Fantastic budget WEGA TV. (Sony KV-28HX15)

Member Name: Master Russ

Product:	Sony KV-28HX15
Date:	07/04/05 (1311 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great picture, Great sound, Low price

Disadvantages: An extra scart would be nice

I admit it, it was a whim: my old TV was bugging me because it had a pink patch in the top corner and the 60 Hz mode was flickering. So, one lunchtime, I started looking on the internet for a SONY widescreen TV. I had never been that keen on widescreen before, but now, with an ntl digital box and a decent DVD player, it made sense.
I wanted a Sony - don't ask me why. Maybe it was subliminal, maybe I'm just a sucker for slick advertising, but they definitely reek of desirability. I found the KV-28HX15 (catchy name) at a well-known High Street retailer for £350 and decided to buy it there and then without my usual exhaustive research.
Why this TV? Well, as far as I can tell, it's the most affordable 28" Sony WEGA TV available. This means, of course, that it lacks some of the high-end features. Firstly, there's no built-in Digital freeview; this wasn't an issue for me as I use NTL. Secondly, it's only a 50 Hz refresh rate, rather than 100 Hz 'flicker free'. Again, I wasn't hugely bothered by that; I've heard it said that you only really notice the difference if you have the two types next to each other. Thirdly, the sound is only NICAM stereo, with no wibbly-wobbly Dolby 'virtual' effects. Personally, I find these virtual surround systems artificial and distracting, and if it meant that much to me, I'd pick up a dedicated surroud amp with lots of speakers. Let's face it you can pick them up for next to nothing these days.
The only gripe that bothered me was a lack of connectivity; there are two Scart sockets on the back, and an S-video and three phono composite/left/right sockets behind a flap on the side. I'd prefer an extra RGB Scart on the rear, but, hey, if I need to reach behind the TV to switch the cable for DVD or PS2 then it's not going to kill me.
The TV came. The box was huge.
Firstly, building the stand: Sony may be electronic geniuses but their furniture instructions are not Ikea-clear. Some steps required a wee bit of trial and error, but an hour or so later, it was in place a ready to receive the TV.
Switching on: automatic tuning etc. is pretty standard these days and worked perfectly. The analogue picture was good, but switching to digital really demonstrated the clarity of the picture; very crisp but with natural colours. There was also a good range of adjustment of contrast etc, as well as some automatic picture modes for watching DVDs etc.
DVD playback is also excellent. Michael Mann's 'Collateral' was particularly stunning, played on a Toshiba DVD player.; the neon-lit nightime action was beautiful, with inky dark blacks and gorgeous muted colours. The soundtrack also demonstrated the TV's abilities. Dialogue was crisp and clear, and the sound filled the room well without being deafening. When Audioslave's "Shadow On The Sun" kicked in halfway through the film, it sounded absolutely awesome.
Games too, are a joy to behold. Gran Turismo 4 - played in widescreen - is truly stunning, with a complete absence of flicker.
I love this TV. If you can pick it up at some of the prices I've seen online, you will be getting a bargain which will make you weep with joy every morning when you turn on the news.

Summary: