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"This is a great, high def set." on by David4Film
Pros: Most accurate high definition picture available
Cons: The brilliance of its HD picture makes SD pale in comparison.
Summary: I am a veteran filmmaker. As such, the kind of high def television I decide to invest in will reflect my 20+ years of directorial experience in this field. By all considerations, this is simply the best LCD that anyone can purchase (outside of their 46 inch model). Sony's algorithm for smoothing compression artifacts arising from the ubiquitous multiplexing in most HD broadcast signals is absolutely the best. Outside of a Pioneer Elite series, I've not seen any plasma come close to effectively dealing with the high degree of compression pixelation. Also,because my kids are avid gamers, I needed to invest in a set that could not be damaged by long use of game consoles. My choices were either LCD or DLP. No DLP comes close to this set. In addition, this set is 1080P capable. You have to see it connected to a Blue Ray DVD player to appreciate what's it's really capable of. With the new 1080P Playstation 3 console to be released in November, this television will help set new standards for game play realism. I believe the editorial review was very conservative in its assessment. This is the best set, best picture, hands down that you can purchase. The investment is well worth it.
Its only downside comes a result of its spectacular HD picture. SD, which is shown as good as it can possibly get on this set, simply pales in comparison... (By the way there is absolutely no defect in Sony's SD processing as someone else claimed - I have found that cable networks utilize different standards for digital SD compression - if a broadcast is not poorly compressed, it appears better than any other SD you'll watch on another set.) Unfortunately, most broadcast programming is still SD. However, with HD broadcasts, or High Def DVD's - you will be rewarded with the best HD image quality available. -
"Outstanding HD Picture, but a serious flaw" on by Randy728
Pros: Excellent picture with an HD Source
Cons: A serious flaw with Standard Definition
Summary: I was very much looking forward to this model from Sony, and planning to buy the KDL-46XBR3 variant.
I was at a local retailer this weekend, and was watching the 46XBR2 and 40XBR3, sitting side by side. Several of us were admiring the impressive picture (on both). However, as we were watching, the source (Cox Cable) switched to a SD picture, and the resulting picture (on both sets) immediately became dismal. There was extensive pixelization when any movement occurred in the scene, making it largely unviewable. I am sure it wasn't the LCD itself, with an 8 ms response time. Also, since this only occurred with an SD source, I can only assume it was a (serious) flaw in Sony's DRC Multi Function processing software. This phenonema was not occurring on any of the other (many) TV's in the store, so I do not believe it could be blamed on the cable TV input.
I would suggest the CNET reviewer(s) investigate this, and check with Sony on if there is a workaround, or fix in the works. If neither is the case, I would not suggest this product be recommended, since it is inevitable that any user would want to view Standard definition material, at least occasionally. -
"Your CNET Editor has Mental Instability if..." on by Lookn2find
Pros: It's pure perfection to those seeking Quality not Quantity
Cons: It isn't mounted on my wall yet...
Summary: Your CNET Editor is Mentally Unstable if...
1. He Reviews a 1080P Television for it's Quality and quotes "The set should be able to display every detail of incoming 1080i and 1080p sources"..."Should be able” meaning he doesn't even know for sure & he's the one we're supposed to respect with this review.
2. He quotes "Its main appeal is style" right before he tells you he's not sure if it can display any 1080 signal therefore we don't even know if it was tested for quality.
3. He quotes "Reproduces deep blacks with excellent shadow detail; picture stays true from off-angle compared to other LCDs; myriad picture controls; resolves every detail of 1080p-resolution sources" Meaning that everything that an LCD has a problem doing this SONY LCD does it flawlessly then later tells you he’s not sure if it can show any 1080 signal & CONTRADICTS HIMSELF AGAIN saying "Sure the high-end Sony KDL-40XBR2 offers a commendable picture with more tweaks than you'll ever use, but let's face it: Style is this LCD's main weapon".
