Sony Grand WEGA KDF-42WE655 42-Inch LCD Projection Television with Integrated HDTV Tuner | 
 enlarge | Brand: Sony
Category: CE
This item is no longer available
Avg. Customer Rating:  38 reviews
Sales Rank: 38214
Media: Electronics
Number Of Items: 1
Display Size: 42
Shipping Weight (lbs): 88
Dimensions (in): 51 x 37 x 19
MPN: KDF42WE655
Model: KDF42WE655
UPC: 027242648494
EAN: 0027242648494
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| Features:
| • | Vivid, high-definition, slim-chassis LCD projection television with 42-inch screen and ATSC (HDTV) tuner; 47.2 x 32.2 x 15.1 inches (W x H x D) | | • | Lightweight design with bright, high-contrast screen; CableCARD compatibility removes the need for a separate digital cable box | | • | 3.28 million dots resolution for stunning detail and clarity; fixed-pixel display and constant light prevent image flicker | | • | CineMotion 3:2 pulldown detection and reversal removes redundant video information to display a film-frame-accurate picture from movie sources | | • | WEGA Engine system keeps images in the digital domain; an optical engine ensures high resolution, corner to corner |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The broad lineup of Grand WEGA televisions offers a wide choice in cosmetic styling. These televisions utilize a proprietary LCD Optical Engine with Sony's WEGA Engine system to deliver exceptional, detailed picture quality from any video source by minimizing the digital-to-analog conversion process.
Amazon.com Product Description
From its integrated NTSC and ATSC (HDTV) tuners to Sony's WEGA Engine system and the HDMI digital-video interface, the 42-inch KDF-42WE655 LCD projection television is loaded with features to make your eyes pop. The 64-pound LCD projection television is also easy to position, and its relatively modest chassis--standing just 15 inches deep--won't push you out of your house. The set's liquid-crystal display frees you from having to make convergence adjustments or having to worry about image burn-in. Instead you get incredible detail (more than 3 million pixels), high contrast, and corner-to-corner brightness from the set's user-replaceable 100-watt UHP (ultra high pressure) lamp. The screen features a wide, 16:9 aspect ratio to match the dimension of most movies and HDTV broadcasts, and the KDF-42WE655 offers compatibility with standard-definition 480i, enhanced-definition 480p, and high-definition 720p and 1080i signals. Sony's Digital Reality Creation (DRC) circuitry ensures high picture resolution, while proprietary Direct Digital Circuitry increases a video signal's signal-to-noise ratio before it reaches the DRC circuit, ensuring rich, natural-looking images from any source. Sony's CineMotion 3:2 pulldown detection and reversal is a handy feature for watching progressive-scan movie programs in their native 24-frame format. Digital video mastering introduces a common distortion when adjusting 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this distortion, removing the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture. The set's WEGA Engine system maximizes picture performance from any video source by minimizing the number of digital-to-analog conversion processes. This full digital processing engine includes Sony's MID-X (Multi Image Driver), which maintains the integrity of a converted signal by minimizing image loss in the scaling process; and a proprietary optical engine, which employs a trio of Sony's wide-XGA, high-resolution LCD panels, 1 for each of the RGB signals (resulting in a total of 3.28 million dots of resolution). The optical engine also features a special 11-element lens system responsible for the lightweight, ultra-slim cabinet. The lens system bends the light path, creating an ultra-short focal point while maintaining high brightness. This proprietary system delivers vivid images from the center of the screen all the way to the edges. The set includes numerous other features: - TwinView PIP (picture-in-picture) lets you view any 2 sources simultaneously, even at different image resolutions, while the built-in Memory Stick media slot offers ready display of both JPEG images and MPEG-1 video.
- A Memory Stick media slot (compatible with Memory Stick Pro and Memory Stick Duo media) grants convenient viewing of JPEG and MPEG-1 files. It can also display customized slide shows using MP3 files for background music.
