Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR6 Article
Sony’s new 52-inch XBR6 model is a superb. And since it’s part of Sony’s higher-end XBR series, that it is loaded with numerous performance boosters including a 120Hz refresh rate and sophisticated video processing; 1080p high quality is given. Now is this tier-one LCD HDTV a winner? In a few clicks with the supplied remote, we’ll find out.
The is an attractive flat panel HDTV—if looking at a black piano-finished rectangular frame could be at all exciting. We think it’s what you see onscreen that actually matters, but the television has a sophisticated floating glass design that sets it apart in the myriad of other flat panels out there. Below the strip of glass that separates the main screen from the speakers is really a long silver grille it is possible to change to match your room’s décor—red, brown or gold—take your pick for $99 each. Other than a small XBR logo and a lighted Sony nameplate, there is not much else to determine. Regrettably, there are no memory card slots or front A/V inputs, and you’ll barely notice many tiny status lights.
Around the left side, you’ll find a good set of inputs to handle game consoles, camcorders and cameras (USB, HDMI and A/V). Around the proper are basic Tv controls you won’t use unless you can’t discover the remote—power, channel/volume up/down, input and house.
We got the fixed in place, connected two HD sources, loaded the batteries within the remote, then settled in to determine how it performed.
Similar to the Kuro, this Bravia has video changes galore, although not high-end Imaging Science Foundation choices. Sure, you will get an outside expert come in and calibrate your display, but you’re significantly better off financially utilizing a do-it-yourself disk, and/or your eyes to make the changes. Like several HDTVs, the Sony arrives fixed within the vivid mode as a default. This is a real no-no for motion pictures, but you should use it for plain old Tv shows—don’t worry we won’t tell. Actually, it was enjoyable watching Jimmy Kimmel’s face beaming from the screen in vivid, as it was for college hoops, or women’s volleyball on ESPN HD. But back to the tweaking…
The KDL-53XBR6 uses the XrossMediaBar (XMB) menu system that produced its bones around the PS3, and is now found on most Sony video gear. It’s very user friendly, and gives entry to five principal menus: settings, viewing photos, listening to music, watching Tv and accessing external inputs. Below settings is picture, where you choose the colour palette of your choice. Below custom you are able to really go to town by adjusting backlight, contrast, colour, hue, color temperature, sharpness noise reduction, MPEG NR, gamma, superior color enhancer, and so on. If you find this too daunting, just select in between vivid, standard and cinema. There is even a game mode.
There is a comparable litany of sound options, including S-Force Front Surround, for a so-so surround knowledge. Nothing beats a true 5.1-speaker program, but it’ll do until you hook yours up.
The buzz regarding 120Hz refresh rates for LCD displays is valid. Smearing and comet tails are noticeable on older LCD HDTVs, but by boosting the frame rate on newer sets, this is virtually eliminated. During a replay from the Steelers-Titans game, the ball was a darting spiral—the way it should be. Uniform colors in the standard mode had been proper about the money. Watching the Dave Matthews Band on Palladia was another excellent encounter.
Whilst watching Television, we also swiftly moved via some handy keys about the remote. Hit picture and you get the main alternatives (vivid, standard and so on) rather than going through the XMB. You can also adjust the amount of zoom (ours was kept at full). Theater will turn on a HDMI-equipped Sony A/V method and kick the picture into cinema mode. These had been good additions to an otherwise plain vanilla remote.
Just like you did, we bought BD copies of Chronicles of Narnia and The dark knight when they hit the shelves. During a battle scene in Narnia, as arrows flew and bizarre creatures leapt via the air, there was very small streaking, thanks towards the 120Hz circuitry.
Gursel Batmaz is the writer of this LCD TV review. To find out helpful articles about LCD TV check out the sites.
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