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- Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 31 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
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14 out of 15 people found this review helpful
4.5 stars
"The Best HD Picture Available Today!"
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.
- 1 reply to this review
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Got the Sony KDL Bravia XBR3 LCD set yesterday.
Delivery men took about 2 minutes to set it up and left!
I this set has the capability of being fantastic but don't know where to begin.
I use DirectTV HD satellite.
Help!
Where to buy
Sony Bravia KDL-46XBR3:
$2,999.00
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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Amazon.com Marketplace
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$2,999.00 | Yes |
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