take good pictures in natural light, and could function well in dark places.
The low light capabilities of this camera are astonishing. The camera can basically see better in the dark then you can. Lots of the pictures I took in dark rooms look way more illuminated in the photos then they were in reality.
Because it seemed to be everything I had been searching for in a point and shoot, I went ahead and ordered this as soon as Amazon had them available. Because they were not yet widely available, there were no hands on reviews by the usual photography sites and blogs. While waiting to get the camera, I would check Amazon every day to see if anyone who had actually used the camera had put up any reviews yet. The initial few reviews were alarming. People who said they wanted to love the camera didn't. The gist of their complaints seemed to be that the camera took good pictures in low light (although a few didn't even agree with that) and crappy pictures in good light. Sample photos that people began posting on Flickr also didn't look too hot. Because of this I regretted ordering the camera so quickly and almost just sent it back to Amazon without even opening the box.
I decided to try it for myself before deciding whether to send it back, and found it to be much better than the initial reviews had painted it (and subsequent reviews on Amazon now seem to be swinging towards the positive).
I do have to agree that a lot of the shots I've taken outdoors in bright sunlight seem a little overexposed and dull, but I've also had this problem with my Canon DSLRs when set on automatic. In any case, I've found that with the WX1, all you have to do is open the photo in Photoshop and click "Auto Contrast" and the problem is instantly corrected. A reviewer on Amazon has also noted that you can get more vivid, warm outdoors photos from the WX1 by using the Program mode and moving the White Balance setting from Auto to Flash. I tried this, and with the White Balance set to Flash the pictures basically look the same out of the camera as they do after I've run them through Photoshop and hit Auto Contrast. Another user mentioned in some of his posts that turning off the DRO in the menu greatly improves outdoor photos.
The argument that most people just want nice looking snapshots right out of the camera and don't want to mess with Photoshop is valid, but those are probably not the people who are going to be interested in this camera anyway. The camera's not cheap and those people would be very happy with the snapshots they could get with an inexpensive entry level point and shoot.
In any event, after a couple of weeks with the camera, my recommendation for everyday daylight shots is not to use the Intelligent Auto mode, but rather put the camera in the "P" or program mode. This will allow you to fix the ISO at 160, which is fine 90% of the time. Decrease the EV setting by .07. Most shots will now come out great. If you want warmer colors put the white balance on Flash, or increase the saturation a little after the fact in Photoshop. As noted above, turning off the DRO also seems to help.
As for claims that the WX1 photos come out noisy, I don't agree. Even the low light pictures don't seem to have a noise problem. This is not to say they are DSLR quality, but they don't look bad at all for a point and shoot.
Other positives:
4. A nice 24mm wide angle lens, which lets you get very close to things and is also great for cramped indoor settings, buildings and landscapes. Speaking of getting close to things, the macro feature springs into gear automatically when you stick the camera within an inch or two of an object.
5. Fast on, little lag time between shots unless you're using the Burst, Panoramic, Anti-Blur or hand held Twilight modes which take a little time to process.
6. HD Video. I never really use this but nice to have in case I ever catch the You Tube bug.
7. Panoramic mode. In this mode simply press the shutter and sweep your arm and the camera creates a panorama all by itself. You don't have to take a bunch of single shots and try to stitch them together later with a photo program. The only drawback is that it sets the exposure for the area you start, which can make it difficult to get a good one in uneven lighting.
8. Battery life seems pretty good.
So what's not to like about this camera?
1. No manual controls.
The W300 had full manual controls, and I wonder why Sony couldn't have included them here and really made this a top of the line point and shoot. Many serious amateur photographers who would otherwise love this camera won't even consider it because it doesn't allow them the ability to manually control aperture, shutter speed, etc. This, along with the lack of RAW capabilities, will probably keep this camera from competing with the Panasonic LX3 and upcoming Canon S90.
As note above, there is a limited work around. Using the Program (as opposed to Automatic) Mode allows you to set the ISO between 160 and 3200, which will force the camera to use a slower or faster shutter speed. You should note that if the DRO is on, you can't use a ISO higher than 800. Turn it off if you want to go higher. You can also put the camera in High ISO mode, which allows for faster shutter speed.
Canon's soon to be released S90 seems to have become the great new hope for shutterbugs longing for a small point and shoot that takes great low light photos instead of the WX1, primarily because it not only also has a fast lens and improved sensor, but also manual controls and raw capabilities.
2. No viewfinder.
I read somewhere this morning that 25% - soon to be a third - of the population are aging baby boomers. If they're anything like me, they have a hard time reading a restaurant menu in dim light, or for that matter anything else a few feet from their face without reading glasses. Translated to small point and shoot cameras, it's almost impossible for an older pair of eyes to clearly see what's on a 2.7 or 3 inch LCD screen on the back of camera, even if bright sun isn't washing out the screen. Most of the time with the WX1 I really can't make out what's on the screen, because to me its all out of focus (the problem is my eyes, not the camera). I just have to sort of aim the camera in the direction I want and estimate the framing and have faith. The W300 had a viewfinder, which was why I bought it. Sure wish this one did too, even if they had to make the camera a little bigger.
3. Mediocre zoom.
The WX1 has a 5x zoom, which would seem to be better than the standard 3x zoom found on a typical point and shoot. In practice, because this camera has such a wide angle lens to start with, zooming out 5x doesn't seem to get you any closer than a 3x zoom on a point and shoot without a wide...Read more›

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The TX1 features a 10.2 megapixel 1/2.4-Inch Exmor R CMOS image sensor that delivers fast speed, high resolution, and twice the low-light sensitivity of traditional CMOS sensors, resulting in outstanding image clarity and drastically reduced noise. Get up close to your subject with the Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens featuring a 4x telescopic zoom for distant subjects and Close Focus mode for close-ups up to just under ½-Inch from the subject.

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