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Hardware Sony Updates BRAVIA LCD TV Lineup
Brandon Hill (Blog) - June 7, 2007 9:22 AM
Print E-mail del.icio.us 38 comment(s) - last by therealnickdan.. on Jun 8 at 8:20 AM

Sony BRAVIA KDL-46XBR4
Sony introduces new 40", 46" and 52" LCD TVs

Sony has updated its BRAVIA line of flat-panel LCD TVs. The new models include the XBR5, XBR4 and W series -- all of which feature 1920x1080 (1080p) 10-bit panels and will be available in 40", 46" and 52" screen sizes.

All new models include BRAVIA Theatre Sync for hassle-free multimedia viewing, Xross Media Bar (XMB) interface and the Sony Digital Media Extender (DMeX). With DMeX, users can plug in an optional BRAVIA Internet Video Link module to access the internet and stream HD content from AOL, Yahoo! and Grouper.

"Our BRAVIA flat-panel LCD HDTVs have the leading market share because they deliver an outstanding level of picture quality and style that people appreciate," said Sony Home Products VP Randy Waynick, senior vice president of Sony’s Home Products Division.  "The new line elevates our commitment to full HD1080p televisions displays, while offering many more choices."

As for family-specific features, the W series TVs feature a brushed metal frame bezel, Live Color Creation technology, x.v.Color technology and BRAVIA Engine EX video engine while the HDMI ports support 1080/24p and 1080/60p sources.

The XBR4 and XBR5 feature a glass frame. 120Hz "Motionflow" and BRAVIA Engine Pro circuitry for upconverting 720p and 1080i content.

Prices will range from $2,700 for the KDL-40W3000 to $5,100 for the KDL-52XBR5. Most models will ship in August while the KDL-52XBR5 will bow in September.

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nice but...
By mgbrown66 on 6/7/2007 9:49:07 AM , Rating: 1
I'd rather have a Pioneer Elite plasma.




RE: nice but...
By cochy on 6/7/2007 9:57:34 AM , Rating: 2
Good choice. That will be $10,000 please.


RE: nice but...
By therealnickdanger on 6/7/2007 10:04:42 AM , Rating: 2
Hardly, I bought my PRO-FHD1 (50" 1080p) for $3800 (not including $200 ISF cert) and you can find them for under $4500 almost anywhere. They were 10K when they first came out a long time ago, but they have come down a ton.

Elite plasma is unrivaled IMO. I can only imagine how amazing the new models will be.


RE: nice but...
By yahknow1 on 6/7/2007 10:53:27 AM , Rating: 2
No tuner in that panel, correct? Its PQ is outstanding though!

I thought hard about getting one last year, but after wieghting all the variables, I purchased last-years generation of the SONY Bravia. (KDL-46V2500) I LOVE it, these new versions should be simply awesome!


RE: nice but...
By tuteja1986 on 6/7/2007 11:03:25 AM , Rating: 3
Me happy with my 61" Samsung DLP Rear Projection TV.


RE: nice but...
By therealnickdanger on 6/7/2007 2:11:37 PM , Rating: 2
The FHD1 is just a monitor, yes. I figure that the only thing I miss are OTA channels... which pretty much all suck. Cable, Xbox360, and PC provide more than enough HD content. ;-)

There are a handful of other Elite models which are 1376x768 (or some odd res) that are significantly cheaper and have built-in tuners. The PQ on those are exceptional as well, but the FHD1 is just... OMG.

Those Bravias are slick. My choice was ultimately between a Sony SXRD (LCoS) and the Elite. The Elite and the SXRD were about equal with everything but black levels (FHD1 FTW), upconverting SD content (FHD1 FTWx2), and depth (FHD1 FTW). When I decide to build a true home theater, though, I think I'll choose a SXRD front-projector. They are awesome in a light-controlled room.


RE: nice but...
By anonymo on 6/8/2007 7:27:16 AM , Rating: 2
I was at Pioneer's Canadian Sales Rep showcase at the beginning of the week and the new Elites are ridiculous. Just while setting up I thought the screens were off but they just had no signal. I had forgotten what black actually looks like!


RE: nice but...
By therealnickdanger on 6/8/2007 8:20:48 AM , Rating: 2
*drool*


RE: nice but...
By Adsski on 6/7/2007 10:57:43 AM , Rating: 2
I have the previous W series model the KDL40W2000
This is also a 1920x1080p panel and...

I love it! Over HDMI with 1:1 pixel mapping it's a joy to behold (Full pixel mode on custom picture settings).

I can only imagine these being even better.
Tip: set the power saver to Low or High in the settings to get the best deep black levels.


