A Great HDTV at a Very Attractive Price
Written: Dec 14 '08 (Updated Mar 23 '09)
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Pros: A lovely picture and excellent sound in a very attractive HDTV.
Cons: A rather unwieldy remote control which lacks a backlight.
The Bottom Line: A terrific HDTV which will keep me loyal to Sony Bravia when I shop for a larger (screen-size) TV set.
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| fashfoto's Full Review: Sony BRAVIA KDL-32L4000 32 in. HDTV TV |
Here we are in the midst of a major recession and, all of a sudden, I get an unexpected check.
So, even-though, I've been enjoying digital TV (not HDTV) on my ten-plus, years old RCA 27" set using an excellent Zenith Digital Converter box, I figured I'd go out and help the economy by purchasing a flat-panel, digital, HDTV set.
I first checked prices on the Internet. I compared prices at ABT, Best Buy, Circuit City and Walmart. I chose to go to Best Buy because they also had the best price on a floor scrubber, which was my real priority. Then, I walked down an isle of TVs and saw this Sony Bravia KDL32L4000 which, in my opinion, had the best picture; great tones, neither overly contrasty nor garish in its colors.
However, it looked quite expensive and it was the only TV set on display lacking a price tag. When I learned from a salesman that it was (only) $585, I bought it. I brought the set home (and the floor scrubber, too).
I opened the box, reaching down deep to lift the TV from underneath as indicated in the instructions. The set weighs about 30 pounds but, I'm a bit weak (72 years old and don't do enough exercise). I was carefully juggling the set in order to slide it onto its base (TV stand). Aside from my nearly falling over with the set the most challenging part was to attach the three screws through holes in the base to the TV set. The problem is that the holes have a deep recess and short of a magnetic screwdriver (assuming that the screws, too, are magnetic), the screws seemed to be impossible to fit into the screw holes.
Ah, but my having been a photographer, I had a can of Tacki-Wax on hand. I was able to apply a bit of the wax to the tip of the Phillips-head screwdriver which, then, was able to hold the screw(s) allowing me to place each into position and tighten it. It's good to know that the TV set balances perfectly on the base so that the screws merely secure it to the base.
Once the set was attached to the base and positioned for viewing, I attached an antenna and plugged in the set. With remote (batteries included) in-hand, the set auto-tuned to the local channels.
That is, except for channel 2.1 (CBS' digital channel). I am able to tune to channel 2 (CBS' analogue channel) but cannot get channel 2.1. Though tuning to CBS in Chicago has (forever, it seems) been problematic, I had no trouble receiving it on my old RCA set using a Zenith Digital Converter.
Note: Time from opening the box and setting-up till viewing HDTV programs is about 30 to 40 minutes (it depends on how long you struggle with those three screws).
General Impressions (Picture & Sound)
The Sony Bravia KDL32L4000 is designated as a high-definition (720p), digital TV. The picture looks appropriate to the input source for the picture: excellent in 720p or 1080p (16:9, 1280x768); quite good in non-HD (4:3, 800x600; the picture is above average but the detail is not quite as crisp). The built in speaker(s) give a good clean sound with all the volume you may want and with no discernible distortion.
Inputs and Outputs
Analog Audio Input(s): 5
Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr ) Inputs: 2
Composite Video Inputs: 2
Digital Audio Output(s): Optical Digital Output: 1
RF Connection Input: 1
S-Video Input: 1
PC Audio Input: 1
PC Video Input: 1
HDMI Connections: 2
HDMI Connection (w/ Analog Audio In): 1
Audio Out: 1
The Remote
Though the remote has several of the Menu (TV setup) choices, making it more convenient to change Picture Mode attributes as well as to display channel information and set a sleep timer (15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes or Off), I feel the design is a bit unwieldy for one-handed operation, unless, that is, you play Flamenco guitar and are used to fast and nimble fingering. Too, the remote is not backlit (nor front-lit, for that matter) relying, rather on a tiny nib placed on the number 5 button and one on the channel (+/-) rocker switch to be used as reference points.
There is a good set of controls available on the TV set itself (located at the front and the top of the TV).
The Menu
Available from a button on the remote (also available from a button atop the TV) one has control over a variety of adjustments for: Setup Settings, Picture Setting, Sound Settings, Screen Settings, Channel Settings and Parental Control Settings.
(If you don't have cable: when running Auto Program to have the TV tune to the available channels, be certain to select Cable OFF in the Channel Settings Menu.)
Early in this review, I said the Sony Bravia had the best picture of the sets on display. I subsequently found that the picture can easily be changed from Vivid (enhanced contrast and color, much like the pictures of other sets on display) to Standard (my preference) to Custom (where the user can define his/her own settings).
Summary
I was disappointed that many of the stations I receive don't broadcast a picture that fills the screen. (Many were in the 4:3 ratio; others appeared to be 16:9 but did not fill the screen.) Though it is easy to fill the screen using various Picture Modes (Full, Auto Full), the result is generally not satisfying because of distortion introduced in order to stretch the picture.
Note: Sometimes the same program is available on different channels of the same TV station. (For example, the same programming may show on both channels 11.1 and 11.2 in the 16:9 format.) It is not uncommon for one channel to show the image fitting the entire screen while the other channel shows the identical programming in a smaller version with empty space on all four sides of the TV screen.
In practice, I find, I would prefer to have a larger screen (perhaps a minimum 37 inches). However, from a standpoint of the space I have available, the 32 inch screen is, likely, much more practical. And from a price point-of-view, I probably could not have done much better. I bought the set for $585 at Best Buy. However, a couple days later (just after Thanksgiving Day) the price was reduced to $499. I went back to Best Buy and they refunded the difference.
Another point of interest. When I bought the set, I also bought a "digital" antenna for some thirty dollars. I returned the antenna a couple days later when I found my rabbit ears antenna performed just as well.
Finally, the picture is terrific when I'm receiving a high-definition broadcast and it's above average when I'm receiving an ordinary broadcast. The set is very attractive and easy to setup. I can't imagine that any other (720p) 32 inch set would provide a much improved viewing experience. Aside from the remote control, I'm thrilled with the Sony Bravia KDL32L4000 and am pleased to recommend it as well.
Addendum: MAR 23.09
To this day, I love the picture that I get, It's terrific! The sound is outstanding. And, though, I'm beginning to be able to use the Remote as if I were a Flamenco guitar player, I remain disappointed that the Remote lacks backlighting.
Finally, if you believe this review is less than VERY Helpful, please post a comment and tell me what I might have improved.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 499
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Epinions.com ID:
fashfoto
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Member: Stan Malinowski
Location: Chicago, IL
Reviews written: 54
Trusted by: 8 members
About Me:
Glamour and fashion photographer shot for Playboy and Vogue now snapshoots and loves his dogs.
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