Sony’s LCD HD TVs are marketed under the brand name BRAVIA which is an acronym for “Best Resolution Audio Visual Integrated Architecture”. They’re marketed with the advertising slogan “Color like no other”. Their launch is memorable for the advertisement featuring 250,000 brightly colored rubber balls bouncing down a San Francisco street.

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The Sony BRAVIA KDL-40S2010 television has a high definition resolution of 720p (1366 x 768 pixels).

As with many models in the Sony BRAVIA range, the KDL-40S2010 has a stylish black finish. It has twin speakers mounted beneath the screen.

There is a wide range of customization options available with the KDL-40S2010 including; picture modes, wide modes, noise reduction, game mode and sound mode. In addition, there are numerous convenience features such as; picture freeze, favorite channel, parental control (V-Chip), power save mode, clock and sleep timer.

A useful capability available with this LCD television is Freeze Function which allows the viewer to temporarily freeze the picture in a separate screen while the programming continues to display. It gives you time to copy down information shown only briefly on the screen such as a price, web address or phone number.

BRAVIA Engine

The KDL-40S2010 display is driven by Sony’s reputable and powerful digital video processor the BRAVIA Engine. Sony have recently added a picture quality enhancement circuit called Digital Reality Creation Multi-function v2.5. The DRC-MFv2.5 now has the added ability to process interlace and progressive video signals and as it has twice the processing power of previous generation DRC-MF circuits which were originally developed in 1997.

Sony’s unique “DRC” technology is different from the conventional interpolation technology that generates pixels based on the linear interpolation function. The DRC=MFv2.5 can convert all standard and high definition video sources to 720p. The DRC-MFv2.5 is user adjustable according to the video source.

The KDL-40S2010 has a respectable response time of 8ms which is the same as quoted for Samsung and Panasonic LCD displays. The Sharp AQUOS however, leads the pack with a fast 4ms response time.

Contrast Ratio

While it does not have dynamic contrast controls, the KDL-40S2010 has an acceptable static contrast ratio of 1300:1. Other models in the BRAVIA range have higher dynamic contrast ratios (5,000 – 7,000) as in comparison do other LCD TV brands such as Samsung with a 6,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and Panasonic with 3000:1.

Sony use the more conservative ANSI test rather than the Full On/Full Off test which yields higher results. The ANSI test involves the display of 16 black and white rectangles with contrast ratio being the result of dividing the average light output of the white rectangles by the average light output of the black rectangles. It is commonly argued that the ANSI test is more indicative of contrast ratio due to its checkerboard pattern being closer to actual viewing conditions.

Connections

The latest and most desired audio/video interface is HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) which is the first television industry-supported, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface. The Sony KDL-40S2010 comes with a single HDMI input. This could be a problem if you have more than one HDMI source to connect – which is becoming more likely. Conveniently, PC connectivity (HD-15-pin) has also been included. A detailed list of the supplied connection options is provided in the specification below.

The Sony KDL-40S2010 has an integrated ATSC high definition tuner so you won’t need an external box.

Sound

As with the rest of the BRAVIA range, to provide an audio experience matching the visual one, the 40S2010 has audio provided by SRS Lab’s patented SRS TruSurround XT surround sound technology. TruSurround XT is a multi-channel virtualization technology which aims to produce a surround sound effect using only two speakers. It will handle up to seven (6.1) audio channels.

TruSurround XT combines three patented sound processing techniques from SRS Labs:

• Dialog Clarity: Improves intelligibility of dialog
• TruSurround: TruSurround creates multichannel signals in a way that takes advantage of the human hearing system and create a surround sound field. It carries Dolby certification.
• TruBass: TruBass enhances bass performance utilizing proprietary psychoacoustic techniques. Perception of fundamental low frequency tones is restored by dynamically augmenting harmonics.

TruSurround will produce a two channel stereo output from mono, stereo, or multichannel input signals. It is compatible with signals that been decoded by a Dolby Pro Logic or Pro Logic II decoder and signals that have been encoded to stereo with a matrix encoder (e.g. SRS Circle Surround or Dolby Pro Logic).

