Sony KV 32FS100 - 32" WEGA CRT TV - silver

One of the KV-32FS100's coolest features is its 16:9 enhanced mode, which delivers maximum picture quality by concentrating all viewable scan lines within a letterboxed image--wasting none of its horizontal resolution on rendering the black bars that border a widescreen image.

Velocity modulation (selectable: off, high, low) improves the definition at picture edges, creating sharper images by slowing the CRT (cathode-ray tube) beam's horizontal scanning during demanding work--say, when rendering transitions from light to dark parts of an image--and speeding it up when scanning easily rendered sections, like broad dark areas. The set's three-line digital comb filter further enhances resolution by removing blurred edges between colors and reducing dot crawl (tiny, moving dots of color along a sharp color separation in a vertical line, as in a depiction of a character's striped T-shirt).

Top-of-the-line component-video inputs minimize digital and line-scan artifacts from compatible video sources, while standard composite- and S-video inputs accommodate all DVD players. You can choose between a set of rear AV inputs and a set of front AV inputs for extra convenience when hooking up a camcorder or gaming console. A rear AV output offers both fixed and variable-level analog audio outputs for hookup with, for instance, both a VCR and a surround receiver. You can label the set's video inputs and channels for easy selection.

The set produces stereo audio with 10 watts per channel through built-in speakers that border the screen. Other video technologies include auto white balance, Dynamic Picture Processor circuitry, tilt correction, Trinitone color temperature control, and vertical aperture compensation. S-video detection automatically senses and switches the set's input to match an S-video source signal.

What's in the Box
TV, RM-Y180 remote control, remote batteries, warranty information, and a user's manual.

I love the features and the fact that the TV has component inputs. I bought the Monster Cable Monster Game component cables for my Playstation 2. When I got it rung up the Best Buy employee asked me if I ever played a game on a nice TV like this while the component cables were on. I told him no, and he said wait till I play my games or watch DVD's, I'm gonna love it. Well he was right!

The only problem I have had with this TV is the weight. Trust me, if your taking it upstairs, it will stay up there and get sold with the house. I got the 4 year plan for $99 which I'm glad I got since it was recommended by other customers who have bought this TV. I was soaked after taking this TV up like 17 step. It's a workout!

In the end, if your in the market for a non HDTV, get a Sony FD Trinitron WEGA TV, you can't go wrong! Also spring and get yourself some component cables for your video game system or DVD player, it's worth it! I'm even considering a Monster Cable surge protector since it cleans even more distortion for better audio/video.


Sometimes you get what you pay for...   May 20, 2004
 7 out of 8 found this review helpful

This television may be more expensive than most of the other tvs in the 32" range but if you can manage to scrape up the extra cash, you won't be disappointed.

The best feature of this tv by far is the picture quality. DVD's look phenomenal on this set. I used to dread watching widescreen dvd's (which are unfortunately 99% of Blockbuster's selection) but now I enjoy watching them thanks to the 16:9 compression mode Sony offers. When turning on the 16:9 mode on the tv and setting widescreen mode on your dvd player, the tv compresses the image and adds more lines of resolution to the picture, which adds startling clarity to the picture of the dvd being played.

I should note a couple things about the 16:9 mode that I've learned from my experiences with the tv. First and foremost, the 16:9 mode is only meant for widescreen dvds. If you try to use 16:9 mode on a full screen dvd the picture will look squashed and not true to life. The other caveat is that 16:9 mode literally compresses the image and you'll lose about 2" inches in your total viewing area. For my eyes, the trade-off is totally worth it. Gladiator and Pitch Black are a couple of my favorite dvd's that are beautiful with 16:9 mode on.

My satellite channels look better than ever on this tv. Very sharp images and vivid colors for most channels, even with my subpar signal.

As far as videogames go, my x-box games look excellent. I've been playing some of my older games again just to admire the picture this tv puts out. Rainbow Six 3 was a good test for this set. On most of other tv's I played Rainbow Six 3 on during our system link sessions the small in-game text looked blurry and almost unreadable. Not so with the Sony, very sharp and totally readable. Forgive me for the obscure example but for those who do own the game, they'll identify with what I'm saying.

Sound is better than most 32" tvs out there but like most tv speakers the bass isn't anything to brag about. If you're looking to add some boom to this tv a home theater system would be a must. Still, I believe the sound is more than adequate for the casual viewer.

As others have already mentioned this tv is quite heavy. My brother and I practically broke our backs lugging this beast up the stairs to my living room. The picture we seen after hooking it up was ample reward for our struggle though, lol.

I should note this tv is flatscreen and is a very nice feature if you have any light sources that could cause possible glare. I've no problems whatsoever with glare on this set.

In conclusion this tv, though expensive, is worth every penny. Some say that with Sony you're only paying for the name, not so, in my humble opinion. I've closely studied the picture on several sets and it's hard to compete with Sony quality. As I mentioned before if you're in the market for a 32" and can somehow manage to get the cash to buy this relatively expensive tv, by all means do it. I love this set. It always a good feeling to know your hard earned cash went towards something you can fully enjoy for years to come.

If you're on a tight budget (I totally understand) and can't swing the price tag for this tv there is another 32" set I would recommend as a good substitute. The Toshiba 32A43 is an excellent set and gives a great amount of "bang for your buck". The picture quality is quite good, the screen almost flat, and images are quite sharp as well. Consumer reports rated it number one in it's class of 32" tube tvs based on overall performance/price. I have this set in my bedroom and have been quite happy with it. The picture quality doesn't beat out this Sony and it doesn't have 16:9 mode but then again the Toshiba set is $200 cheaper. You can't go wrong with the Tosiba 32A43 if you need a good tv for a modest amount of money.


Exceptional   April 20, 2004
 2 out of 3 found this review helpful

This television is quite simply exceptional. The picture quality continues to be unbelievable everytime i turn the TV on. I would definitely make this purchase over again, and I will continue to look at Sony for future purchases.


Better buy a warranty if available!   February 29, 2004
 3 out of 6 found this review helpful

I wish I was as lucky as some of the other reviewers. I had this TV for 3 1/2 months and one day it popped loudly and sounded like there was a static electricity battle going on inside of it. Now the color fades from picture to red and eventually turns grey with lines. I didn't get the warrenty because I used to trust Sony products. I just paid off the TV a couple of days ago and never anticipated having to make repair payments so soon. It's a decent TV, but sometimes I find myself wishing I had put down the extra cash for a real flat panel.