TV Reviews

Sony is one of the marquee brands in televisions for good reason. Their innovative designs and technological advancements have driven Sony in the HDTV industry. With the unveiling of their new model, the Bravia KLV-40ZX1M, Sony has elevated its already stellar track record of producing high quality TVs.

In the past, LCD displays have paled in comparison to their plasma counterparts. However, with the advent of new "edge-lit" LCDs, plasma TVs have just found a strong new rival. This new technology dramatically enhances the contrast ratio providing for sharper and brighter colors and increased clarity. Additionally, the Bravia KLV also allows LCDs to be thinner then ever. Measuring just 1.1 inches in depth, the KLV is the apex of style and function.

There is one drawback to the new KLV; their black level performance is still relatively poorer than plasmas. This causes a grey scale imbalance making the colors appear uneven and to be dull in unfocused areas of the screen. Still, the KLV comes with advanced picture controls allowing users to easily fine tune the picture for any room and measure of ambient light.

Ranging in price from anywhere between $3,000 and $4,000, the KLV is competitively priced, although definitely on the top end. Then again, the KLV is more energy efficient than other models running at just 120hz compared to other models that run at 240hz.

The Sony Bravia KLV-40ZX1M is certainly a top end television with great picture quality and clarity. Although plasma TVs may have a slight edge in contrast ratio and black level performance, the Bravia KLV outweighs plasmas in terms of features, style and overall performance.

"Home Theater." While this phrase has been trumpeted for every advancement from "big screens" to "home stereos," Sony's newest line, ironically, takes the blur out of the picture, then blurs the line between Hollywood and home.

The crisp, razor-sharp picture and audio produced by the new Bravia KDL46XBR6 1080p LCD HDTV is the latest in a string of successful forays into the realm of home theater for Sony television. While the Bravia line has been successful for Sony, the corporation has taken the opportunity not to rest on its laurels, but to stay one step ahead of the competition.

New to this model is the introduction of the Bravia Engine 2 video processor, which creates a picture truly worthy of the label High Definition. Not only does a true HD 1080p picture appear vividly on screen, but with Sony's Motionflow 120Hz technology, fast action movies and sports no longer suffer from pixilation and blur. While improving contrast and reducing video noise with these features, the clarity produced rivals not simply other televisions, but a court-side seat. That may be because the Bravia KDL46XBR6 utilizes a full HD 1080p resolution panel, allowing home theater buffs to finally match the quality of Blu-ray with the appropriate output device.

While this latest Bravia model does not come cheaply, in the $2,000 range, upgrades in picture quality make this HDTV a clear favorite for the "home theater." Judging from the advancements Sony is making, it soon may not be a question of bringing the theater home, but a question of why the "Big Screen" isn't as good as the small one.

If crystal clear picture quality is what you live and die for then you will want to check out the Sharp Limited Edition 65- inch Aquos XS series. It's the top liquid crystal display (LCD) unit on the market. Several important qualities make it so.

The Aquos XS takes the latest in lighting technology and transforms it into ring-side seats for all of your television programming. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are the secret to the unparalleled picture quality experienced by Aquos XS viewers. LEDs provide exceptional detail, wide viewing angles, and the true-to- life, on-screen color. Add in the 120 Hz technology for reducing motion blur in fast action scenes and you have a visual experience that moves you into the picture.

The energy-efficient LED screen is ensconced in a snappy brushed steel frame which is just over an inch thick. The easily accessed touch controls are centered on the lower front part of the frame, offering convenience and a stylized approach to common television design.

Overall, the Aquos XS delivers everything a discerning viewer would want when it comes to picture quality and overall viewing experience. Priced at $18,000, the Sharp Limited Edition Aquos XS stands alone in its' class as a premier LCD (liquid-crystal display) unit designed with the viewing connoisseur in mind