Product Description

3LCD Chips --- The 3LCD technology at the heart of Sony's Grand WEGA televisions provide a bright picture, with high detail and natural color. These three key benefits are immediately apparent when viewing a Grand WEGA TV. You can expect to see an incredibly detailed picture with eye-popping colors. Sony uses three tiny LCD chips (0.73) with a combined resolution of over 2.76 million pixels. The light from a high output UHP lamp shines into a filtering system that splits the beam into red, green, and blue light streams. Each color goes through its own LCD chip, which passes or blocks the light. The three beams are then instantaneously recombined and sent to the projection lens. WEGA Engine System --- The WEGA Engine¿ system is the core video processing system that was designed based on Sony's expertise and long heritage in bringing cutting-edge picture quality to TVs for consumers. Its fully digital signal-processing path includes video processing functions that have been designed and optimized using Sony's video experience to improve overall picture quality.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #48245 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Silver
• Brand: Sony
• Model: KDF-50E2000
• Dimensions: 32.60" h x 16.10" w x 46.60" l, 64.20 pounds
• Display size: 50

Features

• HD (1280 x 720) Picture Resolution (LCD Chip)
• 3 LCD Chips (R/G/B); 921,600 Pixels Each
• Cinema Black Pro for excellent contrast ratio
• 2 HDMI (Rear) and 3 Component Inputs (1 Side/2 Rear)
• DRC MF-V1 (Digital Reality Creation MultiFunction V1) technology

From the Manufacturer
Packaged in a compact, two-color exterior with subtly located speakers, the Grand WEGA 3LCD rear projection TVs are now available in a larger range of sizes, including 46", 50" and 55" screens. The televisions feature high-detail picture quality, and deliver natural color reproduction and exceptional brightness levels thanks to 3LCD technology. And deep black levels along with outstanding contrast are hallmarks of the Cinema Black Pro function. Featuring enhanced connectivity via dual HDMI input and PC input through HDMI, Sony’s Grand WEGA LCD projection televisions provide quality playback of nearly every connected device.

3LCD Panels
The 3LCD technology at the heart of Sony’s Grand WEGA™ televisions provide a bright picture, with high detail and natural color. These three key benefits are immediately apparent when viewing a Grand WEGA™ TV. You can expect to see an incredibly detailed picture with eye-popping colors. Sony uses three tiny LCD chips (0.73") with a combined resolution of over 2.76 million pixels. The light from a high output UHP lamp shines into a filtering system that splits the beam into red, green, and blue light streams. Each color goes through its own LCD chip, which passes or blocks the light. The three beams are then instantaneously recombined and sent to the projection lens.

Digital Reality Creation (DRC) Multifunction Technology
Unlike conventional line doublers, the DRC Multifunction feature replaces the signal's NTSC waveform with the HD equivalent, while doubling the number of vertical and horizontal lines. This results in four times the density for quality sources, such as DVD, satellite and digital camcorders. The Video Menu allows you to select interlaced, progressive or CineMotion® output. WEGA Engine System
The WEGA Engine system is the core video processing system that was designed based on Sony’s expertise and long heritage in bringing cutting-edge picture quality to TVs for consumers. Its fully digital signal-processing path includes video processing functions that have been designed and optimized using Sony’s video experience to improve overall picture quality. The WEGA Engine System includes:

• High-speed A/D (analog-to-digital) converters for wide-range gradation capture of analog signals
• 3-D Y/C Comb Filter for minimizing cross color and dot structure artifacts
• Digital MPEG Noise Reduction Circuit, which reduces MPEG artifacts such as "block noise" and "mosquito noise" caused by the compression used to maximize bandwidth in digital broadcasts
• Digital Temporal 3-D Noise Reduction (pixel-by-pixel basis)
• Digital Motion Adaptive I/P (interlace-to-progressive), as well as Edge Adaptive I/P deinterlacing conversion, which improves resolution in video with motion

Cinema Black Pro
Cinema Black Pro is an exclusive Sony function designed to improve contrast expression especially in darker scenes. The Cinema Black Pro function is enabled by using either one or both of two features - Iris Control and Advanced Iris. The Iris Control function sets the maximum size of the iris opening and sets the overall level of brightness. There are several settings that allow the user to adjust the iris opening to best match the room lighting conditions. The Advanced Iris function is a dynamic adjustment that automatically opens and closes the iris according to the gamma level of the picture on the screen. There are several different adjustments. The "High" setting is ideal for movies and music video content. And the "Off" setting works great for sports and news content.

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) and PC Connectivity
Designed for maximum versatility, Sony’s Grand WEGA line is equipped with a comprehensive range of input interfaces. The HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is the first industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. HDMI technology supports enhanced or High Definition video, together with digital audio to provide matchless image and sound reproduction. PC connectivity is also accommodated via HDMI so now you can use your Grand WEGA TV with your PC.

Steady Sound
The Steady Sound feature equalizes volume levels so there is consistent output between programs and commercials.

