New TV - Sony KDL 32V4000 - Impressions soon...

[gizmo1990]

What's normal tv broadcasts like with this?

I've heard the picture can look awfully blocky and pixelated...

[Rossco]

As is from an aerial on the roof? I don't have it plugged in to that so can't even check. I'll drag the cable out and check if I can.

[amorenod]

Did you try the component input? I'm curious, my brother is pressing me about getting a new TV (tbh, I was thinking about it anyway ), so I could give him the LG, and certainly, the Sony 4000 is interesting.

[Lyris]

What's normal tv broadcasts like with this?

I've heard the picture can look awfully blocky and pixelated...

With just about any LCD TV they'll look hideous out of the box. They can be tamed and made watchable.

Meanwhile, people in the US, Canada and I believe also Brazil receive 1080i with their aerials, because HDTV was actually taken seriously at the right time.

[Rossco]

Oh yeah sorry, tried the component and after tweaking it about in the settings for ages, I seem to have got it looking good. It's not as pin sharp as the VGA was which is a shame but it's alot brighter and more vibrant colours and of course runs at 1360x768 so I'm sticking with it.

[tom-nook]

I just ordered one of these bad boys from Amazon after the good impressions here & on AVF. Looking forward to trying it out!

If anyone can't get to a Richer Sounds Amazon are currently doing it for £389.99 (their price seems to fluctuate regularly though) and they've just started a limited time offer (ends in Dec) where you can upgrade to a 3 yr Sony warranty at no extra cost.

[capcom_suicide]

My folks took delivery from Play.com & managed to get everything running fairly easily. They are delighted with the image on SD, even without the tuning of settings. (Which I'll do for them.)

So for others wanting to help their family with a solid 32" at a great price and 3 year warrenty, it's gets the SD thumbs up for "Non techies"

C_S

[k0pp0]

Got ours today - got to do some sorting around in the front room to try it out though.. looking forward to it!

[k0pp0]

So it's installed - lovely bright vibrant picture. However, SD isn't the great shakes that I thought it might be - not that I care much.

So, who's going to talk me through setting it up for the best picture for 360 over component, and also 360 over HDMI (as I'll be picking up a cable next week).

Ta!

[Rossco]

Well makes sure you turn all image enhancers off and the sharpness right down to 0 too. Everything else is pretty much your own preference. I fiddle with it all the time and sometimes change it depending on what game I'm playing or movie I'm watching.

[k0pp0]

Thanks matey. Has to be said the xbox looks ace through HDMI. I'll have a look at the settings tonight if I get chance.

[k0pp0]

Well makes sure you turn all image enhancers off and the sharpness right down to 0 too. Everything else is pretty much your own preference. I fiddle with it all the time and sometimes change it depending on what game I'm playing or movie I'm watching.

Wicked. Looks a million times better. Cheers matey.

[Garf]

I've got one of these arriving tomorrow - any recommendations for changing the settings and such ?

For what it's worth, it will be for SD Sky Freesat, and SD DVD for now. Will possibly be getting a new xbox at some point, so will connect that up as well...

[tom-nook]

I use more of less the same settings a lot of peeps on AV Forums seem to be using. The only exception being that I like the brightness set very slightly higher for my living room.

Here's my settings:

Mode: Movie
Backlight: 5
Contrast: 95
Brightness: 52
Colour: 50
Sharpness: Min
Colour Tone: Warm
Noise reduction: Off
Advanced contrast Enhancer: Off

I also have the power saving option set to 'On'. I have absolutely no idea what it does though as the manual doesn't say.....doesn't seem to have any negative impact on performance that I can see though!

From what I've read the digital 'enhancements' I've highlighted in bold are always best set to 'off' (or 'min'). I usually find that a slight tweaking of the brightness setting is all that's needed when I change sources.

It's all a bit subjective really but at least it gives you a starting point!!

[Lyris]

Tom-Nook: Brightness defines the black Level of the video. Out of all the settings it can be, there's only one that's actually right. If you want to adjust things to the ambient light of your room, adjust the Backlight.

I've got one of these arriving tomorrow - any recommendations for changing the settings and such ?

These videos are great:

http://www.avforums.com/tv/index.php?videoid=53

http://www.avforums.com/tv/index.php?videoid=50