I remember when I got my first television for my bedroom. I was 16 years old. The television was a 13 inch Panasonic TV. The thought of viewing television in my own room was one of those “firsts” that will always remain vivid in my memory. I could stay up watching Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert or the Friday Night Music Special with Wolfman Jack. No more sneaking into the living room with the volume so low that I had to blind myself up close in front of the TV. to just hear it!

But those days are long over. So why do I still have a tiny thirteen inch television in the bedroom? It was time to upgrade in a big way. The factor I had to take into consideration was that the television would now be placed about 9 feet across from where it would be viewed. The TV. would have to be large enough to be clearly viewed from that distance.


Off to Sears, my new electronics store of choice due to their reasonable return and exchange policies that the other “chain” electronic superstores are lacking. The T.V. that automatically caught our eyes was the SONY FV-27FS13 Model. This television had a crisp clear view from the moment I saw it. The flat screen made for bright, true and vivid viewing. For those of you in the market for a new 27” television, I will highlight the features that make this a fantastic choice.

And, if my opinion alone is not enough--I just received my new issue of Consumer Reports Magazine and guess what is featured? Televisions. Guess what the Number one of twelve 27” sets reviewed was?--That’s right--The SONY FV-27 FS13 Model.

FLAT SCREEN
This Trinitron Color Television boasts the Flat Screen technology which I can assure you will make your viewing even more enjoyable. There is no curve on the screen, therefore your images look true and vivid.

FRONT AV JACKS
This is a feature you may be interested for the convenience of plugging in your video equipment. There are no hassles in doing so. The front panel has a flip out section that will allow you to insert the jacks with ease.

COMPONENT-VIDEO INPUTS
It is important when making an investment of this type that your TV. is prepared to meet the standards of the upcoming technology. This television will increase its longevity because it is ready to accommodate items like DVD and satellite dishes.

Component Video Inputs are used with equipment that has component outputs such as DVD players
and high-definition satelliteviewers.

It also has S-VIDEO inputs for a video source such as a satellite dish receiver, DVD player or digital camera and offers enhanced picture quality.

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS: On Screen Menus are accessible without the use of remote control right on the front of the television. For anyone who has temporarily lost a remote control, you know how helpful this can be!

COLOR: The color can be "reset" to the manufacturer's settings. This, in my opinion, offers the sharpest and most true to life color. You can, though, also use the menu to adjust the color, brightness, hue and sharpness.

CLOSED CAPTION VIEWING: This model has an easy to read quick moving “subtitle” captions that allow you to read what is being said without the volume being on. Great for those late night viewings without disturbing someone who is sleeping. Also this is a fine feature for the hearing impaired.

TRILINGUAL MENUS
This model will allow you to choose between English, Spanish and French language menus

REMOTE CONTROL
The remote control is a silver color with number, channel and volume buttons that conveniently light up at all times so especially in the dark, you will see the green glow of the buttons.

This Remote gives you access to the on screen menu which is maneuvered with four arrow buttons and a select button. These buttons are clear and easy to activate.

The VCR, CABLE or TV button will light up red when their functions are being used. Also, what I like about this remote control is that the Round Green TV button turns on the TV. with one touch. The cable is turned on by simply going to its green button with one touch. The VCR button will turn on the VCR with one touch. These three green buttons operate their own component and make moving through the three quite easy.

Muting, Sleep Timer, Volume, Universal Code Set, Power, TV/Video, Display are other often used features.

THE ONLY PROBLEM:
The Remote Control has features that only work for the TV., not the cable, so they are basically useless.
For example, the JUMP feature allows you to jump back and forth between two channels. BUT, this is used for the TV, Not the cable. So why would I want to switch back and forth between two TV. channels when the only channel I use on TV. is 3? This should be a cable function, but it unfortunately, is not.
The same holds true for the Favorite Channel feature. I only use channel 3 on the TV. so I do not want to go to any other television channels. I wish this feature would work for the Cable function.

THIS MODEL DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Picture in Picture Mode.
There is an interesting feature that stabilizes the volume as you move from channel to channel, but it is not included in this model. That is an upgrade.


PRICE:
I have seen this model on sale in many stores for $550. I did, however, get it for $522 at Sears. Plus, I opened a Sears charge card which will give me an additional $10 off and a three month, 0% financing plan. So, my final cost is $511.

CONSUMER REPORTS VERDICT:
Antenna/cable input: VERY GOOD. ( No model received better)
S-Video Input: EXCELLENT
Sound Quality: EXCELLENT
Ease of Use: GOOD


I Highly, Highly recommend this television. I trust the Sony name for electronics and feel I made the right choice in purchasing this televsion.

I HOPE I HAVE SUPPLIED YOU WITH THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT PURCHASING THE SONY FS KV-27FS13 27 INCH TRIITRON FLAT SCREEN COLOR TELEVISION.





Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 512