The Sony KDL-40W2000 is still probably the best 1080p 40" TV. The Samsung LE-40M87BD was an enormous disappointment. Ignore 37" TVs, because some poeople think that 40" TV's are too small.
If you buy the Sony KDL-40W2000 the following should be useful:-
The best way of thinking about an HD TV with a Freeview (internal tuner) is a 3-in-1 TV with TV aerial, Digital (Freeview), and Cable or SKY and if you have HD broadcasts then think of having a 4-in-1 TV but I am only dealing with a 3-in1 TV below.
One of the biggest problems with most new LCD TVs appears to be manually maximizing its calibration (picture quality) - hours/days.
I think that all calibrations used in reviews should be included in table format.
This is because if the calibration was wrong:
1) The TV's review could be repeated with a better calibration.
2) It should be much quicker for people to calibrate their TVs if they have a list of calibrations to use instead of guessing the correct calibration from scratch.
The excuse given that everybody sees things differently I disagree with - unless some people I suppose are blind (coloured, partial or fully).
I think the calibration for the Sony KDL-40W2000 and probably would also work for the Sony KDL-46W2000 using (page 37 & 38 operating Instruction book); TV aerial (RF) -->Virgin (NTL/Telewest) -->Scart Cable & TV aerial --> Combo SVHS and DVD player --> Scart Cable & TV aerial -->Sony KDL-40W2000 (RGB - Smart Link Scart AV2.
TIP - Play a DVD or a Video tape before switching on the TV for the first time & use AUTO START-UP-Tunes DVD or Video Recorder channel automatically.
If at any time you have any problems, telephone Sony UK and ask them to help you change the settings.
PICTURE MENU-Target Inputs = All, Picture Mode = Custom, Backlight = 4, Contrast = 74, Brightness = 58, Colour=40, Colour Temperature=Neutral, Sharpness=10, Noise reduction=Medium, Advanced Settings: Black Corrector=Medium, Adv. Contrast Enhancer=Medium, Gamma= Low, Clear White=High, Live Colour=Medium, Colour Space=Wide, MPEG Noise Reduction=Low,
SOUND MENU-Target Inputs=All, Sound Mode=Dynamic, Treble=Max, Bass=Max, Balance=0, Auto Volume=Off, Volume Offset=0, Surround=True Surround, BBE=High, Dual Sound=Stereo, Speaker Link=On
SCREEN MENU-Target Inputs=All, Screen Format=Widescreen, Auto Format=On, 4:3 Default=Smart, Display Area=Normal, Horizontal Shift=0, Vertical Shift=Min, Vertical Size=Max
SET-UP MENU-Language=English, AV Preset=AV2=Cable - ASK SONY UK IF NECESSARY HOW TO NAME CABLE CHANNEL TO CABLE OR SKY TO SKY - Page 28 Operating Instructions book: Set-up menu - AV Preset section, Timer Settings=Off, Power Saving=Low, Light Sensor=On, AV2=Auto, Quiet Power On=On, Speaker=On, Audio Out=N/A, Colour System=Auto, Product Information=About TV,
ANALOGUE SET-UP MENU (ANALOGUE MODE ONLY (TV AERIAL)) - PAGE 32
DIGITAL SET-UP MENU - PAGE: 35-36 - < OK >< --> >
DIGITAL SET-UP: Subtitle Setting=Off, Subtitle Language=English, Audio Language=English, Technical Set-up: Auto Service Update=On, Software Download (free through your existing aerial (when issued))=On, Time Zone=GMT
There are no ghosting, bleeding or viewing angle problems - checked it out before buying the Sony KDL-40W2000 TV from John Lewis 23rd May 2007 - it works perfectly, therefore buy it if you want the best picture quality. Reviews claimed that the analogue (TV aerial) resolution is poor compare to the best 40" TVs - I agree with. The problem is that you will be using either the built in Freeview (digital tuner), with either Cable or Sky depentent on what you have. The picture quality should be similar to the Sony KDL-40X2000 (despite the hype) and HD second to none but that was before Pioneer and Panasonic created their latest TVs that means that I am not sure whether Sony creates the best HD resolution TVs. Philips would be the only LCD to consider but What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision, November 2006 magazine with 40"- 42" Flatscreen TVs that gave Sony KDL-40W2000 the best buy beating the best Philips P42PF9831D TV. Their TVs are plasma not suitable for gaming and if burn-in (display defect) occurs it is not covered within the warranty. The new Sony TVs D3,000 and S3,000 are inferior I have been told by Sony UK to the Sony KDL-40W2000 TV even when D3000 includes Motion Flow and 100Hz.
There are no sound problems. I also checked before buying from somebody who bought a Sony KDL-40W2000. The only real disappointments not having; motion flow, 100Hz, remote controllight grey and looks cheap but the keys are designed properly and works properly, doesn't have picture-in-picture, doesn't have coaxial digital port for excellent sound quality to link to an AVR but a good quality phono lead gives a reasonably good sound quality. Internal speakers - I probably turned it to full and there were no distortions but if I compare it with my Panasonic Prologic TV then my CRT TV sound quality is much better 100W RMS total watts. If I then compare it to using mission speakers with Yamaha sub woofer 100W RMS = 600W RMS that is onnected to a Denon 2802 the Sony KDL-40W200 internal speakers are dreadful.
If you want the best picture quality than buy the Sony KDL-40W2000 but if you want to listen to What Hi-fi? Sound and Vision who recommend TVs with poor picture quality because they are penny pinching. My attitude if somebody is going to waste money on HD than they should have stayed with thei CRT that probably produced a much better picture quality instead of being coned into wasting money - What Hi-fi? Sound and Vision magazine has probably lost its objectivity (telling the truth).