Sony KDL40V3000U - a good model?

[ic]

I'm not very knowledgeable with LCD tvs, so please help me purchase my first. :thumbs:

This Sony KDL40V3000U (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=45&url=http://www.empiredirect.co.uk/content/products/details/index~modelcode~SON-KDL40V3000U~dept~ctv~subdept~LCDTV~brand~sony.htm) has caught my eye at £630. It looks like this one KDL40D3500U (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=45&url=http://www.empiredirect.co.uk/content/products/details/index~modelcode~SON-KDL40D3500U~dept~ctv~subdept~LCDTV~brand~sony.htm) but with an extra HDMI socket, and swanky black "piano" finish. Otherwise as far as I can tell, they're pretty much the same.

Anybody familiar with these, or any comparable brands? I saw the D version running a DVD thru scart at Costco and I was impressed.

Thanks :)

[Delh]

I'm not very knowledgeable with LCD tvs, so please help me purchase my first. :thumbs:

This Sony KDL40V3000U (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=45&url=http://www.empiredirect.co.uk/content/products/details/index~modelcode~SON-KDL40V3000U~dept~ctv~subdept~LCDTV~brand~sony.htm) has caught my eye at £630. It looks like this one KDL40D3500U (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=45&url=http://www.empiredirect.co.uk/content/products/details/index~modelcode~SON-KDL40D3500U~dept~ctv~subdept~LCDTV~brand~sony.htm) but with an extra HDMI socket, and swanky black "piano" finish. Otherwise as far as I can tell, they're pretty much the same.

Anybody familiar with these, or any comparable brands? I saw the D version running a DVD thru scart at Costco and I was impressed.

Thanks :)

My brother has one, my nephew has one, a good mate has one, & if i needed a 1080p 40" lcd tv, i'd buy one :)
Good Freeview picture, lots of menu tweaks, PS3/bluray looks sweet as well.
All 3 impressed (even my fussy sister-in-law), & so far no issues, looks good off too (if you have a partner to please)
They all got them from John Lewis with a 5 year guarantee for peace of mind.
My brother & nephew got JL to price match Sound & Vision a few months back ~ paid around £669.
I think they have been replaced with a newer model, or are due to be imminently
As you say the D3500 is very similar specc'ed

Delh

[ic]

You've convinced me - I took the plunge last night :)

[Delh]

You've convinced me - I took the plunge last night :)

I'm sure you won't be disappointed:thumbs:

Delh

[Kryten]

Is that the one Costco have on offer?

[JCTurner]

Ive had mine (and a free PS3) courtesy of JL since January and its a top telly. Sold a Panny plasma to buy it and not regreted it.

[ic]

Is that the one Costco have on offer?
The D3500 model is, the V3000 is essentially the same, but with extra HDMI and glossy finish. Got this set up this evening - it looks lovely :luv:

I went for it from Empire Direct (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=45) - with 10% voucher, cashback on my Barclaycard (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=260) and their £30 extended warranty offer it came in at £570ish (picked up from the store near work). The TV has actually gone up by £20 since I ordered! The CostCo one was £635 with five year warranty, the high street sell both models for around £800 with only the standard one year warranty.

I picked up a black "matrix" stand from Argos (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=28), and have a tilt wall mount bracket for £25 on order from eBay (http://www.thedvdforums.com/affiliatelink.php?localaffiliateid=44) (cheapest I found otherwise was £55).

Now got to make space for my 28" CRT upstairs.

[Panavision]

What's the SD picture quality like? Better than a Panny plasma?

[ic]

I'm chuffed with it, but no idea how it compares with the plasma. Compared with Samsung and LG LCDs that friends have I'd easily argue its far superior. The colour balance and sharpness is spot on, where as on other screens these are both too far out as to make the picture look generated rather than filmed.

[DSG]

I picked up a 40V3000 at the weekend and am generally happy with it apart from 1 minor "problem" and one major:

The minor: I find that viewing cable through scart I have to set the picture mode to cinema/theatre or its just too garish and contrasty even after adjusting all the settings.

The major: 3 times in 4 days I've has a small row of about ~10 pixels (about 1cm long) and roughly 10cm from the top of the screen stick on either white or blue. Flicking between AV sources "refreshes" them and the display goes back to normal. Is this a teething problem or is my screen faulty?

[ic]

I've had mine a couple of weeks now - I once had a row of pixels appear red, blue, green. I switched off and on and they went away.