PICTURE - 5/5

I found the initial picture settings to be less than optimal. I changed the settings to something like this...beginning with Contrast and going downward ending at Sharpness mine goes 40, 20, 40, 0, 60. This provides the best picture you can get out of this set in my opinion. In a dark room the blacks will be true black instead of having a blueish-tint with the initial settings. I have my Nintendo Gamecube hooked up with S-Video and the game text and images are really sharp, providing a definite step-up from composite. My JVC DVD player is hooked up through component with even more amazing clarity. I find the ColorStream setting is best on DTV instead of DVD.

SOUND - N/A

I recommend getting a cheap home theater set-up (I have the Sony HT-DDW750, a very good complete system with DTS, Pro Logic II and Digital decoding) as it makes all the difference as far as audio goes. I used the speakers on the TV for a little while and found them to be quite adequate. The voices were clear with the BBE setting and music was alright.

EASE OF USE - 4/5

I hardly need to use the TV remote as my others have taken its place. I have had no trouble at all with this remote. However, I do switch video inputs very often and need to use the TV/VIDEO button frequently. It would be nice if the TV had this button on the set itself to change between Video 1, 2, 3 and ColorStream. The menus are basic and easy to understand and settings can be accessed very quickly.

CONCLUSION

I am very satisfied with this TV. I needed a smaller set for my room and this has been perfect. If you go to the store and check TVs in this size range, you will see that this one is just as sharp as the Sony and JVC (and blows away all the rest), costs less and has all the same features and more.

I like to relax in my room now and crank that sub all the way up untill my windows rattle and the pictures on the wall shake. It did take me a couple hours to get set-up becuase I went crazy in getting everything just perfect in the settings. This system can get as loud as you'd want for a small to medium sized room.

One of the main reasons I got this was for Pro Logic II decoding on my Gamecube games, and Wow it's awesome to hear on games that support it. But the real treat comes when watching DVDs in Digital or DTS. For the first time I experienced true surround in my room and it was incredible. I recommend trying Saving Private Ryan DVD in the first beach-landing scene with the bass cranked all the way up to feel the explosions.

The receiver is pretty straight-forward and easy to use if you read the manual first. Some of the settings don't change the overall sound that much. I use different modes when I am listening to sound from different equipment...

Audio CDs - Dolby Pro Logic II MUS mode
DVD's - CSTEX B Movie mode
Gamecube/Radio - Dolby Pro Logic II MOV mode

Overall an excellent budget system (A Sony too!). I recommend.

The picture and sound quality so far have been superb with it hooked up through component. However, I have seen the stuttering problem occur on this player in panning scenes, but it only happens if I start pause the movie a lot. I can play movies from start to finish and pause a couple of times and never see it stutter. Another thing is that I have never seen the 4:3 PS mode work to stretch a widescreen movie to fit the whole screen. Isn't that what it's supposed to do on some DVDs (if any)?

It does read all kinds of discs and supports Pro Scan too. I really like how any disc will begin to play after only 2-3 seconds on this player. Coax and Optical audio outs are also a definite plus. I recommend this as an excellent DVD/CD player.

The PSOne and screen is great for trips and such. If you buy this item I would recommend:

1. PSOne Car Adapter - Makes device Portable. Plugs into any cigarette-type outlet in car, even to socket on airplanes (check below your seat next time)!

3. PSOne Island Blue Dual Shock Controller (Awesome color)

2. PlayStation Memory Card (Light Gray or Island Blue)

4. PSOne Deluxe Carrying Case (Made by various companies)

5. 1/8" (Headphone jack type) Camcorder Stereo A/V Cable (Ask for at any Radio Shack, they will have it. This is ALL you need to hook up a DVD Player, VCR, etc. to the screen's AV IN. You don't need any PS2 cables or whatever described in another review.)