KV-32HS500, Opinions Requested RE: DRC - Thanks (1 Viewer)

Hi all,

I know that this DRC issue has been debated quite a bit in this forum, however, I have a simple (I think) question and I would greatly appreciate your opinions.

I am thinking of purchasing the 32HS500 to replace my 32FS13. I know that the 32HV600 allows you to adjust the DRC and that the 32HS500 does not. I have DirecTV/TiVo with an elliptical HD compliant dish and I watch tons of DVD's but do not watch VHS except for my sons videos from time to time (so I could care less).

With the digital signal from DirecTV, would the 32HS500 ($1,224 at Best Buy) with fixed DRC be a problem or should I go with the 32HV600 ($1,530 at Good Guys)? This is my dilemma.

Thanks a lot in advance.

Mitch

I liked all the added features of the HV600. It's really up to you to decide if the difference is worth the extra cost or not. I did feel it was worth the extra $$$ however at the tie of my purchase the difference wasn't that much. I got my HV600 at Fry's for $1299. Try Fry's and see if they will give it to you for the same price. Tell them you missed the big sony sale they had a few months back.

also, have you considered the 34XBR at all since you watch a ton of DVD's. Maybe a 16x9 set is more up your alley.

Thanks Jeff.

Unfortunately the 34XBR800 will not fit into my ent. ctr. Bummer.

Well I have the 32hs500 and my ONLY complaint about it is that the only drc choices are interlaced, progressive, and cinemotion. Where's the OFF? If there is a high quality feed (i do get one on some channels) the picture is outstanding, but most commercials look horribly blocky. I have a tivo and I sometimes have to watch regular cable because the image gets too crazy for me. Oh, and video games look terrible (N64 anyway, I can't speak about a cube, ps2 or xbox) unless you use the component input. blocky, blocky, blocky...

Off topic:

Bob,
How wide is the top of that set? Large enough to fit a normal size center speaker? I saw your webpage, but couldn't figure it out from the pics you have posted.
Thanks

Nathan, I can send you a pic of the top with measurements tonight. The bad thing about the top is that it slopes forward and backward, like it was never designed to have anything on it. I had to rest the rear of the speaker on the ridge, and put two rubber feet on the front to level off the speaker and keep it from sliding on the floor.

Bob,
Yea, that would be great. Thanks.
Sounds tricky getting things set up right with that set...

Thanks again.

Nathan. YGM.

So... Will the DirecTV digital signal work well with the 32HS500?

I assume it should be fine unless the TiVo messes it up. Anyone?

All non-HD, non-DVD signals will fail in comparrison. Directv is actually quite good on my HV600 even with the DRC high up. Of course some channels are much better than others too.

Sony will have a new 30" 16X9 XBR out shortly that will have variable DRC, maybe that will fit in you entertainment unit? IF not then remeber that if you are using a progressive scan DVD player and as we get more and more HD content then the DRC becomes a mute point as you will not be using it for anything other then the odd program.

You might want wait about a month to check out the new 32HS510 and 36HS510 models from Sony. Check out the text below from a press release from Sony.

http://news.sel.sony.com/pressrelease/3407

This year's HS models incorporate these performance-enhancing features including: HD Detailer™ wideband video amplifier, which reproduces finer image details when utilizing such high definition sources as an HD set top box and HD satellite receiver; and ClearEdge VM™ wide-bandwidth velocity modulation scanning, which doubles the bandwidth capacity from last year's models, enhancing not only conventional bandwidth, but higher frequency sources like DVD players and satellite receivers to take full advantage of the 1080i widescreen chassis for exceptional clarity and depth.

The 2003 models continue to feature Digital Reality Creation ™ MultiFunction circuitry, CineMotion™ reverse 3:2 pulldown technology for optimum film-based video source display, Multi-Image Driver-X with Scrolling Channel Index™ viewing feature, Flexible Twin-View™ 2-tuner picture-and-picture, and SRS® TruSurround® sound for powerful audio performance.

Step Up Convenience Features

The KV-34HS510 and KV-30HS510 models also incorporate a Memory Stick® media slot for viewing JPEG images. With full screen, index, or slide show viewing options, this feature provides a convenient way to showcase images taken with Memory Stick media-enabled digital still cameras and camcorders. For exceptional digital connection, the new models incorporate a Digital Visual Interface (DVI-HDTV) connection that enables copy-protected, high-definition video content to be delivered to the unit from a DVI/HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) compatible set-top box, such as Sony's SAT-HD200 HD/DIRECTV receiver. In addition to the DVI-HDTV interface, Sony's new HS models also contain two HD component video inputs (Y/PB/PR), offering the highest quality connections available today to DVD players and outstanding performance with HD receiver/decoders.

The KV-34HS510 will be available in August for about $2,000. Consumers can also find the KV-30HS510 in September for about $1,500.

The HS series also includes two 4:3 aspect ratio models-- the KV-32HS510 and KV-36HS510—which will be available in May for about $1,300 and $1,800, respectively.

I definitely will be checking this one out for myself next month. Good luck.