Customer Reviews:
 Fantastic! August 24, 2007
Matthew Parker (UK)
143 out of 146 found this review helpful
There simply is no other word for it!
Received mine about a week ago, took some time to get to know it, and I am pleased to say this TV is nothing short of superb!
Built in freeview and analogue tuners. Loads of connections (I mean loads!!!): 3 HDMI (yes 3!!!), 1 component HD, 1- composite, 2 scart, 1 s-video, 1 vga (for connecting an Xbox 360 or a pc for example).
Great user interface, lots and lots of options to fiddle with, to get that picture perfect hi def picture! Backlight control, colour tone and noise reduction level are amongst many.
This TV has a native resolution of 1366 x 768. (Please note that this TV will accept 1080i signals, NOT 1080p). Very bright and vivid display: booming colours, solid blacks.
A very fluid and easy to use GUI (menu, for non geeks; unlike me).
Speakers are fantastic as well. Each speakers puts out 10 watts of pure harmony! 4 different sound effect modes (Dolby virtual surround, BBE Viva, Dynamic and Standard). Adjustable Treble, Bass and Balance, perfect for all you hardcore audiophiles who want to tweak their settings until audiophilic perfection!
The freeview tuner, unlike other freeview tuners on other HDTV's, auto updates any new channels that become available. I used to have a set top box freeview tuner, and you had to do it manually.
In answer to another review, to get rid of the annoying channel number in the top left hand corner of the screen, press the button located on the top left hand corner of the Sony remote. Press the button again to enable it.
I've been using the TV with my Xbox 360 for a while now (through vga) and am quite annoyed that you can't do 50 Hz through a vga plug. So, those of you wishing to play your old Xbox games on this TV will have to be using either the component cables (which I don't recommend; poor picture quality compared to HDMI or vga) or be using an Xbox 360 elite (HDMI).
Many of my friends have asked me if the virtual surround sound actually works. I can tell you now it does! I recently watched Star Wars Episode 3 Revenge of the Sith upscaled dvd, and the fight scene at the end sounds breathtaking with Dolby Virtual turned on. Audiophiles may prefer BBE Viva, but I can't really tell the difference, they both sound fantastic!
As the reviewer above me has stated, TV is an absolute dodle to set up. 5 mins at maximum.
The looks of the TV too, perfect! Bezel design = very stylish and modern looking. Even on the supplied stand, the TV looks the part. Capable of being hung on a wall too, so it will look even better. Warning though, use Sony endorsed brackets, I had a third party bracket, big mistake. TV nearly fell off wall, spotted it before absolute disaster :)
HD content from blu-ray via PS3 looks, well, I can't put it into words. See for yourself. Upscaled DVDs look great too (I use a Philips DVP5960), but obviously not as good as blu-ray or hd-dvd (haven't had chance to see a hd-dvd yet). The scene at the end of 300 where the millions of arrows fall through the sky, aimed at Leonidas, is a perfect example of how detailed this TV is. You will be hard pressed to find a TV with the wealth of features, the yield of quality that this TV has.
The similar priced Toshiba model is good (my friend has 1 in his front room) but I just think that this TV is more detailed.
I am serious when I say that I CANNOT find a SINGLE fault with this TV at all. IT IS THAT GOOD! So, if you're a tech-head, or even just a newcomer to the HDTV scene, this TV is perfect! Simply stunning!
Probably the best thing about this TV though, is the price. A Sony 32", for under £500! Thats mad! Money well spent!
Arrived today now this was easy to set up. October 8, 2007
Colin D. Fox (Harrow, Middlesex)
168 out of 172 found this review helpful
Despite industrial action, Amazon arranged delivery in quick time. Impressive.
This is my first widescreen TV and I dont know my HD from my HDD.
Thought about the Samsung, but settled for the Sony because my last tV was Sony.
The TV was a bit heavier than expected and looks bigger than expected. My 30 foot lounge accepts the size but I wouldnt like to put it in a room less than say 14 foot square.
The picture quality is very good indeed. The sound is good. I havent a clue what to do with the numerous options, inputs and settings. No doubt some fun to be had in the winter months, trying the fancy features.
Now to the really good news. Place set on TV cabinet. Plug in a simple ariel. Plug in to mains. Read easy part of manual (Choose language then chose automatic set up)Watch whilst the Sony sets itself up.
