Home > Consumer Reviews > Sony KV-30HS420 30-Inch FD Trinitron WEGA HD-Ready Widescreen CRT TV

This is my first tv from Sony, and what a doozy it is! I purchased a HDTV for playing my Xbox and Gamecube in high def. Most games on the market right now support 480p, and some games even support 1080i! Even though only a few games support THAT resolution, my console games look really good in 480p. There is such a big difference in picture quality...it's astounding. The major reason though is that the next gen consoles will support HD as well, with all games running in at least 720p. Can't wait for that.
Cable looks great as well. Channels that are 1080i in widescreen are freaking increadible. Normal channels...so-so. Sometimes they look pretty good, but the picture is a bit on the grainy side.
This is a great HDTV. Even though the price is a bit steep, I think it's well worth it. Remember to buy component cables to watch tv and other devices in high def. Channels that support HD are amazing, and my games are awesome. Get the 34 inch model if you're in a bigger room though.

I've being looking to buy an HDTV widescreen for more than 2 years. I did all the research there is to find out what was the best for the price, reliability and picture quality. I've checked DLP, LCD, Plasma,....CRT is best imo after the plasma. Not that plasma is bad but having to pay $250 for the light bulb every 4000 to 6000 hours! No thanks. And Plasma TV aren't that afortable yet.
I'm a movie freak and a gamer. You have a progressive scan DVD player plus the component cables and you are set. Same thing goes for the PS2, Gamecube or Xbox.
I'd like to keep on with this review but I have some many movies to watch and games to play again right now! All my DVDs are in widescreen format and I'm finally getting to watch them how they are meant to be watched!

Edit: October 19th, 2006
After now almost 2 years, I had to get my TV calibrated mostly because of recommendations to get the the best Picture I could get out of this TV. I regret I didn't do this earlier. The picture was great but now it is just plain fantastic. Red push is gone, overscan corrected, picture Sharper than it was, the Black level is phenomenal, I saw details in movie that I never knew they were there. The overall PQ improved. Dvds running at 720p or 1080i are fantastic thanks to the upconversion of my DVD player.
The only downside of this set I own is the little bowing on the corners. But we all know that CRT set never had and never will have 100% correct geometry.
It doesn't bother me. If you can get it calibrated, do it! You won't regret it.

This is my first HDTV, and compared to friends' sets it is a great value. The best part is how it handles regular programs. It will stretch them out to the widescreen format with no distortion. Oter sets I have seen give people a short fat look.

ok, as another person stated, i've also tried expensive lcd and plasma monitors. same issues...blacks aren't quite black enough...ghosting on fast moving images. i finally took a friend's advice and looked at the 30" wega monitor (didn't need the 34"). wow, words can't describe the incredible picture...blows away the best lcd and plasma monitors. the drawback as others have pointed out is the weight...and i'm sure the electrical costs.

i didn't think to ask a tv repair person for their opinion given today's disposable-by-design market, but i got the advice another person got...the sony wega hd crt screen is probably THE best high definition monitor on the market. sure, lcd/plasma give you the cool factor, but the bottom line is no lcd/plasma monitor can beat the picture quality or cost of a sony wega hd crt monitor.

buy it...marketing hype aside, thes is the intelligent choice.

don montalvo, nyc

When I purchased my Sony TV I had analog cable and the picture was good, but now I have digital TV and the picture is excellent. I can hardly wait till I obtain HD TV chanels.