RE: nice but...
By abhaxus on 6/7/2007 2:46:10 PM , Rating: 2
It's a shame that people are rating him down... the elites are really the pick of the litter in TVs right now. Hands down I'd take a Pro1140 or ProFHD1 over any other TV on the market. And the new Pro1150 isn't even out yet... :)


RE: nice but...
By jmunjr on 6/7/2007 4:36:48 PM , Rating: 2
SO you have your PC hooked up to it 24/7 with no screensaver right?


RE: nice but...
By therealnickdanger on 6/7/2007 8:43:26 PM , Rating: 2
I have done that several times before and it leaves no lasting effect. Seriously, the FUD regarding burn-in is so far-reaching. Some people confuse RI (residual image) with burn-in. Burn-in only occurs on panels that have not been properly configured or have malfunctioning counter-measures. Newer panels are less and less prone to RI as well.


When can we get LED-back lit large LCDs?
By ATC on 6/7/2007 10:55:17 AM , Rating: 2
I thought that Sony's refresh would include some models with LED back-lighting. There's no indication that any of these new models have it, or did I miss something?

OT; I think this year is gonna be Plasma's year. 1080p plasma will be mainstream by Christmas probably. Panasonic has models already on the market but they do command a premium right now.




RE: When can we get LED-back lit large LCDs?
By bplewis24 on 6/7/2007 11:52:28 AM , Rating: 3
You'll probably be interested in the Samsung 81 series with Local Dimming and backlighting.

Brandon


By ATC on 6/7/2007 5:36:23 PM , Rating: 2
Thanks for pointing out the 81 series. I always thought Samsung's model line up has been a little convoluted and hard to research in the past.


RE: When can we get LED-back lit large LCDs?
By blaster5k on 6/7/2007 4:28:39 PM , Rating: 3
I'm not so sure about plasma making a comeback. With LED backlights, 120Hz panels, and 10-bit color, the picture quality on LCDs should improve by leaps and bounds, they'll last much longer, they'll use much less power, and they'll probably be cheaper due to the number of manufacturers pushing LCD. Dominance amongst the people who actually care about image quality (sadly, I don't think most people do) kind of depends on whether or not we actually see LED backlight use become more widespread when the fall models come around.


By ATC on 6/7/2007 5:38:32 PM , Rating: 2
True enough. My thinking revolves around a big 'if' and that is 1080p plasma panels aggressively dropping in price which is anyone's guess as to whether it will happen this year or not. Here's hoping.


LCDs are becoming more and more attractive..
By darkpuppet on 6/7/2007 12:27:08 PM , Rating: 2
Despite how far plasma's have come, they still have their pitfalls. To me, burn-in is a major issue, and no plasma manufacturer can guarantee against it.

LCDs don't have burn-in issues, but contrast/colour gamut is slightly lacking -- not that anyone used to NTSC would care.. and there's the question of the lifespan (or half-life) of the backlighting. Most people don't notice their LCDs getting dimmer over time, but it's a nuisance for me.

But compared to projection technologies.. man, LCD is appears to be the price/performance leader.




RE: LCDs are becoming more and more attractive..
By blaster5k on 6/7/2007 4:34:00 PM , Rating: 2
Plasmas degrade with use too. The phosphors dim and unlike LCD, where you could potentially replace the backlight, the display is done.

A lot of people would argue that projection is the price/performance leader -- especially with larger screen sizes. I think it kind of depends on how long you plan to keep the TV, since those bulbs will add up.


By hubajube on 6/7/2007 6:32:57 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
I think it kind of depends on how long you plan to keep the TV, since those bulbs will add up.
True, but I'd rather pay $320-$480 spread out over 7 years instead of $3000-$5000 at once.


whats the deal with plasma?
By Drexial on 6/7/2007 2:42:54 PM , Rating: 2
honestly i haven't liked a single plasma i've seen, the colors look fake on them, they aren't as natural as the alternatives. my absolute favorite TVs are sony's DLPs. there was a 60" model that had an AMAZING picture. it was like watching a a movie in a theater (without the dirt spots and the like with film).




RE: whats the deal with plasma?
By KentState on 6/7/2007 4:52:05 PM , Rating: 2
When did Sony start making DLP tvs?


RE: whats the deal with plasma?
By ATC on 6/7/2007 7:34:35 PM , Rating: 2
I was thinking the same thing. Maybe the SXRD, an LCD-based read projo is what was meant?


HDMI
By podknocker on 6/7/2007 1:19:38 PM , Rating: 2
Does anyone know if the HDMI sockets will be version 1.3 on these models. The current range may be 1.2 but not even the Sony model range pdf mentions the HDMI standard anywhere.




RE: HDMI
By michal1980 on 6/7/2007 4:07:12 PM , Rating: 1
the teather synce spec to me smells of hdmi 1.3 because i don't belive that communication/control of other devices was in any of the earlier specs. I could be wrong.


