Monday, March 24, 2008

Sony LCD TV model range explained

With a number of different lines offering a vast array of LCD TV's with different specifications, it is easy to become bogged down in the detail of Sony's current crop of flat panels.

To make things a little easier for those of you who are considering buying a Sony LCD we have summarized the main differences between their current UK line up.

Essentially, differences between Sony's LCD TV's boil down to; Picture processing technology (Incarnation of their 'Bravia Engine' and any accompanying wizardry such as 100Hz processing); Screen resolution (Full HD or not); Connections (How many HDMI inputs etc).

Sony's flagship X3000/3500 series is equipped with the latest incarnation of their picture processing engine 'Bravia Engine Pro' along with 100Hz processing, Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution, 10-bit panel, Live Colour Creation, 24Hz Tru Cinema and 3 HDMI inputs.

The one step down W3000 series retains the X3000/3500 features apart from 100Hz with picture processing being handled by the 'Bravia Engine EX'

The V3000 retains all of the features of the W3000 apart form losing an HDMI input and the 10-bit panel.

The D3000/3500 series is a bit of an anomaly in that the D3000 is equipped with 100Hz processing, 3 HDMI inputs and a 1366 x 768 resolution while the D3500 gains Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution but loses 100Hz processing and sports 2 HDMI inputs. Both models feature the standard 'Bravia Engine' picture processing technology and retain 24Hz Tru cinema.

The T3500 panels feature the standard 'Bravia Engine', are all equipped with Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution panels but lose 24hz Tru Cinema and come with 2 HDMI inputs.

The S3000 series has the same spec as the T3500 but gains an HDMI input (3) but loses Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution.

The P3020 retains most of the T3500's features but loses a single HDMI input (2).

The U3000 series retains all of the P3020's features apart from the built in digital TV tuner (present on all other models).

X3000/3500 W3000 V3000 D3000/3500 T3500 S3000 P3020 U3000
Bravia Engine Bravia Engine Pro Bravia Engine EX Bravia Engine EX Bravia Engine Bravia Engine Bravia Engine Bravia Engine Bravia Engine
1920 x 1080 (3500)
HDMI 3 3 2 2 2 3 2 2
100Hz (3000)
10-bit panel
24Hz Tru Cinema
Live Colour
S-force surround sound

http://hdtvorg.co.uk/news/articles/2008012101.htm#

Sony Expands Use Of BRAVIA Sub Brand

Adds badge to microdisplays, projectors, home theater; exits CRT market


Sony has expanded its BRAVIA sub brand beyond large-screen LCD TVs to include a range of "high-performance" products from micro-display rear-projection sets to front projectors and home-theater-in-a-box systems.

At its annual line show here, Sony said that its will use BRAVIA across all new 2007 Sony TV displays going forward. The sub brand will be used to denote Sony's flat-panel LCD TVs, microdisplay rear-projection 3LCD and SXRD HDTVs and front projectors. (For more Sony line coverage see story at right and p. 8 and p. 57.)

Gone from the U.S. mix for the first time this year are CRT-based direct-view sets, which have been based on Sony's exclusive Trinitron tube technology for nearly 40 years, said Phil Abram, Sony Electronics TV marketing VP.

"We are moving out of the CRT space in the U.S. and won't be introducing any new 2007 models," Abram told TWICE. "I think this decision is consistent with what we've done in the past with making product transitions. We think the products we are bringing to bear meet our customers' needs for Sony value, and it's getting that much harder in CRT to offer step-up value. The opportunity for high-end CRT, where we have traditionally been strong, is going away."

The BRAVIA name, which is an acronym for Best Resolution Audio Visual Integrated Architecture, first appeared in 2005 on the company's advanced flat-panel LCD TV line. Behind the brand, Sony grew its LCD TV market share from single digits to 30 percent in less than a year, the company said. It now hopes to extend that high recognition value to other categories.

"When you see the BRAVIA brand, you know you're not only getting the exceptional quality, but also the distinctive elegance that Sony is known for delivering," stated Randy Waynick, Sony home products division senior VP. "BRAVIA has become associated with the best in HD. BRAVIA represents the connection across multiple categories."

