Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR5

Manufacturer: Sony Part number: KDL52XBR5

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$2,954.00 - $3,399.99 at 4 online stores

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Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 2 reviews

More product information:: Editors' blog post; User reviews; Specifications; Product series; Manufacturer info

Description:: XBR series televisions represent the very best Sony has to offer in high definition viewing. The XBR line of Full HD 1080p televisions incorporates all of Sony's latest technologies (including HDMI v1.3 features such as x.v.Color and Deep Color). Additional features like Motionflow 120Hz enable smoother motion when viewing movies or fast-action sports. BRAVIA Engine PRO ... Read more

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CNET editors' blog post

By Matthew Moskovciak, 06/07/07

Updated 09-27-07 Sony is a leader in flat-panel LCD TVs, and in 2007 the company has four series of models that offer increasingly more features and different styling for, as usual, increasingly more money. We can't review them all, but we have reviewed two models so far: the KDL-46S3000 and the KDL-46XBR4, both 46-inch flat-panel LCDs, and we expect the reviews of those models to give a you a good idea about other screen sizes in the same series. Read on for details.

KDL-S3000 series

Sony KDL-46S3000

(Credit: CNET)

This is Sony's entry-level flat-panel LCD series, and the only series that is currently available. We have a full review of the 46-inch KDL-46S3000, and its performance should be a good indicator of how the other screen sizes in this series will perform. You can get the full details in the review, but bottom line is that while it performed all right for most viewers and had pretty good black levels, other image quality issues will probably deter home theater purists. You'll also note that this series only features two HDMI ports, which is one fewer than we've been seeing on new HDTVs this year. Sony touts compatability with its Bravia Internet Link module on this series and all 2007 LCDs.

Models (all prices are estimated sale prices)

Entry-level features

1,366x768 native resolution
Two HDMI inputs
PC input
Three component video inputs

KDL-W3000 series

Sony KDL-46W3000

(Credit: Sony)

This is the step-up to the KDL-S3000 series, and you'll pay about an extra $1,000 for the upgrades. For your extra money, you'll get more resolution, as all of these panels feature a native resolution of 1,920x1,080 (aka 1080p). At these screen sizes, we're betting that the extra resolution won't matter from an average viewing distance. In other words, sure, the extra detail is there, but unless you're sitting just a few feet away from your HDTV, you won't be able to see it.

The other upgrades also seem to be more bark than bite. Sony is touting x.v.Color (also known as xvYCC) on these panels, which is a new color space that offers 80 percent more color than standard ATSC color space. However, until there are high-definition movies and players capable of handling the expanded color gamut, the only material using x.v.Color will be home recorded movies with x.v.Color-compatible camcorders. So most people probably won't see any benefit from x.v.Color.

The sets can also accept video signals at 24 frames per second, which some have claimed can reduce judder in film-based material. We haven't seen evidence of that yet, and even those who do claim there is a difference say that it only occurs when the refresh rate is an even multiple of 24--like the step-up KDL-XBR4 models with 120Hz refresh rates. So it's nice that it can accept 1080p/24 frames per second material, but don't expect to see any performance gains.

On the other hand, some of the step-ups have potential. These sets feature 10-bit video processing and are capable of displaying 10-bit color. We haven't reviewed any sets with this capability, so we don't know how it will perform--so stay tuned for our hands-on review. There's also the possibility that there are other picture quality improvements to this series over the KDL-S3000 series, so again we'll withhold judgment until we get our hands on one.

Sony still hasn't announced the exact connectivity of this set, or the other step-up series, except that this series will include HDMI, component, and PC inputs.

Models

Sony KDL-52W3000 (Coming in August, $4,300)
Sony KDL-46W3000 (Coming in July, $3,500)
Sony KDL-40W3000 (Coming in July, $2,700)

Step-up features

1,920x1,080 native resolution
10-bit video processing, 10-bit panels
x.v.Color
Can accept 1080p/24 signals

KDL-XBR4 series

Sony KDL-52XBR4

(Credit: Sony)

In September 2007 we reviewed the KDL-46XBR4, the 46-inch member of this series, and we really liked what we saw . The KDL-XBR4 series has a few upgrades over the KDL-W3000 series, which you'll pay about $300 extra for. First, the KDL-XBR4 series features swappable bezels, like last year's Sony KDL-XBR2 series, which means you can buy additional bezels to change the color of the frame around your TV. Another upgrade is what Sony calls "Motionflow 120Hz high frame rate technology." This refers to the fact the the KDL-XBR4 series has a 120Hz refresh rate, which means can reduce judder and produce smoother images with less motion blur. Check out the full KDL-46XBR4 review for details on this feature.

Models

Step-up features

Swappable bezel
120Hz refresh rate

KDL-XBR5 series

Sony KDL-46XBR5

(Credit: Sony)

The KDL-XBR5 series is nearly identical to the KDL-XBR4 series, except it offers a nonremovable piano-black bezel. Besides that, Sony did not announce any other differences between the KDL-XBR5 and KDL-XBR4 series.

Models

Sony KDL-52XBR5 ($5,100)
Sony KDL-46XBR5 ($4,100)
Sony KDL-40XBR5 ($3,300)

Step-up feature

Piano-black bezel, non-swappable

We'll update this information if and when we find out more.

