Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR4

14May2008 Filed under: Tech Reviews Author: affiniti

No flat-panel LCD manufacturer does color better than Sony. By “doing color” I mean accurately displaying hues the way they are meant to be seen as defined by the HD spec. The Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR4 ($3,799.99 list) continues this tradition of accurate color reproduction—if you use its correct picture setting. The 52XBR4 proved itself on our tests to be unmatched at producing a richly contrasted picture in both bright and dark environments. Even better for movie lovers, the TV’s 120-Hz display technology can be configured to produce images with a very film-like look. It can also add a smoothness to the viewing experience that, while some purists may deem it unnatural, draws you in with its increased clarity. Of course the Sony KDL-52XBR4 isn’t without some quirks, but it is capable of delivering some of the best image quality I’ve seen from an LCD HDTV.

As long as you stick with its movie or custom picture presets, the Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR4 delivers an impressively accurate HD picture that will make a handsome addition to your home theater.

The Good- Excellent HD color when using “movie” picture preset. Superb contrast. 120-Hz display technology makes movies look great.

The Bad- Default processing exaggerates video noise. Standard processing also degrades detection of 24p material. Image smearing increases when noise reduction is activated.

Specs: