(These notes are about the new Sony KV-20VS42, which I am sticking in the KV-20VS40 section because they don't have one for the KV-20VS42.)

We needed a TV for a home office and since space was an issue I decided to consider getting a TV/VCR combo unit. Ordinarily I would avoid the "all-in-one" for the obvious reason that if either one of the two components breaks you've killed two components with one stone. On the other hand, when was the last time your TV or VCR broke, especially a Sony? (Question: Why do the sales people spend 15 minutes raving about the quality of the product you are about to buy and then, once you’ve agreed to buy it, implore you to buy a extended warranty for when it breaks?)

TV:
There is not a lot of earth shaking news when it comes to CRT based TV's. The KV-20VS42 comes with a 20" Trinitron Tube and, like all Sony's I've ever owned, produces a clear, crisp picture. Set-up is relatively easy, just take it out of the box, plug it in and program in the channels using the remote. (Note: TV/VCR Combo's are heavy, at least this one is at 55lbs.) One complaint, I don't find the on-screen-programming menu to be particularly intuitive. It may be that I have gotten use to the Mitsubishi menus, but I had to poke around quite a bit to find what I needed. What's worse, I actually had to READ THE MANUAL to figure something out.

SOUND:
As far as I can tell the primary difference KV-20VS42 and the KV-20VM42 is that the former costs more and has stereo sound instead of mono. If simple stereo sound isn't enough to satisfy you the unit includes "Matrix Surround Sound" with simulates a much "bigger" sound. You haven't lived tell you hear surround sound blasting out of those 2" speakers. Another "bell"... (or is this a "whistle") is the "MTS Decoder with DBX® Noise Reduction for Stereo Reception." To be honest, I don't know what that does. Look, it sounds great for a 20" TV but your not going to confuse it for going to the movies. I mention all of this because the stereo version lists for $100 more than the mono version. I got the stereo version because: 1) I thought it would sound better when watching movies, and 2) I wasn't able to do a comparison in the store before buying it. In retrospect I'm not sure I would pay the extra money for the stereo sound. I guess one reason to get the stereo model is if you intend to hook it up to an external receiver or sound system.

VCR:
Nice 4-Head VCR, the quality is good in freeze frame and 2x fast forward. The VCR supports the VCR Plus+ programming system, works great if you have a TV Guide handy.

Nothing else too special. I was a little disappointed that they don't offer a TV/VCR Combo with the WEGA styling. (Flat tube, silver frame). Ironically Toshiba's MV20FK3 looks like they beat Sony to it.





Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 549.00