Do Top-Selling HDTVs Stand Up To Strict Scrutiny? Part 2

Sony is the acknowledged leader in both LCD and rear projection HDTVs. Sony offers a wide range of screen sizes that includes 56" and 70" at the top end. Sony Bravia XBR models in the smaller screen range are less expensive, but uniformly praised for their outstanding LCD picture quality, especially the vividness of the colors. However, there are negatives, too. Weigh the pros and cons, carefully, before you decide to buy.

Do Top-Selling HDTVs Stand Up To Strict Scrutiny? Part 2
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Richard_Runion]Richard Runion

In LCDs, Sony was the top brand in shipments in the U.S., for 2007, followed by Samsung, Vizio and Sharp. Hence Sony is the first brand on my radar. In-depth analysis shows that there's good as well as bad news for Sony aficionados.

First, the good news:

Sony is the acknowledged leader in both LCD and rear projection HDTVs. Sony offers a wide range of screen sizes that includes 56" and 70" at the top end. Sony Bravia XBR models in the smaller screen range are less expensive, but uniformly praised for their outstanding LCD picture quality, especially the vividness of the colors.

The 46-inch Sony Bravia KDL-46XBR4 is rated amongst the best LCD HDTV models, and has been praised for its black-level performance (almost as good as that of plasma), 120 Hz judder-free processing, off-angle viewing and screen uniformity. This set also offers excellent HDMI connectivity, as it comes equipped with three HDMI inputs and one PC input. The 52" Sony Bravia KDL-52W3000 boasts advanced HDMI connectivity, and a comprehensive color range.

Among rear-projection HDTVs, Sony KDS-55A3000 has drawn praise for its color accuracy, judder processing, and deep-black levels, with "solid shadow". In the lower price range, (around $1,500), the Sony A10 series of LCD HDTVs is considered the best.

A study done by Consumer Reports has shown that Sony HDTVs are among the least repair-prone.

Now, brace yourself for the bad news:

Cloud On The Horizon

The 4 XBR series is the most popular of Sony's product line. But even the most ardent owner admits that this series has an unresolved "clouding" problem. This appears like white puffy looking background lighting, when the screen is black, and makes viewing distracting. It's particularly prominent when you watch a dark movie scene, or play a dark video game. Sony has not officially acknowledged this problem, despite many complaints.

A Smeared Reputation

These are very smear-prone sets, which implies lack of smooth movement in action scenes, such as sport.

Lack Of Basic Features In Upscale Models

For a top-of-the-line Sony, this series lacks some basic features such as PIP (Picture in Picture).

Gaming Blues

Only up to 1450x1050 resolution is allowed on the VGA connector, not 1920x1080. Only VGA input is allowed a standby mode - turning display off when there is no signal.
Digital over-the-air broadcast (ATSC) is not facilitated by manual tuning.

Factory Settings Wide Off The Mark

Factory settings are less than optimal. For instance, color is set to "vivid" instead of "normal". (The manual recommends "normal".) Another factory color setting is "cool" increasing blue tones - this has been confirmed by the company. Treble and base have not been set mid-way; the "Auto Wide" feature has been set as "off"; sound equalization is set as "off" for constant volume.

Niggling Worries About Most Models

Sony KDL-46W3000 has complaints about some 'jaggedness' to pictures; "Good rather than spectacular", as a customer puts it.

In the KDL46S2000 model, the black level is not deep enough; it also suffers from poor response time of fast action.

When displaying scenes depicting lots of motion, the KDL-46V3000 was considered among the most smear-prone sets, with considerable smearing in motion scenes.

KDL-32S2010 has a "sub-par" picture for standard definition sources. (To be fair, this is a common complaint about all HDTVs, and should become irrelevant, come February 19, 2009).

Final Analysis

In the final analysis, a prospective buyer should consider the negatives in light of the fact that Sony is among the most expensive brands on the market. Weigh the pros and cons, carefully, before you decide to buy.

Richard J. Runion is the President of Geostar Publishing & Services LLC. Rich loves net research & blogging. His new blog on
target=_new [http://www.besthdtvreview.com]HDTV is fast becoming popular, as it is comprehensive and well-researched. Read his blog at: http://www.besthdtvreview.com/

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