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"Sony KDL-46XBR3 - an Impressive HDTV" on by pschip
Pros: Superb high resolution picture, large number of user-adjustable video and audio settings, attractive piano-black enclosure
Cons: Nothing to report
Summary: During the summer of 2006 I decided to educate myself on HDTV and make a purchase before the fall football season. After much reading and web surfing, I decided to purchase a plasma TV and actually went into Northern Virginia retail stores to purchase a unit. However, I could never follow through on the purchase. I'm a fairly critical consumer and what stopped me was the grainy picture on several 720p plasma units and the knowledge that 1080p plasma and LCD units would be arriving in the stores this fall. So at least three times I walked out of stores 'ready to buy' but empty-handed.
While I waited for the 1080p units to arrive, I continued to do my research on the next wave of consumer HDTV products. I saw the Pioneer Elite 1080p 50 inch plasma - it was stunning but so was the price - $9-10K. During this research period I decided to include LCD units in my search because I kept hearing about plasma burn-in, plasma pictures dimming over time, and several manufacturers moving exclusively to LCD units. But I also became aware of the traditional LCD issues such as viewing angle, reduced brightness, and motion issues.
Through my web surfing I finally became aware of the soon-to-be-released Sony Bravia 46" 1080p LCD (KDL-46XBR3). I kept searching the Internet for a CNET review of the KDL-46XBR3 but never found one. After reading the spec sheet and looking at older model XBR2 units at the retailers, I convinced myself that the next generation 46XBR3 was the HDTV for me. Why? Several reasons:
1. The knowledgeable sales staff at Tweeter (which is where I purchased my unit) were always commenting on the Sony XBR2's picture quality - I figured if the XBR2 is good, the XBR3 should be better
2. 1080p picture resolution.
3. The Sony reputation for quality
4. Other spec sheet info (e.g., viewing angle, HDMI inputs, etc)
5. August sale at Tweeter even on orders for latest HDTV gear
I finally purchased the Sony KDL-46XBR3 in mid-August and took delivery on 9/5/2006.
Here's my subjective assessment of the TV: Wow!! The 1080p picture resolution is impressive. While I'm waiting for DirecTV to upgrade my home, I’m working off my roof antennae, and I'm very impressed with tuner sensitivity and the number of digital TV offerings the TV found in the DC area (Channel 26 - the PBS channel - broadcasts stunning picture quality; the Fox and ABC affiliates need to upgrade to 1080i). The TV picture setting was set to 'Vivid' out-of-the-box, but I reset it to 'standard' for a more natural look. The plethora of picture settings is, on the one hand, great for folks who like to tinker, but luckily, there's a reset button to get back to out-of-the-box settings. I originally was concerned about picture brightness - I thought the picture was rather dark - until I realized there's a room light sensor on the front panel to dim the picture in a dark room and brighten the picture in a lighted room. Once I turned this feature off, picture brightness was outstanding all the time. The instruction manual could do a better job of explaining the video input numbering scheme and how this info must be used during setup. The viewing angle is almost 180 degrees, so there are no complaints in this area. Most (95-98%) motion scenes are rendered well without any loss of resolution, but a very fast motion sequence may lose resolution for a split-second. (I've heard that this can be due to compression schemes and broadcast equipment as well as the TV). The TV enclosure is piano-black and very attractive to look at.
Overall I'm very pleased with the TV and feel I've hit a home run with my HDTV purchase. -
"The Best HD Picture Available Today!" on by BCosme
Pros: Great set, very user friendly, outstanding contrast ratio and colors
Cons: Lacks PIP and remote could be a little better
Summary: After a lot of headaches and delivery problems with BAXGlobal, I finally got this set directly from Sonystyle.com. I also own a HDTV rear projection set x ~6 years and I have a flat panel LCD on the wall in my bedroom that does a very good job. I decide to wait until 1080p inputs became available to change my living room TV, and I did a pretty extensive homework researching in that matter. Finally, I came to conclusion that this was the right set to get. It is a expensive TV for the average person(5K with taxes), but I can tell you, if you want to enjoy the most today’s TV can offer and you are very demanding with picture quality and resolution, this is the one.
I connected a HD DVR (scientific Atlanta) cable box from TWCNYC and a Sony DVD player to the two HDMI rear inputs, an antenna for OTA DT broadcasting, a coaxial directly from the cable feed to the coaxial cable input. I also connected the cable box and DVD player to the receiver and from it to the component inputs of the TV for comparison. Then, I calibrated all inputs with the AVIA Home Theater calibration DVD (TV calibration is a must!).
