Sony Bravia S-Series KDL-32S5100 32-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV, Black
From the ManufacturerManufacturer’s Review (March 3, 2009)Full HD 1080p resolution and stunning contrast are now in reach with Sony BRAVIA S-Series Flat Panel HDTVs. Like the rest of the BRAVIA S-Series HDTVs, the 32-inch KDL-32S5100 offers the superior resolution and dynamic contrast, advanced image processing features, and variety of HD input options available on high-end BRAVIA HDTVs at a great value. Enjoy the superior resolution and dynamic contrast, advanced image processing features, and variety of HD input options available on high-end BRAVIA HDTVs–at a great value. Click to enlarge. Includes RM-YD028 remote. 16:9 Full HD 1080p Resolution Panel (1920×1080) 16:9 Full HD 1080p resolution panel (1920×1080) accepts any HDTV signal and renders it with optimum resolution, so you can take full advantage of Blu-ray Disc players and Sony PLAYSTATION 3 entertainment systems that can deliver 1080p content. Dynamic contrast (30,000:1) Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE) creat … >>> Special Offers and Product Promotions
I AM UNABLE TO EDIT MY STAR RATING OR I WOULD DOWNGRADE IT TO TWO, MAYBE THREE STARS!!!
I bought this for my bedroom last week and am pretty happy with it. I have a 40″ XBR2 in the family room and this model’s picture is surprisingly comparable. I bought it through Amazon for MUCH less than BB or Sears. I do have a couple issues that prevent me from giving it five stars: first, it takes quite a long time for the picture to appear when you turn it on and switching inputs takes even longer than my XBR2. The other peave I have is setting the sleep timer; on most TV’s there’s a dedicated ‘Sleep’ button on the remote. On the S5100 you have to hit the ‘Tools’ button on the remote, select ‘Clock/Timers’, select your sleep time, then press the ‘Menu’ button to clear the on-screen menu. Wow! All-in-all, neither of those are that big of a deal, but the next issue is the one that’s provoking me to call Sony Customer Service. There is a significant amount of noise in the TV’s audio output — especially at low volume. It sounds like the signal is over-modulated, but at higher volume levels it’s not as noticable. I haven’t tried a set of external speakers to see if the noise is still there, but I have tried component, composite, and HDMI inputs all with the same results. Perhaps I’ll update this review with the results of my call to Sony.
UPDATE 5/1: I called Sony about the audio issue; they wanted to send out a technician. I opted to have J&R swap out the TV but the same exact problem exists on the replacement. I guess I’m going to take Sony up on their offer to send someone out. I can’t tolerate this problem considering it is our bedroom TV and is often used at low volume levels.
UPDATE 5/19: I just finished packing up the unit to return to J&R, who have been great BTW! The Sony tech acknowledged the problem and said that Sony tech support would probably tell him to replace the digital audio board, but unless the board has been redesigned he didn’t think it would resolve the problem. Sony Customer Service refused to help in any way; I asked for a refurbished XBR6 (last year’s only 32″ 1080p model) to replace this unit, and they said no. I asked for a discount on a new XBR9, and they said no. As the owner of several Sony products, including a 40″ XBR2 and a 36″ Wega, I am really quite surprised by Sony’s unwillingness to help resolve this issue. My brand loyalty has been shaken, and I will think twice before I buy another Sony product. BTW, I’m looking at the Panasonic and Samsung 1080 32″ models as a replacement.
“I will rate this product on three parameters:
1. How you use the product: From the outer looks at a first glance you may not like that much. As compared to other makers and even other lower model from Sony, this one looks much dull. I like the grill design of even the lower model 32L4000. Glossy touch on the outer frame adds a little shine to the frame, other wise it would have been the worst look-feel compared to the latest models of Sony LCD.
I like the remote a lot. Allways feel like holding it, its so light and sleak, it works a little slower though, but thats not any problem.
2. Things that are great about it: Good clear and sharp image. Good 1080P LCD for a decent price.
First attahed this tv to my upconvertible dvd player with component cable. This setting gave good image quality, but nothing that i was expecting from a LCD. Then i replaced component with HDMI. This gave 1080i and i could see good improvement in the picture quality. I believe with blu ray player and blue ray disk with HDMI cable, the pictures should be excellent.
3. Things that aren’t so great about it: Poor looks. Brightness decreases when dark scene comes. It looks like you are watching a scene, and some one came and reduced the brightness for no reason and then in 2 to 3 seconds, again increased the brightness. Its really annoying. Many a times i have seen ghost images too. I complained Sony and it looks like these 2 problems are with most of the S5100 series of any size. They have a software upgrade released on 04/28, one can download it too, and they are sending that via mail. I have to see once it comes and that corrects these issues or not.
Over all I would suggest you to buy from Sony but not at least this 32S5100 series.
Accessories I Recommend: Blu ray player, HDMI cable”
Picture wise, this TV has been good/great. I’ve had it now for a week and the picture is superbly better than the two year old Samsung 32″ LCD it replaced. I did update the firmware but I still notice the contrast shift at times. However, the one glaring issue with this TV (and all Sony KDL-xxS5100 sets as I’ve found) is the lack of Dolby Digital 5.1 audio output.
Yes, the TV has an Optical Digital output that the manual states will output PCM audio. However, it does not list that it is limited to only 2 channel linear PCM audio (which I later found listed under the HDMI input specs on the unit). A call to Sony confirmed the flaw, and that it is intentionally done (though I am waiting to hear from a Sony engineer as to why this is). Frankly, I never considered that an ATSC/QAM tuner would not output 5.1 digital audio since it is part of the signal. And isn’t HDTV all about high definition video and audio?
This probably isn’t a problem for most people unless they don’t have a digital cable box and have surround sound, but either way, I’m not sure this can be legal. And like I didn’t have enough criteria when I was buying a TV before, but now I have to ask whether it outputs Dolby Digital 5.1??
I’ll update if/when I hear back from Sony. In the mean time, I am returning the TV and getting the Panasonic 37″ 1080p (which outputs 5.1 and fits in my entertainment cabinet).