Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony Grand WEGA KF-42WE610 42-Inch HDTV-Ready LCD Rear Projection TV

How can someone say great value for a $2500 television? Well, compared to comparably sized plasma and DLP sets, the 42WE610 is inexpensive.

Cutting to the chase - This set will appeal to you if:
-You desire a very bright screen (this set is BRIGHT!) which can perform even in daylight
-You would like a slim TV (much smaller than CRT, about a foot deep)
-You see rainbows on DLP sets
-You don't have $4000 or more for an HDTV plasma (not EDTV panels which are cheaper)

This set's cons are:
- a somewhat lackluster black level (which can be tweaked very effectively by either professional calibration or online research)
- sporadic reports of problems, which all seem to be resolved as of mid-2004.

Subjectively, I feel this set outperforms plasma screens, as the pixel structure is not as easy to see, and for the brightness levels achievable (wouldn't want to burn in that plasma!).

I also feel it outperforms DLP, because the picture is less noisy and there are no rainbow effects (trails of color on high contrast images caused by the viewer's perception of the color wheel which separates 1-chip DLP white light into colors). DLP has slightly better blacks, but they're very close. In my opinion, the Grand Wega generally produces a picture which is less noisy and more "film-like."

In summary, anyone would be pleased with this set's overall performance. I haven't regretted the purchase once in over a year.

Breathtaking is the only way to describe watching at a nature documentary on this television. I'd admired this model long before it came out on the Sony website, but I became somewhat concerned as I heard reports of initial problems. Finally, after I had several friends who had this tv who hadn't experienced problems, I decided to bite the bullet and get my own. (No, I didn't become friends with them just because they owned my coveted television.) I've been immensely pleased with my purchase. It's just beautiful.

The only thing strange about it is that it (the case?) makes this strange noise on occasion that sounds as if something is expanding or contracting inside.

I have this tv. Apparently the optical engine on this thing goes at the 2 year point. Sony is very aware of the problem. Lucky for me I spent 340 bucks for an extended warantee. I would suggest you do the same. The optical engine costs $1100 to fix. Depending on your timing of when the thing breaks you could be out a tv for a while since this part gets backordered all the time.

I do love the picture on this tv but BUY THE WARANTEE...

I have had this TV for over 4 years and it still preforms like a brand new HDTV! What else do you expect from Sony?? I have been very happy with this TV and I would suggest it to anyone looking to buy a new or used one!!

I hesitated in buying this TV as with all new innovations. However I took a leap of faith and purchased one anyway. It took me 2 weeks to finally find one as every store in my area was completely sold out of them (from 42"-60") & some store are still sold out to this date. That excited me more as I was not the only person who liked this tv. You can make the pictures the same size in PIP mode which makes for an enjoyable viewing experience as I play my xbox and watch my favorite shows. I have do not have HDTV in my area yet but I did hear it's night and day difference. However most cable company's do not offer a lot of HDTV channels, thus the low cost. But I do watch the discovery channel a lot so I will benefit from it.

This tv is HD-ready: Fully capable of high-definition display when connected to an optional HDTV source. Conventional analog TV reception is provided via a built-in NTSC tuner.

Equipment:
TV: Sony Grand WEGA 42" KF42WE610
Video Monster 3: Coax Cable & Component Cable

WARNING, WARNING, WARNING!
Component/Coax wires do affect the quality of your home video experience. The best DVD player connected to the best Plasma/LCD/DLP/LCOS TV will have negative effects on picture quality if you are not using the best grade of Component/DVI/Coax cable. Yes, you will have to shell out more money for theses accessories (in my opinion Monster Cable has proven itself in my house). However, this is the only way to achieve your large screen TV's maximum video performance. It appears that it's not only necessary but simply required! I get mad every time I read negative reviews on this DVD player or my TV when they never invested in high-grade video cables or, their TV is only 480i compatible & not 480p compatible (they can't properly use the DVD player's progressive scan feature). Please check your manual to verify 480p compatibility for your TV, as some are only 480i compatible while others are only 780p to 1080i compatible!!!

Here is a tip to improve picture quality for analog cable/antenna viewers:
Use a A/C powered, 2 port, coaxial, Electroline Drop Amp to improve analog cable
reception. The 18 gauged Satellite coax cable runs from the cable co. to the Electroline Drop Amp in my house. The 1 Meter Monster Video 3 coax cable (gray colored wire) will run from the Electroline Drop Amp to the TV thus improving picture quality.

Features Include:
Improved Contrast
Improved Black Level
High Resolution Panel
Clear Corner Focus
No Flicker
No Phosphor Burning
No Misconvergence
Slim Table Top Design
Increased Longevity
V Chip Parental Control
Sony's Wega Engine™ system maintains picture in the digital
domain
Sony's Optical Engine delivers high-resolution picture
corner-to-corner
3.28 million dots resolution delivers stunning detail and
clarity
Fixed pixel display and constant light eliminate flicker
Slim, lightweight design enhances any décor
Images and MP3''s come to life with Enhanced Memory Stick
media
Expand the life of your TV with easily replaceable lamp
Enjoy outstanding picture quality on HDTV monitor

Video Features:
16:9 Aspect Ratio
High Definition Television Monitor
Three Wide XGA LCD Panels: 3.28 Million Dots resolution
(1386 x 788 x 3)
UHP Lamp (100W)
First Surface Mirror
Cinemotion™ Reverse 3-2 Pull Down Technology
3D Digital Comb Filter
Multi-Image Driver (MID™ X) Circuitry
Flexible Twin-View™ 2-Tuner Picture-and-Picture (HD, NTSC)
Wide Modes (Normal, Full, Zoom, Wide Zoom)
Program Palette™ Presets

Specifications:
A/V Inputs --- Component Video(Y/Pb/Pr) Inputs: 2 Rear (1080i, 720p, 480p, 1480i) Composite Inputs: 1 Front/2 Rear S Video Inputs: 1 Front/2 Rear DVI-HDTV Interface: 1 Rear Audio Inputs: 1 Front/5 Rear Control S Out: 1 Rear
Subwoofer Out: 1 Rear
Power Requirements --- AC 120V 60Hz

Weights and Measures
Approx Dimensions (w/h/d) --- 47 1/4" x 32 1/4" x 14 1/2"
(1201 x 819 x 371 mm)
Approx Weights --- 100 lbs (45 kg)

Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Inputs --- 2 rear (1080i, 720p, 480p, 1480i)
Composite Inputs --- 1 Front/ 2 Rear
S Video Inputs --- 1 Front/ 2 reer
DVI-HDTV Interface --- 1 rear
Audio Inputs --- 1 front/ 5 rear
Control S out --- 1 rear
Subwoofer out --- 1 rear

Summary:
If you own a 32" to a 19" TV the SONY DVP-NS425P is more then adequate. However if you have a TV larger then 32" you needa high-grade component/dvi/coax cable to produce the clarity/color/contrast/hue necessary for a great theater quality picture. Sony does need to move the remote sensor from the upper right corner to the upper center.