I will be replacing my 10 year old 27" Sony XBR Trinitron with a Sony 32" WEGA TV. There seems to be a endless list of various model numbers. I do want a 16:9 32" TV. I can do without the PIP. Are all 32" WEGA's anamorphic? Why so many models? Which one should I get? I will hopefully buy within a week. Thanks.

I'd definitely go with the WEGA XBR series. Although they are not 16:9 format, they have automatic anamorphic "detection" (so you don't have to keep going into the menu and changing it, like I have to do on my WEGA). Also, they are HDTV compatible, with (I believe) 1080i and 480p (potential resolution using a HDTV decoder). Of course, they also have progressive scan inputs (which will allow you to avail yourself to high-quality progressive scan DVD players, if you don't already have one).

That's just my $0.02, though. If I were buying a new TV right now, I'd probably go with one that is 16:9 (like maybe the Toshiba or Hitachi rear pro-jo systems). They are also HDTV ready and have progressive scan inputs.

Unless you live in Europe, you won't find any 32" 16:9 TV's.

In that price range, I recommend the Toshiba 40H80. 16:9, HDTV, and only $1550.

As I stated in another thread. Sams Club has the 32" Wega for $799 the last i saw them. Others said they saw it advertised for $899. So if you have a Sams in your area you might want to check it out. Alot cheaper than BestBuy and CC. I dont think the 32" Wega had PIP.

Its amazing to me that with the 6 to 8 WEGA models of the 36 inch variety, noboby can adequately explain the differences. Not even SOny on their web site does a good job! Can somebody lay out the benfits between the 6- 8 TV's?

If you do not plan on buying a HDTV decoder...is it worth getting the HDTV ready models. I understand that even if you do not have the decoder that even regular signals and DVD's are cleaner on the higher end tubes.

pecooper - I am still trying to figure out the diff between the HS and the XBR series. I think all it is is the Cinema Pull Down feature, or whatever it's called. Other than that, the dimensions are the same, etc.

And if you don't have an HDTV decoder, I think normal cable looks like crap on the XBR series. The tv is too good so it picks up all the imperfections in cable braodcasting. Looks like crap

Get a remote that does macros and you can change it to 16x9 mode in one button push. I have the Radio Shack 15-1994 and it works great. It goes for $39.99, but is on sale every month or two for $29.99.

If you pick one up, the site below will give you instructions on how to do macros, and everything else. Macros, and several other features, are unlisted in manual.

http://www.remotecentral.com/features/r-151994.htm

For some reason the AUTO detect 16:9 feature does not work on the XBR if a progressive scan DVD is conected (the auto option disappears).

Does anyone know why?

But you can find a 30" one. Costco is closing out the 30" 16:9 Samsung TSK3092WF for $799. It's probably hard to find though. Here's some info on it:

http://www.superaudiovideo.com/samts.html

http://pricegrabber.consumerreview.c...Product=376097

hmmm...but 30" for a widescreen. That's much smaller than a 4:3 30". No?

Where is the Toshiba 40H80 $1550?

I just picked up the cheapest 27" Sony WEGA. I noticed that it's not perfect at drawing straight lines. It's also different for every set. The demo on display was a little crooked right vertical..and the one i have seems to be drooping a little..though it's not that noticable at all, especially watching cable tv. I'm just expecting perfect straight lines when watching DVDs on such an expensive display (549). run the THX optiplex tests found on fox's dvds...i got the 3 year warranty so i'm covered. Picture is great btw with 16:9 enhanced mode. this was why i picked this over the Panasonic which had great overall picture but had Horrible problems with drawing straight lines on the top right (like if there's a doorway there, the top would slant to the left and its VERY NOTICABLE unlike the sony), No Controls to fix this all u get is TILT with the low end models...so overall I would probably spend the extra cash and get the XBR series.

I bought WEGA 36" XBR 450 and utterly happy with my set.
This is the best thing I've ever seen.
No scan line, 16:9 enhanced, HDTV ready, LOTS of inputs & outputs.... More than I asked for.

Just go with XBR series. You won't regret it.

http://www.sonystyle.com/electronics/prd.jsp?hierc=8623x8633x8694&catid=8694&pid=10292&type=s

I just got this set last week. Do you notice any pixelization with this set. I have digital cable, and the tv is so good, it actually is too good. Shows all imperfections. Does anyone else have this problem, and is there a way to correct it?

This is the one I want. I only wish Sony did not put the speakers for these models on the side of the units. They won't fit in my entertainment center. I have to go down from my 35" sony to the 32" XBR.

:-(

I know what you mean.

The truth is I got rid of my entertainment center from the living room after I bought this set.

I just had to get a matching TV stand the moment I saw it.
(It looked so sleek, stylish and futuristic, I couldn't think of putting my XBR on other place).
No wonder, the TV stand alone costed me almost the worth of moderate TV set.
But, I still feel that it would be almost sinful to put my new shiny silver TV on that dark wooden entertainment center I had.

Now, my old furniture is in my bed room with my old/ugly/smaller TV and the bed room looks awfully crammed.
Still, my living room is all shiny silver mood and I am happy.