The Sony Kdl40z5500 – A First Look
The Sony Bravia KDL40Z5500 TV Our Review
The Sony KDL40Z5500 is Sony’s latest 40″ LCD TV. It utilizes the latest technology that Sony have developed, several key features include the latest Bravia engine, the Bravia engine 3, Live color creation, a 200Hz refresh rate, Applicast and a 10-bit panel. All these features will be discussed in more depth as we continue.
The Bravia has a maximum resolution of 1920×1080 which is the highest resolution that is currently available allowing this TV to flawlessly broadcast HD media in all its glory. A digital tuner and cable tuner come as standard along with the generic analogue tuner. The Bravia sync function allows the user to control all of their media devices with just the Bravia remote.
With the latest version of Sony’s Motionflow flicker and blur is reduced to an even greater degree. The frame rate is doubled from that which was previously available to a astounding 200Hz, which means 200 frames are displayed on your Sony KDL40Z5500 screen in just one second.
Sony’s latest Bravia engine, the Bravia engine 3, provides improves picture performance across all media types whether that be TV, Movie or gaming. The engine incorporates full digital signal processing resulting in an immensely clear picture and life-like colors. Black levels have been enhanced so they are at their most distinct and natural. Whilst optimizes these key features the engine also automatically detects and displays the optimum picture setting for the appropriate media broadcast.
Some other feature that result in increased picture quality are the additional of a 10-bit panel meaning the TV can display more data at the same time. A dynamic contrast ratio of 1m:1 has been included again enhancing the black levels and increasing color representation. The Live color creation feature also helper to deliver 30% more color than conventional LCD TVs.
Sony have included the Applicast function in this Bravia as well this allows the user to surf the internet whilst also watching the TV, without having to use a PC. DLNA is a group of manufacturers that are working together to allow their products to be linked together to transfer media from one medium to another providing an increased ease of use for the consumer.
Sony have installed software to allow the direct playback of media straight from a USB stick without the need fro streaming from a PC or conversion onto a disc. While they have also included four HDMI connections to allow for all your HD devices to be installed at the same time so you won’t have to fiddle behind the TV to swap any connections over.
The Sony KDL40Z5500 starts at around $1670. As with all new Sony’s now, they offer up to $300 off all new Bravia TVs over 26″ when you trade in an old TV, when bought at selected stores, getting you an even greater price on this TV. Even at full price this TV whilst expensive will not fail to impress. The technicalities of this TV are overwhelming and combined with the slim frame, the ‘Draw the Line’ concept as Sony refer to it as, make your viewing experience unrivalled. To buy or not to buy the new Sony KDL40Z5500