Sony Plasma / Television Monitor Review
MODEL:SONY KZ-32TS1 Plasma
TV vs. Sony PFM-32C1 Plasma Display
Description: 32" widescreen 16:9
format HDTV plasma TV/monitor
Model Introduction dates: Both February
2002
Warranty: 1 Year parts and labor on
both models.
Reviewer: Robert Wiley
Date: 04-07-2002
Copyright © 2002 PlasmaTVBuyingGuide.com. All
Rights Reserved.
Key Differences:
- The PFM 32C1 model is a broadcast quality version
of the consumer model KZ-32TS1.
- The PFM 32C1 has superior circuitry inside though
both panels use the exact same glass (and thus the
same resolution), which is manufactured by Fujitsu/Hitachi.
- Depth: PFM-32C1 is 4" in depth / KZ-32TS1 is
5" in depth
- The KZ-32TS1 has a built in tuner and speakers,
which the 32C1 do not contain.
- The 32C1 can be used with a computer for any multimedia
input. The KZ-32TS1 will not take a computer signal.
- Color: Both come in a very light metallic silver.
- The 32C1 does have robust built in 7w amplifiers
for speakers. The KZ-32TS1 has small built in speakers
for which Sony does not list the watts output. They
are light.
My Take:
These two models will display the same picture performance
from video sources. Please read my review of the PFM-32C1
for this information. The 32C1 has better quality
TERES internal circuitry so that it can accept and scale
all sorts of computer signals, and amazingly, it costs
significantly less.
Why purchase the consumer model rather than the broadcast
grade model you ask? Well, depending upon whether you
are a consumer, or business customer, you may not be able
to readily find the broadcast version, - at least not
in a retail store. As well, you may be set on having everything
come in one package with the tuner and speakers. This
is a really nice gesture by Sony to make things so simple
and easy for us ignorant consumers. Of course, the problem
with this philosophy is that the speakers are terribly
small on the KZ model and do not do a plasma TV justice.
Sony does not list specifications on the output watts
of the small built in speakers. The PFM 32C1 version has
large optional side speakers and 7 watt built in amplifiers.
Clearly superior. And how much is a VCR to use
as a tuner? Maybe $130.00 or so? And why don't
I just use my cable or satellite box to tune the signal?
The other advantages of the 32C1 are that it is
slimmer at only 4" and has a flat back rear panel
for a better wall mount ($199.00) fit. The KZ
model is 5" in depth and has a sloping back, which
is fine for the nice looking table stand that it comes
with but design-wise is not a great fit for a flat wall
mount ($349.00 retail).
There is only one advantage for the KZ 32TS1 model
over the PFM 32C1, and that is the component Y,Pr,Pb
RCA jack input selection which the 42B1U does not have.
I get around this by using component Y,Pr,Pb cable to
15 pin VGA cable on the other end (input into the Plasma).
Straightwire custom produces the cable as do some other
cable manufacturers. Otherwise, I can buy a DVDO Iscan
Pro and connect my VCR, DVD player, and satellite through
it. The DVDO connects via 15pin VGA to 15pin VGA to
the monitor. Another savory option is use of
an HDTV converter, which I will want to be able to view
those crystal clear 1080i images. Many of these
units already have the 15 pin VGA to 15 pin VGA option.
The RCA DTC100 is one such unit.
In addition to being able to take the 32C1 monitor
to the office to do a presentation, I like to surf the
web with my plasma monitor and this is impossible with
the KZ-42TS1 . It does not have the internal
scaling and processing necessary to handle computer
input.
My preference is normally always towards the
broadcast quality product because the manufacturers
typically put more money and resources into them
. They are particularly careful about the products that
they sell to repeat customers such as the U.S. Government,
U.S. Military Branches, and Fortune 500 corporations.
Of course, they want to sell the consumer also. But
they seem to feel that better internal circuitry features
can be sacrificed for some little speakers and a built
in tuner. In my best estimation those little "extras"
amount to about $300 (cost to the manufacturer) of the
$6000 a retail store will charge for the KZ-32TS1. The
added design costs of housing the speakers inside the
unit are where they really have investment.
Both units have great looks. The KZ-32TS1
model has an extra couple of inches of bezel width on
the bottom of the unit where the speakers are housed.
The KZ model has controls located on the top right hand
corner of the unit, which operate volume and channel
+/-, as well as a control for selecting the input source.
The PFM-32C1 has controls located also on the top right
hand side of the unit.These control menu functions,
and input selection, and volume.
In checking recent prices I have found that the KZ-32TS1
model is selling in stores at around $6000 while the
PFM-32C1 model is priced at $4700 at Internet dealer
sites. The wall mount options are more expensive for
the KZ model as well.
| MODEL
NUMBER |
PICTURE
RATINGS |
OTHER
CONSIDERATIONS |
VALUE |
OVERALL |
| PFM-32C1 |
93 |
91 |
91 |
91.5 |
| KZ-32TS1 |
93 |
86 |
85 |
88 |
|