RE: HDMI
By yahknow1 on 6/7/2007 5:35:37 PM , Rating: 2
Not sure about this, but I think the new Bravia has to be HDMI 1.3 in order to support the "x.v.Color technology"?


Theatre Sync / XMD / DMeX?
By EarthsDM on 6/7/2007 12:34:24 PM , Rating: 3
quote:
All new models include BRAVIA Theatre Sync for hassle-free multimedia viewing, Xross Media Bar (XMB) interface and the Sony Digital Media Extender (DMeX). With DMeX, users can plug in an optional BRAVIA Internet Video Link module to access the internet and stream HD content from AOL, Yahoo! and Grouper.


Has anyone here used any of these features before? Do they make life easier, or are they just another thing you have to navigate around each time you want to use your TV? Is BRAVIA just for movie trailers (of films produced by Sony,) or is there any good content to be had that way? I'd hate for AOL to stream an ad to my living room every time I sit down to watch TV, even if the ad does come in 1080P.




Nice
By Novaoblivion on 6/7/2007 11:15:57 AM , Rating: 2
Looks like a nice upgrade, I just bought the KDL-40XBR2 and love it.




LOL, Sony is already owned!
By JackBurton on 6/7/07, Rating: -1
RE: LOL, Sony is already owned!
By BBock727 on 6/7/2007 11:38:11 AM , Rating: 3
I have the XBR3 and I also got the sample the new Pioneer plasma and I would still take my XBR3 over it.


RE: LOL, Sony is already owned!
By chick0n on 6/7/07, Rating: -1
By JackBurton on 6/7/2007 9:51:36 PM , Rating: 2
Ok, first of all, work on your grammar, THEN you can think about calling someone a moron. Secondly, quit being a moron. I never said Sony wasn't going to have a lower street price than Pioneer's offerings. What I simply said was, Pioneer's estimated MSRP is already $100 lower than Sony's, so they would most likely have a lower street price given Pioneer's history and Sony's history of SP vs MSRP. But EVEN if they were priced EXACTLY the same, Sony still loses. Sony isn't going to touch the picture quality and performance of Pioneer's new plasma. Not by a mile.


RE: LOL, Sony is already owned!
By BladeVenom on 6/7/2007 5:31:18 PM , Rating: 2
Sony will beat Pioneer because they have better name recognition amongst the average consumers. Look how Sony televisions with Samsung panels outsell Samsung's televisions.


RE: LOL, Sony is already owned!
By JackBurton on 6/7/2007 9:34:26 PM , Rating: 2
It doesn't so much matter to me who wins, but which is the best. And Pioneer's new 8th gen plasma is and will be the best HDTV in 2007. No question about it. The "average people" can go ahead and purchase their average HDTV. The videophiles will stick with the pinnacle of HD displays, Pioneer. :)


RE: LOL, Sony is already owned!
By CCRATA on 6/7/2007 11:19:12 PM , Rating: 2
And they will suffer due to the increase power usage of Plasmas and Burn in. Sorry, LCD>Plasma. Even you precious Pioneer. LCDs are clearer too. Maybe you need to spend some time and actually compare your overpriced Plasma to the new LCDs that have been released. I know I did, and I choose LCD.


RE: LOL, Sony is already owned!
By abhaxus on 6/8/2007 12:03:32 AM , Rating: 2
Eh... how can you say the picture is "clearer" on LCD? All LCDs blur with motion, plasmas do not. That's not even factoring in the ability of Pioneer TVs from the last several years being able to properly deinterlace a 1080i signal while Sony TVs (and most other brands) still being unable to do so. So with the vast majority of HD content out there, Pioneer will deliver a picture with double the resolution of a Sony. And they look better on SD. And they can reproduce the full color spectrum. And they have far better customer support.

Also you might try hooking up a current 42" plasma to a current 40"+ LCD to a kill-a-watt and see what the power consumption is actually like. Properly tuned both technologies deliver similar results. You might also be shocked to know that the LCD you say cannot burn in will suffer from the same problem that current generation plasmas do... they both have problems with image retention. Put a static screen on both and they will both burn in over a long time.

I bet you think you have to recharge the gas on a plasma every few years as well.


RE: LOL, Sony is already owned!
By CCRATA on 6/8/2007 1:18:31 AM , Rating: 2
No I do not think that. Also LCD HAVE NO BURN IN WHATSOEVER. I know because I have been using an LCD TV (not LCD computer monitor) as my computer monitor for over 2 years. If They had burn in I'm sure the windows taskbar should be burned in then... By Clearer I mean the picture is more crisp. Plasmas appear slightly "fuzzier".


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