Sony KV32HS510 32" Flat-Screen HDTV

The TV has a built-in 181-chanel NTSC tuner, and Sony's Digital Reality Creation MultiFunction feature upconverts the analog NTSC signals to near-HD quality, though you'll need a separate HDTV tuner to receive high-definition broadcasts. The KV-32HS510 set is compatible with the 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i formats.

The KV-32HS510 includes a strong selection of Sony video enhancements. The HD Detailer Wideband Video Amplifier offers a high-bandwidth frequency rating that results in finer picture quality from HD sources. The 10-bit 3D comb filter renders superb gray-scale gradation for amazing picture detail. The 3:2 pulldown cinema video processing detects and converts film--which is shot at 24 frames per second (fps) compared with video's 30 fps rate--to video for a smooth, theaterlike experience at home.

Other Sony enhancements include the Twin View function, which enables you to watch programs side by side from two different HD sources, and a scrolling channel index, which provides a preview window of other channels along the right side of the screen.

You can view JPEG images captured from Sony digital cameras and camcorders using the built-in Memory Stick slot. Choose from an index of the images stored on the Memory Stick, or you can run a slideshow of those images.

The KV32HS510 has a built-in 15-watt subwoofer and two 7.5-watt speakers that produce TruSurround SRS audio. Two component-video inputs (both at the rear) allow you to connect an optional HDTV receiver or a source with component-video outputs. It also has a DVI input (rear), analog audio output (rear), 4 A/V inputs (3 front, 1 rear), 3 S-video inputs (2 front, 1 rear), and 1 each of S-Link output and input (for connecting other Sony components).

Tech Talk

• Aspect ratio: The aspect ratio refers to the shape of the video image. Today's standard television has a 4:3 aspect ratio, which is almost square in appearance. Digital television will have either a 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio. A 16:9 aspect ratio is widescreen and appears rectangular--it looks more like a movie screen, filling more of the viewer's field of vision to yield a lifelike viewing experience.
• Scanning method: Frames of video are made up of many lines that are scanned onto a television screen so closely they appear to be a solid picture. The scanning method can be either interlaced or progressive. Interlaced scanning (also used in today's analog TV), indicated by an "i" in the video format, fills in the odd number lines (1,3,5,7...) and then fills in the even number lines (2,4,6,8...) until the frame is complete. Progressive scanning, "p," fills in each line consecutively until the frame is complete, creating a seamless image.