Any experience with first generation wega TV's

BHeemsoth

Platinum Member
Jul 30, 2002
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I have a chance to pick up a first generation sony wega 27" for about $100.

I jsut want to know if anyone has any experience with this generation of Wega's.

Is this a good deal? Steer clear?

-Brian
 

AnyMal

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
15,780
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My parents have on the the first 27" Wegas and a 32" Trinitron that's pushing 10 years. Both TV's held up splendidly.

For $100 I wouldn't think twice.
 

BHeemsoth

Platinum Member
Jul 30, 2002
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Hopefully the guy will call me back soon so I can go look at it...

I can't wait. It seems like a great deal.
 

Mojoed

Diamond Member
Jul 20, 2004
4,473
1
81
They're only first generation as far as brand name goes.

WEGA's are actually a continuation of the XBR and XBR² series, just renamed/remarketed. They should hold up just fine.
 

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
25,134
2,450
126
I like my Wega, but I think that it's a 2nd generation one. People are always telling me how unreliable these things are, but mine was worked great for the past 4 years with no problems.

Hell, I'm almost hoping that it will die a few years from now, just because want a good excuse to upgrade to an HDTV :)
 

Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
136
I owned two Wegas, loved both. First was a 20", second was a 27" KV27FS13.

Had an issue with my 27", it buzzed for a while. The buzzing was brightness related, higher brightness = louder buzzing. It was a common issue apparently, IIRC it was supposed to be due to a power problem - flyback transformer maybe? Anyway I took it in for repair & they couldn't find anything wrong with it. They sprayed some dampening material on something & gave it back to me with a $25 charge, & it has worked perfectly since.

I sold it when I moved cross country, replaced it with a Samsung HD set. I still miss it at times. It's now on its 4th owner (I was the second) & still working perfectly.

All 4 members were AT posters, you can PM the other three & ask their opinions.

Viper GTS
 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
126
I've never had any SONY tube product last more than 3 years :| I switched to Toshiba.
 

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
44,296
16
81
I have a 36" WEGA XBR that I bought back in 2000, and it's still working great. My parents have the 40", and they love it. Zero problems on both.
 

remagavon

Platinum Member
Jun 16, 2003
2,516
0
0
I have a 27" WEGA (2nd generation) that I paid around $900 for, and it's still working great to this day. IMO it's better than every non-hd set out there, and even some hd sets.

I have the slightly more expensive model, KV27FV15 I think. FV= better speakers (I literally have listened to music on them, they're really quite good), and I think a 3 line comb filter vs something different in the other. PiP as well. :)
 

NikPreviousAcct

No Lifer
Aug 15, 2000
52,763
1
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I now own Viper GTS's 27" Wega.

If this thing had a hole big enough, I would have sex with it. I am absolutely in love. I have a hard time imagining owning anything other than a Wega if not upgrading to an HDTV.
 

CHfan4ever

Diamond Member
Oct 1, 2004
3,290
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Wega are nice, but my current set have little problems :S

I have to replace the CRT board inside the TV( not at my cost but the compagny)

Thank god i took that 5 years warranty :D.Technology these days are tending to break in my hand easily :(
 

Soapy Bones

Senior member
Dec 4, 2003
397
0
76
I've got a 27" wega I picked up about 3 years ago, its been great. I wont buy another TV until I get the funds to go HD and this will more than suffice. Had no problems with it other than it being a HEAVY TV set. Even has good sound for a conventional TV. I'd buy one up for $100 in an instant.
 

NikPreviousAcct

No Lifer
Aug 15, 2000
52,763
1
0
Originally posted by: lather164
I've got a 27" wega I picked up about 3 years ago, its been great. I wont buy another TV until I get the funds to go HD and this will more than suffice. Had no problems with it other than it being a HEAVY TV set. Even has good sound for a conventional TV. I'd buy one up for $100 in an instant.

