David Katzmaier,
Senior Editor
April 1, 2009
After finally having the opportunity to compare the two top contenders screen-to-screen, we're giving the nod to the Sony by a nose. Or at least, by a spot on the couch. The company's KDL-46XBR4 handily outperformed the Samsung LN-T4681F in a couple of key areas, namely off-angle viewing and reflection-reduction (the latter was a gimme because of the Samsung's mirrorlike screen). Don't get us wrong, the new LED-powered Samsung performed extremely well in crucial areas of black-level performance and color accuracy, edging out the Sony slightly in both departments, but we preferred the Sony's overall--and less-expensive--package. We'll also throw in a few other highly rated 1080p LCDs, namely Samsung's own 120Hz model, the superb LN-T4671F; the cheaper, yet still excellent, Samsung LN-T4665F; Toshiba's smooth 120Hz 52LX155; and Sharp's less-than-uniform but otherwise commendable LC-52D64U. If you have your heart set on LCD, they're all worth a look.
- More Resources
- Best 5 HDTVs,
- Top flat-panel LCD HDTVs,
- Six things to know about 120Hz,
- CNET's HDTV World
| Product name | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Check Prices | Check Prices | $1,079.95 to $2,499.00 | $939.95 to $949.97 | $1,299.95 | $1,495.00 to $1,899.00 |
| CNET editors' rating |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Average user rating | ||||||
| Review date | September 27, 2007 | November 01, 2007 | November 13, 2007 | May 07, 2007 | August 28, 2007 | September 11, 2007 |
| The Bottom Line | Although not quite as impressive as the best plasmas, the 46-inch Sony KDL-46XBR4 outperforms any flat-panel LCD we've tested so far. | A breakthrough in LCD picture quality with some issues, the LED-powered Samsung LN-T4681F will nonetheless impress the staunchest videophiles. | While a few issues hamper its judder-busting video processing, the 120Hz Samsung LN-T4671F is still one of the best-performing LCD HDTVs available. | Despite a shiny, reflective screen, the picture quality of the Samsung LN-T4665F makes it a top choice overall. | Albeit expensive, the 52-inch Toshiba 52LX177 LCD HDTV is packed with cutting-edge technology and produces an impressive picture. | We loved the Sharp LC-52D64U's slim style and solid black-level performance, but we didn't like its less-than-uniform screen. |
| Similar Products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products |
| Features | ||||||
| Sound Effects | Virtual Dolby Digital S-FORCE Front Surround Sound | SRS TruSurround XT | SRS TruSurround XT | SRS TruSurround XT | SRS WOW StableSound | Info unavailable |
| Input Video Formats | 1080p | 480i 480p 576i 576p 720p 1080i 1080p | 480i 480p 576i 576p 720p 1080i 1080p | 720p 1080i 1080p | 480i 480p 720p 1080i 1080p | Info unavailable |
| Analog TV Tuner | Info unavailable | NTSC | NTSC | NTSC | NTSC | NTSC |
| Weight | 79.4 lbs | 76.9 lbs | 72.3 lbs | 61.7 lbs | Info unavailable | 75 lbs |
| Image Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Digital TV Tuner | QAM ATSC | QAM ATSC | QAM ATSC | ATSC | QAM ATSC | QAM ATSC |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Sound Output Mode | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo |
| Speaker System | Info unavailable | 2 speakers | 2 speakers | 2 speakers | 2 speakers | 2 speakers |
| Enclosure Color | Piano black | Black | Black | Info unavailable | Gloss black | High-gloss black |
| Radio | None | None | None | None | Info unavailable | None |
| TV Tuner | Info unavailable | 1x analog 1x digital | 1x analog 1x digital | 1x analog 1x digital | 1x analog/digital combo | 1x analog 1x digital |
| DVD | None | None | None | None | None | None |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 49.6 in x 12.7 in x 31.3 in - With stand | 48.4 in x 12.6 in x 29.6 in - With stand | 48 in x 12.6 in x 29.6 in - With stand | 46.5 in x 12.6 in x 30 in - With stand | 51.2 in x 5.7 in x 30.7 in - Without stand | 48.8 in x 12.8 in x 32.9 in - With stand and speakers |
| Remote Control | Remote control - Infrared | Universal remote control - Infrared | Universal remote control - Infrared | Universal remote control - Infrared | Universal remote control - Infrared | Remote control - Infrared |
| VCR | None | None | None | None | None | None |
| Technology | TFT active matrix | TFT active matrix ( S-PVA ) | TFT active matrix | TFT active matrix | TFT active matrix | TFT active matrix |
| Diagonal Size | 46 in - Widescreen | 46 in - Widescreen | 46 in - Widescreen | 46 in - Widescreen | 52 in - Widescreen | 52 in - Widescreen |
| Digital Television Certification | HDTV | HDTV | HDTV | HDTV | HDTV | HDTV |
| Additional Features | Live color creation technology Bravia engine EX | Local Dimming technology Auto Motion PlusLED | Auto-Motion Plus technology HDMI-CEC technology | V-Chip Game mode On-screen menu Dynamic contrast Video noise reduction DNIe (Digital Natural Image engine) | CE-Link CineSpeed DynaLight ClearFrame ColorBurst PixelPure3G On-screen menu Channel labeling Video noise reduction ColorStream Component Video Input | Multi-pixel technology |
| Display Format | 1080p (FullHD) | 1080p (FullHD) | 1080p (FullHD) | 1080p (FullHD) | 1080p (FullHD) | 1080p (FullHD) |
| PC Interface | VGA (HD-15) | VGA (HD-15) | VGA (HD-15) | VGA (HD-15) | VGA (HD-15) | VGA (HD-15) |
| Video Interface | HDMI S-Video Composite | HDMI S-Video Component Composite | HDMI S-Video Component Composite | HDMI S-Video Component Composite | HDMI S-Video Component Composite | HDMI S-Video Component Composite |
| Product Description | Sony KDL-46XBR4 - 46 in LCD TV | Samsung LN-T4681F - 46 in LCD TV | Samsung LN-T4671F - 46 in LCD TV | Samsung LN-T4665F - 46 in LCD TV | Toshiba 52LX177 - 52 in LCD TV | Sharp LC 52D64U - 52 in LCD TV |
| Product Type | LCD TV | LCD TV | LCD TV | LCD TV | LCD TV | LCD TV |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Buying choices |
This product has been discontinued. Reviews of current products utilizing the same LED-backlit LCD screens are available here. |
|
|
|
|
|
