Sony Grand WEGA KDS-50A2000 SXRD 50-Inch Rear Projection HDTV 1080p
Sony Grand WEGA KDS-50A2000 SXRD 50-Inch Rear Projection HDTV 1080p stand
Sony Grand WEGA KDS-50A2000 SXRD 50-Inch Rear Projection HDTV 1080p overhead
I’ve had a Sony Grand WEGA KF-42WE610 42-Inch HDTV-Ready LCD Rear Projection TV
set and an LCD TV. I recommended (and tweaked) a Samsung HLP4663W DLP for my parents. It replaced an older Mitsubishi CRT RPTV. I have a 26 inch Syntax LT26HVE flat-panel LCD. It is used as my PC monitor. So, HDTVs are not new for me.
SXRD is Sony’s version of LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) technology.
Picture Quality.
What really makes this TV shine is the black level. Sony’s SXRD has equaled the deep, inky, rich blacks you get from a very good CRT or plasma set. Add the brightness of microdisplay technology, with a very affordable price, and you get a lot of pluses in my book.
Black Levels.
Black levels are incredible! My 2003-model Sony LCD RPTV only managed a very dark gray. While the 2005-model Samsung DLP has better black levels, you still see light shining through. However, the black levels on Sony’s SXRD sets are so dark, it is like the TV is turned-off!
Black levels are as good as the best plasma sets. They are WAY better than the best LCD flat-panels. They compare with a very good consumer-grade CRT direct-view or projection TV. For someone unfamiliar with TVs, be aware that the level of black is very important.
For picture quality, black level is possibly the most important aspect of a convincing picture. High black levels produce a flat, washed out picture. To get deep shades of black without losing shadow detail, a good black level gives you a realistic, convincing and cinematic experience.
Resolution.
Resolution is terrific. At more than a foot (I have 20/20 vision), it is impossible to see individual pixels. 1080i HD signals procude an obvious, but slight, improvement in detail over 720p.
SXRD, like all microdisplays (LCD, DLP and LCOS) deliver a tremendously bright and “punchy” picture, compared to older, much dimmer CRT projection TVs. This is from the UHP (ultra high pressure) lamp light source. It is a bright, white light, unlike the 3 multicolored “guns” in a CRT.
Lamp Light.
There is no convergence and no danger of “burn-in” or image retention on this TV. Better yet, the lamp begins to dim or fail after 8,000 hours of use. You can replace it, giving you a brand-new picture. This do-it-yourself (DIY) feature is much appreciated by anyone who dislikes annoying (and costly?) service visits.
Sony Grand WEGA KDS-50A2000 SXRD 50-Inch Rear Projection HDTV 1080p
DLP vs. Rear Projection.
DLP is comparable to picture quality. I notice rainbow trails on DLP in high-contrast scenes. That makes rear-projection better to me. A DLP can have 1 chip for each primary color. The color wheel separates white light using one chip into 3 primary colors. That produces a rainbow effect.
LED-based DLP sets have dramatically reduced the rainbow effect. The LED lamps flash between red, green and blue quickly. It is much faster than a color wheel that separates white light.
This is not to say a DLP set is not a great technology. If you are unsure about rainbows, use the THX optimizer menu you find on many DVDs. Try the circle test pattern. Look around the circle. This is the easiest test for seeing rainbows. If you don’t see any, you’re golden.
LCD vs. Rear Projection.
LCDs (like my previous set) have three chips, so no rainbow effect. Unfortunately, their “pixel fill” level is lower. This is the part of the screen filled by pixels of the image, rather than the spaces between pixels. This means it is easier to see spaces between pixels. Some call this a “screen door” effect.
After having owned DLP, LCD, and RPTV sets and compared them, pixel fill does make a big difference. ‘Invisible’ pixels when a foot away from the screen produce an incredibly creamy, smooth picture that doesn’t make you think it is a “digital” image. LCDs do offer great no-rainbow budget options, with higher black levels (compared to older LCDs) by nature of its pass-through technology. This gives it more easily discernable pixels.
Why Sony’s Grand WEGA RPTV?
Sony’s SXRD models are outstanding in their feature sets and ability to customize. Name each input and channel without any problem. You get so many tweaking options in the regular user menu, you may never find them all. However, most are unnecessary.
I calibrated my set using the Digital Video Essentials home theater disc. The TV needed *no* change to color settings. All I did was slightly change brightness levels.
Using the TV.
Both standard definition (SD) and high-definition (HD) signals look great. The integrated Over-the-Air (OTA) tuner found all the free broadcast HD signals.
You can plug in this TV and not change a single setting. Yet, you still get a truly great picture. I consider myself knowledgeable and numerous settings changes only improves things nominally. That was kind of a disappointment, since I enjoy tweaking my Sony LCD and Samsung DLP sets. Each of those required far more adjustment than the Sony Grand WEGA.
Options.
I use an “upscaling” DVD player for my DVD source. My PS3 is the Blu-Ray source and the Terk HDTV-S indoor/outdoor antenna finds my OTA HD broadcasts.
DVDs using HDMI look very good. Native 1080p Blu-Ray discs, like “Planet Earth” are show-stoppers. It is highly recommended to get a HD disc player to truly enjoy the picture.
Standard Definition.
For SD, it’s “garbage in, garbage out” on the picture. Sony does a good job smoothing analog cable signals to make them watchable. Remember, for a high-performance set like the Grand WEGA, a blurry, noisy signal on coaxial cable will show each blur and shake in glorious, 50 inch high-resolution detail. Try the “DRC Palette” to find a setting that smooths it to your liking.
Screen.
This set has a matte finish screen. It is not a glassy, reflective screen found on a typical plasma or CRT set. This TV has a “high gain” screen. It has a lenticular finish on the interior to increase brightness levels and increase viewing angles. Mostly, this is a good thing, especially in a bright room. However, some think it creates a “silk screen” effect.
The silk screen effect is when you see “sparkling” of screen material on a very bright field. For example, it appears on a white screen, or when showing clouds. Personally, it doesn’t bother me. For some, it may make the difference between a front projector, LCD, or plasma.
Issues.
This TV has no picture-in-picture. That would have been great for gaming while watching TV. It is disappointing, but not a dealbreaker.
The “cable card” is not available, but it is not something I used. If you get the XBR model, you get PIP and the Cable Card. Since the two models have the same display chips with similar processing abilities, I felt the price was not justified.
Is It Good Enough To Get?
With resolution, black levels, color fidelity, weighing 85 pounds at 14 inches deep, the Sony Grand WEGA is an easy recommendation.
There’s a reason it tops the ratings of many electronics sites. The Sony Grand WEGA KDS-50A2000 is truly best of breed. It is a hard-to-beat screen for serious movie watching, gaming, HD sports, or just regular TV.
Sony Grand WEGA KDS-50A2000 SXRD 50-Inch Rear Projection HDTV 1080p forward lean TV Seinfeld
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