June 2006
First Look: Sony Bravia LCD HDTVs
Sony updates LCD HDTVs with KDL-32S2000, KDL-40S2000 and KLV-40U100M
Already high interest in flat-panel plasma and LCD TVs is soaring, fueled in part by an increasing number of high-definition
broadcasts and the arrival of newer TV models at generally lower prices than last year's sets.
We recently posted preliminary (and promising) test results on two new plasma TVs from Panasonic, a brand that has done well in our past Ratings (available to subscribers). On the LCD front, we've just tested three new models from Sony, which has done well in our Ratings with its top-of-the-line XBR series. The new models are from the midrange Bravia S series and entry-level Bravia U line.
We tested two S-series models: the KDL-32S2000, a 32-inch LCD HDTV priced at $1,900, and the Sony KDL-40S2000, a 40-inch set priced at $2,600--a few hundred dollars less than comparable models in the XBR line. Both are integrated HDTVs, with NTSC and ATSC tuners built-in. (Interestingly, the panels for the S series are built in a factory jointly owned by Sony and Samsung, but Sony builds all the proprietary circuitry as well as the TVs themselves.) From the U series we tested the KLV-40U100M, a 40-inch set priced at $2,400. It's the first TV in Sony's line that is a monitor with no tuner of any type. You need a cable box, satellite receiver, or set-top box and antenna to pick up any programming, but the majority of consumers already use a cable or satellite box.
All three TVs have 1366x768 native resolution, In our preliminary tests the S-series models made the most of that fine pixel count, yielding superb detail. Picture quality was decent on the U-series sets, too, though it was no match for the performance of the S series.
Sony KDL-40S2000 and KDL-32S2000
PROS
Fine picture quality. The new Bravia S series models displayed fine picture quality in our initial tests--almost as good as that of Sony's $3,300 KDL-V40XBR1, one of the best LCDs we've seen so far. They did especially well with fast motion--an Achilles heel for LCD TVs in general--and the viewing angle was comparable to that of most better LCD sets. Still, we haven't yet seen a TV that matches the wide viewing angle of the best LCD computer displays.
Easy-to-use remote control. The revamped remote contains fewer buttons than Sony's typically complicated remote. The streamlined design makes it easy to use (except in low light, as noted below).
Nice ergonomics. It's refreshingly easy to read the labeling on the rear panel, so you can easily identify the various ins and outs when you're hooking up components. The speakers are located below the screen, which trims the width. The sets have a clean, sleek design with an all-silver finish.
More ways to connect. Both models have one HDMI input along with two component-video inputs, giving you three HD-capable connectors. There's also an input for using the TVs as a computer monitor.
CONS
Less-than-perfect rendering of black. These two S series displays suffer from the LCD TV's typical shortcoming: Black levels aren't as deep as on plasma TVs. In addition, we saw a slight green or blue-green cast tainted darker areas of the image and a slight loss of detail in the darkest areas. However, the S series sets did noticeably better with black than the lower-priced U series monitor.
Quibbles with usability. We had minor quibbles with the on-screen menu, which forces you to wade through too many levels. Also, the remote is not universal--you'll need separate remotes for your DVD player and sound system--and the lack of backlighting makes it difficult to use in a dark room.
No CableCard slot--for the few people who need one. You'll need a cable box to get HD and premium channels, but that's not much of a drawback, in our opinion. Since CableCards are currently one-way, you'd have to use a box to get interactive features such as a full-featured onscreen program guide and video on demand.
Sony KLV-40U100M
PROS
Decent picture quality. The KLV-40U100M is very bright, but that's a mixed blessing, as we note below. Our initial tests indicate decent picture quality, a step lower than our judgment of the two S series TVs.
Nice ergonomics. General usability for this set is good. Its remote is easy to use (but it may be too easy; see below). Compared with other Sony sets, the on-screen menus are uncomplicated. You can easily read the labeling on the rear-panel inputs. The speakers are located below the screen to trim width.
CONS
Middling black level and color accuracy. The black portions of the image are not as deep as they should be, typical of LCD sets but more extreme than on Sony's S series (see above). A background on a movie trailer we viewed, for example, appeared royal blue instead of black. Lighter parts of the image exhibit a slight blue cast, and pinks tend to look more orange.
Narrower viewing angle. This set has a somewhat narrower viewing angle than the S series, so the image quality suffers more when viewed off-center.
Too bright for dim rooms. A bright display is good--up to a point. Even the lowest picture setting on this set looks washed out in the dimmer setting most people prefer for TV watching. It looks best in brightly lit rooms, such as a kitchen or sunroom. It wouldn't be a good choice for a home theater.
Missing features. Because there is no tuner in the KLV-40U100M, you won't find features such as channel selection, closed captioning, V chip parental controls, a clock, or Secondary Audio Programming (SAP). You might be able to get such features through your cable or satellite box, but some might not be available.
Limited remote control. The supplied remote is so small it looks almost like a toy. It has only a few buttons and consequently can perform only a few functions: power on/off; adjust volume; choose video source; set picture size. Because the KLV-40U100M has no tuner, you'll need a second remote to change channels.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Our preliminary testing shows that the Bravia S series LCD TVs provide a fine picture at an attractive price, with only minor quibbles. The U series set performed well enough in initial tests but doesn't seem like a great value: For only $200 more, you can get a better picture and more functionality with Sony's S series.
As an alternative to the S models, consider the XBR sets, which did very well in our full tests. They also have a CableCard slot, which the S sets do not. The XBR TVs we tested were introduced in late 2005 and should be around through this fall. Prices for older sets sometimes drop, so you could get a good buy. As of early June, the KDL-V40XBR1 was priced at $3,300, the KDL-V32XBR1 at $2,300. Sony is expected to introduce the new XBR models in September.
