Sony KDL-32V4000

This review is for the Sony KDL32V400 LCD television.

First off all I want to talk about what an LCD television is as there is a lot of confusion between an LCD television and a Plasma screen television. Although both types of televisions are flat and thin, they employ different technology in an attempt to deliver similar results

An LCD television according to many lasts twice as long as a plasma screen. So there is already ...
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I also have Sony DVD recorder and a DVD player and there is this smart link feature which lets you record programmes directly into the DVD recorder so you can watch them later, this is a good idea because you could record them on a DVD disc and watch for your own pleasure, but DO NOT attempt to sell them as this is illegal and silly.

Good Points
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Without a doubt this huge benefit to this television ... more

This review is for the Sony KDL32V400 LCD television.

First off all I want to talk about what an LCD television is as there is a lot of confusion between an LCD television and a Plasma screen television. Although both types of televisions are flat and thin, they employ different technology in an attempt to deliver similar results

An LCD television according to many lasts twice as long as a plasma screen. So there is already a huge benefit there for purchasing an LCD television.
Now with an LCD television if you have any problems with heat which is rare you do not get any pixels on the screen damaged whilst a plasma screen suffers a burn out effect and it does show up very easily and tends to show right across the screen.

The LCD screen size is lighter than a plasma screen as well, which makes it easy to place in different areas.
The plasma screen is definitely bigger in screen sizes and it has something which has better accuracy and saturation compared to an LCD television.

You can see they both how good and bad parts compared to one another but the other difference is an LCD is much cheaper and to be fair it is entirely up to you which you buy but with an LCD television they are cheaper which surely is a better deal for you.

Setup
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This item is so easy to setup. You have to assemble the stand and connect this to the television when you first open the pack. It is not that tricky to do at all but might require a few people to help because if you drop the television whilst inserting the screws it could result in a serious problem.

You then turn on the television and if you want to have the Sky television on just insert the cables into the back and usually they are ready instantly and with Freeview you need to tune it which takes minutes.
Overall setup is extremely easy to do.

Design
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The design of this television is very sexy and has massive appeal. You have on the front screen the frame which surrounds the screen is in this very shiny piano black and it looks superb.

Just at the base of the frame is this grey section which appears to be the speakers in how they look and the main stand for which the item stands on is black as well and it makes the television swivel if you wish to do so.
On the top of the television are the main functions for the television such as the power button and there is the volume controls and channel controls so they are all hidden unless you go searching for them, so they are very handy and very nicely labelled.

On the left hand side behind the back is where some of the most important connections are and the first connection you see is the one you would need for a games consoles. The three coloured wires yellow, red and white and they have this round the back meaning you can insert a console very easily.

You then have a few scart connections which are there to plug video recorders and DVD players inside and just above them is the HDMi connections for the high definition devices which you may want to attach as well. Right in the centre at the back is where you can attach a wall frame so you can hang the television on the wall which is what I do.
You also have the PC input connector which enables you to connect your computer to the television and see the stuff you do on the computer come on the television creating a bigger monitor.
Overall design is very desirable and looks extremely good.

Specifications
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The screen size is 32 inches which is not too bad for a television and I find the best size to have.
The weight of this product is 15.5kg in weight which is heavy but means it would not just fall over either.

The size of the television is 79.4cm in length, 54cm in height and 9.9cms in depth. Overall the depth is superb which shows how the flat screen fits into the television. The height is great and the length is just about right as well.

This television is HD ready and has 30,000 - 1 ratio which is superb. The more higher the ratio the better the television and this to me is very good.

The screen resolution is 1366 x 768which is yet again superb and I think it shows that is the best resolution for this television to have. The television also has a 720dpi output image.

The speakers have a 20 watt power which is not fantastic but overall not to bad either.
There are 3 HDMi connections which is great and it means you can have even more HD connections inserted.

There are 2 scart connections which are there and I think that might need to be more, some people have many different gadgets to attach but you can buy different sort of scart connections meaning 2 is just right for most people.

