Sony KV-27FV17 27" FD Trinitron WEGA Flat-Screen Television with 2-Tuner PIP

Topping the list of great features has to be the KV-27FV17's enhanced 16:9 viewing. When watching a widescreen DVD in letterbox mode (with black bars at the top and bottom of your screen to preserve the picture's original aspect ratio), this viewing mode uses all the set's horizontal resolution on the video image itself, wasting none on rendering the black bars.

Velocity-scan modulation (selectable: off, high, low) improves the definition at picture edges, creating sharper images by slowing the CRT (cathode-ray tube) beam's horizontal scanning during demanding work--say, when rendering transitions from light to dark parts of an image--and speeding it up when scanning easily rendered sections, like broad dark areas. The set's 3D digital comb filter further enhances resolution by removing blurred edges between colors and reducing dot crawl (tiny, moving dots of color along a sharp color separation in a vertical line, as in a depiction of a character's striped T-shirt).

A top-of-the-line component-video input minimizes digital and line-scan artifacts from compatible video sources, while multiple composite- and S-video inputs accommodate all DVD players and most other video components. You can choose between a set of rear AV inputs and a set of front AV inputs (including S-video) for extra convenience, especially when hooking up a camcorder or video-game console. A rear AV output offers both fixed and variable-level analog audio outputs for hookup with, for instance, both a VCR and a surround receiver. You can label the set's channels (up to 40 of them!) for easy selection.

The set gives you stereo audio with 15 watts per channel. SRS 3D technology simulates surround sound through any two speakers, and BBE High-Definition Sound improves speech intelligibility and restores the dynamic range of compressed musical passages. The DAC speaker system boosts bass response using a resonant chamber while emphasizing midrange frequencies for further enhancement of voices.

Other video technologies include auto white balance, Dynamic Picture processor, Dynamic Focus circuitry, color temperature control, and vertical aperture compensation. An optional accessory for the set is the Sony audio/video cabinet SU-27FD4. The silver universal Remote Commander luminous remote control is designed to operate the TV as well as your VCR, cable box, digital satellite system, and DVD player.

What's in the Box
TV, remote control (RM-Y181), three AAA batteries, user's manual, and warranty information.

One day, after watching me do something on my computer, my wife mentioned that the 17" monitor was almost as large as our TV screen. I started thinking, and decided it was time to step into the 21st century for our home entertainment.

After checking out websites, and retailers, we decided to take the plunge with the beautiful Sony Wega 27" TV. Needless to say, we have not been disappointed. The screen size is perfect for the living room of our apartment. Anything bigger might have been too much. A rule of thumb is this: Screen Size x 3 = optimal viewing distance.

Picture quality on the flat screen is incredible. Obviously, it isn't like HDTV, but it is still incredible. The viewing angle is very large - you can stand off to the side and view the screen and not miss much (if anything). The remote control and set up are very easy, and the speakers actually sound pretty good. We have home theater, so we don't use the TV's speakers, but every now and again, we'll use them when our son is asleep. They aren't bad at all!

The TV itself is gorgeous. The cabinet is a slightly darker gray than earlier Wegas, and I think this is an improvement. It serves to make it stand out at retailers, especially since companies like JVC made some silver-colored cabinets after Sony broke the mode with its original Wegas.

If you are looking for a 27" color TV, you would be doing yourself a favor by considering this model.


First Rate   March 10, 2002
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Given the number of complaints I've heard about the Sony Wegas (pink lines, color distortions, picture warping, etc.) and having seen some of the problems on early Wega models in showrooms, I was hesitant about purchasing one. After looking at dozens of models at a variety of stores however, I'm pretty convinced that the majority of problems have been fixed on the more recent models. The Wega KV-27FV17 picture was superior to any other 27" television I looked at over several weeks, and so I decided to take one home. I can report that after a few weeks, I've had no problems, and the picture quality is superb. I have noticed the slight picture bulge some people have complained about when reading the tickers or crawls at the bottom of the screen on business channels. It's minor, so unless you're purchasing a set to obsessively read business or news crawls, it's nothing to lose sleep over. That said, the picture when watching everything else is excellent, and spectacular when using an S-cable or component cable to watch DVD's or digital cable/satelite systems. I'm very pleased with this model.


SONY Makes a Great Flat Screen TV Set   November 28, 2001
gobirds2 (New England)
10 out of 13 found this review helpful

The SONY WEGA KV-27FV17 is an excellent looking Flat Screen TV set. It has a Digital comb filter that increases picture resolution and reduces noticeable dot-crawl, which is visible on less expensive 27inch brands. It has 1 Front and 2 Rear composite audio/video inputs plus a Rear S-video input for DVD, Laser Disc players and Super-VHS recorders for higher picture resolution. It also comes with 2 Rear RF Jacks. It also comes standard with Clock, Sleep Timer, Last Channel Recall, Remote and V-chip. It also comes with Audio Enhancement of real stereo sound and simulated 2-speaker surround sound. However, the picture is what counts first. I saw this set last weekend with a satellite signal and DVD demo. It looked superb.


A Sony tattoo would rock!!!   March 6, 2006
Marc B. Willis (Mobile, Alabama)
You have read the specs so I will not go over them. I have had the 27" since 2002 and have moved it 5 times and it works great. The only flaw that I have seen so far is it takes forever to turn on. I would say that it takes 20 seconds to warm up and a picture to be visible. When I first bought it the picture took around 3 seconds, still thats not to bad for a 4 year old TV and over 6000 miles of travel on it. My original rating was 4 stars but with time it deserves the extra star.