- Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 13 reviews
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Product summary
Specifications: Product type: LCD TV; Diagonal size: 46 in; Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 16000:1; See full specs
Price range: $1,299.99 - $1,967.00
CNET editors' take
- Published on: 06/07/2007
Updated 09-27-07 Sony is a leader in flat-panel LCD TVs, and in 2007 the company has four series of models that offer increasingly more features and different styling for, as usual, increasingly more money. We can't review them all, but we have reviewed two models so far: the KDL-46S3000 and the KDL-46XBR4, both 46-inch flat-panel LCDs, and we expect the reviews of those models to give a you a good idea about other screen sizes in the same series. Read on for details.
Sony KDL-46S3000
(Credit: CNET)This is Sony's entry-level flat-panel LCD series, and the only series that is currently available. We have a full review of the 46-inch KDL-46S3000, and its performance should be a good indicator of how the other screen sizes in this series will perform. You can get the full details in the review, but bottom line is that while it performed all right for most viewers and had pretty good black levels, other image quality issues will probably deter home theater purists. You'll also note that this series only features two HDMI ports, which is one fewer than we've been seeing on new HDTVs this year. Sony touts compatability with its Bravia Internet Link module on this series and all 2007 LCDs.
Models (all prices are estimated sale prices)
- Sony KDL-46S3000 ($2,500)
- Sony KDL-40S3000 ($1,800)
- Sony KDL-32S3000 ($1,300)
- Sony KDL-26S3000 ($1,100)
Entry-level features
- 1,366x768 native resolution
- Two HDMI inputs
- PC input
- Three component video inputs
Sony KDL-46W3000
(Credit: Sony)This is the step-up to the KDL-S3000 series, and you'll pay about an extra $1,000 for the upgrades. For your extra money, you'll get more resolution, as all of these panels feature a native resolution of 1,920x1,080 (aka 1080p). At these screen sizes, we're betting that the extra resolution won't matter from an average viewing distance. In other words, sure, the extra detail is there, but unless you're sitting just a few feet away from your HDTV, you won't be able to see it.
The other upgrades also seem to be more bark than bite. Sony is touting x.v.Color (also known as xvYCC) on these panels, which is a new color space that offers 80 percent more color than standard ATSC color space. However, until there are high-definition movies and players capable of handling the expanded color gamut, the only material using x.v.Color will be home recorded movies with x.v.Color-compatible camcorders. So most people probably won't see any benefit from x.v.Color.
The sets can also accept video signals at 24 frames per second, which some have claimed can reduce judder in film-based material. We haven't seen evidence of that yet, and even those who do claim there is a difference say that it only occurs when the refresh rate is an even multiple of 24--like the step-up KDL-XBR4 models with 120Hz refresh rates. So it's nice that it can accept 1080p/24 frames per second material, but don't expect to see any performance gains.
On the other hand, some of the step-ups have potential. These sets feature 10-bit video processing and are capable of displaying 10-bit color. We haven't reviewed any sets with this capability, so we don't know how it will perform--so stay tuned for our hands-on review. There's also the possibility that there are other picture quality improvements to this series over the KDL-S3000 series, so again we'll withhold judgment until we get our hands on one.
Sony still hasn't announced the exact connectivity of this set, or the other step-up series, except that this series will include HDMI, component, and PC inputs.
Models
- Sony KDL-52W3000 (Coming in August, $4,300)
- Sony KDL-46W3000 (Coming in July, $3,500)
- Sony KDL-40W3000 (Coming in July, $2,700)
Step-up features
- 1,920x1,080 native resolution
- 10-bit video processing, 10-bit panels
- x.v.Color
- Can accept 1080p/24 signals
Sony KDL-52XBR4
(Credit: Sony)In September 2007 we reviewed the KDL-46XBR4, the 46-inch member of this series, and we really liked what we saw . The KDL-XBR4 series has a few upgrades over the KDL-W3000 series, which you'll pay about $300 extra for. First, the KDL-XBR4 series features swappable bezels, like last year's Sony KDL-XBR2 series, which means you can buy additional bezels to change the color of the frame around your TV. Another upgrade is what Sony calls "Motionflow 120Hz high frame rate technology." This refers to the fact the the KDL-XBR4 series has a 120Hz refresh rate, which means can reduce judder and produce smoother images with less motion blur. Check out the full KDL-46XBR4 review for details on this feature.
Models
- Sony KDL-52XBR4 ($4,800)
- Sony KDL-46XBR4 review ($3,800)
- Sony KDL-40XBR4 ($3,000)
Step-up features
- Swappable bezel
- 120Hz refresh rate
Sony KDL-46XBR5
(Credit: Sony)The KDL-XBR5 series is nearly identical to the KDL-XBR4 series, except it offers a nonremovable piano-black bezel. Besides that, Sony did not announce any other differences between the KDL-XBR5 and KDL-XBR4 series.
Models
- Sony KDL-52XBR5 ($5,100)
- Sony KDL-46XBR5 ($4,100)
- Sony KDL-40XBR5 ($3,300)
Step-up feature
- Piano-black bezel, non-swappable
We'll update this information if and when we find out more.
CNET editors' buying advice
We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on Flat-panel TVs. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of flat-panel tv.
Recommended Viewing Distances (Minimum and Maximum)
With wide-screen sets showing DVD, Blu-ray or HDTV, you can sit as close as 1.5 times the screen's diagonal measurement and still not notice much of a loss in quality, while sitting farther away than three times the screen size means you're likely to miss out on the immersive feel. Here's a rundown of minimum and maximum recommended viewing distances for wide-screen sets.