What's in the box
Sony KDF-50E2000 50-inch 3LCD Rear Projection Television, Remote Control (with batteries), Operating Instructions, Quick Setup Guide, Warranty Card, Registration Card

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Customer Reviews

"It's the best, Jerry! The best!"
First off, I am hardly the one to take time out to write reviews, but I felt so strongly about the high quality of the "Sony KDF-50E2000 50" 3LCD Rear Projection Television" that I wanted to share :)

Before you order, consider shipping wisely; some places may have bad reviews when it comes to actually getting the item you ordered, or string you along until one is back in stock. If you read the fine print, more often than not, the shipping is upwards of $150 or more because they have to use a freighting company, tack on extra insurance costs, gas, additional blinker fluid allowances, etc. They may not know or care that the TV should never be laid on its side (as a few different store reps have told me). Similarly, if you find something wrong with it, they may not accept returns on such a big TV, so you'd have to ship it yourself to Sony for repairs, etc, unless you buy an additional in-house warranty.

I researched and researched until I finally decided I didn't want plasma because: 1) the refresh rate isn't as good as with a regular TV, which translates into motion blur or lag when playing video games, and 2) cost. I bought this particular model because its the newest model (more ports) over the *discontinued* Sony KDF-E50A1050. Screen size -wise, seven to ten feet viewing distance is said to be optimal for a 50" screen, which was perfect for my living room. And, just like plasma TVs, this TV and similar ones can still be mounted on the wall.

I shopped around online, opted to buy mine at CC, and picked it up myself at the store, for around $1800 including tax. I basically traded the worrying about hidden shipping costs, delays, return issues, etc, for paying local sales tax. Having a SUV handy is a must here. Though the TV fit, we had to take it out of the box to slide it in upright. At a mere 60-70 pounds it was suprisingly light for its size, and a breeze to lift into my entertainment center and position into place with the help of a friend.

Quality-wise, seeing this TV (or any, for that matter) on display in the stores does not do it justice. In the stores, they use the factory default settings to make the images catch your eye, making colors and visual effects appear way off. Once I got it home, I recalibrated the settings (custom) using the THX video calibration tool found on The Incredibles DVD--this saved me weeks of frustration. Picture clarity on non-HD channels is great, and on HD/DVDs, fantastic. The virtual surround sound is simply awesome--I'm no audiophile by any stretch, but I know with sound this good, I can wait a little while to expand into the digital receiver/satellite speaker realm. I got goosebumps watching Neo fight off 100's of Agent Smiths in the burly brawl scene of Matrix Reloaded. Fight Night 2 on PS2 never looked so good as it does on this TV--so much so that I haven't even tried my other games yet, it's THAT close to playing the game for the first time. GTA 3, here I come.

Another thing that impressed me about the TV: the menu controls are extremely intuitive; the only confusion comes when pressing the various 'shortcut' button does the same thing as navigating the menu options, and is to be expected. I only had to read the manual to figure out how to program the universal remote to add my DVD, cable box, etc, and that was a snap. When in doubt, hit Menu! My only gripe is that all functions on a remote control that you're replacing may not be covered: I still have to scramble for the cable box remote to view the online Channel Guide. However I think this is an issue with all universal remotes. Once I got the TV calibrated the way I liked it, I didn't need all the extra functions on the TVs remote every day, so it helped to program the new tv into my old cable remote.

The only other downside with this and all other projection lamp TVs: you will have to replace the "sony xl-2400 replacement lamp every 8,000 hours of use, or when the picture becomes dark, or when the lamp LED flashes." At this time, the replacement lamp runs about $150-$200, but even if you average six hours of TV time a day, you may go 3 1/2 without having to replace it. This factored into my decision as well, but in the end I justified: what's $50 a year (if that) to replace the lamp and make the picture as good as new again, vs the issues other TVs can have?
There are detailed instructions in the manual (google it to see) that explains the process in detail. Depending on where you go, for around $200 you can get an additional 2 year warranty that covers one bulb replacement (you call, they mail the bulb).

All in all, it is a great buy for the amount of TV that you get, and I highly recommend it!

Warning!! "Light Engine" Problem
This is a great TV, but it has a serious flaw. The "light engine" goes frequently. I've had mine for 8 months, still in warranty, and had this happen. The tech said I should definitely get the extended warrantee from Sony because it would happen again. He sees it all the time, and it's a $2000 repair when not under warranty.

High Quality Picture and Product and service from Amazon
If you don't intend to hang your new HDTV on the wall, then a SONY projection TV is a smart choice. Unlike the old big box sets you saw in bars and resturants, the new generation weighs around 65 lbs, is a mere 15" deep and has a picture that rivals plasma or LCD.

With any of the new sets, you need to do your homework and undestand room size and such. Forget the worries of the projection light (lamp) needing to be replaced every 18 months to 2 years, a trival cost.

The picture is crisp, clear on both HD and non HD signals. Remember the source of the signal is everything and I have cable and again even the non HD channels are just stunning. My benchmark was a 3 year old 36" Sony tube, so my comparrsion is against a real strong performer.

The sound is excellent from the internal speakers, adding a external sound system is clearly something some want to do, but not really necessary for broadcast TV.

I compared this for a long time with the Samsung which is also a very good product. I decided on the SONY because I thought the sound slightly better as well as the underlying technology. Don't read that as the Samsung not being a strong performer, it is. The decision just came down to having great luck with Sony in the past and the minor differences I detected.

I ordered mine from Amazon who delivered the set exactly when promised with the delivery people very professional (Eagle Global Logistics).

Great set and Amazon delivered the product on time.

Sorry for the long review.