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Sony Grand WEGA KDF-42WE655 42-Inch LCD Projection Television with Integrated HDTV Tuner
 
Manufacturer: Sony
Customer Rating:
 
List Price: $2,799.99
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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.

Product Details

  • 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

Video Reviews

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Customer Reviews

New bulb within 2 years!!!
 
Review Date: January 24, 2010
Reviewer: Samuel P. Kuntz, Georgia
I wouldnt buy one of these. I just replaced the bulb after less than 3 years of use. It is between $120 and $180 for the bulb. RIDICULOUS!! Picture and sound are good, but who can afford this much maintenance on a flippin TV for cryin out loud!!
You might get a few good years out of it.
 
Review Date: December 23, 2009
Reviewer: A. Arrocha, IL
I paid A LOT of money for this tv 4 years ago, so I expected it to last. Last it is not. The screen is slowing being covered in blue. The cause is unknown to us and to Sony and cannot be fixed, so the only suggestion Sony will give is to replace it. Which when we can no longer stand it we will do, but it will not be replaced with another Sony...ever again. Be aware that we are not the only ones with this problem in fact we've heard of much worse cases than ours with this tv. In fact Sony has actually had people purchase replacement bulbs and other stuff that does NOT fix the problem and sticks the customer with the cost of the replacement merchandise!
My review on this tv...buy a different one and from another company with better customer service!
DO NOT BUY
 
Review Date: December 3, 2009
Reviewer: Kimberly, Alabama
I've had this TV for about 4 years now. I would give it 0 stars if Amazon would let me!!! The right side of the tv has blue streaks all over it and it is covered in blue dots all over the tv set!!! When I contacted sony about the problem i was told i could purchase the repair kit BUT it would cost anywhere from 700-1000 dollars for someone to install it for me?? I could not believe it!! The optic block went out on this tv just a few weeks after the warranty ended! DO NOT buy this product!! There is no point in me getting it fixed when i could buy another 42 in tv for under the 700 dollars it would cost to fix! I will never buy another sony tv again. Bad company that created a product with problems but refuses to fix them.
Timing, timing, timing ..
 
Review Date: October 6, 2009
Reviewer: P. Stewart, michigan
It is Oct 2009 and I have decided to take a few minutes to vent and share personal frustrations re my experience with Sony. I am feeling defeated from having spent countless hours on the ever popular 'blue haze/cloud/dot reality nightmare show' of my Sony KDL-42WE655 Projection TV screen which I purchased on sale for $2400 in Oct 2004. In this instance, my once 4 year extended warranty which I had purchased through Best Buy as insurance against unforeseen potential major repair issues such as this expired last Oct. I am informed the optical block/engine is leaking and needs replaced at a cost of approx $1100 of which is only a temporary fix to an ongoing defective problem. Sony's Extended Warranty Service terminated Dec 2008 for a KNOWN manufacturer flaw which was apparently posted on their website and communicated in writing via letter to all owners potentially affected - I personally did NOT receive the letter and found that curious? I have had much discussion with various people in the electronics field, service techs and have read countless blogs. So I contacted Sony in hopes of getting it fixed beyond their warranty deadline. Well, I was reminded many times that the warranty period ended; however, I persisted further and spoke with a supervisor who offered me a hint of hope(with no further negotiation I'm told) is as follows:

(a) Sony to pay $300 toward the repair only after I show proof via diagnostics from an authorized Sony Service Center which is 1/2 of the $300 already but can be applied toward the repair -OR- (b) Sony to give me a discount toward a new Sony TV - minimal it is and from a TV of their choice delivered to me by truck. This second option is not without a small catch attached as I must physically remove the serial number (tab) off the back of my current TV and send it to them to get the 'deal' and by doing so it would take my TV out-of-service obviously restricting me from getting it repaired on my own - well, I don't think so! I currently have no plans. I encourage any response to this matter from anyone having current knowledge, experience (positive or negative) and/or thoughts or suggestions on how or if I should proceed further. Their 1/4 offer of the cost of the repair just doesn't sit well with me and I think that is their aim to get me to bite the bullet. Truthfully, I am sick of it but there is a principal here and I have read about Sony being in Litigation regarding this very issue. So for now I am going to sit tight and keep my ears and eyes open. I believe there may be further recourse but not sure I want to hassle with it. Sony has marked my file and is awaiting a response from me - don't know of a timeline (if any) on this.

Over the years I have purchased Sony TV's having been the best of the best. This experience has left me numb and when it comes to Sony expressing how they stand behind their products well, maybe in lip service! I want action and fairness and still want this matter resolved. TIMING is everything.. IF only I had received that letter.. IF the blue haze/cloud/dots on the screen had ONLY been more visable sooner.. guess I'm a little late, so they say. Timing, timing, timing. IF Sony would just make exception here and extend a warranty that they already extended due to an admitted error/defect? C'mon!





4 Years 1 Blub
 
Review Date: April 18, 2009
Reviewer: J. A. Buckley, Rochester, NY
So far so good i have the Sony 42 rear projection.(kdf42w655) I am the type of person to fall asleep with the tv on and its been 4 years same first bulb, no blue spots and a great picture.
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