16:9 TV diagonal screen size |
Min. viewing distance (in feet) |
Max. viewing distance (in feet) |
||||
42 |
5.3 |
10.5 |
||||
47 |
5.9 |
11.8 |
||||
Size and your room
Generally, 32-inch and smaller sets are great for bedrooms or guest rooms but too small for the main living room. Sets with bigger screens are large enough for the whole family to enjoy and will probably be too much for most small bedrooms.
If you're mounting the set inside an entertainment center, be sure it fits in every dimension; also, leave an inch or two on all sides so that the TV has enough ventilation. If you're getting a bigger set, you may want to consider a dedicated stand; many TV makers sell matching stands that increase the aesthetic appeal of their hefty boxes.
For additional information on screen sizes, please see CNET's Ultimate Buying Guide
See more 40' - 49' TVs products
HDTV source resolutions
There are two main HD resolutions in use today by HD broadcasters and other sources: 1080i and 720p. One is not necessarily better than the other; 1080i has more lines and pixels, but 720p is a progressive-scan format that should deliver a smoother image that stays sharper during motion. Another format is also becoming better known: 1080p, which combines the superior resolution of 1080i with the progressive-scan smoothness of 720p. True 1080p content is extremely scarce, however, and none of the major networks have announced 1080p broadcasts. The term 1080p today appears mostly in reference to the displays' native resolution, not the source.
| Source resolution name | Resolution in pixels |
HDTV | Progressive scan | Widescreen | Networks/sources |
| 1080p | 1,920x1,080 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Blu-ray and future HD-DVD players; PlayStation 3 |
| 1080i | 1,920x1,080 | Yes | No | Yes | Includes CBS, NBC, PBS, DiscoveryHD/ Xbox 360 |
| 720p | 1,280x720 | Yes | Yes | Yes | ABC, Fox, ESPNHD |
| 480p | 852x480 | No | Yes | Yes | Fox wide-screen; progressive-scan DVD players |
| Regular TV | Up to 480 lines | No | No | No | All |
Despite the obvious difference in pixel count, 720p and 1080i both look great. In fact, unless you have a very large television and excellent source material, you'll have a hard time telling the difference between any of the HDTV resolutions. It's especially difficult to tell the difference between 1080i and 1080p sources. The difference between DVD and HDTV should be visible on most HDTVs, but especially on smaller sets, it's not nearly as drastic as the difference between standard TV and HDTV.
For more information on resolution, please read HDTV Resolution Explained
The truth about 1080p
In the last couple of years, there has been a big influx of HDTVs with 1080p native resolution, which typically cost a good deal more than their lower-resolution counterparts. But as we've been saying all along, once you get to high-def, the difference between resolutions becomes much more difficult to appreciate. We've done side-by-side tests between two 50-inch HDTVs, one with 1366x768 resolution (a.k.a. 720p) and the other with 1080p resolution, using the same 1080i and 1080p source material, and it was extremely difficult for us to see any difference. It becomes even more difficult at smaller screen sizes or farther seating distances--say, more than 1.5 times the diagonal measurement of the screen.
We're not telling you to ignore 1080p HDTVs. They technically do deliver more detail, which can enhance the viewing experience for more eagle-eyed viewers. Also, many manufacturers build other picture-quality benefits, such as better contrast and/or color, into their 1080p HDTVs simply because those sets are the high-end models. And given the continuing march of technology, we expect more and more 1080p models to become available at lower and lower prices. Today, however, the premium for 1080p is still pretty steep, and unless you're getting a very large set, say 55 inches or more, we don't recommend basing a buying decision on whether or not the television has 1080p native resolution.
For more information on resolution, please read HDTV Resolution Explained
See more 1080p HDTVs products
Understanding HDMI
HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface, and that's a pretty good description of what it is. In layman's terms, HDMI is a type of digital connection that's capable of transmitting high-definition video and high-resolution audio over a single cable. To do the same thing with analog cables, you'd need to connect three component-video cables plus six analog audio cables--that's a whole lot of cable clutter.
HDMI can deliver the best image quality of any of the cable types available today. It can handle high-definition video of up to 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second, which is the most bandwidth-intensive video format currently available. The older PC-based DVI connection offers equivalent quality, but it is rarely available on HDTVs or video components these days. Component video is found on nearly all electronics that output high-def video, and its image quality is slightly lower than HDMI, but it's really difficult for most people to tell the difference. Many viewers are probably familiar with the quality associated with the various standard-definition video cables--namely S-Video, composite (the yellow video cable), and RF--and HDMI provides a potentially huge improvement over all of them. As always, however, the biggest factor in video quality is the source; a low-quality source delivered over HDMI will still look worse than a high-quality source over S-Video.
For audio, HDMI is the reigning king of quality as well. It supports the ability to carry eight channels of 24-bit audio at 192kHz--enough to handle even the highest resolution audio soundtracks such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. The only other connection type that can deliver the same quality are multichannel analog audio cables, but you'd need to run as many as eight separate cables to get the same quality. Digital audio cables--both optical and coaxial--can deliver multichannel audio, but are limited to lower-resolution audio signals.
For more information on HDMI, please read HDMI Quick Guide
See more HDMI (High-Definition) products products
User reviews
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Where to buy
Sony Bravia KDL-46W3000:
$1,299.99 - $1,967.00
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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$1,559.99 | Yes |
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Amazon.com
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$1,779.00 | Yes |
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