- Channel Fix lets you select a specific TV channel (3, for example) for cable box reception. Then you can control a compatible cable box via the TV remote without inadvertently changing the TV from Channel 3.
- Authorized CableCARD ability means the set will receive digital cable television systems services directly from the cable operator without requiring a bulky, external cable box.
- Sony's exclusive S-Master 1-bit digital amplifier produces 15 watts per channel (x 2), ensuring high power for superb, clear dialog.
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface to link the set with any audio/video source (such as a set-top box, DVD player, or AV receiver). HDMI supports standard-definition (SD), enhanced definition (ED), or high-definition (HD) video, plus multichannel digital audio--all using a single cable. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports up to 8-channel digital audio, with bandwidth to spare to accommodate future enhancements and requirements. What's in the Box
TV, remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, and warranty/registration information.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 33 more reviews...
 Great picture. Great price. Space saver. Versatile. January 8, 2005
73 out of 74 found this review helpful
After completing a basement renovation, we were ready for a big screen to watch New Years and January football games. The shopping and selectio process for this was long and hard, and the high end of our budget range certainly included some plasmas and flat panel LCDs near (but mostly above) the price of this TV.
If you are a technology consumer, you know the deal: early adopters of LCD and plasmas are going to take a beating as prices for these fall. These technologies are not yet mature, and there are lingering issues, such as burn-in with plasma, and the sheer expense of LCDs. This set offers an excellent value for the size while the super thin formats settle in the marketplace.
The picture is astonishing, and even more if you are lucky enough to live in an area served by HDTV. Even though not a true flat panel, it is only 15 inches deep and weighs less than 60 pounds. Getting it where you want to sit will probably take two people, but once there, it can be moved for cabling access easily by one person.It has more input options than most of us could ever affort to populate.
Its user guide is complete and clearly written. I give only a B+ to some of the on-screen menu options; not all of them are immediately intutitive. This is a minor complaint for a TV that delivers every bit of the picture quality that the Sony enjoys a reputation for (going back to the days of "a Sony of my owny..."
Terrifc TV, Makes me never want to leave home:-)
Best Picture on the Market January 5, 2005
27 out of 27 found this review helpful
I looked at *many* televisions before buying this one. While I was initially attracted to DLP projections (I am not impressed with the plasmas on the market), this Sony LCD projection caught my eye from all the way across the store. It converts all signals to 720p, so you will see improvement even from standard (480i) signals. With its built-in tuner, you'll be able to pull in HD signals as soon as you get home with only an antenna (the Zenith/Gemini ZHDTV1 is what I would recommend). Having this television for the college bowl season was one of the happiest parts of my holiday, as I get all the local networks' digital broadcasts with my antenna (here's where 720p beats 1080i). If you are a sports fan, you *need* an HDTV.
There are numerous connections, including HDMI, and so far everything I have hooked up to this set looks amazing. The settings menus are very easy to use, which is important since a little tweeking with the controls will ensure that each input performs at top quality. One of the other reviewers suggested that the viewing angle is restrictive. I could not disagree more: you basically have to be standing beside it or directly above for the picture to go dark. I'd say the viewing angle is probably more than 150 degrees.
In short, buy this set. It is very affordable (less than half the price of a plasma the same size, with much better picture), has all of the bells and whistles (including a built-in HD tuner), and will look great in your living room.
Sony KDF-42WE655: Overall Great TV May 15, 2005
23 out of 23 found this review helpful
This TV has excellent picture and sound. An ideal choice if you want to watch HDTV & non-HDTV regular channels. The 42" screen is small enough to retain clarity for regular channels and big enough for a regular sized living room. Make sure you have enough distance from TV, at least 10 feet. Some of the downsides are:
1. The intensity of the rear projection lamp cannot be changed. It is sufficiently bright for any room but if you are very close to TV in a dark room it is uncomfortable.
2. The TV has a fan inside that is noticeable occassionally at low volumes.
Some Tips: The DVI-HDMI connection somehow did not work with my HDTV cable box. Avoid paying the high price for this cable and go with regular component video cables (RGB). The picture is still crystal clear for HDTV channels. Also avoid expensive Gold tipped thick cables they are not necessary.
