Sony VE5 reviews?

Yes, there is one I found and it was very favorable. They compared 9 midsize HDTVs and equated the picture quality to be very similar to the Sony XBR8 (also in the roundup) but having better viewing angles than the XBR8. Here is the link: http://www.tomsguide.com/us/HDTV-Sam...view-1326.html

I did some further checking on the internet and found that the HCFL used in this model may only last a few thousand hours, similar to a front projector's bulb life, and that is why they are not typically used in LCD flat panel TVs. I then contacted Sony technical support to voice my concerns and asked specifically about the projected panel lifespan. I got the runaround. They talked about the panel's excellent energy efficiency and directed me to their website to read more about it....

After I replied back that they didn't answer my question, here is what they said: "It is difficult for Sony or any other manufacturer to quote the life expectancy for a product. Certain variables, such as the amount of use (or lack there of) a product receives and the environmental conditions in which a product is being used, play a part in the life expectancy of a product."

Had they said the lifespan should be similar to a CCFL LCD, it might be worth considering. However, with the possibilty of having to replace the lamp, or perhaps even the entire TV after a few thousand hours will certainly limit their appeal.

I can't post the link yet (not enough posts), but I found an article by searching hcfl vs. ccfl. It has some specifics on the Sony technology.

Sony says lifespan of HCFL should be the same as CCFL.

The place I work for did a review of it as well, and it was less favorable. The main gist of the review is that, while its contrast ratio is great, it has issues with color. I didn't actually write this one up, but the guy who did said this in his conclusion:


Edit: his full write-up is here.

Thanks rinski for the link as I was not able to find that on a google search. Very thorough review however. Not exactly the high praise as in the other review. It will be interesting to see how well this model sells, and prices on it have continued to drop. I do give Sony credit for trying something different.

Not to me.

Google Sony Bravia WE5 & Trusted Reviews (online site) & also What HiFi (UK mag) both have reviews which are very favourable to the Sony. WE5 is the UK/European model number for the VE5! Both reviews give top marks, have been concidering this or the Sony Bravia Z5500/Z5100 myself for a spot on the wall to go behind the cinema screen when not in use. Sorry can't post links yet but should find it easy enough if google the UK name.
Cheers,
Thick As

Looks like the European version WE5 has the new Bravia Engine 3 processing, while the North American VE5 has the older Bravia Engine 2.

WE5 specs- http://www.sony.co.uk/product/t46-we...TechnicalSpecs

VE5 specs- http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...specifications

Mmm was not aware of that ...well all things being equil, that may not be a bad thing you will loose the better SD processing of BE3 but will get much lower input lag with BE2 for gaming. Its a trade off for sure
Thanks,
Thick As

After seeing this thread I was worried about the backlight on my newly purchased VE5.

I called Sony twice. The first time, I spoke with a salesperson and asked how many hours the backlight should last on the ECO series. He said, 60,000 hours.

In order to verify what he said (he is in sales, after all), I called their technical "support" line. The rep read through her script and told me what pdxjazz said above: "It is difficult for Sony or any other manufacturer to quote the life expectancy for a product. Certain variables, such as the amount of use (or lack there of) a product receives and the environmental conditions in which a product is being used, play a part in the life expectancy of a product." However, I asked her point blank if the HCFL in Sony's TV would last as long as the CCFL and she said, "Yes."

While not geographically relevant, the same technology is also being used in the WE series as found here (please fill in the beginning of the URL for yourself): sony.com.au/article/318105/productcategory/tvp-lcd-tv?site=hp_en_AU_i

Sony notes themselves that this is new type of HCFL will have a "long-lifespan."

I was wondering the same thing about the bulb life-span. Sony is promoting it was having a long-life, but isn't this unproven tech? It's a "hot" bulb and heat is often a cause of things wearing out over time.

I'm just curious because the Bravia VE5 is way up on my short list of what to buy soon. I saw a demo unit at BB yesterday and I thought it was a stunning picture. The best my admittedly untrained eye has seen.

After investigating a bit about the bulbs, it seems that the terms are pretty misleading. From what I've read, hot cathodes are filled with low-pressure gas and heated by the Tungsten coil (which releases electrons to light the bulb). It is not the gas that runs out, but traditionally the Tungsten filament that breaks after being worn down by its own heat.

New hot cathode filaments are actually covered, rather than bare (and are also often removed from direct interaction with the gas), reducing the amount of energy needed to heat the gas and emit light. Since they are covered, the disintegration of the Tungsten is also lessened.