Most of the new BRAVIA products will be compatible with the "BRAVIA Internet Video Link" module that was recently announced at International CES. The module, which will ship in July at a $300 retail, will enable viewers to access standard-definition and high-definition streaming video content available online through a number of entertainment Web sites.

"We're not trying to take the consumer to Internet video," Abram said, explaining that initial HD content available through the device will involve short clips and movie trailers. "We're trying to take Internet video to the consumer in a way they are most comfortable with, and that is through our television user interface."

He explained that Sony has simplified the Internet video experience by using Sony's Xross Media Bar (XMB) menu system that has been employed by the PSP handheld game player and new PlayStation3 consoles.

"The TV is getting more and more sophisticated," said Abram. "The number of sources that it has to handle and deal with is getting more and more sophisticated, and having a way to easily navigate that and keep it in the TV paradigm is very important. So we are going to be working with our retail partners to deliver that message, to make people consider the actual use of the TV as well as the picture performance as the criteria for making their selection going forward."

The module attaches to the back of compatible BRAVIA models using a DMEX interface. In the future, the DMEX system will be further developed to fit within VESA mounts to use USB and HDMI connections to add more and more modules, Abram said.

Other new BRAVIA LCD TVs this year include a pair of V series models with full 1,080p resolution. Models include the 46W-inch KDL-46V3000 and 40W-inch KDL-40V3000.

Stepping down is the S series featuring three models with 1,366 by 768 resolution. Screen sizes include 40W inches, 32W inches and 26W inches. All incorporate Sony's Live Color Creation with cold cathode fluorescent backlighting, 10-bit video processing and a 10-bit panel.

Completing the flat-panel additions is a very high-performance 32W-inch KDL-32XBR4, which adds the company's new "Motionflow" technology to reduce image blurring and image "judder." The technology creates 60 unique frames between each of the existing 60 frames, doubling the frames displayed per second, Sony said.

The set also includes Live Color Creation circuitry with cold cathode fluorescent backlighting, 10-bit video processing, a 10-bit panel and 120Hz motion compensation. Inputs include three HDMI jacks with 1,080p/60p and 1,080p/24p capability and PC connectivity via a 15-pin D-sub connector and HDMI port.

In microdisplay rear-projection sets, Sony is adding the BRAVIA badge in place of the Grand Wega trademark. Some of the first BRAVIA models will include three 3LCD-based HDTVs including two 1,080p E series models in the 46W-inch KDF-46E3000 and 50W-inch KDF-50E3000. Both feature reduced cabinet depths. Also added was a 3LCD 37W-inch rear-projection model in the KDF-37H1000. That compact set features 720p resolution and will fit within furniture originally purchased for CRT sets.

"There are a lot of people out there that have cabinets they previously kept 32-inch direct-view TVs in. This product is compact enough to fit in the same space as one of our old 32-inch CRT models," Abram said. "In a credenza it is actually better than a flat-panel display, because it can be placed flush to the front, where the stand on most flat-panel TVs requires you to set the TV screen back in the cabinet several inches."

Abram said the smaller screen in the UHP-bulb-based 37-inch 3LCD projection set produces strikingly strong brightness and contrast levels.

Sony will also add the BRAVIA name to new SXRD rear-projection sets that the company will introduce later in the year, Abram said.

At that time, Sony will be expanding on its full 1,080p efforts, with an increased assortment of 1,080p display products and source devices, Abram said.

"Our product lines will be significantly expanded in the 1,080p category, and we will continue to drive that marketplace as we have this year," said Abram. "I think Sony is acknowledged as driving that market with our 1,080p SXRD and LCD lineups. We are going to expand and really drive that through the retail marketplace through our top-down marketing efforts with our advertising all the way through what we execute on the retail floor. It's a Sony message that really can only be delivered by Sony."

In front projection, Sony is applying the BRAVIA name in place of the Cineza trademark on a 720p 3LCD model. The VPL-AW15 features 1,100 lumens of brightness, and a 12,000:1 contrast ratio using Sony's Advanced Iris 2 technology.

Most BRAVIA display products unveiled at the show are scheduled to ship in the spring and summer at prices to be announced later, Sony said.

