Sony 34 in Widescreen HDTV Monitor user reviews

5.0 stars

"believe the hype..." on April 21, 2003

Summary: This is a stunning 16:9 direct view set. Before settling on this set, my biggest problem was deciding between a traditional 4:3 set or this 16:9 set, as the Sony 36" and 40" are really nice as well... I have to admit I was concerned that regular tv(4:3) would not look too hot on this set since it's a widescreen set(16:9) designed for hdtv/dvd... that, coupled with the general opinion that you've got to feed this set good signal had me a bit worried - since I do tend to watch a fair amount of regular digital cable tv... but, I was wrong. Sony has included a couple of really slick different "picture modes" that allow you to stretch your 4:3 signal to fit the whole 16:9 viewing area, and the best part is that I have found very little loss of picture quality when using these "zoom" and "wide zoom" modes. Digital cable is real good, hdtv is unreal - especially hbo, and widescreen dvd's are sick with a progressive scan dvd player. One of the nicest things about this set is that it's ready for the future. Since all tv stations should be broadcasting in digital by 2006? This set will just become better with each passing year, as more and more stations switch over to 16:9 programming. So - if you plan on using your new tv to mainly view hdtv/dvd with some digital cable thrown in, then you should not be dissapointed with this set. One other thing, shop around!... I was lucky enough to get this for less than $2000. Please keep in mind that Sony is bringing out the new 34xbr910 this July,(which should replace the 800) and it will be black, not silver based upon current reports... the picture might be a slight improvement as well, but the list is reported to be about $2800.

4.0 stars

"Find the best deal you can.." on April 21, 2003

Summary: Just bought this TV a week ago. VERY NICE! I like all the features it has. It can act like a regular NTSC set with an approx. 28" screen in 4:3 mode. But for you indecisive buyers out there, here are all what I found to be minor incoveniences: Non-digital TV input: Watching regular analog broadcasts with this TV is like listening to cassette tape on your $5000 car stereo. You need to have a good digital source broadcast for you to utilize this TV's quality features. An older DVD player (non-progressive scan) will still be better than regular analog but if you set the TV's settings to the highest quality settings, you will see the artifacting more readily. This TV won't make your regular cable TV better. In fact, it might make it worse (especially in the wide-screen mode option). So if you are going to only watch regular NTSC TV broadcasts, don't even bother getting this TV. Get a cheaper TV. Size: This is a HEAVY TV. You will definitely need two people to lift it since it's about 200 lbs. and the recommended stand for this set isn't that cheap either. If you can build a stand that can support this weight, by all means do it. Remote control: If I hook up my DVD player with the Composite Video Inputs, I have to cycle the Video button 5 times in order to watch the DVD input. Too bad they don't have a DVD button which automatically selects this video input instead of cycling all the time. The optimistic side to this is that there are a LOT of inputs you can have going into this TV. I haven't had the chance to watch a HDTV broadcast with it yet, but I'm sure I won't be disappointed.

4.0 stars

"Tube HDTVs so much better than plasma and projection" on January 12, 2003

Summary: I have had my 34' beauty now for a week, and what a pleasure it has been. The TV has such a beautiful display especially w/ HDTV or progressive DVD. The colors are unreal and so is the detail. This TV has all the features that you'd expect with Sony's XBR series plus many more such as aspect control. Now, I can watch DVDs w/o those black bars...even the 2.85:1 ratio bars can be eliminated putting the TV in wide zoom mode. The only reserve I have about the TV is that it weighs a ton!! (like any good TV should)..so make sure your armoire or stand can support it.

1.5 stars

"Dead after 48 months!!!!!" on May 28, 2007 by shadman10

Pros: Great looking, great picture, awesome set in 2002

Cons: Dead after 48 months!!!!!

Summary: I bought this set in 2002 and the picture was fantastic. $2,000 set but the plasma's were big bucks back then and the tube TV has a way better picture than the projections. Ask me for a review yesterday and I would have given it a 9! Today I try to turn it on and nothing. Sony support was no help I have to bring it to a service center! I would expect to get at least 10 years out of a tube TV. You pay a premium for the Sony name and now receive nothing in return.