Sony KV-20FV12 20" Trinitron Wega Flat-Screen TV

The KV-20FV12 really distinguishes itself from other 20-inch models with its audio package. Not only does the TV employ a Dynamic Acoustic Chamber (DAC) 10-watt speaker system (5 watts x 2), but it also offers Matrix Surround multichannel audio, an MTS stereo decoder with DBX noise reduction, and Steady Sound automatic volume control. The combined audio options let the viewer listen through the built-in speakers, select an outside audio source, and even listen to an alternate audio broadcast of the same program (SAP) when available.

Additional features include the rapid channel scanning of SpeedSurf, five favorite channel presets, a previous channel button, a multilingual onscreen menu, auto channel programming, a sleep timer with 15-, 30-, 45-, 60-, and 90-minute intervals, and closed captioning. Parents will appreciate the built-in V-chip, which restricts the programs their children can watch. The TV also offers an Extended Data Service feature that engages viewers with programming information, including station call letters, upcoming broadcasts, and the current time.

Connectivity is enhanced through the two sets of composite inputs (one front and one rear), the S-video input (for superior picture quality), and the audio output. The front AV inputs are ideal for convenient connection to a game console or camcorder, or for hooking up a second component. In addition, the TV includes a headphone jack for private listening. As with most of Sony's TVs, this unit is also Energy Star compliant.

What's in the Box
TV, remote control, two AA batteries, user's manual

Product Description
You'll always get the picture with Sony's KV-20FV12 20-inch FD Trinitron WEGA TV. The set features a 3-Line Digital Comb Filter that ensures maximum picture detail and resolution. It also comes equipped with Stereo Sound, S-Video Detection, V-Chip Parental Control (to protect the kids) and Favorite Channel, which allows you to easily scan the last five channels you were watching. It doesn't get easier than this.Sony's KV-20FV12 TV features Auto Pedestal Clamp and Auto White Balance. The Speed Surf allows for quick scanning of channels at the touch of a button. The Channel Fix automatically sets TV to specific channel (i.e., 3) for cable box control, allowing viewer to control cable box via the TV remote control. DAC Speaker System provides resonance bass response while midrange sounds are pumped forward to ensure clear dialog reproduction. Separate tweeters aimed to the front balance out the sound. The KV-20FV12 also features MTS stereo TV decoder, SteadySound auto volume, Advanced on-screen menu, Clock timer, and Sleep Timer (15/30/45/60/90).

This is obviously a LEMON as I have had good experiences with Sony products in the past and have never had ANY electronic product break so often.

Unfortunately, the idiots at Sony Customer Service are robots and have been totally unsympathetic. Basically they have said, "too bad, it's not our problem." And while they are legally correct insofar as this unit is out of the warranty period (and BTW, the first time it broke it was IN the warranty period), the lack of support of a chronically broken TV makes me want to tell everybody who is thinking of buying a Sony that they should hope and pray they never have to deal with these people.

As for me, as much as I love the Sony picture on this set, if I can't SEE it, it doesn't exist!. I will not buy another Sony in the near future. Not that Sony cares one iota (and that's kind of the point), but it is the only way a consumer can "get thru" and be heard.


Great for the kitchen or dorm, outstanding performance   January 19, 2002
cornhusker001 (Bellevue, NE United States)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

I was tired of having a little 13-inch TV in my dorm so I went after this one. If you have never had a flat screen, then you don't know what you're missing. Most TV screens are bulbous, as if you took a razor and sliced the top of an orange. The flat screen on this TV does not distort the image at the corners like regular TVs do. Colors are true and definition is superb. Movie companies, television studios, and the scientific community use Sony televisions and monitors because they tend to have a higher degree or accuracy than other companies. The fact that it's flat reduces the amount of light that bounces off the glass (which means almost no glare). Two of my favorite features are the Favorites and the timer. The favorites button brings up a menu with the last five channels you viewed (or you can preset your favorites so they don't change) so you can surf your favorite channels faster. Sony Vegas with Picture-in-Picture bring up a preview window when you press "favorites." Even if you have digital cable or satellite, you probably never watch more than five or six channels on a daily basis. This is statistically true for most people. The timer feature is a blessing. Since I am a lazy college student, my alarm clock is not always going to get the job done. This TV gives you two events that you can program independently. For instance, I have it set to go the Fox News Channel for one hour at 8:30am Monday through Friday (it lets you specify each day, everyday, weekdays, and weekends) as the first event and have it set for Comedy Central at 10:00am on the weekends as the second event. The difference between this model and the KV-20FS12 is that the FS12 has speakers on the bottom instead of the sides and it does not have S-Video. I got the S-Video cable for my Playstation 2 and it does look better than composite. The only thing that concerned me is that the depth of the cabinet is a little on the large side but it wasn't a problem. The footprint of the unit may only be about a foot deep, but the extension for the end of the CRT tube goes out about six more inches. One final thing, don't worry about losing TV functionality if you lose the remote, there are menu buttons next to the composite inputs on the front panel.