For sound, Sony is applying the BRAVIA name to three HTiB systems including the DAV-HDX265 (shipping in March at a $300 suggested retail), DAV-HDX267W (April, $300) and DAV-HDX500 (March, $500) models. All include five-disc DVD changers, HDMI output and digital media ports that will connect to compatible Sony Bluetooth-enabled accessory products.

The DAV-HDX500 is XM satellite radio connect-and-play ready and adds Neural Surround technology and height-adjustable floorstanding speakers that match the style of BRAVIA TVs. The DAV-HDX267W offers wireless rear speakers.

BRAVIA products will feature Sony's BRAVIA Theater Sync technology that allows users to engage and control all of the products in their home theater system the push of one button.

"You are going to see this in our Blu-ray players, our BRAVIA home theater systems and our BRAVIA TVs," said Waynick. "It's all about consumers' ease of use and [enables them to] engage more with the product than they've ever had the opportunity to do in the past."

Sony Bravia DAV-X10

The home-theater-in-a-box (HTIB) market is about as commoditized a category as you'll find when shopping for consumer electronics, but Sony's stayed in the game by offering a line of all-in-ones at a wide array of price points. For the 2007 line, the company retained its generally sexy design schemes and added the Bravia branding that's been such a success in the TV space. (The 2008 models won't be unveiled until late February, with the older products tending to stay available for several months thereafter--often at discounted prices.) In addition to several traditional 5.1-channel models, Sony is again offering a 2.1 (two speakers plus subwoofer) version for the high end. The DAV-X10 ($800 or less online) is effectively an update of 2006's DAV-X1V--the features set is nearly identical--but the new model's angular AV receiver/DVD player, rounded satellites, and only slightly more restrained subwoofer represent a radical rethink of Sony style. The new model ditches the slow and clunky five-disc-changer mechanism and replaces it with a silky smooth single-disc transport. You also get 720p/1080i video over its HDMI interface. But virtual surround from a pair of beautifully finished satellite speakers and a midsize subwoofer are what sets the DAV-X10 from Sony's more conventional 5.1-channel HTIBs. Virtual surround isn't nearly as enveloping as a properly setup and installed multichannel system, but for those who don't want to deal with the extra wires and speakers, the DAV-X10 can produce a spacious, room-filling sound--and unlike a lot of these sorts of systems, it sounded equally accomplished on music and movies.

Design
The Sony Bravia DAV-X10 is a 2.1 audio system that's composed of four components: two small stereo speakers, a subwoofer, and a svelte "head unit" that combines the disc player and receiver controls. The head unit is 15 inches tall by 3 inches wide by 12.8 inches deep and weighs 14.1 pounds. Its high-gloss black front and sides are slanted inward at a steep angle and the top surface is mirrored. It's a great look. The redesign eliminates all but one visible button: the power key. The rest of the controls--Volume Up/Down, DVD drawer open/close, Play, Stop, Previous/Next, and Function--are back-illuminated, soft-touch icons on the mirrored top panel. The matching remote is more conservative and certainly easy to use, though at the price Sony's charging for the DAV-X10, we would have expected a backlit remote--alas, it's not.

The shiny black satellite speakers have a distinctive shape--looking straight down on them, they're round--and from the side, they're truncated cones. The sats can be placed on shelves or mounted on Sony's optional WS-X10W wall brackets ($80/pair) or WS-X10FB floorstands ($300/pair). The speakers are really small--just 5 inches high and 6.75 inches in diameter. The square-ish medium-density fiberboard subwoofer (14 by 7.1 by 15.4 inches, 25 pounds) doesn't match their curves or the receiver's rakish angularity, but it's definitely attractive. The two satellites each have a pair of 2-inch woofers and a 1-inch tweeter; the subwoofer has a down firing 6-inch woofer and a front 6-inch woofer.

Speaker and subwoofer hookup chores couldn't be easier: You get a 1-to-3 breakout cable that's 16.4 feet long and fitted with four special plugs. Each of the plugs is clearly labeled for its intended destination--the head unit, the two speakers, and the sub--and you can't put it in the wrong way. The only catch is you're stuck with that cable, so you can't place the speakers and sub farther away than the cable allows without investing $50 in a proprietary extension cable (the Sony RK-SX1).

