HDTV Reviews

The new Bravia XBR models feature 1920 X 1080 screen resolution, Bravia Engine Pro and three HDMI inputs with 1080p capability. The 46-inch KDL-46XBR2 and 40-inch KDL-40XBR2 feature a silver bezel with an elegant floating glass design.

These models also feature a built-in ATSC tuner, personal computer input, two HD component, one S-video and three composite inputs.

The Bravia KDL-46XBR2 and KDL-40XBR2 models will be available later this month for suggested selling prices of $5,499.99 and $4,499.99, respectively.

Rounding out the Bravia XBR line is the 32-inch KDL-V32XBR2 model featuring a 1366 X 768 screen resolution. It is equipped with Sony’s Bravia Engine and Live Color Creation. The set’s narrow, two-tone, black and silver bezel incorporates invisible bottom speakers with SRS-TruSurroundXT and BBE Digital Enhancement technology.

Other features include a built-in ATSC tuner, single HDMI and PC inputs, as well as two HD components, two S-video and three composite inputs.

The Bravia XBR KDL-V32XBR2 set ships in September and is expected to retail for $2,399.99.

Next up in the Bravia line is the Bravia V2500 Series which includes the 40-inch KDL-40V2500 and the 46-inch KDL-46V2500.

These 1920 X 1080 native HD resolution models are equipped with dual HDMI inputs with 1080p capability and the Bravia Engine and Live Color Creation technologies.

The black bezel, V2500 models feature a space-saving bottom speaker design that helps the sets fit easily into existing AV cabinets. Other features include a digital amplifier with SRS-TruSurround XT and BBE Digital Audio Enhancement technologies, a PC input, two HD components, two S-video and three composite inputs.

The Bravia V2500 KDL-46V2500 and KDL-40V2500 models will ship in late September. No pricing was announced by the company.

The budgetend Bravia S-Series LCD TV range will include the 40-inch KLV-40S200A, the 32-inch KLV-32S200A, the 26-inch KLV-26S200A and the 23-inch KLV-23S200A.

These models feature a 1366 X 768 pixels screen resolution and are equipped with bottom speakers a single HDMI input, personal computer input along with two component, two S-Video and three composite inputs.

The Bravia KLV-40S200A, KLV-32S200A, KLV-26S200A and KLV-23S200A models will be available in September at suggested selling prices of $2,999.99, $1,899.99, $1,499.99 and $1,299.99 respectively

Sony have just announced that they are adding nine new HDTV model to their LCD Bravia line up. From the budget end KLV-23S200A to their top of the line Bravia, the KDL-46XBR2.

The Sony Bravia range now features 6 new full HD 1080 models in the 40- and 46-inch screen sizes as well as seven 1366 X 768 pixels WXGA screen resolution models.

Sony have added models to the Bravia S-Series, Bravia V2500 Series, and the Bravia XBR Series.
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The TAV-L1 all-in-one home theater system features a motorized audio unit that with a push of a button automatically slides down, revealing a 32-inch LCD flat-panel HDTV.

The combination LCD TV/home theater system incorporates a slot-loading DVD/CD/SACD player, two powerful vibration canceling subwoofers, Sony’s S-Master® digital amplifier, and Sony’s S-Force® Pro virtual surround sound processing for realistic surround sound without rear speakers.In an industry first, Sony will be integrating a high-definition 32-inch LCD television into a cutting-edge home theater system. It features an audio unit with a single-disc DVD/CD/SA-CD player and a digital amplifier. Additionally, it slides up or down to conceal or reveal the LCD.

Another option the company is introducing is a TV stand with an integrated home theater system. Then you can add a Sony BRAVIA LCD TV for a full home theater experience without rear speakers.

“Unobtrusive home theater systems are soaring in popularity as flat-panel LCD televisions drive the market and, as a result, we have begun to merge home theater products into TV stands specifically designed for these displays,” said Jeff Goldstein, vice president of marketing for Sony Electronics’ Home Products Division.

Additionally, the unit includes a pre-programmed remote control and an HDMI input, as well as Dolby® Digital, Dolby Pro Logic® II and dts® processing. The system comes standard with a black speaker grill; optional grills are available in warm gray, burgundy and green colors. Two additional colors, metallic orange and silver, will be available exclusively at Sony Style retail stores across the country and on the web at sonystyle.com. Read more

The Sony KDL-46X2000U is a 46-incher with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and, importantly, can handle and display a 1080p high-def signal.

The olderKDL-46V2000 (note the V & not the X), which has the same size screen but with a 1366×768 resolution, reveals an enhanced “BRAVIA Engine EX”. Not only does this engine assist in displaying all high-def resolutions, but it also claims to vastly improve standard-definition pictures by upscaling them up to 4 times.

“The X Series embodies exactly what the new wave of Sony TVs are all about,” said Jonathan White, General Manager, TV Marketing. “Technology-driven, certainly, but completely focused on only one thing: the best possible HD experience for the viewer. That’s really all that matters.”

Sony has posted ship dates and new lower prices for its A2000 line of HDTVs, (no word on the XBR models yet, only the SXRD). They seem to feature two HDMI ports, include both NTSC & ATSC tuners and feature true 1080p input support.

50″ SXRD KDS-50A2000 - $2,799.99
55″ SXRD KDS-55A2000 - $3,299.99
60″ SXRD KDS-60A2000 - $3,699.99

The Sony Bravia KDL-V32XBR1 offers some interesting high-end features that help explain its high price. However, its image quality, though generally good, falls short of what you see on some less expensive LCD TVs.

The big attraction of the Sony Bravia KDL-V32XBR1 is its well-conceived physical design. Details like the CableCard slot and the neatly secured remote battery compartment make this a TV that would be easy to live with. Read more

We found the design of the DVP-NS75H stylish and attractive–definitely a notch above standard budget DVD players. It stands just 1.6 inches tall, which is a hair higher than the Philips DVP5960/37 but still incredibly short. The faceplate is silver with a long black strip in the center containing the display and the drawer. A front-panel LED lights up indicating an HDMI connection has been made.

The highlight of the DVP-NS75H’s connectivity suite is its HDMI output. Through the HDMI connection, the player is able to upconvert DVD’s 480i resolution to 480p, 720p, and 1080i. Read more

Sony BRAVIA KDL-32V2000, it’s all very well having great picture processing technology going on behind the scenes - but the panel itself is of course equally important. The 8ms panel is excellent and if you’re watching films, I think it’s safe to say that you won’t see any motion-blurred images whatsoever - blur on the new BRAVIA is reduced to a trace. If you play a fast 60fps video game, you might notice some very slight blurring in very dark areas of the picture, but that’s neither unbearable nor unexpected. In this regard it’s much better than the 2004 LCD WEGA I’ve been used to - a huge improvement in a short space of time. Perhaps in another 2 years we’ll have 100% ghost-free panels?

It took them enough time, but Sony of Europe eventually gave us a European version of a BRAVIA LCD that’s worth cheering about. It’s not perfect connectivity wise, but everything that’s important is here (even if I will need to spend even more money on a switch box). Yes, it’s ridiculous that on a TV this expensive, I still need to make use of a Component video switch, but the picture quality and black levels make up for it, so I’m very happy.

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