Pretty much, yes. Mine came with this handy TV stand (very nice, btw) that has this funky lock thing that slides over the front of the stand. It's got a lip that holds on to the front of the TV preventing it from falling backwards while sticking up against another part of the TV to prevent it from falling forwards. Nice and stable. :thumbsup:

It's not too bad to move, really. Picking it up from the front side with the glass against your chest makes it very light. There's no real way of making it less awkward to carry through doors though.

I've yet to pick up a component-output-capable device, though. I'm told that, when I do, I will be scouting wedding rings for the TV and me. ;)
 

Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
136
Originally posted by: Nik
I've yet to pick up a component-output-capable device, though. I'm told that, when I do, I will be scouting wedding rings for the TV and me. ;)

Primarily for the 16:9 compression, you'll finally be able to make use of anamorphic DVD.

Viper GTS
 

mercanucaribe

Banned
Oct 20, 2004
9,763
1
0
I have a 27" VEGA too. The picture is great, but the picture from flat screen Toshibas and other brands are just as good. It has component input but I've never used it.
 

vshah

Lifer
Sep 20, 2003
19,003
24
81
family still has a 36" xbr that works beautifully, not to mention a 1989 20" trinitron that also works perfectly :)
 

NikPreviousAcct

No Lifer
Aug 15, 2000
52,763
1
0
Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Originally posted by: Nik
I've yet to pick up a component-output-capable device, though. I'm told that, when I do, I will be scouting wedding rings for the TV and me. ;)

Primarily for the 16:9 compression, you'll finally be able to make use of anamorphic DVD.

Viper GTS

What percentage of DVD's on the market have anamorphic versions though? I mean, I'm sure there'll be more to see when watching movies, but how often do you see an anamorphic DVD? All of them? Half of them?
 

Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
136
Originally posted by: Nik
Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Originally posted by: Nik
I've yet to pick up a component-output-capable device, though. I'm told that, when I do, I will be scouting wedding rings for the TV and me. ;)

Primarily for the 16:9 compression, you'll finally be able to make use of anamorphic DVD.

Viper GTS

What percentage of DVD's on the market have anamorphic versions though? I mean, I'm sure there'll be more to see when watching movies, but how often do you see an anamorphic DVD? All of them? Half of them?

The only DVD's that aren't anamorphic these days are titles that were released very early in the life of the DVD standard or are not widescreen.

Essentially every new widescreen DVD is anamorphic, & it's been that way for several years. I would say every new DVD but there's bound to be some quirky exception.

Viper GTS
 

lokiju

Lifer
May 29, 2003
18,526
5
0
Great TV's though the only issue I've seen is the speakers get a rattle to them.
 

slpaulson

Diamond Member
Jun 5, 2000
4,414
14
81
My parents have a 35" (I think) Wega at home, and it's held up fine since they got it about 6 or 7 years ago.
 

BHeemsoth

Platinum Member
Jul 30, 2002
2,738
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76
Well, I picked up the TV yesterday. As soon as I laid eyes on the picture quality, I practically threw the $100 at the guy before he changed his mind.

This TV was the best $100 item I have purchased in a long time. The seller obviously did not know the value of the TV, as there are many of the same model wega selling on our local craiglist for $200 or more.

The xbox looks absolutely great on this unit using rca cables. Should I purchase component cables for the xbox? Would I notice a difference?

Sports also look great on the TV, the Giants game was absolutely wonderful last night (visually).

Thanks for all the opinons and help guys. I have been eyeing these TV's for a couple years and I am glad that I finally have gotten one - and at such a great price to boot.

Brian
 

Blieb

Diamond Member
Apr 17, 2000
3,475
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I've had mine for at least 4 years ... nothing but sweetness!!! I'd love to get a bigger one :)
 

DBL

Platinum Member
Mar 23, 2001
2,637
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I've got a 36" VVega from 98. It's been great. I'm looking to upgrade soon though. I just have to find someone willing to pick up and move a 260lb TV.