Sony Bravia LCD Digital Color TV - Model KDL - 32L4000
Written: Sep 07 '08 (Updated Nov 27 '09)
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Pros: The "Sony Bravia" is sleek and stunning in design and exudes quality.
Cons: Familiarization and installation is more involved than a television of lesser quality and technology.
The Bottom Line: Taking into consideration all other competitors in the way of choices in televisions, I would purchase the same.
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| glowfish's Full Review: Sony BRAVIA KDL-32L4000 32 in. HDTV TV |
Purchased at Wal-Mart for $686 (on sale), before tax, the LCD wall-mounting bracket (not manufactured by Sony), also was purchased at Wal-Mart for $54.84, before tax.
Well thought out packaging by the manufacturer is labeled clearly, with side handles cut into the box for ease of handling, and is sturdy. Clearly designed to come out of the box and readily viewed. The control even comes with batteries! The colors are all preset, which affords one time to acquaint oneself with further adjusting, if one so desires. In further use, it would take some time to acquaint oneself with the television while sitting with the owner's manual in-hand. The instructional manual is very descriptive and with diagrams.
Between the LCD and the plasma televisions, the LCD is the one weighing less; therefore, allowing one the wall-hanging capability. The television weighs about 40 - 50 pounds. Additionally, this television comes with a small tabletop stand, in which it could mount and rest, if one has no desire for the wall-hanging option. The tabletop stand weighs about 10 pounds and is 9.5" D x 6" H x 16" W. However, there are preset holes in the back of the television, thus allowing for a wall bracket, furthering hanging from a wall mount. If mounting to a wall bracket and on the wall, then the front of the television extends to 5" from the wall. This television does not come with a wall-mounting bracket, thus the bracket sells separately.
The picture quality is clear with vivid color. One can view the television easily directly from the front or from angles without the picture becoming faded or obscured. Under the front screen, a few controls exist and not seen, unless one looks closely. While the television is on, one can see a faint light under the on and off control, which does not distract from the overall picture.
The television does have some connections on the side tucked away and hidden from readily viewing. These side connections allow for plug-in capabilities without having to access the rear of the television. If one chooses to mount the television on a wall, a good choice would be to a wall bracket that allowed for some sort of outward or upward swing, thus allowing access to some input and output connections located on the rear of the television, such as cable or satellite service.
Tools needed for placing the television on the tabletop stand would be a screwdriver. Tools needed for mounting the television on the wall would be a drill-driver, level, marker - pencil, measuring tape, screwdriver of various lengths, and stud-finder.
Installation is not too easy and does require one with some mechanical ability, technical knowledge, and strength. Placing the television in the base (tabletop stand), which comes with the television is not an easy task. One does have a fair amount of balancing and lifting the television in order to get it on the base and an area of viewing, such as a table, etc. One could lay the television flat on a safe surface, perhaps the Styrofoam packaging while mounting on the tabletop stand. The television is still awkward to handle alone and the base (tabletop stand) adds more weight to the existing weight.
As for trying to mount this television on the wall, it is near to impossible to do it alone. Although with great determination, one could possibly install this, but it would take great fortitude and time. Even if one installed all cables and wall brackets on the television and the wall, one would need another with some muscle to lift the television and place it on the wall bracket.
With great deliberation, the selection of this television was for its overall compactness, great looks, picture quality, smooth lines, and universal usage. In addition, factored into the decision of the final purchase was the name brand of "Sony". The price was very comparable to other brands with the same features and size.
This television is "state of the art" and up with the times in the way of design and technology.
Update:
This set scans for digital channels and airs them on a decimal numbering system. There is a point on the remote allowing for the decimal channel numbering. The television picks up the high definition and high quality channels. There is a mode function on the remote to fix the picture on your screen to best suit your viewing preferences.
Belkin VGA/SVGA-to-VGA/SVGA Cable connects computers to monitors or televisions 17" or larger. This 6' cable has a part number F3H982A06. This is a quality cable, which prevents distortions, ghosting, and shadowing. Belkin does make a number of cables, which fit a multitude of needs. Philips makes a "dubbing cable" that connects computers to monitors and televisions enabling playback or record audio from one device to another. This 6' device has an item number SWA2162W/27. There is a different plug on the back of the set to enable digital dubbing. The 6' cables are good if you situate the computer processor close to the Bravia. Cables do come in different lengths to fit your need.
Television controls (menu>input>volume>channels>power) are located over the top of the set. To the right bottom of the set is a clear panel with faint lights. When in use, the faint lights show timer, standby, power, and Infrared Receiver (IR) from the remote control. In the "Quick Setup Guide", there is a picture insert, which diagrams every possible connection of your television to a variety of devices. According to the "Quick Setup Guide", input/output on the left side of the set is additional plugs enabling cable box and vcr when using a full system of input/output plugs on the back of the set. For cable connecting, recommended is a 75-ohm coaxial cable over a 300-ohm twin lead coaxial cable (signal deterioration).
Sony has supplied an insert to help with setting the television in the base or afixing the television to the wall. The paper insert diagramming the wall mount uses a wall mount, SU-WL500, for the example.
Some Noteworthy Key Features:
+ Color: Satin black
+ Dimensions: 23.1 x 9.6 x 31.9
+ Shipping weight: 39.5
+ 32-inch widescreen LCD (31.5 inches measured diagonally)
+ Delivers 1366 x 768 resolution for high picture quality at 720p
+ Built-in NTSC/ATSC tuner: Receives both analog and digital broadcasts, including over-the-air HDTV broadcasts where available. The tuner can receive conventional analog channels (NTSC) and the new digital channels (ATSC), including over-the-air HDTV broadcasts where available, and unscrambled digital cable channels.
+ 2000:1 dynamic contrast ratio ensures deeper blacks and brighter whites
+ HDMI, component video, S-video, audio and computer connections accommodate DVD players, camcorders, surround sound systems, computers and other gear. Two HDMI inputs and a variety of other inputs make it simple to connect DVD players, camcorders, game consoles, surround-sound systems and even a computer.
+ 20-watt stereo amplifier, two built-in speakers and optical digital audio output furnish stereo audio and an interface for surround sound systems
+ 4 inches deep without the removable pedestal
+ Mounts on a wall with an optional VESA-compatible kit (sold separately)
+ Wireless remote control included with batteries
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 686.00
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Epinions.com ID:
glowfish
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Member: Rose
Location: Saint Augustine, Florida - Saint Johns
Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 0 members
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