Upside
Sony has added two new models to its Grand Wega range of rear projection televisions - the 42-inch KF-E42A10 (E42) and the 50-inch KF-E50A10 (E50). When we reviewed the behemoth in the Wega range last year - the 60-inch KFWS60S1 - we were impressed by its slimness and impressive picture quality. And with the new 42-inch and 50-inch utilising much of the same technology and boasting similar specs to the 60-inch version, it's natural to expect the same good performance from the two newcomers.
Both the E42 and the E50 have Sony's 3LCD projection technology and proprietary Wega image engine. The new televisions have a resolution of 1280x720 pixels and feature a dynamic contrast technology which automatically lowers the sets' light output in darker scenes. The televisions come with two tuners built-in (analog only, unfortunately), as well as an impressive set of inputs which include HDMI (something the 60-inch model doesn't have), two components, S-Video and more.
Downside
No digital tuner is always a downer, but perhaps the biggest question mark over the E42 and E50 is price. At AU$2999 for the E42 and AU$3999 for the E50, the sets are in the same price range as similarly sized plasmas. Sony's Wegas are certainly slim rear projection sets, but they're still nowhere near as slim as a plasma.
Outlook
With the same technology behind them as the well reviewed 60-inch KFWS60S1, the Grand Wega E42 and E50 look likely to continue Sony's winning form in rear projection sets.
Like this article? Click below to send it to your mobile for free!
Traceyshomenow
10/10/2008, 05:40 PM
rating
8/10
Have had our 50" for about 4 years now and have thoroughly enjoyed this TV and have had no problems whatsoever until recently. We now have the blue haze (sometimes over about 3/4 of the screen!) and just started getting blue spots.....7 in the last 2 days, concentrated in the middle section of the screen. Was suggested by a satellite rep that the possibility for the haze might be a magnetic current being created by all of the components underneath. Even if one component is on, if a current is going through one cord, it will create a draw, and possibly mess up the screen. Moved components and problem did not clear up. If anyone has any suggestions besides buying a new TV, please let me know! Good luck with Sony and trying to resolve this issue.
Report offensive comment
wprice
17/09/2008, 04:56 PM
rating
1/10
We are unhappy Sony Wega customers
can you please send me your experience of what happened to your TV please asap.
warren.price@hotmail.com
ph 0410 668 741
Pros: Ok while it lasts
Cons: extemely poor after market service - you would expect better from a brand such as Sony
Report offensive comment
AndrewGB
08/08/2008, 01:21 PM
rating
1/10
Hi all,
I'd appreciate everybody experiencing the 'Blue Haze' problem to contact me at stinginrain@hotmail.com and please leave me your contact details. I have been getting the run-around from Sony and will be looking at taking further action but I need you all on board, I already have 12 people with the same problem!
Thanks
Andrew
Report offensive comment
kazozoi
30/07/2008, 09:57 PM
rating
2/10
3 years old and it won't turn on - Needs a new lamp and Optic block is faulty. My quote to get both parts replaced $5360 - OUTRAGEOUS , sony needs to step up and be accountable.
Pros: Great while lasted
Cons: Not impressed !!! When it costs as much as it did, I certainly expect it to last more than 3 years.
Report offensive comment
Deano
16/07/2008, 08:28 PM
rating
5/10
My KFWE50S1 is around 2 years old, and just had a globe replacement, was in the repair shop for 11 weeks, was told the optical block was faulty and there is a blue tinge on the bottom right of screen and a fine blue line across the bottom. And all this is after 2 replacement tvs when first purchased because of pixels which had failed when brand new.
Pros: Great picture and sound, very natural colours
Cons: Globe cost me $500.00 to replace after 2 years, and blue tinge on screen sounds common in this tv
Report offensive comment
AndrewGB
09/07/2008, 02:05 PM
rating
1/10
Hi, please also see other posts relating to Sony's Rear Projection TV's and forward your experiences to:
stinginrain@hotmail.com
I am in the process of obtaining advice and the more people that get involved, the more of a case I can put together.
Report offensive comment
wazzarino
30/05/2008, 10:23 PM
rating
5/10
Our 60 Wega has also just started to get a "Blue Blob" in bottom right corner of the TV screen which is very annoying. This is just after we paid for a new globe which aren't chead either!!
Report offensive comment
Donna and Lindsay Field
04/05/2008, 08:17 AM
rating
1/10
Weve had our 50" Grand Wega KFE50A10 since 10 May 06 and had nothing but problems with it, weve had to send it away 3 times in that time to have it fixed and they said the main problem is Dust and that my wife has to vacumn behind the tv every week to keep it going! and now it has a blue glow in the left had corner of it. We are very dissappointed.
Report offensive comment
jc
27/03/2008, 08:53 AM
rating
8/10
its a great tv but having problems getting the pic to stay in the full size of the tv it has black bars on the sides when not watching an hd channel
Pros: great pic
Cons: just what i said above any ideas?
Report offensive comment
QW
11/01/2008, 02:52 PM
rating
6/10
Our family enjoyed this TV for 2 years. However, this "blue corner" problem has just showed up on our KF-WS60 as well. Sony should give us a free replacement program just like they are doing for the US market. Check the link below. This responsibility should be shouldered by Sony regardless of nationality or market size.
Pros: Link: http://splinke.googlepages.com/sonyrearprojectionlcdtv-opticalblock
Report offensive comment