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Sony KDL46W4000 Review |
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Reviewed: 01 August 2008
Design
Representing quite a radical departure from the conservative appearance of previous Sony LCD TV's, the KDL-46W4000 could very well attract those consumers who are looking for a more adventurous approach to flat panel design. In fact, the W4000 series strikes a nice balance between the conservative appearance we are familiar with and the 'flamboyant' approach to styling that some manufacturers adopt.
A transparent Perspex strip between the narrow frame-length speakers at the bottom of the screen and the main frame of the TV is the most distinctive feature of the W4000 series. So that the wires protruding from the back of the screen are hidden from view, Sony have provided a fastener which gathers any connections and directs them down behind the TV's stand, thus out of view from the front.
Elsewhere, traditional Sony values such as top notch build quality are retained and, dare we say it, the W4000 may even convince some of the more conservative among you to be a little more adventurous.
Features
Day to day experience of other members of the W4000 family illustrates how much added value simple features can posses. The KDL-46W4000's 'slide show' option takes your digital photos from a USB stick and allows you to control their display through the remote. On the larger 46in screen we are expecting the results to be quite spectacular. Sony have also added 'photo frame' functionality to the KDL-46W4000. The panel can be set up to scroll through your favourite JPEG snaps (acting as a giant electronic picture frame) when the TV is not in use, or you can use some of the pre-installed artwork.
Screen: 46in 16:9 Tuner: Digital Sound System: Nicam Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Contrast Ratio: 33,000:1 Other Features: Sony Bravia 2 picture processing. Sockets: 3 HDMI, 2 SCART, Component Video, Composite Video, PC input, USB.
The picture processing heart of the KDL-46W4000 is the latest incarnation of Sony's 'Bravia' engine, Bravia 2. The thinking behind Bravia 2 is much the same as the 'Bravia EX' engine found on Sony's high end 'X' series of LCD TV's optimizing the picture for a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution.
Working in tandem with 'Bravia 2' technology, Sony's 'Advanced Contrast Enhancer' automatically adjusts backlighting levels to optimize the contrast of every scene. Sony claim deeper blacks as a result along with more subtle gradation.
While we didn't recognize any great benefits of a Full HD resolution on the 32in version of the W4000, we were more than impresses with its implementation on a 40in screen and we were hoping that the 1920 x 1080 configuration on the larger 46in screen will provide an even more spectacular HD experience.
The KDL-46W4000 comes with 10-bit video processing and has the ability to display a 6.2 Mega Pixel resolution image. Of course, the on-screen picture is only ever as good as the original video source (given that various picture processing technologies can only do so much to enhance it).
With '24p True Cinema' the 46W4000 can display films at their intended 24fps (frames per second) rather than the standard (for TV) of 25fps.
Theatre Sync, which is Sony's name for CEC (Consumer Electronic Control), is a control standard that functions over HDMI 1.3. The technology facilitates one-touch control over compatible devices and in practice means that if you fire up your compatible DVD player, the all connected devices such as your LCD TV will also spring into life.
Performance
A revelation on previous W4000 series LCD TV's we have tested, the motion handling capabilities of the KDL-46W4000 once again sets new standards for large screen LCD performance. Given that previous Sony efforts have been off the pace in this respect, the almost flicker free fluid motion achieved by this screen is testament to a significant technological advance in this area. Interestingly, the impressive motion handling performance has been achieved without 100Hz processing which Sony has chosen not to implement on this screen.
Black levels on the KDL-46W4000 are a match for any LCD panel with a depth and richness that challenges the best that plasma has to offer in this respect. While not quite matching Pioneer's current crop of flat panel TV's, the Sony comes close, with a subtle graduation across darker scenes that may very well convince plasma aficionados to consider an alternative.
Given that the 46W4000 has to translate a measly 576 or so lines of terrestrial Freeview picture onto a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution screen, the Standard Definition (SD) performance is remarkable. While through its sheer size, the picture does not feel quite as composed as the smaller screens in the W4000 range it feels more than adequate as a day to day SD workhorse.
High Definition (HD) is where the KDL-46W4000 really shines, delivering a true home cinematic experience. With a blu-ray copy of 'Bladerunner' every nuance of detail along pin sharp rendering produces a true home cinematic experience.
While you can live with the rather weak performance of the slim speaker arrangement on the KDL-46W4000 as a day to day TV, they are certainly not up to the job for those of you who might be considering this screen as the centre piece of a full blown home cinema setup.
Conclusion
The KDL-46W4000 sets new standards for large screen LCD performance. Its major attraction is that it can fulfil the role of day to day Standard Definition workhorse as well as having the potential to be the centrepiece of a full blown Home Cinema system.
Sony KDL-46W4000
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