Sony Bravia XBR-52LX900

Updated June 9, 2010 with pricing, availability and other information. Despite announcing smaller sizes of this series at CES, Sony has only confirmed the 52- and 60-inch models for now.

Sony has announced a trio of 3D-capable HDTV series this year, but only the flagship XBR-LX900 actually includes the glasses--2 pair !--you'll need to enjoy 3D content. Of course, other family members beyond the first two will have to get their own pairs, sold separately ($150 each), but at least with this model Sony builds the emitter into the TV (the others make you purchase the $50 emitter separately). Along with the Panasonic TC-PVT25 series, it's the only 3D-capable TV announced so far to include glasses, although the Panasonic only includes one pair.

Like other makers', Sony's glasses use an active LC shutter system. The right and left lenses in the glasses alternately darken and lighten, too quickly to perceive, while the TV synchronously displays the corresponding right- and left-eye-specific images to create a stereoscopic 3D effect. As with other Sony 3D TVs, the LX900 includes bundled 3D content.

The XBR-LX900 offers a built-in Wi-Fi connection, allowing wireless access to your home network and the Internet. Of course, this flagship Sony includes all of the interactive goodies found on other Sony TVs, such as Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, and more (see the KDL-W5100 review for details; Sony didn't announce any additional goodies at the show), and it can also stream videos, photos and music via your home network thanks to its DLNA compatibility. Wi-Fi is an option on numerous other interactive TV models, but we really appreciate having it built-in; most people don't have an Ethernet cable near their living room entertainment center, and the optional dongles can be expensive.

The LX900 has the same presence sensor, designed to save power by turning off the picture automatically when you leave the room, that we liked so much on the KDL-EX700 series.

Unlike the XBR-HX900, the other Sony set to earn the company's high-end "XBR" prefix, the LX900 lacks the full-array local-dimming LED backlight, instead making due with edge-lit LED technology sans dimming. The result is a thin panel but, if past experience bears out, the LX900 won't equal the level of performance we expect from the HX900. It is interesting, however, that the 52-inch members of both XBR series have the same (very high) MSRP. Both also share something Sony calls an OptiContrast panel, which is only found on the XBR models.

Speaking of dimming, the LX900 also lacks the Dynamic Edge LED backlight found on the less-expensive KDL-HX800 series, which attempts local dimming from an edge-lit configuration. Given our with similar schemes from Samsung and LG that may or may not be a bad thing; only a full review will tell for sure. Check out our comparison of LED backlight schemes for more information.

Sony XBR-LX900 features:

• 3D compatible
• two pairs of 3D glasses, separate emitter included
• Edge-lit LED backlight (no local dimming)
• OptiContrast panel
• 240Hz refresh rate
• Intelligent presence sensor
• Built-in Wi-Fi connection
• Bravia Video interactive suite with Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, NPR, Yahoo Widgets, and more

Sony XBR-LX900 series models:

• Sony Bravia XBR-60LX900: 60-inch (June, $5,000 MSRP)
• Sony Bravia XBR-52LX900: 52-inch (June, $4,000 MSRP)