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User reviews

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Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 2 reviews
My rating: 0 stars

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9 stars

State of the LCD Art

by bradthetechnoman on February 24, 2008

Pros: Looks stunning in any light

Cons: Almost too many user adjustments!

Summary: Stunning picture. More improvements and tweaking of the xbr4 line than you can shake a stick at. Serious contender to any plasma.
Bright light or dark, picture stays same with
...

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Summary: Stunning picture. More improvements and tweaking of the xbr4 line than you can shake a stick at. Serious contender to any plasma.
Bright light or dark, picture stays same with automatic light adjustment.

We have had the unit running for 2 months now and even neighbors are stopped in their tracks as they walk by. This time the extra we paid for Sony really paid off!

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2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 stars

Great picture, connection options

by faiatc on February 5, 2008

Pros: Picture, options

Cons: Price, first one was a dud

Summary: We love this TV! The first one we ordered from Crutchfield arrive and we were so excited that for a moment I didn't even notice the 2" Black stripe ...

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Summary: We love this TV! The first one we ordered from Crutchfield arrive and we were so excited that for a moment I didn't even notice the 2" Black stripe down the right side of the TV, and it never went away, so Crutchfield sent us a new one and took the old one away, and no problems!!
This thing looks great hanging on the wall, it is a little heavy, so if you plan to hang it, get some help.
The premium price you pay for the piano black is a little much, but we figured this is going to be the last TV we buy for a while, might as well get what we want.
The sound from the TV speakers is great, really great!
The menus are nice and easy to use, like on the PS3. Sometimes the menus take a little longer to open/use than I would like.
The 120hz motion is ok, but I tend to not use it, makes films look sort of fake and sped up.
Sometimes it looks as if there is a little blurring, but not all the time.
HD signals look the best, but even good SD signals look good. We are sitting about 9-10 feet from the set.
Overall, I would recommend this TV

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2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.

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Specifications

Manufacturer: Sony
Part number: KDL52XBR5
Description: XBR series televisions represent the very best Sony has to offer in high definition viewing. The XBR line of Full HD 1080p televisions incorporates all of Sony's latest technologies (including HDMI v1.3 features such as x.v.Color and Deep Color). Additional features like Motionflow 120Hz enable smoother motion when viewing movies or fast-action sports. BRAVIA Engine PRO with Digital Reality Creation upconverts all interlaced and progressive video signals including HD signals directly to 1080p for amazing detail and sharpness. And it's only fitting that your XBR make a statement not only through breathtaking picture quality, but by taking your breath away with optional color bezels. Now your LCD TV can be as distinct as your own personal style.

General
Product Type 52 in LCD TV
Series BRAVIA XBR
Digital Television Certification HDTV
Video Interface HDMI, S-Video, Composite
PC Interface VGA (HD-15)
Dimensions With stand
Width 55.9 in
Depth 15.1 in
Height 35 in
Weight 108 lbs
Enclosure Color Piano black
Display
Diagonal Size 52 in - Widescreen
Technology TFT active matrix
Resolution 1920 x 1080
Display Format 1080p (FullHD)
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9
120Hz Yes
LCD Backlight Technology Wide Color Gamut-CCFL
Image Contrast Ratio 2000:1
Dynamic Contrast Ratio 18000:1
Progressive Scan Progressive scanning (line doubling)
Widescreen Modes Zoom, Wide Zoom, Normal, Full
Viewing Angle 178 degrees
Viewing Angle (Vertical) 178 degrees
Comb Filter 3D digital
V-Chip Control Yes
Color Temperature Control Yes
Picture Adjustment Vivid/Standard/Custom
Additional Features MotionFlow, Game mode, Clock, Sleep timer
Digital TV Tuner
Digital TV Tuner QAM, ATSC
Video Features
HDTV Ready Yes
Analog Video Input Signals NTSC
Input Video Formats 1080p
Freeze Memo Yes
Parental Channel Lock Yes
Remote Control
Remote Control Remote control - Infrared
Supported Devices TV
Audio System
Sound Output Mode Stereo
Surround Mode Yes
Sound Effects S-FORCE Front Surround Sound, Virtual Dolby Digital
Audio Controls Treble, Bass, Balance

Connections
Connector Type 2 x Component video input ( RCA phono ) - Rear, 1 x Audio line-in ( RCA phono ) - Side, 2 x Composite video input ( RCA phono ) - Rear, 1 x S-Video input ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - Rear, 1 x HDMI ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) - Side, 1 x Serial ( 9 pin D-Sub ), 1 x Audio line-out ( RCA phono ) - Rear, 1 x Headphones ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm ) - Side, 1 x Composite video input ( RCA phono ) - Side, 2 x HDMI ( 19 pin HDMI Type A ) - Rear, 1 x Digital audio output (coaxial) - Rear, 4 x Audio line-in ( RCA phono ) - Rear, 1 x VGA input ( 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) ) - Rear
Stands & Mounts
Flat Panel Mount Interface Yes
Power
Power Device Power supply - Internal
Power Consumption Stand by / Sleep 0.4 Watt
Power Consumption Operational 320 Watt
Battery None
Manufacturer Warranty
Service & Support 18 months warranty
Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 18 months
Dimensions & Weight Details
Dimensions & Weight Details Panel without stand - 55.9 in x 4.8 in x 32.6 in x 92.6 lbs

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Product series

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Manufacturer info

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