You can even insert your PC via a connection so you can play games or go on the internet via your television which is superb as well.

Features
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Well you can get Freeview with this box because it comes with the product. I have never had Freeview I have always just had Sky digital so I did try this facility out and it took me about 2 minutes to find the channels. I got in total 81 channels and I am not sure how many you can get, I have seen online some people get around 85 and more so I think that varies to the destination you are in.

The Freeview box you just click on tune and it finds the channels for you and the terrestrial channels as well so that is extremely good.
With the screen you can alter the brightness, contrast the style of the picture you receive, the sound output and also put on energy saver as well all by pressing the tools button on the control.

This lets you find the best sort of brightness and contrast you desire but also the best sort of overall screen style which suits you the most, so you end up putting in the sort of features you wish to use and have on your own television.

You also have the same buttons you would have for a remote with the colours on. The red, green, yellow and blue buttons are there on the control for you to use and they do the same job a normal Sky remote would but they work mainly for the Freeview feature so there is an additional benefit of the Freeview as well.
You have the AV section with up to 7 different options, most televisions have just 2 or 3 AV sections but this has extra ones including the HDMi connections.

The television also has this feature which I used once and not sure how I did it. I actually managed to stop the television yet in the corner it was working still and I believe it is a feature which is there to allow people the ability to write down telephone numbers or copy down addresses whilst the show is still taking place. So this is a feature but unsure how I actually managed to bring this up.

I also have Sony DVD recorder and a DVD player and there is this smart link feature which lets you record programmes directly into the DVD recorder so you can watch them later, this is a good idea because you could record them on a DVD disc and watch for your own pleasure, but DO NOT attempt to sell them as this is illegal and silly.

Good Points
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Without a doubt this huge benefit to this television has to be the setup. You have got one of the easiest setup guides available and you do not even have to use the manual because it is so simple.

I hate it when I have to look through a manual and have to do about 10 different things to get the information loaded but fortunately this product you just plug in your Sky Box and you are ready and with Freeview you just click to tune and it does it for you instantly.
I like the ratio this television has and 30,000 - 1 ratio is superb and for a smaller television like this it is superb.

I have a Sky HD box and when you put this on with this television the screen seems to come alive, when you play a HD program using HD device the screen displays the images in superb depth and very good overall look.

If you connect this to your computer and you go online you can see yourself online via this 32 inch screen television and the graphics are superb and if you use a game to play the overall look is much better then you can get with a PC.

The way you can hang these on the wall and watch television from most angles without a single issue with them, which again is nice and if you do not wish to hang them on the wall you can stand up on a television stand and they are very strong and will not just fall over.

The amount of connections round the back is nice and with so many you have many options for different things to be plugged in like games consoles, a DVD player and more.

To clean this product you might assume you want to use a duster but if you use the cleansing wipes you get sometimes they are just as good and the good part is when you clean the screen you do leave any pixels which are ruined. Some television when you touch the screen they have the odd pixel which seems to get ruined, this does not have that happen.

Bad Points
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I think sometimes when you move round the room and attempt to view the television you have the image distorted which can result in half the screen showing you a good image and other half struggling. So overall you do need to swivel the television round for the angles you are going to be watching it from.

The way the television can at times suffer from the volume, I feel the volume has to be turned on sky high to get any decent sound, so for me the volume is something which is not the best for this product overall.

Summary
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I got this product in November 2008 and it cost me £329 and I got 5 years free insurance and a wall bracket worth £55 all from John Lewis.
Now there is going to be different deals around and I know there is more up- to -date televisions around with better graphics and stuff but the prices are sky high compared to the price I paid for this model.

My view is if you want a television even without HD devices attached to them, it lets you experience superb graphics regardless and the amount of items you can plug into the side as well is fantastic.
The easy setup and overall design is just brilliant and I think this would suit any room in the house.

Well worth the money. 

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