Sony Bravia V Series KDL 40V4100 40 Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
40″ widescreen HDTV (16:9 aspect ratio) * high-gloss black finish * built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required) * built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required) * 1920 x 1080 pixels * 2 component video (accepts signals up to 1080p) *
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Big screen-Big entertainment
After a year of research, I finally selected a Bravia 40 inch tv. It is just what I wanted and suits my viewing area perfectly. Delivery & service set-up were exactly as promised. Very easy to program and begin viewing. Completely happy with product and purchase from amazon.
4 Stars Great TV, not quite White Glove delivery service
This TV is excellent right out of the box. After using it with a conventional DVD player and a Comcast HD box, it is what I expected. HD channels were terrific and convential stations had greater clarity than by prior 32 inch Panasonic Viera. Blue Ray player is obviously on the horizon to synch with this TV.
The “White Glove” delivery promised by Amazon (since they sold this one) is anything but. Purchasers should be aware that the base needs to be attached to the set and screws used to secure it. This is specified to be a two person job. The driver had specific instructions to not attach the table top base, but just to unpack it and then set it where the purchaser wants it, as if this can be done without attaching the base. Then they are supposed to leave, but they want you to sign a form stating among other things that the power and picture work, while not setting it up. Just doing all the things on the check list would have kept the driver there for half an hour to make all the connections and try the product.
3 Stars Amazed by Sony LCD quality but ended up returning
I consider myself an experienced Home Theater connoisseur who is very critical of the equipment I buy and what I recommend to others.
When it came time to retiring my Mother’s 26″ CRT my brothers and I decided to buy her first flat panel. Actually, for me it was my first flat panel as well since I am currently still watching 1080p DLP.
So, for the very first time I found myself a bit uneducated between buying an LCD and a PLASMA. Since I run a Home Theater website I go to electronic shows every year and see both plasmas and LCD televisions side-by-side. I always thought they looked good, but never got a real education in the true differences.
Since my Mother watches television in a sunken living room with windows I thought an LCD set would be really good for her. They are supposed to perform better in brighter rooms. Plus, I was afraid to go PLASMA for fear that she might create burn-in if she was not careful with what she watched.
I went with the Sony KDL-41V4100. Thought it was the best bang for the buck. First, it’s got the Sony stamp on it and the BRAVIA engine that really cleans up standard definition signals.
Upon setting up the Sony LCD and turning it on, I was surprised to see how good the picture actually looked, particularly black levels. Now LCD is not supposed to recreate black levels very well, but from what I saw on this display, I was rather amazed. Sound output from this unit was also impressive from this very stylish television.
The problems began as I watched more material. I started seeing jagged action in fast-moving images. Once I saw it, I was able to continue seeing it and it really began bothering me. Apparently, this is a common problem with LCD unless you go with the W series. Additionally, the moment I move to side seating in my viewing area the picture quality degraded. As has been reported, LCD quality degrades as you move out of direct view.
Additionally, the TV came out of the box defective. There was a permanent white blotch on the screen that appeared when the set was powered on and anytime there was blackness in the picture (such as changing inputs). Found out this defect is caused by styrofoam or some other object pressing against the screen during shipping.
Then there were the numerous Internet reports about “sparkling” and “cloud” issues on the Sony LCD displays. Do a Google search and you will see what I mean.
I really wanted to stay with Sony and LCD — especially since it was going to be in the delicate hands of my Mother. But you know what? Once you get a defective set and see problems in the picture quality you don’t want to go back.
So, I am moving on to PLASMA despite the drawbacks with that format. Actually, PLASMA gives you the best black levels as well as superior color reproduction. LCD comes close, but not quite. You also get a wide viewing angle.
The only drawback with PLASMA is that you have to baby it for a while. It needs to be broken in slowly and you have to be careful about keeping static images on the screen. Of course, everyone is saying image burn-in on PLASMA is a thing of the past, but it pays to be careful nonetheless.
Sorry, but this expert was not convinced that LCD provides the best picture possible which is what I was striving for. Sony also has some issues to resolve with this particular series that doesn’t begin or end with my experience. Again, do a search and you will see others have issues as well.
5 Stars Absolutely perfect.
My experience with this set started of rocky. The first set I received was dead right out of the box (bad power supply). **I did not order my set from Amazon.**
After waiting a week, on pins and needles, for my replacement I can say it was well worth it. The picture is flawless. I am using the Dish Network ViP722 connected with HDMI. I have noticed no “sparkles” or artifacts of any kind. My locals received with an over the air anntena are flawless as well. As a note, I an using the ViP722 OTA input, and not the TV’s tuner. SD channels look good as well.
My SD DVD player displays well on the TV, but I have noticed some distortion on letters and words during opening and ending credits on some movies. I am positive that is due to the limitations of my DVD player, so I have an upconverting DVD player on order. BluRay is out of my current price point. I did connect my PC to the TV using the VGA connection, played a DVD, and sat in awe so I know that new life will be given to my DVD collection. I also played a level of Crysis and that was an awesome experience. I told my wife that I had found my new PC monitor, but she kindly asked me to put the computer back in the other room 
I can not evaluate the TV’s speakers because I have an audio receiver running my sound, but I am using the Tosslink audio out connection to my audio receiver and that works flawlessly.
The TV’s menu is set up nicely, and the aspect and picture options are easily changed with the press of a button on the remote without having to access the menu.
I’ll end my review by saying this—Awesome TV!
5 Stars Thrilled
We absolutely love the TV. Beautiful picture. Delivered quickly. Can’t wait for the Rose Bowl parade next week.