We recently posted preliminary (and promising) test results on two new plasma TVs from Panasonic, a brand that has done well in our past Ratings (available to subscribers). On the LCD front, we've just tested three new models from Sony, which has done well in our Ratings with its top-of-the-line XBR series. The new models are from the midrange Bravia S series and entry-level Bravia U line.
KDL-40S2000
We tested two S-series models: the KDL-32S2000, a 32-inch LCD HDTV priced at $1,900, and the Sony KDL-40S2000, a 40-inch set priced at $2,600--a few hundred dollars less than comparable models in the XBR line. Both are integrated HDTVs, with NTSC and ATSC tuners built-in. (Interestingly, the panels for the S series are built in a factory jointly owned by Sony and Samsung, but Sony builds all the proprietary circuitry as well as the TVs themselves.) From the U series we tested the KLV-40U100M, a 40-inch set priced at $2,400. It's the first TV in Sony's line that is a monitor with no tuner of any type. You need a cable box, satellite receiver, or set-top box and antenna to pick up any programming, but the majority of consumers already use a cable or satellite box.
All three TVs have 1366x768 native resolution, In our preliminary tests the S-series models made the most of that fine pixel count, yielding superb detail. Picture quality was decent on the U-series sets, too, though it was no match for the performance of the S series.
Sony KDL-40S2000 and KDL-32S2000
KDL-32S2000
Fine picture quality. The new Bravia S series models displayed fine picture quality in our initial tests--almost as good as that of Sony's $3,300 KDL-V40XBR1, one of the best LCDs we've seen so far. They did especially well with fast motion--an Achilles heel for LCD TVs in general--and the viewing angle was comparable to that of most better LCD sets. Still, we haven't yet seen a TV that matches the wide viewing angle of the best LCD computer displays.
Easy-to-use remote control. The revamped remote contains fewer buttons than Sony's typically complicated remote. The streamlined design makes it easy to use (except in low light, as noted below).
Nice ergonomics. It's refreshingly easy to read the labeling on the rear panel, so you can easily identify the various ins and outs when you're hooking up components. The speakers are located below the screen, which trims the width. The sets have a clean, sleek design with an all-silver finish.
More ways to connect. Both models have one HDMI input along with two component-video inputs, giving you three HD-capable connectors. There's also an input for using the TVs as a computer monitor.
CONS
Less-than-perfect rendering of black. These two S series displays suffer from the LCD TV's typical shortcoming: Black levels aren't as deep as on plasma TVs. In addition, we saw a slight green or blue-green cast tainted darker areas of the image and a slight loss of detail in the darkest areas. However, the S series sets did noticeably better with black than the lower-priced U series monitor.
Quibbles with usability. We had minor quibbles with the on-screen menu, which forces you to wade through too many levels. Also, the remote is not universal--you'll need separate remotes for your DVD player and sound system--and the lack of backlighting makes it difficult to use in a dark room.
No CableCard slot--for the few people who need one. You'll need a cable box to get HD and premium channels, but that's not much of a drawback, in our opinion. Since CableCards are currently one-way, you'd have to use a box to get interactive features such as a full-featured onscreen program guide and video on demand.
KLV-40U100M
Sony KLV-40U100M
PROS
Decent picture quality. The KLV-40U100M is very bright, but that's a mixed blessing, as we note below. Our initial tests indicate decent picture quality, a step lower than our judgment of the two S series TVs.
Nice ergonomics. General usability for this set is good. Its remote is easy to use (but it may be too easy; see below). Compared with other Sony sets, the on-screen menus are uncomplicated. You can easily read the labeling on the rear-panel inputs. The speakers are located below the screen to trim width.
CONS
Middling black level and color accuracy. The black portions of the image are not as deep as they should be, typical of LCD sets but more extreme than on Sony's S series (see above). A background on a movie trailer we viewed, for example, appeared royal blue instead of black. Lighter parts of the image exhibit a slight blue cast, and pinks tend to look more orange.
Narrower viewing angle. This set has a somewhat narrower viewing angle than the S series, so the image quality suffers more when viewed off-center.
Too bright for dim rooms. A bright display is good--up to a point. Even the lowest picture setting on this set looks washed out in the dimmer setting most people prefer for TV watching. It looks best in brightly lit rooms, such as a kitchen or sunroom. It wouldn't be a good choice for a home theater.
Missing features. Because there is no tuner in the KLV-40U100M, you won't find features such as channel selection, closed captioning, V chip parental controls, a clock, or Secondary Audio Programming (SAP). You might be able to get such features through your cable or satellite box, but some might not be available.
Limited remote control. The supplied remote is so small it looks almost like a toy. It has only a few buttons and consequently can perform only a few functions: power on/off; adjust volume; choose video source; set picture size. Because the KLV-40U100M has no tuner, you'll need a second remote to change channels.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Our preliminary testing shows that the Bravia S series LCD TVs provide a fine picture at an attractive price, with only minor quibbles. The U series set performed well enough in initial tests but doesn't seem like a great value: For only $200 more, you can get a better picture and more functionality with Sony's S series.
As an alternative to the S models, consider the XBR sets, which did very well in our full tests. They also have a CableCard slot, which the S sets do not. The XBR TVs we tested were introduced in late 2005 and should be around through this fall. Prices for older sets sometimes drop, so you could get a good buy. As of early June, the KDL-V40XBR1 was priced at $3,300, the KDL-V32XBR1 at $2,300. Sony is expected to introduce the new XBR models in September.