4. He quotes "Sony kept the remote and menu system the same as its 2006 SXRD sets, such as the KDS-60A2000" You then click to review this 60A2000 TV & see him admit it's being the clearest DLP Television he's reviewed actually as the summary for the 60" on CNET's homepage not so long ago & then you wonder why he didn't really seam to review this LCD's picture quality but it's physical appearance and/or dimensions were of his main concern when reviewing a Television.
5. He gives a TV a 7.9 review meaning it isn't even eligible for an award because it's physical dimensions and/or appearance keep it from getting into the 8.0 or higher award worthy ring which is all in his opinion when we are searching for FACTS as we can give our own opinions by the pictures shown as far as a physical appearance stand point and is useless to us as viewers.
6. He quotes "Including the stand, the set measures 43.8 wide by 28.3 high by 12.8 deep" not even thinking it would be of the publics interest to know the TV itself is exactly 4.84" deep without the stand as if no one would ever dare to put a Television on their wall.
7. He tells you that the menus are so user friendly that they even tell you what each individual customization does & makes the over abundance of tweaks a breeze & still seams to look down upon this flat piece of perfection with squinting eyes & a frown.
Tighten up buddy, I have the most serious eye for detail you've ever seen in your entire life as I was raised in a body shop from the age of 3 & can see any flaw in sheet metal even down to the detail of how flawlessly our metallic lays down next to the OEM's paint in or out of the sun & it has to be flawless to my eye before leaving the door if I have anything to do with it as my father is also a perfectionist in the serious extremity. I am 24 years old & would just love to have your job as a reviewer/editor & I watch & will be watching every review you give for something that is nothing short of perfection & will watch you like a hawk especially if the leader in TV quality is mentioned.
SONY People that's all I should have to tell you. SONY
Spend the extra cash for quality over quantity or beat yourself for your mistake. -
"SONY XBR2 = CLOUDS!!!!" on by jimmcnab
Pros: Great picture under certain conditions
Cons: Cloudy defective backlit panel issues / mura
Summary: I have been through 4 XBR TVs and all of them have had clouding backlight issues - also known as 'mura'. I swapped my first 40XBR2 out for a 46XBR2. The 46XBR2 was the worst of the four I'd had. I came complete with the brightest and most widespread clouding and also one stuck green pixel!
The problem is most visible in low lighting conditions and can be readily seen when watching dark scenes in movies or games. I noticed my first set had clouding when watching Superman Returns. During the scene when Superman flies into outerspace and is kicked back with his cape flowing out behind him, I noticed clouds with him in outerspace. It was impossible to overlook this issue.
Were it not for the superior picture during other conditions (i.e. a lit room showing content that didn't contain a lot of shadows), I'd have given up immediately on the Sony XBR2's. However, I have been through the ringer with buying a set only to have to cart it back to Best Buy the next day.
Sony is also officially not acknowledging this problem. The customer service response for some members of the AVS forum has been alarming. Some have had Sony authorized repair techs come to their house only to be told "this is normal." When I called Sony, they told me to "return it to the store" if I was still within the thirty day period.
I strongly suggest anyone considering this TV to search on Google the following words "Sony XBR clouds." You will find more than a few hits that will lead you to online forums. I particularly recommend AVS forum.
Once Sony fixes this problem, I will be able to recommend this TV and will purchase one for myself again. -
"Do your homework before you buy" on by jaholguin27
Pros: Excellent HD picture, standard def. DVD looks good. Blueray/HD-DVD look phenomenal
Cons: Ghosting. Dark images appear blotchy. Too expensive!
Summary: Bought this TV on a Friday, returned it on Monday! All in all this television had great capabilities, great HD picture, and played standard DVD's pretty effectively. However the one issue that I could not over look was the fact that the screen had very poor picture when dark colors were present. Ghosting image on the screen was biggest issue, and the only reason television was returned. May give Sony another chance in near future, SONY has been my manufacturer of choice for over ten years, so I was a bit disappointed.
Updated
In addition to my first review I just wanted to say that this TV is hands down the best LCD on the market, but after doing a little research there have been numerous reports of issues with "ghosting" on the screen when it is all black, or when dark colors are present. If it weren't for this issue I would have kept the television, after all it's a $4000 television, it should have a $4000 picture too.
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