Sony LCD Television

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The Best LCD Television

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If you're in the market for a new LCD TV, Sony is a top name. This page will highlight a number of Sony LCD TV models of various sizes and provide some tips for finding the television that's right for you.

Be sure to use the expandable Table of Contents below to quickly find what you want on this page.

Why a Sony LCD TV? 

Sony LCD televisions consistently rank high in customer satisfaction. Per JD Powers 2007 Satisfaction Survey the Sony Bravia LCD won top honors in the 37"-49" HDTV category and Sony LCD TV received the nod for the flat panel TV category. You can read a summary of their report here.

Tips for Choosing the Right LCD TV 

Because LCD TVs are the most popular, there are innumerable models available on showroom floors. It's often wise to shop in stores where you can view the screens in action and compare what you see side-by-side; then to shop online for easy price comparison and some of the best bargains.

  • The first decision to be made is regarding the size of your future TV. Bigger is not always better. As with any television, shoppers should consider the distance between where the screen will be located and the seat from which they will be viewing it. There is a range that is acceptable and individual preferences vary. However, at a distance of 2.5 to 5 feet, a screen size of no larger than 27" is generally recommended. At a distance of 5-9 feet, the recommended screen size often varies between 32" and 37" while a viewing distance from 9 to 14 feet is usually matched with a screen between 40" and 46". In large rooms offering a viewing distance of over 12 feet, 50" and larger LCD screens are appropriate.

  • A second consideration is screen resolution. The minimum recommended would be 1280x720 for 720p resolution. 1366x768 would be better and 1920x1080 would be higher. However, higher resolution raises the cost and buyers should compare to determine whether or not the visible difference is significant to them.

  • Overall screen performance is best assessed visually. Shoppers should look for brightness, any blurring during fast action scenes, and overall color accuracy. Numbers reported for "contrast ratio" are confusing as there is no standard way for manufacturers to measure and report this data. However, for shoppers who want numbers to guide them this Newegg report can provide guidance.

  • Viewing angle is also critical If your new LCD television will be viewed from any angle other than dead-on center, it is best to view it in the store from such an angle as viewing quality can be heavily influenced by this.

  • Assuring that the television has any necessary connections for peripheral devices is also critical. For instance, consider whether or not you will be connecting a cable/satellite box, gaming console, PC, or DVD player. The Newegg page above will provide additional information to identify the needed ports.
  • Terms to Know When Shopping for a Sony LCD TV 

    If you're shopping for a Sony LCD TV there are a few terms you should know to help you better understand what you will find.

  • Motionflow High Frame Rate

    This is Sony's term for the technology they use to improve motion performance with faster response times. It reportedly doubles the amount of frames from 60fps to 120fps resulting in smooth and natural looking motion.

  • BRAVIA Engine PRO Full Digital Video Processor

    This term is used to describe Sony's technology which reportedly provides crisp details, outstanding contrast, eye popping colors, and dramatically reduced digital artifacts and is user adjustable according to the video source.

  • Live Color Creation System featuring WCG-CCFL

    This Sony technology is used to create deep, deep blues and natural greens.

  • Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE) Function

    Sony's Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE) is said to increase Dynamic Contrast Ratio up to 18,000:12 resulting in blacker blacks in darker scenes, as well as better shadow detail in other scenes for a difference that you can see.

  • 24p True Cinema (24p Input Capability)

    24p input capability will allow the best viewing of movies which are often filmed at 24 fps and TV shows taped at 24p.

  • DMex - Ready (Digital Module Extender)

    This technology provides a digital connection path for the addition of other modules like the new BRAVIA Internet Video Link. 6

  • BRAVIA Theatre Sync technology

    This Sony technology allows users to operate compatible Sony devices with the push of a single button. Playing DVD's, switching to digital surround sound and so forth is reduced to one lonely click.
  • Other Useful Information 

    Home Theater Blog
    Details the proper way to wall mount an LCD television.
    CNET
    Provides brief instructions on cleaning your LCD television.
    About.com
    A one page comparison of LCD and plasma TVs.
    CNET.com
    Provides a chart that estimates energy use/costs of various flat panel TVs.
    Energy Star
    Search for the TV model of your choice to determine if it is Energy Star qualified.
    Test Freaks
    A site providing test results/reviews of a wide variety of LCD and plasma TVs.

