fauxvirgo's Full Review: Sony Bravia KDL-40V4100 40 in. HDTV TV
We originally bought the S-series Bravia when it was on sale. However, the next day this V-series was on sale for the same price we paid for the S-series! We had just hooked up the S-series and still had all the packaging, so we packed it back up and traded it in for this V-series.
If you are still watching analog channels, you will be blown away by the picture difference between the S-series and the V. The S model doesn't have any kind of analog video processing like the V-series. The V-series analog picture looked nearly as sharp as HD channels. On the S-series, we could barely read the Dish Network guide because the text was so fuzzy and distorted.
Even if you aren't deciding between S- and V- Bravias, please keep video processing in mind if you will watch analog channels. I realize analog broadcasts will be shut off in February 09, but that doesn't mean that the cable companies or your dish tuner boxes won't still be sending out analog signal. We put this TV in the bedroom, and are using the second tuner in our Dish Network box (VIP622) to run it for now. The second tuner in these boxes is analog; the only way we can watch Dish HD channels in HD is if we get a second HD box for the bedroom. I'm just throwing that out there for those of you that are thinking of using the same setup as us.
There is also a significant improvement in sound quality between the S-series and V-series. Neither of them are spectacular, but at least with the V series you aren't constantly reminded of how terrible the sound is.
The menus are also set up like a Playstation 3 - an interesting touch, but I think I prefer the S-series menu set up since it is identical to our older Sony 55".
Really the only negative I have is that cable co-ax connection sticks straight out from the back of the TV. We mounted the TV on the wall with a 12° tilting bracket. On the S-series it was recessed and made tilting the TV down easier. The V-series could tilt farther down if it didn't have the coax cable sticking straight out of the back at the bottom of the TV.
Setup was a breeze. We plugged in the coax, turned the power on, and were automatically prompted to begin setup. It took a few minutes (10 minutes?) as it scanned for channels. I would have been nice if it were a bit quicker.
Since we got this TV for the same price as the S -series, it's easy for me to say that it's worth the extra money. However, knowing what I know now about the sound and analog picture differences, I would have gladly spent $200 more for it over the S-series.
Sony s KDL-40V4100 brings 1080p picture quality home with amazing, Sony-exclusive features like the XMB (Xross Media Bar) with 3D graphics, DMex capab...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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