I LOVE this televiosn! March 18, 2005
21 out of 21 found this review helpful
Let's just say I was ready for a new TV. The television in my living room was a 17 year old 36" console televsion that had the tendancy to keep turning itself on and off after it had been on for over an hour. I finally decided to break down and invest in a new quality television. I first considered getting a plasma screen, but the based on the research I had done, I was not convinced that any added value a plasma screen may give you is worth the extremely higher price. But this Sony WEGA LCD television is most definitely worth its price.
Although not as narrow as a plasma screen television, at a mere 15" in depth, even if space is a consideration, this television will not fail you.
But it is the absolutely beautiful picture and incredibly crisp sound that are the true selling points for this TV. The quality of the picture, even on the non-HDTV channels, is amazing. I am still in awe of how much better the picture is now. The quality of the HD channels absolutely blows me away. While many shows on television aren't necessarily enhanced with HD programming (for instance, do you really need to see "Judging Amy" in pure digital, picture perfect quality?), but on certain programming such as sports or shows that have scenic backgrounds such as "Lost," it is so amazing to see how beautiful they look on this television, I am probably too spoiled now to see them on any other television!
I am also blown away with the stunning performance the television gives when playing DVDs. I recommend getting the upgraded cables to connect your DVD player to the television. But in any event, digital is what this TV was made for, and it is clear when playing DVDs. Given the size of the screen and the quality of the picture, it is akin to actually being in the theater.
The quality of the sound is also up to the standard you expect from Sony. I do not yet have the television hooked up to any external speakers or any surround sound system, but instead rely only on the internal speakers. Nonetheless, the sound is still perfect. I am not a fan of watching of channels such as MTV, VH1, or the like, so cannot really speak as to how the sound system is on channels that are more sound reliant. But you will not be disappointed with the sound on all the other channels.
The added functions and features with the television are also quite impressive. The picture-in-picture function is great, particularly if you like watching sports and can have a game on the smaller screen and watch regular programming on the main screen and click back and forth when something big happens in the game. (I recently switched from cable to satellite -- a switch a highly recommend for everyone -- and have not figured out how, if at all, the picture-in-picture feature will work with satellite.)
In short, I LOVE this television. I am confident you will too.
Amazing HD Picture, lot of inputs, built in digital tuner.. February 9, 2005
16 out of 16 found this review helpful
I bought this TV in January from the local GoodGuys store. I needed a bigscreen without a lot of weight, and did not want to go with a plasma given the burnout concerns. LCD rear projection fit my budget and my apartment, and I am happy with my purchase. I did get the store warranty, just in case!
I have limited basic comcast BUT was shocked to see the TV picking up HD channels right out of the cable! I do not have a comcast cable box but the built in digital tuner did the magic. So I am enjoying about 10 HD channels with no cable box to add to the clutter. Picture quality is amazing! There are lots of inputs. I have connected its audio to Onkyo HT770 home theater via an optical cable. I have also managed to connect my computer to the TV via S-Video, since the HDMi input didnt work great for me - I had to get a DVi-HDMi cable ($120) but still I could not get resolutions more than 640x480. I have given up on that. Other than that, DVDs are rendered in progressive @480p with my Sony DVD player. The quality is good enough for me, to not think about going with an upconverter.
The only thing I do not like about it is the lag between turning it on and picture showing up (about 10 seconds). There were some postings on the internet about the lamp life, but I believe those were earlier models. Also, the remote does not allow switching to an input directly (It has 7 video inputs). If I have to reach Video IN #5, I have to browse all the way from Video1. Maybe I need to read the manual real closely.
Overall, good bang for your buck and an excellent candidate for a Home Theater hookup. However, I never had good luck making an HTPC out of it. SD channels do look a bit strange but acceptable. With the right set up, this TV can really turn your living room into a personal movie theater..for me it did!
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