The DAV-X10's auto calibration balances the volume levels of the speakers and measures the relative distances of the speakers to the main listening position. Even so, for best results Sony recommends the two speakers be placed the same distance apart as they are from the listening position (forming an equilateral triangle). The speakers should be positioned at or close to the height of the seated listeners' ears to produce the best sound quality.

Features
The receiver/disc player uses Sony's S-FORCE Pro digital signal processing to synthesize a surround sound field from two speakers. The receiver's S-Master Digital Amplifier delivers 38 watts to each speaker and 38 more to the subwoofer. The AV Sync is intended to compensate for video displays that lag behind the DAV-X10's audio, but instead of offering a continuously variable control you get just two delay options: 70 or 130 milliseconds. We were pleased to note the DAV-X10 has bass and treble controls, directly accessible via the remote, but adjusting the subwoofer's volume level requires going into the speaker setup menu.

The DAV-X10 delivers the same video output options you'd find on any standard DVD player these days: composite and S-Video for connecting to older TVs, along with component and HDMI for HD sets. DVD resolution can be upscaled to 720p or 1080i resolution via HDMI, but not 1080p.

There are two AV inputs, which can accept composite video only plus analog stereo audio (red and white RCA plugs) or digital surround sources (one coaxial only, and one user-selectable coaxial or optical). There's also an audio only input labeled "TV" (analog stereo or optical digital). The upshot of those inputs is that the DAV-X10 can toggle between two external video sources--say, a Nintendo Wii and a VCR--in addition to the built-in DVD, but they'll be limited to standard-definition output. Worse, because the DAV-X10 lacks video format upconversion, the video streams won't be visible via the component or HDMI outputs--only the X10's composite output. In other words, you're almost certainly going to need your TV to handle video-switching capabilities instead, while only using the X10 for audio hookups from external sources (such as game consoles, cable/satellite boxes). That's a disappointment on a system at this price range, especially when far cheaper HTIBs from rivals Samsung and JVC offer (at least) HDMI passthrough for connecting other HD sources.

While it lacks a front-panel audio input, headphone jack, and USB jack, the Sony DAV-X10 does offer two rear-panel Digital Media Ports, a proprietary connection that can only be used for one of Sony's four compatible accessories. The good news is that Sony throws the TDM-BT1 Bluetooth adapter in the box (it otherwise costs $80), which means you can play a device that supports the A2DP Bluetooth profile--such as many music phones and some MP3 players--through the DAV-X10 wirelessly. That leaves the second port open for any of the other three DM Port accessories currently available: the TDM-NC1 Wi-Fi music streamer, the TDM-NW1 Sony Walkman MP3 player dock, and the TDM-IP1 iPod dock. Sony would've been far better off including an extra set of stereo audio inputs, which would've allowed users to connect virtually any audio product ever made (including Bluetooth adapters, iPod docks, and music streamers, which are all readily available from third parties); instead, you're limited to those four proprietary accessories, or whatever DM Port products Sony deigns to release in the future.

The DAV-X10's single-disc transport can play standard DVDs and audio CDs, as well as VCDs, stereo-only SACDs, and MP3 and JPEG files from home-burned discs. Rounding out the DAV-X10's bag of tricks is a built-in AM/FM radio.

As far as the competition goes, the Bravia DAV-X10 compares well with the pricier Denon S-102 and the various permutations of the Bose 3-2-1 system. But bargain hunters should note that they can get the same general look and feel from far cheaper models such as the Samsung HT-X200 and the Philips HTS6500. Likewise, if you like the Sony but prefer a full 5.1 system, check out the Sony Bravia DAV-IS10, which utilizes five super-tiny satellite speakers.

http://cnet.nytimes.com/home-theater-systems/sony-bravia-dav-x10/4505-6740_7-32539074-2.html

Sony Bravia Theater DAV-HDX267W

It might be an overly simplistic view, but the balance of design, features, and performance is generally all that separates one home theater in a box (HTIB) from another. Sony's Dream systems have traditionally prioritized design over the other two factors, but the new Bravia series aims to emphasize its features. All three Bravia models are 5.1-channel systems with five-disc CD/DVD changers, 720p/1080i DVD upscaling via HDMI, automated speaker calibration, and Sony's new Digital Media Port--a proprietary connection that allows you to add one of four accessories--sold separately, of course--to enjoy your choice of digital audio sources. To that already impressive features mix, the DAV-HDX267W reviewed here offers wireless surround speakers. All of those features would've cost you upward of $800 or $1,000 in a Sony Dream System just a few years ago, but the Bravia DAV-HDX267W goes for a much more affordable $400.

