40in LCD Picture Sound Features Usability Value Sony has come up with a class leading 40in LCD TV with the convenience of Freeview HD. Rating: 93%

  Picture quality

  A touch of motion blur with SD

Design

While for some, the silver edge at the bottom of the KDL-40EX503's screen will be a little too reminiscent of Sharp's LE600 series of LED TV's; we think the addition of the extra splash of colour adds to the look and feel of a screen which retains those stylistic qualities that set Sony LCD TV's apart from most flat screens.

While those who occupy neutral ground when it comes to the styling of flat panel TV's will perhaps find the Sony to be a little uninspiring, the design will no doubt appeal to those who have come to appreciate Sony's unique blend of style and understatement.

Features

Catching the eye straight away is the inclusion of a built in High Definition Freeview tuner. In fact, the EX503 series from Sony is the first of a new generation of TV's to arrive in the UK with the built in Freeview HD service.

	Screen: 40in 16:9 Tuner: Digital Sound System: Nicam Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Contrast Ratio: na Other Features:100Hz processing, Freeview HD, Bravia Internet Video. Sockets: 4 HDMI (v1.3), 2 SCART (RGB), USB, S-Video, Component Video, Composite Video, PC input.

 

While the High Definition programmes currently available only amount to the BBC trial HD channel, ITV's equivalent, and Channel 4, the number of channels will expand over time.

Bear in mind that Freeview HD services are currently being rolled out across the UK, so it is important to check via Freeview whether they are available in your area.

On further inspection, it looks like the addition of 'Bravia Internet Video' functionality could be as just as interesting as built-in Freeview HD.

The EX503 can connect directly to the Internet (via Ethernet or an optional Wi-fi dongle) to access online services. These services will vary from country to country, but in most cases will offer full-screen videos and catch-up TV services.

In the UK, 'Bravia Internet Video' will enable viewers to access the likes of YouTube and Dailymotion (a YouTube competitor). An interesting service comes in the shape of Sony blip.tv, providing an online 'channel' for 'quirky' independent TV series (some in HD).

Ok, many of us have never heard of The Ford Models channel, Daily Motion, livestrong.com, OnNetworks or the SingingFool, but there are some hidden nuggets if you look hard enough. You can get access to National Public Radio, various popular podcasts and of particular interest to LoveFilm subscribers a service enabling streamed films accessed via your LoveFilm account.

The new screens get Sony's core pictures processing in the shape of Bravia Engine 3 along with MotionFlow 100Hz, Scene Select, live Colour, Cinema Mode and Ambient Sensor.

Scene Select allows you to optimize picture and sound by type of screen content. You can choose to select settings best suited for General, Cinema or Sports viewing, or Gaming, Photos, Music or Graphics. Ambient sensor detects the level of brightness and colour temperature of ambient light in the room optimizing image quality.

Elsewhere, there are four HDMIs, USB 2.0 input for MP3, JPEG and AVC/AVCHD/DivX/MPEG4 video file playback. Via DLNA you can stream movies, music and photos to the EX503 from compatible devices, such as a laptop, mobile phone or music player.

Performance

Particularly impressive for a TV which does not employ any form of LED backlighting is the EX503's Black Level performance. With none of the compromises we find on lesser LED screens in the form of compromised panel brightness, the EX503 really does call into question the viability of budget LED TVs.

While the level of graduated detail across darker scenes cannot rival more sophisticated 'locally dimmed' implementations of LED technology or the best Plasmas, the difference is marginal. Place the EX503 into its price context and in this respect we have a remarkably competent TV.

An accomplished black level performance produces the perfect backdrop for Colour. Sony pride themselves on their ability to create TV's with some of the most vibrant colour palettes around. Those of you expected a strong colour performance will not be disappointed.

Just as important as a vibrant colour palette, the EX503 has the ability to blend colour tones with a subtlety which makes even tricky areas such as facial tones appear wholly realistic.

Sony's implementation of 100Hz, MotionFlow, with a very small amount motion blur, is not perfect, but its high degree of competence in most areas along with the tried and trusted core Bravia 3 picture processing engines, creates one of the best Standard Definition (SD) performances we have come across.

MotionFlow is virtually free from some of the nasty artifacts such as flickering that 100Hz systems can generate; in combination with the general lack of 'noise' interference, the EX503 makes for a 'relaxed' Standard Definition experience even with poor quality video sources.

High Definition is predictably good, with a level of detail and accuracy we have become accustomed to from the major TV manufacturers.

While in our opinion, some of the high end Philips LCD TV's we have come across just have the edge with HD material, again we have to remember that they come at a significant price premium over the EX503.

Once again we are left feeling a little underwhelmed by the Acoustic performance of a flat panel TV.

The Sony KDL-40EX503 along with the vast majority of flat panel TV's suffers ultimately from a lack of 'Bass', that low down powerful Acoustic that offers real depth to a soundtrack. For the majority, this won't be a problem, but for those who enjoy the impact of a demanding cinematic score the lack of power will become all too noticeable

In Sony's defense, the acoustic performance is just about on par with the majority of flat panel TV's out there, the manufacturers having made the decision to compromise on sound quality for the sake of style.

We should also mention that there was no evidence on our test panel of any Backlight Inconsistencies that became an intermittent problem on a number of 2009 Sony flat panel TV's.

Conclusion

Sony have created a well positioned non LED TV which performs well above average in virtually every respect. The EX503, at least in its 40in form, sets this year's current standard for flat panel TV's in this price bracket.

  Picture quality

  A touch of motion blur with SD