Sony KV-27FS13 27" Flat-Screen TV
Sony KV-32FS13 SuperFlat WEGA
The Sony KV-32FS13 WEGA TV is expensive compared to conventional (non-flat-screen) TVs. So you have a difficult choice: which one to buy - a conventional TV from Sharp, JVC, Toshiba or Panasonic (which will still provide good picture quality) or Sony's WEGA flatscreen, which looks cool, but costs substantially more. <br />For example, you can buy two Panasonic 32G5 for the same price that 32FS13 costs. When I went to Circuit City yesterday, 32G5 cost [amt] and 32FS13 cost [amt]. <br />Let's see why Sony 32FS13 costs more. <br />Flat Screen <br />TVs with flat screen cost substantially more than \\"conventional\\" sets. The fact that the screen is flat bears not only esthetic value, but improves your viewing experience. The main advantage of the flat screen is the fact that the straight lines look straight on the flat screen when watched from an angle (in conventional TVs they get curved) and there is no picture distortion neither when watched from an angle nor in the corners when watched directly. <br />Another advantage of the flat screen is the fact that the glare is significantly reduced, since the flat screen reflects the light at a consistent angle, so the light coming from above gets reflected down and where you cannot see glare. Conventional TV CRTs reflect light in all directions, creating glare. <br />It's Not HDTV <br />Why waste money? The 32FS13 is a \\"regular\\" TV, but it has all inputs you need to enjoy current widespread digital and analog video sources, including S-Video and component video input for digital sources like DVD, digital satellite receivers, digital camcorders and VCRs. The HDTV is not widespread and is not going to be for quite a while. <br />Inputs <br />In addition to composite and RF inputs, this TV has S-Video and component video inputs on the rear panel. The presence of S-Video and component video inputs is one of the features not found on the cheapest TVs, even 36\\", including 36\\" Sharp TV I saw at Best Buy yesterday for [amt]. <br />Thecomb filter is used to separate chrominance and luminance from the composite video signal, so if you use S-Video or component jacks, you will avoid rainbow-like Moire patterns while watching your movies. <br />Since this model comes with both S-Video and component inputs, you can use them to get better detail level and edge definition from your DVD player or other high-resolution sources. S-Video input allows you to bypass the comb filter and pass the signal directly to color decoder, and component input allows you to bypass both. <br />Features <br />The set of features that 32FS13 implements is impressive. You can see them on Sony's web site. If you are price-conscious, you will find that these features are not extensive enough to translate to such an elevated price comparing to competition. The extras you pay is for the flat screen, good looks, Sony's name and picture quality, which is really good. <br />Picture Quality <br />Yes, Sony does not sell their products cheap. Neither they are leaders in quality control (as you can see from the \\"Consumer Reports Reliability Survey\\", where they lag behind JVC, Panasonic and some others). But they implement new interesting technologies and their TVs are at the top in terms of picture quality. <br />This model produces excellent picture quality. I have seen better picture quality, but the TVs that I saw it at cost much more than this one. The picture is sharp and clear, even in the corners of the screen, where TVs usually have difficulties focusing (helped in part by Sony's Magnetic Quadra Pole dynamic focus system). <br />The TV also employs a three-line digital comb filter to improve the separation of chrominance and luminance (color and light information). Although the TV does not employ the more advanced 3D filter (which helps better for static images), the edges are well-defined, besides the use of an S-Video or component video input with high-quality sources allows for even better edge definition. <br />Keep in mind though, that flat screen aside, the picture quality produced by this TV when fed by an RF signal or analog cable is not substantially better than, say Panasonic 32G5, which costs twice less. Where the difference is more noticeable is when you feed DVD or digital satellite signal. <br />Remote Control <br />The TV comes with a universal remote control that allows you to control the TV, VCR, DVD player, cable box or satellite receiver. Some buttons are small, but the remote is compact and the button layout is quite logical. <br />Conclusion <br />It might be a difficult choice: price vs. features, looks and performance. The 32FS13 looks cool, features excellent picture and set of features and has all necessary inputs. But you can another 32\\" TV for twice less with not much loss in useful features and performance. <br />If [amt] premium is a non-issue, get FS13. Otherwise, get Panasonic 32G5, and invest the [amt] you saved in technology stocks. I doubt they can go any lower.