Design
The Sony DAV-HDX267W comprises a six-piece satellite/subwoofer speaker package and an all-in-one head unit that combines an AV receiver and the five-disc DVD changer; there are also a few included accessories for implementing the wireless rear speaker connection. The main unit's generic styling is a couple of pegs down from Sony's snazzy Dream systems, but it's certainly functional and easy to use. The front of the unit has five buttons corresponding to the five-disc capacity of the player. Disc loading is a 15-second process, and the mechanism needs about 24 seconds to swap discs. The silver receiver/DVD changer weighs slightly less than 12 pounds and measures about 3.5x17x17.25 inches. The gray plastic remote felt instantly familiar, as it's a near clone of the functional clickers found on most Sony DVD players.

Sony DAV-HDX267W
The five disc buttons on the player's front allow for easy DVD switching on the fly.

The front satellite speakers stand 8.75 inches high, the center speaker is 10.3 inches wide, and the surrounds are little things, a mere 6.5 inches high. Their black-and-silver plastic cabinets and perforated metal grilles are no-frills designs, but they do include keyhole slots on their back sides for easy wall mounting. The matching black subwoofer is built to a somewhat higher standard; it sports a medium-density fiberboard cabinet, and measures about 15x8.75x13.8 inches.

Like most mass-market, wireless surround systems, the wireless label refers only to the two surround speakers--and it requires quite a lot of wires to hook up (the goal is to lose the long front-to-back speaker cables). Setup first involves removing a few screws to take off a metal plate from the rear of the AV receiver/DVD changer, plugging in the IR transmitter box, and finding a good spot for the 2x3.25-inch IR transmitter panel (it's attached to the plug-in box with about 8 feet of wire). Next, in the back of the room, we ran the long wires between the left and right surround speakers and the wireless receiver/power amplifier (about 2.5x3.5x10 inches). It has an IR receiver panel wired to the amplifier with approximately another 8 feet of wire. Just be aware that you need a clear line of sight between the IR transmitter in the front of the room and the IR receiver in the rear of the room for the wireless system to work--and the IR receiver amplifier must be plugged into an AC power outlet. Once we had everything wired up, we played a CD in Dolby Pro Logic II to confirm that the surround speakers were working properly--they were. Note that the wireless setup is optional--you can simply wire up the surround speakers directly to the front head unit. But doing so obviates the premium you paid for the DAV-HDX267W in the first place.

Sony DAV-HDX267W
The amplifier is required for transmitting audio wirelessly from the receiver to the rear speakers.

We next hooked up the supplied microphone and ran the Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC), Sony's automatic speaker setup. Judging by the number of tones and noises emitted by the speakers over the course of a few minutes, we expected a thorough job, and indeed, the setup was reasonably accurate. The all-manual video setup is typical of Sony DVD players and easy to accomplish.

As with most Sony HTIBs, the DAV-HDX267W doesn't offer bass and treble tone controls, or easy access to subwoofer volume level. Yes, it does have Dynamic Bass (on/off) to boost bass on the fly, but to raise or lower the subwoofer volume, you must first stop the disc in play and navigate the speaker setup menu to adjust the subwoofer volume. It's a pain.

We could hear the noise of the receiver's cooling fan from across the room, and it was definitely audible when we were playing music and movies quietly. (Our DAV-HDX500 review sample's very similar main unit was very quiet, so we're assuming the fan on our DAV-HDX267W was knocked loose during shipping.)

http://cnet.nytimes.com/home-theater-systems/sony-bravia-theater-dav/4505-6740_7-32331407-2.html