| Reviews : Sony 46" Bravia HD TV - KDL46XBR3 |
Technical Details
- Includes - Remote Control (RM-YD010), 2x AA Battery, HD-15 to HD-15 Cable, Operating Instructions, Quick Setup Guide
- 16 - 9 1080p HD Resolution Panel
- Display Resolution - 1920 x 1080
- BRAVIA Engine PRO Video Processor
- Live Color Creation System featuring WCG-CCFL backlight
Product Description
Sony's worldwide reputation for creating unique, attractive, high-quality, advanced technology products rests on a long line of innovations embraced by people from all walks of life. With a diverse product lineup serving a variety of lifestyles and industries, Sony continuously strives to introduce new products and technologies to meet changing market needs.Similar Products
Customer Reviews
By Fernando Barral
I bought this TV almost 3 years ago. So far I was so happy with it. amazing color, definition, great black, etc. suddenly, while I was watching TV, the colors change. everything started to look weird. Skin tones became green, yellows became red, etc.
Today an authorize Sony repair company told me the "panel" is bad and I have to replace it. To fox the TV will cost $1,570.00. This TV is less than 3 years old and I watch TV less than an hour per day. I always have Sony TVs in the past and this is the first time something like this happened. Big disappointment in Sony.
By Conrad J. Baker Jr. (New Orleans, LA)
I purchased this TV several months ago after waiting over 2 years and reviewing a lot of TV's. What I have found is that EVERY TV out there, despite whatever technology it is, has a gripe or complaint out there. After looking at several TV's over the past 2 years, countless hours reading avs forums, going to peoples houses, spending hours at electric stores, I firmly believe this is the best TV out there right now. I believe the only thing close could be the 60" SXRD XBR3 or the pioneer plasma, but this is the best. I went back and forth over and over on these 3 models. After playing XBOX 360, DVD's and HD programming, I wouldnt trade it for anything out on the market today. BTW, I have NO clouding issues. After reading AVS forums for years, I tend to believe that people can see whatever they want to see if they stare at the TV long enough. My only gripe over this tv is no 1080p over component
By David L. Prevette
What a great TV! Image quality on HD (1080i) and standard def channels is really impressive. No "clouds" or mura image problem on my set, which was manufactured Feb 2007. Looks and performs great so far.
It's hooked up to a TWC Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVR box with HDMI cable from monoprice. I must say that I could not tell the difference between component and HDMI hookups from this box. It looks great hung over my fireplace.
By Pankaj Chawla (Denver, Colorado)
Hello,
My quest for buying a new large flat panel HDTV has been in progress for a year. In the past, I bought Sony's XBR1 40" (was the largest at the time) LCD TV. However, when I brought it home, there was something about it that did not please me. I couldn't nail exactly what it was. Maybe it was my expectations from it that it would blow me away (paid $3,400 at them time).
BTW, I have a home theatre system in my basement fully loaded with top of the line DLP projector, B&W nautilus speakers, DEnon, upconverting etc. Needless to say, I am used to seeing good quality home theatre experience already. I just wanted another TV better than my 27" Sony CRT for my living room. Again, something bothered me about the LCD XBR that I purchased - it kept tiring my eyes and I found myself trying to focus on the picture. My living room isn't that big about 15x14 ft. Discouraged, I returned the 40" LCD XBR to the store.
Six months later, I was back in the market - was impressed with Sony Blu Ray and new XBR2 demonstration playing in the stores. I didn't like the Silver but was happy to discover that another Sony - XBR3 is available black. I loved the styling on the TV as well - after all it should look turned off too!
Now comes the negotiations and purchasing. Yesterday as I was negotiating the price at Ultimate Electronics on Sony XBR3, I ran into a movie playing on new 1080p Pioneer plasma that absolutely captivated me. I had never seriously considered Plasma before. I had ruled it out because it had glass on it. Also, I have always bought nothing but Sony TVs ever - So when Sony stopped making Plasmas I automatically thought of LCD as the technology of future. Later I find out that Sony had neither LCD or Plasma plants and chose one to invest in - unlike Samsung who makes both.
The whole new world suddenly opened up to me. I am a technologist at heart and got pretty excited by the new "discovery :-)" of plasma TVs. I spent the next 4 hours doing side by side comparison of Pioneer 50 inch 720p (since 1080p models were out of my budget) and Sony 46 inch XBR3 (1080p). The salesman was kind enough to sit with me and make this happen. My comparison included side by side playing of Blu Ray DVDs, 1080i HD signals and regular DVD player.
I suddenly realized why I wasn't satisfied with my previous XBR experiences. There are MAJOR differences between the two technologies.
Here is what I noted:
1. The artifacts on SONY XBR LCD seem very prominent and unavoidable.
2. LCD pictures seemed blurry to me. I think its due to how it renders its image - despite 1080p the edges seemed "fat" and artificially generated.
3. Motion based video was aweful on LCD due to refresh problems - yes, the refresh rates are getting faster but there still major issues with this technology. It leaves ever so slight trail of objects as they move. It is there only for a milliseconds but human eye is very powerful and doesn't miss much. This gave it a sense of blurriness that cannot be missed. At times you also see jaggedness in edges but I think that's due its digital processing circuitry.
4. The whole XBR watching experience seemed artificially extra bright causing eyes to tire and wanting to take a break. I think LCD has back light panels that are probably the source of this. I felt I was forcing myself to watch it even though the material was an documentary on bahamas. When I was watched the same material on Pioneer, I felt like I was actually there - Bahamas seemed very inviting and full of pleasure.
I started to research more on plasma and found its main drawback is the potential of burn-in where the pixels remember the picture if you display it for a long time (1 - 2 hours). However, there are numerous articles on internet on how this isn't much of a problem anymore and the burn in problem in plasmas now match that of traditional tube TV. I never worried about my tube TV so I figured my type of usage will not affect plasma as long as I follow directions during the "break in " period of first 2 months.
I bought the 42 inch version - I am glad I did since it looks pretty big in my living room. Cost wasn't a factor in my decision. Pioneer 42 was about 1200 dollars cheaper despite the fact that I was getting a GREAT deal on Sony 46 XBR3 at 3,300. Both were in stock.
The Pioneer looks absolutely stunning so far in my house both in picture quality and looks. Its piano black finish is very modern but classic. My upconverting DVD player makes regular DVDs look stunning. Can't wait to get Blu Ray when it gets a little cheaper, until then Samsung upconverting DVD player works pretty good. Sound from this television is much better than I have ever experienced on Sonys over the years. Standard signals are very clear to watch as well. I have never purchased a Pioneer before but beginning to become a fan of it.
Good luck with your purchases.
By jjb (SF Bay Area)
after countless tryouts of various plasma and lcd tv's i decided to spend the big bucks and purchase the 46" xbr3.
i replaced a phiilips 34" tube; its picture was really quite good on an analog signal, but with an hd signal the picture, tho better, didn't knock my socks off.
after installing the xbr, i know see what all the fuss is about. to be honest with a regular analog signal my phillips picture was better...but with an hd signal the xbr brings tv watching to a new realm...it really is fantastic.
we've had the set for 3 wks now, and still love it...can't wait to watch the nfl playoffs this weekend.
if you're looking for a 46" set, be sure to give this one a look. yes, it does cost a little more than some others...but in my humble opinion well worth it.
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