A cold cathode is coated on its interior with material that can create electrons by being struck with fast-moving ions, lighting the bulb. Yet, to do this requires a large amount of voltage and although the initial energy used does not heat the cathode (thus, cold cathode), sustained lighting creates a large amount of heat.

This is speculation, but if Sony's smaller hot cathode is designed as an indirect, covered filament, it should have a long lifetime.

For anyone who is in the market for one of the 46VE5s...

Walmart has an in-store only deal going on.

I think it's 999 or 959 for the VE5 and a 120gb PS3 slim... pretty good deal if you ask me.

Best buy had a similar/better deal with more options on which TV you get, but the 46v5100 and 46w5100 are sold out nearly everywhere.

You can still get a 46z5100 with ps3, 1 game, 1 blu ray for 1650 at best buy.

This model of Sony hit the shelves roughly around the same time as the Samsung LED TVs. Its specifications were pretty good, and the promise of low wattage similar to the LED LCDs was very attractive. What I wasn't happy with was the fact that this is an 8-bit LCD panel as opposed to the 10-bit panels that the other manufacturer's models used. A local retailer finally had the Sony in their show room, so I could see if the 8 bit panel made a difference, and after spending over an hour comparing its picture detail and clarity to the Samsung and LG models, I could not see anything negative about the Sony.

Electronic control of filament resolved the life time issue of HCFL so that
it can be used as backlight light source now. The
uniformity of brightness could be resolved by using
diffuser with collimator as shown in Fig. 10. [Check near Figure 10]

I guess SONY just started implementing this advantage.

Source:
Attachemnt

this link has all the display types in the market with detailed comaprsions.

 

All_LCD.pdf 192.513671875k . file

First time poster, been lurking these forums since I started shopping for an LCD back in September. Bought my KDL-46VE5 in December 2009 and already developed a problem just today. Figured I'd let you guys know of the issue and ask if any of you have had a similar problem.

The TV doesn't power on. Well it does, the little red light under "Standby" switched to the green light under "Power", I see the backlight turn on for a couple seconds, then the backlight turns off, and green light goes back to red. I didn't hit the power button twice or anything like that, it just doesn't power on anymore. Tried different surges, different outlets all without any change. Going to call a tech in tomorrow and see if they can't get to the bottom of this. I'll update whenever I figure out whats going on!!!

But other than that, love the TV. Play mostly video games on it via 360 and PS3 and its fine for my taste. The default settings for the TV are garbage though and I had to used a video adjustment thinger to get things looking right. Anyone else have any info on their TV's? By the way, got mine on that Walmart deal awhile back

My experience with the SONY VE5 has been a total disaster.

Bought the 46in version in October 09, and the HDMI inputs stopped working this January, 3 month into service. None of the 4 inputs worked. After doing my own trouble shooting, talking to SONY online, taking my playstation and HDMI cable to the SONY store to be checked up, I was finally convinced it's the TV. The service center ordered the main board for me on 2/10/10, back ordered until 3/10/10. No show after 3/10, and was told new ETA for parts is 4/27. Called SONY, and they called me back in a week. Told me new parts arrived that day. contacted my service center, no they didn't receive parts. Called SONY again, they couldn't figure out why I didn't get parts. Called me back in a week, and told me new parts arrived again. I waited for a few days, and contacted my service center, no they didn't receive any. Called SONY again, no clue as usual. After several times of 45minutes on the phone, SONY said they will replace my set swith a refurbished set. Another week as gone by, still no one contacted me about the delivery of the set yet. So I had the TV for half a year and it worked for the first 3 months. I am absolutely disappointed at SONY. Don't think I will ever buy a SONY again, at least nothing other than playstation games.

I purchased the Sony for the Winter Olympics from Costco at clearance price. Set had been display model and had been up for a couple of weeks. Costco completely sold out of this model in short period of time. I have been pretty happy with the set, especially after I the settings as I like them. I used some of setting from expert reviews and twikked them. The Sony does then to run to the upper rance of BRightness, Contrast.
I have compared the picture to my 42" Phillips which I purchased in 2007 and both sets are great performers. You can review my settings in the Sony KDL 40EV5 thread in this forum. CNET reviewed this set. The reviewer with best info is at link below,

http://www.televisioninfo.com/conten...52VE5-1191.htm

The HDMI ports on my VE5 went out also. None of them would work with known working devices. I reset the TV back to its original settings and they were fine again. I hope this won't be a problem in the future.