Results:
HDTV looks at its best. The picture quality is just breathtaking, resolution and color are the best you could get from any set I have seen before. Pioneer Plasma Elite are the only ones that can get only close to this, with the known plasma panel limitations. Blacks are better that in any other LCD on the market I have seen. OTA broadcasting is just excellent and looks a little better than HDTV from cable (I have had HDTV since it became available). DVD through HDMI looks very good with clear difference from component input source. If you watch Discovery HD or INHD you will see what I am talking about. SDTV looks the best you could get for the resolution (408i) and personally I think this TV can not do a better job. I have an antenna connected for OTA analog and digital channels, direct coaxial cable feed before the cable box and after with HDMI, and I have no complains. If you have a one of this TVs at home to play with, you will understand that those reviews out there are not very truthful. If you compare the outstanding pictures you get through HDTV with SDTV, you will notice the difference right away, is like comparing first class and coach. It is not a fault of the TV, is just that HD on this set is great and standard broadcasting is just that, 480i upconverted. Don’t expect to get real HD resolution from SD sources, otherwise, there is not need for HD cameras and HD signals, there will always be a significant difference. I tried upconverting with both HDDVR box and the TV, and I can't blame the TV for it. Overall, SDTV looks the best you can get in this TV.
Menus are very user friendly and intuitive, and you’ll find many options for picture processing. I would appreciate picture in picture as expected from an XBR line. I was hoping to get HDMI 1.3 in this TV, but from my research, I am afraid doesn’t have it. The remote is good, but could have been improved for easier switching of inputs and favorite channels.
It is a very good looking TV overall. As many Sony products, they care about appearance, and this set doesn't fall behind tradition. The black piano bezel looks very elegant along with the glass frame, but sometimes light room light can reflect on it and could be a little annoying if it is too bright, but nothing from the screen. There is no screen glare.
Summary:
You will not go wrong with this set. If you are a very demanding person in terms of quality, and you want to enjoy TV viewing at its best, this is the TV to go for. Don’t look further, or you may regret! A 53'' will be available soon if you want to wait for a bigger size. -
"In All, This was a Great choice!!" on by slyce2k
Pros: Very nice Piano Black frame. It looks like a piece of art!! Picture is Crisp and NO Signs of any kind of picture distortion.
Cons: not so far.
Summary: I just bought this thing after Lots of shopping around and driving myself Crazy!! (just like you're doing to yourself.) After many weeks of footwork and reading online, this is the one I Chose. I'll let the other guys get into all the "techy" stuff but i'll let you know, my budget was a pretty good one, (5k) and there's alot out there for that. So, after all the comparing, side by side, this was it.
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"Incredible picture" on by jhanan
Pros: Amazing picture
Cons: Only runs full 1080p with HDMI input
Summary: This is an incredible TV after a week of viewing. I will need HD or Blueray to due it justice. But even with up-converted DVD's running at 1080i (via HDMI), I'm totally impressed. I checked several reviews and several units, including the consumer reports before I made this $3100 purchase, and the Sony XBR3 is the ticket. I have hooked it up to a 7.1 surround sound system using the optical out from the TV since my HT system only has component video in and not HDMI input. I should have checked this before I purchased the HT system – check this; you need HDMI input into your HT if you want both 1080p video and sound to pipe through your HT system. In my case, I’ll pipe the HDMI video/audio direct for the 1080p inputs and the use the digital audio output from the TV into my HT system, or pump the digital audio from the component direct from the source. I wonder why the unit does not drive at 1080p with the component video? The Xbox 360 supports 1080p using component video, so why would the XBR only run at 1080i using component video? I don’t understand this. This is not a problem with the up-converted DVD’s since the player (Philips – region free) will only drive the video at 1080i on both component and HDMI video anyway. The TV does put out a fair amount of heat, which I guess should be expected when you consider the amount of light output. The picture is excellent and I’m not kicking myself for not going plasma. I guess the demand has increased since when I purchased on Dec 1 at appliancebestbuy.com the price has now increased from $3100 to $3300!
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"Great Picture / Terrible Mura Effects" on by SoulFish HD
Pros: Awesome pictures, good even with SD
Cons: Uneven backlighting, Mura Effects in 75% sold
Summary: While the picture is great most big Sony LCDs have uneven backlighting, otherwise known as the Mura effect. While most consumer PC LCDs have worked through these problems, the Sonys continue to be plagued by this. And to make things worse, most of the responses people get from Sony is that this uneven backlighting is "normal" I love my set, but hope Sony will soon remedy this and give buyers some type of fix. To read more on this log on to the "AV Science.com" forum and you can read the issues from many users there under the LCD Display area.
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