How to read Sony model numbers?
 

I am looking at Sony CRTs and want to know how to read the model numbers. I've spent a lot of time searching this message board and the internet in general without luck. All I can decipher is the screen size.

I have a Sony KV-20S40. I am guessing that KV stands for Television and Video Monitor based on other models I've seen. 20 is the size. What else can I glean?

KV = color TV, KP = color projection TV, TV = B&W TV. The following digits equal the screen size. Beyond that, I don't know.

PVM = professional video monitor...

It changed a few times, but basically for consumer-type TV sets:

First two letters are the Product type; i.e. KV=CRT color TV, KD=CRT color digital TV, KL=LCD TV, etc

Second two (numbers) are screen size

Up 'til the 2000s, the next two (or three) numbers are the actual model version.

Suffix letter(s) indicate extra stuff: R-remote, S=cable-ready tuner, X=has video/audio inputs, T=stereo tuner, and on 1960s-70s models, "U"=USA-only model, etc.

So a KV-2680RS is a 26" set with remote & cable-ready, but not stereo.

Then they swapped the order of model number and features suffix, so it gets confusing. KV-27SXR10, for instance, is a 27" CRT set with cable ready, remote, and video/audio jack panel. (by then, they stopped adding a "T", since stereo was standard).

Charles

This is very interesting. Does this mean that all Sony tvs had stereo and flat screens by the time they had digital tuners? Would it be possible to find a non-flat with a digital tuner?

CVM = Color Video Monitor/receiver
KX = "Profeel" monitor series
CPD = Compter Peripheral Display

STR = Stereo Receiver
CDP = Compact Disc Player
DVP = Digital Video Player
WM = Walkman
FD = Watchman

And the beat goes on!

For the 90's consumer TVs and VCRs there are only three letters I need to know.....BPC.

which means?

Jeff-20

For most of us BPC means Black Plastic Crap.

A lot of the 80's-2000's TV's where not that great, but there are still quite a few that I personally like :)

As for VCR's depending on the brand 2005 was really the last year something that was not total garbage could be bought. the $39.99 VHS specials where total garbage some having a plastic head drum....

Now that was for consumer there where still good pro VCR's that where made until about 08 I think.

Ironically, FD in the Watchman line, referred to "flat display" lollipop CRT, before the LCD or other flat non-CRTs were on the market. :scratch2:

Charles

I think my Color Watchman is an FDL, flat display LCD.

Remember the TPS-L2? That must have been Tape Player, Stereo.

Thanks for the explanation, mpatoray. Would my Sony KV-20S40 be considered a BPC? I thought I had the top-of-the-line in 20" quality tvs.

On VCRs, I have a JVC Super VHS-ET (a VCR with s-video), and I think that's the best VCR I could find. The rewind broke, and I have to wait for tapes to crawl backwards at play speed. The odd thing is that it starts rewinding normally, speeds up, then I can hear a pop and the gears grinding inside, and it reduces to play speed.

Looking closely at the specs, I figured out that the S means stereo. So the KV-20S40 is stereo and the KV-20M40 is mono.

Now my question is what would the KV-20S90 be? Just an improvement? Later model?
And what of the KV-20V90. Any idea what V might mean? I can't find enough specs to guess.

EDIT: I finally have confirmation that the difference with the V model is S-video inputs. It appears that the KV-20V90 has an additional S-video in the rear and audio out with fixed and variable volume out.