    Sony 23" LCD Televisions 

    Sony 32" LCD Televisions 

    Sony Bravia L-Series KDL-32L5000 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV, Black

    Amazon Price: $499.99 (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now

    Sony Bravia S-Series KDL-32S5100 32-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV, Black

    Amazon Price: $597.00 (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now

    Sony BRAVIA XBR KDL-32XBR9 32-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV

    Amazon Price: $778.00 (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now

    Sony Bravia M-Series KDL-32M4000 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV

    Amazon Price: $588.38 (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now

    Sony 37" LCD Televisions 

    Sony Bravia M-Series KDL-37M4000 37-Inch 720p LCD HDTV

    Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now

    Sony KDL-37N4000 Bravia 37? N4000 LCD Television

    Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now

    Sony Bravia M-Series KDL-37M3000 37-Inch 720p LCD HDTV

    Amazon Price: $949.99 (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now

    Sony Bravia S-Series KDL-32S5100 32-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV, Black

    Amazon Price: $597.00 (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now

    Sony Bravia L-Series KDL-32L5000 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV, Black

    Amazon Price: $499.99 (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now

    Sony 40" LCD Televisions 

    Sony BRAVIA V-Series KDL-40V5100 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV

    Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now

    Sony Bravia V-Series KDL-40V4100 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

    Amazon Price: $799.00 (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now

    Sony Bravia S-Series KDL-40S5100 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV, Black

    Amazon Price: $799.99 (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now

    Sony Bravia W-Series KDL-40W4100 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV

    Amazon Price: $1,474.92 (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now

    Sony 46" LCD Televisions 

    Sony BRAVIA V-Series KDL-46V5100 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV, Black

    Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now

    Sony BRAVIA V-Series KDL-46V4100 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

    Amazon Price: $1,199.00 (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now

    Sony BRAVIA S-Series KDL-46S5100 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV, Black

    Amazon Price: $999.99 (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now

    Sony Bravia S-Series KDL-46S4100 46-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

    Amazon Price: $1,299.99 (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now

    Sony 52" LCD Televisions 

    Sony Bravia XBR Series KDL-52XBR7 52-Inch 240Hz 1080p LCD HDTV

    Amazon Price: $2,256.37 (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now

    Sony BRAVIA S-Series KDL-52S5100 52-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV, Black

    Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now

    Sony Bravia S-Series KDL-52S4100 52-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

    Amazon Price: $1,745.99 (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now

    In the News: Sony LCD TV 

    Sony BRAVIA KDL-32XBR9 32-inch LCD TV - $749 Shipped
    Buydig.com has the Sony BRAVIA KDL-32XBR9 32-inch LCD TV at a must buy price. The features of this 32-inch are as follows: 1920×1080 resolution, ...
    No plan to cut LCD TV prices
    While the two major LCD TV manufacturers ? LG and Samsung ? have no immediate plans to reduce the prices, other companies like Sony and Haier, ...
    The CNET TV Team
    The commendable picture quality of Sony's entry-level 120Hz-equipped LCD makes it a very good value. Samsung's PNB650 series can't quite match the best ...
    TV Giants Are Outsourcing More Manufacturing
    Consider the diverging paths of two companies: Sharp and Sony. On July 9, Sharp said it was ramping up production in Japan of LCD panels for flat-screen TVs ...

    Sony LCD TV: Did You Find What You Need? Let Us Know! 

    If you didn't find the television you wanted, be sure to visit our home electronics store.

    bbug wrote...

    Thanks for the great information. There is so much to know when choosing a new television and this helps alot.

    ReplyPosted July 29, 2008

     

    Photo Credits
    Introduction: jamiemc (no derivative work allowed)
    Tips for Choosing the Right LCD TV: CPChannel.
    Terms to Know: tonystl. (no derivative work allowed)

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