Thats it. Have analogue by pressing the button marked analogue. Have digital by pressing the button marked digital.
Wonderful.
All the freeview channels and all the terrestial channels are there. No fuss, no electronics degree needed. Even listened to Radio 2.
You can read all the whizz kids mags if you want to know about mps, mhz and mpg, but if like me you are seriously dubious about the new TVs, be assured you can pay Amazon £550 and install your TV with ease.
If I was less than 60 then I would say WOW ! But as I am a boring old man I will say....EXCELLENT.
I can now go and watch Doc Martin, totally satisfied that I can switch the set on without calling for my sons help with disabling a digibox.
Incidentally, sons are trying hard not to be too impressed, after all us Dads cant be that cool can we.
The above was written in October 2007. Today, 13.6.2008 I would add:
I am still very very happy with my TV.
I have not used any of the fancy features.
At £560 it was a good value buy. At £429 it is a bargain. I have today added a Sony HDD recorder (hence these extra comments) and so I will now approach the fancy features and see how some of them work.
I still think it is a large TV but I must admit I would quite like an even bigger set. But I do have a big lounge.....
An answer to dreams January 21, 2008
Tony... (London UK)
21 out of 21 found this review helpful
Purchased this LCD TV (Sony KDL-32S3000) on-line late Thursday evening (17/01/08) and it arrived by Parcel Post early Saturday morning - so no complaints there - the very opposite in fact. The menu is easy to access and follow, which meant a positive set-up experience, over in about 15 minutes. I have spent the whole weekend though `tweaking' the settings to personal preferences - which does require a lot of time and patience - but that is no fault of the receiver - especially when trying to match up an eight year old (Sony) VHS recorder, and a two year old (Sony) DVD recorder.
I am absolutely delighted with this model - wonderful picture quality both on Freeview and from a Virgin V+ cable-box - and I love its rectangular base and simple, straight-line design. It's all-black appearance looked a little obtrusive - especially in a smallish room - but I can live with that. Quality - for Standard Definition is a little superior on cable - presumably because it is being handled through the HDMI cable. High Definition (BBC) is just out of this world - superb. The handset is easy to use - little risk of accidently pressing two buttons at once. This receiver is a replacement for the smaller KDL-26U2000 which although qualitatively very good (it is after all a later model) its choices are somewhat limited and I found it too small for me, with a seating distance of between 9.5ft and 10.5ft. The 32 inch is less tiring with less strain. Age is beginning to slow down my sight/focus reaction to detail so I figured I needed a bigger screen and this particular model is brilliant. I have already recommended it to a friend. Although it may not be the best on the market it deserves 10 out of 10, considering technical results.
Sony KDL32S3000 October 31, 2007
Mr. A. Hill (Sandhurst, Berkshire)
17 out of 17 found this review helpful
Ordered Monday afternoon arrived today Wednesday at 10 am.Working by 10.30am. Great tv, excellent picture and sound. Freeview seems to be working fine in an area that hasn't got a good reception yet.I bought the wall bracket as well but i have not fitted it yet, can't wait to see what it looks like hanging on the wall. Also what a great price, looked at the high street shops that sold this model and they couldn't come anywhere close. Also you have to buy the extra warranty on top .
Happy tv viewing Alan
TV perfect ~ small problem on the delivery October 29, 2007
Martin J. Stanton (Lutterworth, Leicestershire United Kingdom)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful
First the bad news ~ ordered this on the Thursday and paid extra for express service to get a delivery on Saturday a.m. Tracked the parcel all the way to within 15 miles of home where it arrived at 0346 on the Saturday morning which is where it stopped until Monday because City Link dont deliver on Saturdays, as far as they are concerned next day delivery means next business day. So had to take time off work on Monday to take delivery. In fairness Amazon refunded the carriage charge without any argument, but that isn't the real answer, why promise delivery on a Saturday and then use a carrier that doesn't provide that service ?
Anyhow now for the good news ~ the TV is superb ~ easy to set up ~ connect the ariel, plug it in and it pretty much does everything else for you, picture quality is fantastic, sound very good, and the overall feel of the thing is up to Sony quality standards. Really good value for money and a three year guarantee !!!!
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