mcoffman38's Full Review: Sony Bravia KDL-40Z4100 40 in. TV
Ok, before I begin this review I just want to add a disclaimer. I love cool electronics but I am not technical enough to be able to really write a technical review - I will try my best.
I have owned this Tv for around 2 weeks now. It was purchased at Sears for $1299. The day after I purchased it Best Buy had it on sale for $1199 so that is about the lowest price I have seen. I purchased the tv, they loaded it in my car (it fit in my Honda Accord - one of the salesman noted that Sony always had the smallest boxes) and I drove it home.
I am using this tv with an amplified antenna and at this time it is only hooked up to my stereo for sound and a Sony VCR/DVD combo. I did try using it with an XBox but had some problems and returned the box (I think there is a problem with XBOX and Vista - it had nothing to do with the tv)
The picture is wonderful! The channels that broadcast in Hd are........breathtaking. I was watching ice skating yesterday and it was a though they were in my living room.
The tv boasts all the usual connections. So far I am just using the basic ones. I am going to copy/paste this from the Sony site:
2 x composite video/audio input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - rear | 1 x composite video/audio input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - side | 1 x S-Video input ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - rear | 2 x component video input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - rear | 3 x HDMI input ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) - rear | 1 x HDMI input ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) - side | 1 x VGA input ( 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) ) - rear | 1 x audio line-in ( mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ) - rear | 3 x audio line-in ( RCA phono x 2 ) - rear | 1 x audio line-out ( RCA phono x 2 ) - rear | 1 x digital audio output (optical) ( TOSLINK ) - rear | 1 x headphones ( mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ) - side | 1 x serial - rear
Basically, any connection you might need is there. I was originally told that the TV could be connected to a computer (like a media center extender) but this is not the case. The DNLA is kinda worthless, imho - I am considering getting an inexpensive desktop with Media Center to run this tv. This tv does have the connection so that it could be used like a computer monitor.
The speakers are quite good. There are two and the TV also supports S-Force Surround Sound. What I am finding with this tv is that the sound with the speakers is actually better (!) then the sound when run thru my stereo.
I read reviews that said this remote is complicated and I cant really say I find that to be the case. The remote is almost exactly like the remote for my old Toshiba Tv, you select your inputs, select your screen size etc. The remote is meant to also work with my VCR/DVD and it does - the only thing it cant do is switch from VCR to DVD so that has to be done manually or with the other remote.
The tv has a combo analog and ATSC digital tuner. My experience with this tuner is that it pulls in signals that my little digital tv in the bedroom cannot and they are connected to the same antenna. I am really pleased with the tuner on this tv.
The onscreen guide is a big plus. I was impressed that my tv is not connected to any kind of tv or internet and the guide is still able to have accurate listings. It makes it really easy to find your channel - open the guide and select your program - click on it and the tv goes to that program. It only shows the channels that my tv gets (so no wasting my time looking at stuff I cannot watch) and gives a synopsis of the programs as well - very cool.
This tv boasts componant, SVideo, Hdmi and composite connections. One thing I like to do is stream tv with my laptop and run it thru my tv with an SVideo cable - I have not yet tried that but I am sure it will work. There is also a way to connect a Flashdrive to the tv to update any programming and also to show slide shows and such on the tv.
According to some reviews I have read the Z series of Sony are good if you like to watch sports as they support quick changing of the screen and quick action. This is a 120 hz tv.
I apologize again if this review is not really technical - What I think the average person needs to know is that this tv was able to be transported in a car and then set up by a person. Very easy set up and the picture is wonderful. It has basically all your bells and whistles, picture and picture, guide etc. etc. and is the second to the top of the line for Sony Bravia (one step down from the XBR) The remote was easy for me to understand and controls my DVD/VCR as well as my tv. The tuner pulls in channels better then other tv's in my house and the sound is better then my stereo. Really a fantastic tv.
Right now, this tv is coming down in price and can be found for a low of $1199. It used to be over 2 grand so now is a great time to get a good deal on this high end tv. I have had no problems with this tv whatsoever.
The Sony KDL-40Z4100/B is a 40" BRAVIA Z-Series Flat-Panel HDTV LCD Television. With a remarkably slim bezel design, Motionflow 120Hz for the reproduc...More at Sears
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