Features of Sony KLV-23M1
HDMI direct-digital input for use with DTV set-top boxes High brightness and wide viewing angles (170 x 170 degrees and H/V) ensure great images from any position High-definition-ready 23-inch flat-panel LCD TV with 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio; 23.8 x 18.7 x 4 inches (W x H x D) without stand Enhancements include Sony's Digital Reality Creation and Direct Digital II Circuitry (DDC) CineMotion reverse 3:2 pulldown technology removes redundant video data to display film-frame-accurate pictures from film-based content
A small screen with plenty of imaging muscle, Sony's 23-inch KLV-23M1 LCD television will turn even the kitchen into a high-definition video wonderland. The set offers 1,3660 x 768 native pixel resolution and compatibility with 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i HDTV signals. The TruSurround SRS audio processing, which simulates a surround-sound effect through the set's two 10-watt speakers. The set's widescreen, 16:9 aspect ratio to match the dimension of most movies and HDTV broadcasts. LCD screens offer a number of benefits over CRT monitors and televisions, including general ease of use, freedom from eye strain (no screen flickering or radiation emissions), quiet operation (no high-pitch 'flyback' noise, an issue with CRT TVs), accurate image geometry (no curvature distortion or susceptibility to magnetic interference from, say, speakers), long screen life with no risk of image burn-in, space savings, and light weight/easy positioning. The KLV-23M1 performs 3:2 pulldown detection and reversal, a handy feature for watching progressive-scan movie programs in their native 24-frame format. Digital video mastering introduces a common distortion when adjusting 24 frames-per-second movies to 30 fps video; 3:2 pulldown digitally corrects this distortion, removing the redundant information to display a film-frame-accurate picture. Sony's Digital Reality Creation Circuitry grants amazing picture resolution while proprietary Direct Digital Circuitry increases a video signal's signal-to-noise ratio before it reaches the DRC circuit, ensuring rich, natural-looking images from any source. Sony's LCD panel driver LSI improves the response time in the middle luminance range, smoothing images and minimizing motion blur caused by lags in the response time. Connections include a direct-digital HDMI interface for use with DTV set-top boxes, a high-definition-compatible component-video input, 2 each composite- and S-video inputs, and an RF coaxial input for hookup with an older VCR, cable box, or antenna. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface to link any audio/video source (such as a set-top box, DVD player, or AV receiver) with your television. HDMI supports standard-definition (SD), enhanced definition (ED), or high-definition (HD) video, plus multi-channel digital audio--all using a single cable. It transmits all ATSC HDTV standards and supports up to 8-channel digital audio, with bandwidth to spare to accommodate future enhancements and requirements. What's in the Box TV, detachable table stand, a remote control (RM-Y1109), 2 batteries (for remote), 2 clamp screws, 1 RF coaxial video cable, an AC adapter, a user's manual, a quick-setup guide, and a warranty card.
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Sony KLV-23M1 Customer Review(s):
Summary: You get what you pay for...
Rating: 4 (out of 5)
Comment: I was looking for a smaller LCD TV for the bedroom, and in two years of looking none really impressed me. Although there were several HDTV sets that were either larger or cheaper, I went with the Sony KLV-23M1 for its excellent picture/sound quality and nice design.
The resolution on this model is 1366x768, a true 16:9 ratio unlike the crop of 1280x768 sets out there. The picture is vivid and crisp, with above-average grays and blacks and bright whites. Do yourself a favor and pick up a home theater calibration disc to get the most out of your purchase, Digital Video Essentials and the Avia Calibration DVDs are the best out there.
I purchased a Sony DVP-NS975V DVD player at the same time, and results are noticeably better than the Sony DVP-NS725P it replaced. The 975 makes use of the HDMI (all-digital) input on the TV, and is an aesthetic match to the set to boot. With this particular TV there's no HDTV tuner built-in, so you'll have to purchase one seperately. Everything looks fantastic if you decide to go with one though, and in some instances this TV looks better than the plasma TV we purchased two years ago!
Sony wisely moved the speakers from the sides of the TV to the bottom, which makes for a cleaner-looking set that fits better into your home. There's a surround mode that's sounds pretty good, and there's a surprisingly good amount of bass from such a small cabinet. The speakers are clear and can be cranked quite high if you so desire.
The set upscales input to match the native resolution, and does quite a nice job of it. There's little to no motion blurring caused by fast action, a problem with older LCD TVs that didn't have a high enough pixel response time.
The design of the TV is very nice, with rounded corners, a sharp-looking front, and nice touches like a little door covering the buttons on the front that blends in with the bezel. I also liked how half the inputs were on the left-rear side of the TV and half on the right-rear side. They're hidden by removeable doors that have holes feeding into a cable guide on the back of the TV, making cable clutter less of a problem.
Some things I didn't like included the slow speed with which the TV switches inputs. You'll push the button on the remote or the TV, and it'll take a couple of seconds for the input to switch over. In addition, flipping through regular broadcast channels also takes a little bit longer than on my 27' Sony CRT TV. When you've got over 100 channels, the extra fraction of a second becomes noticeable. There's also only one component video input, which meant I had to go get a switchbox to hook up all my game consoles. Finally, the rubber on the bottom of the stand can damage some wooden finishes, my significant other was a little angry when it dulled the finish on a nice Ethan Allen chest.
So is it worth the Sony price premium? It's made in Japan, which is a plus. I've been using Sony products for 20 years, and none of the ones made in Japan have given out prematurely. The design is very nice, and the performance also rocks. Although it's not perfect, I'm still very happy with it and ended up keeping it over the four other sets I bought to try out. Recommended.
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