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User Submitted Sony KV36XBR450 36" XBR Flat-Screen HDTV Reviews Date: 2010-08-09 This Sony Bridges the gap between SD and HD TV I was looking for an inexpensive solution to view 480P anamorphic widescreen from DVD's in their native resolution. This Sony with its two HI SCAN component video inputs and special compression circuitry displays a very nice pic indeed. (At the time, 2002 era only a few plasma's could match it back then, but the early plasma panel technology was somewhat unreliable) IMHO it wasn't until Pioneer came out with the KURO line of plasma displays that a new successor to the best pic color was realized. Up to that point there was nothing at the same price in the consumer market that could match the pic for the same or lesser price. (Sony had some SRXD RPG displays that looked promising that they were short lived.. I never got to see a side by side comparison against the WEGA CRT vs the SRXD displays) I have had this tv for approx 7 yrs now and have only had it serviced once after I moved..Pic gun alignments had to be re-adjusted to correct some geometry issues...set got bounced around during the move :-O I guess I've been lucky so far cause the tv has not had any power on/off issues. After I lived with it a few years I was able to enjoy anamorphic dvd's at full resolution with the Sonys enhanced 16:9 480p wide mode. (I know you guys are thinking "480p what a low end res.." but I will tell you... it looks pretty darn good on this 36" tube) I have since incorporated the sony into a modest HPTC system and am feeding a component video out from my old AIW 9800PRO thru a denon AVR-5308CI receiver. I also run a dish PVR-722VIP sat receiver, and PIONEER DVD-414 (from 1999 folks) This TV (due to its square pic tube) has the ability to display 4:3 SD, Enhanced def, and 16:9 480i letterbox, 480p uncompressed widescreen formats..1.85:1, 2.35:1 including anamorphic widescreen) The main drawback to running 16:9 widescreen on this set is: - its small size.. a 16:9 screen on this tube is approx a 33" diag pic size to its really too small to get the full impact from a hi def source without being really close to the set. - the glossy glass tube. Shows reflections from bright windows and lights. - Lack of 720p resolution support But don't let these negative aspects overshadow the positives... - excellent black level and color rendition (it ain't xvycc deep color but its pretty damn nice looking anyway) - Rock solid power supply (no blooming on transistions from dark to light scenes like you see on other lesser quality crts; - Flexible display options.. When used with Echostar / Cable digital HD tuner boxes, its really helps in allowing you to select the correct aspect size for the set. (how many of you still are tolerating flat Fat distorted TV images on your widescreens just so you can see the entire screen being used for HD images...) You won't have that issue with this tv... if its SD, output at 480i or 480p and the entire 36 tube is filled with the image... if its HD you can display the full resolution with black bars above and below this image... I don't know why, but the black bars don't bother me nearly as bad as the Gray Bars on the sides when SD content is broadcast over a high def feed) I will not stretch an image just to fit the screen... I'm sorry but I cannot tolerate squished images.. I'd rather see the image cropped and floating in the middle of the screen..as long as the aspect and geometry is right.. but with this set, that is not an issue... due to 4:3 and 480i or 480P mode. Plus the tv 'line-doubles' 480i images to 960i and I'll tell you first hand..its a noticeble set up in image quality with viewed side by side with a non line doubled pic.. just looks smoother to me.. If you have one of these, consider yourself lucky to have owned it. Hopefully you've been able to exploit this sets many features. I'm trying to find a suitable replacement for this TV now that there are alot more HD sources to watch now. its too small by todays standards for HD home theater..(but this set would work great in a bedroom) So far only the Pioneer KURO (no longer manufactured with the original PIONEER PANELS.. now Panny makes the Plasma's but no kickass calibaration circuitry like was on the KURO elites..) or maybe some of the LED based sets... but folks, we are talking 3500 to 6000 dollars here for a replacement. (yikes!) Bottom line, this set was a wonderful bridge technology to help the user get the best out of both HD and SD broadcast and video sources... but alas its finally becomming obsolete... it had a good run... Date: 2009-11-11 Great TV for its age My dad bought this TV in Nov of 2001, had it a few years and gave it to us about 4-5 years ago when he bought another Sony LCD TV and it is still in perfect working condition. We have 2 kids so we use it daily and I'm surprised to read that so many people had problems with the TV going blank. The picture quality is great considering it's old technology. The only downside is that it's such a heavy beast. We are finally biting the bullet and hope to upgrade to LCD TV this Christmas season. I hope our next TV lasts as long as our current Sony. Date: 2009-01-06 What a disappointment I bought this tv in January of 2002 for $3,800 for the tv, the stand and a five year warranty. In December of 2008 the screen went dark. It would not start with the remote. If I disconnect every electrical outlet for several days, it will start up again, but will only last for a couple of days, as long as I don't turn it off. What a huge, huge disappointment from Sony. I was going to buy the 46" sony XBR6 LCD but I am quite afraid that I will experience the same disapointment with longer term use. I am now thinking I will never buy a Sony again, especially after reading about other people's problems with Sony TV's. I think I will buy the Samsung 46" LCD vs. the Sony. Even with the shutoff problem that requires firmware fix. Sony, Shame, Shame, Shame, on you. Date: 2008-12-26 Great Picture...When It Works I guess I should consider myself lucky. My TV lasted 5 years before the problems started. No video but the audio works. It happens randomly. I paid $500 to get it fixed and three months later the problem was back. I beginning to think that Sony bought a faulty component from a 3rd party because I bought a similar sized Samsung HD tube TV for my mother-in-law and after 6 years it's has the exact same problem. Date: 2007-10-22 Sony KV-36XBR450 is Great But has Flaws I've had this television set for about six years now. The picture quality is great, but anyone who has this television knows that it has problems. I have two problems mine; one is that it powers itself off when warm and the other is that the monitor (picture) won't turn on sometimes. My set has been repaired numerous times - I have had the power supply circuit and capacitors replaced. The total cost for all the repairs were about $750. These defects are likely to be engineering design flaws, one in which Sony should have corrected through testing (if they do any at all). The technology in Sony product is great and Sony claims that "we stand by our product" but I have yet to see any of their product lasts in the long run. * Price is subject to change. |
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