Sony KDL-32V5500 Review

32in LCD

Picture
Sound
Features
Usability
Value

Sony delivers a class leading mid level LCD TV.

Rating:

90%

Reviewed: 30 September 2009

Most aspects of picture quality are outstanding

Can't match plasma for shadow detailing

Design

With more and more flat panel manufacturers paying great attention to the styling of their offerings, Sony have done well to maintain a distinctive flat panel style across their whole range. The KDL-32V5500 is an evolution of Sony's 'Draw the line' concept which originally moved away from the rather conservative approach Sony had adopted towards the styling of their LCD TV's. Featuring a slimmer frame than the outgoing V series, the KDL-32V5500 retains what has now become their trademark transparent strip on the underside of the frame along with a deep piano black finish.

The end result is a unit that whilst following the trend for slim glossy black units, cuts a distinctly unique appearance that in our opinion will add a touch of class to any living space.

Features

Slipping quietly under the technological radar, Sony have introduced the latest incarnation of their core picture processing engine, Bravia 3. This one element will have by far the greatest impact on the KDL-32V5500's picture performance. Sony have re-engineered every aspect of their core picture processing technology to focus upon picture tuning, noise reduction and colour enhancement.

Screen: 32in 16:9

Tuner: Digital

Sound System: Nicam

Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Contrast Ratio: 60,000:1

Other Features: Bravia 3 picture processing, Applicast, DLNA.

Sockets: 4 HDMI, 2 SCART, Component Video, Composite Video, S-video, PC input, DLNA Ethernet port, USB, CAM Slot.

With their 'Applicast' technology, Sony have joined a growing number of flat panel manufacturers who are offering some form of internet access directly through the TV. A DLNA Ethernet jack at the back of the panel is the means by which the KDL-32V5500 gains access to Sony's very own internet 'Portal'.

While the likes of Samsung have forged agreements with various third party information providers such as YouTube and Flickr to provide content for their internet enabled TV's, Sony has decided to provide all of the content themselves.

If Sony had created a portal with a wealth of useful online content this feature would have been far more appealing, but for now, the material on offer is limited to RSS news feeds and a small selection of screensavers. We have a strong suspicion that the approach adopted by Philips, who intend to open up the internet as a whole, will prove much more attractive to potential users.

Alongside 'Applicast' Sony have added the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) standard to the V5500's list of features. DNLA lets users stream video, music and photos from a networked home PC onto the TV screen.

Sony are currently at the forefront of a 'Green' revolution by introducing a number of 'eco friendly' features with their TV's. A light Sensor automatically adjusts screen brightness depending on the ambient light levels in your room, and you now have the option to switch the picture off while retaining the sound.

The USB Media Player function provides an easy method for watching digital content at home. Connect any compatible media device to the set’s USB input, select 'Media Player' from the XMB (Xross Media Bar) on-screen menu and you are ready to view digital photos, MPEG1 video clips, or listen to MP3 music tracks through your TV’s speakers.

Should we not forget some of the more essential elements of a flat panel configuration, the Sony benefits from 4 HDMI's, a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution along with 24p True Cinema mode, for enhanced 1080p/24 playback.

Performance

Because it seems to have plagued a number of Sony flat screen TV's of late, it is a relief to discover that the KDL-32V5500 does not suffer from any degree of backlighting inconsistency. This is such a relief because it has often been the single element that has prevented a number of Sony flat panel TV's from being best in class.

We now expect the better LCD TV's to reveal no hint of 'greyness', so often the Achilles heal of LCD TV's. In fact, and for a mid range TV, the 32V5500 delivers a supreme black level performance. General viewing reveals deep rich blacks with none of the greyish tones that afflict less accomplished screens. While shadow detailing can't quite match the subtlety of the very best LCD and Plasma TV's, for the price, the V5500 is in a class of its own.

The KDL-32V5500 is able to take full advantage of an accomplished black level performance by delivering a stunning range of colours with great accuracy. These days we expect a broad and vibrant colour palette, but few TV's are able to transpose the vast array of colour combinations they have at their disposal and create a truly authentic visual experience. The KDL-32V5500 processes tricky areas such as facial tones with a preciseness, subtlety and naturalness which points to the ground up overhaul of their Bravia picture processing engine being time and money very well spent.

While some implementations of 100Hz processing appear to have a beneficial effect on the motion handling capabilities of some flat panel TV's, here at HDTVorg we have never been entirely convinced. We have always believed that core picture processing circuitry is the most important determinant of picture performance, the 32V5500 being a case in point. Despite the absence of 100Hz processing, this screen is virtually free of motion blur, and of course there are none of those annoying processing artifacts that can afflict 100Hz implementations.

While some believe that High Definition (HD) material is a little wasted on anything less than a 40in screen, one look at the HD pictures the 32V5500 is able to deliver suggests that this is definitely not the case. Along with some of the more accomplished flat panels out there, the 32V5500 takes HD viewing to a different level. There is a level of clarity and sharpness which will have you transfixed, totally consumed by a totally involving experience.

The KDL-32V5500 produces some of the sharpest, most 'noise' free Standard Definition (SD) pictures we have seen from a mid range TV. This performance is due in no small part to the refinements which come with Bravia 3, which has been re-engineered specifically to address, amongst other things, the problem of interference on SD picture signals. Pictures are not perfect, but considering that the circuitry has to process a meagre 576 or so line from a Freeview feed and upscale to a Full HD configuration, the Sony performs remarkably well.

Like the vast majority of LCD TV's these days, the 32V5500 delivers an underwhelming acoustic performance. Lack of top end bass is the main problem and to be fair to the Sony it is no worse than the majority of flat panel TV's out there. generally, acoustic performance is adequate and won't be a problem for the majority of mainstream viewers.

Conclusion

With an accomplished performance in all areas, the KDL-32V5500 delivers on the promise of a class leading mid level LCD TV.

Sony KDL-32V5500