Sony KDL-40HX800

3D technologies have been around for a long time but people can only experience these realistic visuals in special cinemas. But now things have recently changed and familiar giants like Sony are unveiling products that can finally bring the 3D experience to the home. It requires several components including a special 3D Blu-ray player, matching 3D media, 3D glasses, and the most important being the 3D HDTV. TV manufacturers have went on a frenzy early 2010 revealing new models and one of Sony’s offerings actually comes in a slightly smaller package in the form of the Sony KDL-40HX800. At a glance, the KDL-40HX800 tries to appeal as the cheapest 3D HDTV in Sony’s arsenal but it packs many great features that could make the display worth the purchase despite the lack of 3D content.

Latest Update: The Sony KDL-40HX800 is now on sale at Amazon.com

Sony KDL-40HX800

Technical Features

Although the 3D specification clearly stands out, the Sony KDL-40HX800 is still a standard Full HD 1080p so it can play back all of the high definition videos and games to maximize the user experience. Users can freely plug in any of the other modern devices in 1 of the 4 HDMI ports available or 2 other component inputs for older devices. The 40-inch size should be sufficient for many living room configurations. Even if the larger models look better, the display maintains its thinness since the KDL-40HX800 is powered by an LED panel. The device can be safely turned off when not in use using the Energy Saving Switch to ensure that the display does not consume any power. This is a lot more convenient than simply unplugging the display.

Technologies

3D is the main attraction of the KDL-40HX800 and is the only 40-inch display in Sony’s family that possesses the technology. This means that viewers can hook up their 3D Blu-ray players and enjoy all of the 3D scenes while wearing the 3D active glasses. Playstation 3 owners can also update their model via firmware update to enjoy the next generation 3D titles. Those that lack 3D content can still transform existing 2D content into 3D just by pressing the corresponding button on the remote. The 3D active glasses need to be purchased separately to make use of this technology.

Outside of 3D, the Dynamic Edge LED does its job in providing very good contrast levels and amazing visual quality whether it is 2D or 3D. All of this is achieved while saving significant energy which is why it has the Energy Star compliance logo. It also uses a specially designed panel called the Deep Black Panel which prevents all that annoying glare and promises impressive deep black levels and optimized contrast. The Ambient Sensor also makes the visuals better according to the ambient lighting by automatically making adjustments when necessary.

When it comes to raw image quality both the BRAVIA Engine 3 and Motionflow PRO go to work here. The BRAVIA Engine 3 is responsible for the rich colors and sharp visuals while the Motionflow PRO keeps the motion very fluid by providing 240Hz frame rates where virtually no blur can be seen even when very high-speed scenes are played back.

Extra Features

The KDL-40HX800 is fully Internet ready once an Ethernet cable is hooked up to the router. Once a connection is established, users can either take advantage of their subscription services such as Amazon Video on Demand and Netflix or try out any of the fun free services like Pandora Internet Radio and YouTube.

Users can also put their favorite high resolution photos on the big screen by plugging in any digital camera with a USB interface that contains photos or by using a standard flash drive. If there are MP3 files present in the USB storage device, those tracks can optionally be played back as well.

Bottom Line

It is hard to figure out the real potential of 3D just yet because there is limited content available but purchasing a 3D HDTV like the Sony KDL-40HX800 should not be considered a risk at all for these reasons. First, the KDL-40HX800 does not lag behind in power as it combines the Dynamic Edge LED technologies that the previous flagship Sony BRAVIA models enjoyed. Second, the Internet features greatly expand the device so there is plenty to watch and the overall image quality does not disappoint. Finally, the KDL-40HX800 is reasonably priced at around $1,500 so users can even set aside the 3D concerns. If 3D becomes really big, owners of the KDL-40HX800 are immediately ready to enjoy the breathtaking visuals of the future.

Average User Rating:

Actual User Reviews:
• “From the moment I opened the box, it was obvious I had made the right choice. This TV oozes quality in every single way. The display is wonderful. It’s not a matte display, but it has a relatively low reflection, not obnoxiously glossy like recent Apple products. The picture looks gorgeous, even off angle, and the unit and base have a high gloss black finish. The built-in stand uses a separate mount that is much smaller, and you could make your own plate or L bracket for the display to slide onto. The TV menus are in the style of a PS3 (XMB), but some of the animations are unacceptably slow. Perhaps this can be improved in a later firmware upgrade. Also, not all menu options are available until about 30 seconds after you turn on the display.” – J.Sanford (CA,USA)

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