For more information on the equipment supplied by SRS Labs can be found on their web site.

Warranty

The Sony BRAVIA KDL-40S2010 comes with a 12 month warranty from Sony.

BRAVIA Internet Video Link Module

Sony Electronics has announced the upcoming introduction of a BRAVIA Internet Video Link module. When attached to a compatible Sony television, the module will enable access to Internet video programming including high-definition content. Video will be available from internet sources without a PC. The BRAVIA Internet Link module is supported by the XBR, V and S series

Comparison Sony KDL-40S2010 v

The Sony BRAVIA HD television range also includes the XBR model series of the Bravia HDTV range are what Sony market as their “highest performance, premium design LCD TV”. The Bravia S series is the “entry-level” and the Bravia V series is the “step-up”

The “XBR” series has an enhanced set of features compared to the S series including:

• higher 1080p resolution
• PRO (not standard) version of the Bravis video processing Engine
• A floating glass look
• Side mounted speakers
• Three HDMI inputs (not 1)

While the XBR3 has a glossy black bezel, the XBR2 models have a standard silver bezel which can be replaced by one of five different color bezels (red, white, blue, black, brown) for custom integration with your rooms décor. Other than the replaceable bezels there is no specification difference between the XBR3 and XBR2.

The step-up V series has superior features in comparison to the “S” series including:

• Higher 1080p resolution
• Higher 5,000:1 contrast ratio
• Twin HDMI inputs

The “S” series has two versions being the S2400 models and the S2010 models. The S2400 models have Sony’s dynamic backlighting system, ACE (Advanced Contrast Enhancement), whereas the S2010 models do not.

Further Reading

Presentation Technology Reviews recently reviewed the 32 inch Sony BRAVIA KDL-32S2010 720p LCD television and the 40 inch Sony BRAVIA KDL-40V2500 Wide Screen LCD.

Sony have a 46 inch 3LCD HD Rear Projection Television which is worth considering.

Presentation Technology Reviews recently looked at newcomer NuVision’s 42LCM1 42 inch 1080p LCD Display.

User Reviews and Price Comparisons

Sony Bravia S-Series KDL-40S2010 40-Inch LCD HDTV

Sony Bravia KDL-32S2010 Specification

Display
Display Resolution:	1366 x 768
Screen Size:	32 inches
Screen or Display Technology:	S-PVA LCD display panel
Inputs and Outputs
HDMI™ Connection(s):	1 Rear (with D-sub 15 and L/R stereo mini plug connection)
PC Input(s):	1 (Rear) D-Sub 15
Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr ) Input(s):	2 (2 Rear)
S-Video Input(s):	2 (1 Side/1 Rear)rear with Auto S Video Input Detection
Composite Video Input(s):	3 (1 Side /2 Rear)
RF Connection Input(s):	1 Rear
Audio In:	5 (1 side/ 5 rear)
Audio Out (Variable/Fixed):	1 (Rear)
Digital Audio Output(s):	1 (Rear)
Headphone Output(s):	1 (Side)
Video
Viewing Angle:	178 degrees (left/right) / 178 degrees (up/down)
Aspect Ratio:	16:9
Contrast Ratio:	1300:1
Panel Response Time:	8ms (gray to gray)
Tuner:	ATSC digital tuner
Comb Filter:	3D
Advanced Video Processor:	Motion and edge adaptive I/P converter
Advanced Video Processor:	Contrast enhancer circuit
Advanced Video Processor:	MPEG noise reduction
Advanced Video Processor:	Green and blue enhancer
Advanced Video Processor:	CineMotion™/Film Mode/Cinema Drive
Picture Modes:	Vivid/ Standard/ Custom
Wide Mode (16:9):	Wide Zoom/ Normal/ Full/ Zoom
Light Sensor:	Yes
Noise Reduction:	Yes
Regulation and Standard Compliance
VESA:	compliant mountng holes
Energy Star® Compliant:	Yes
VESA:	VESA FDMI Compliant mountng holes
Audio
Sound Mode:	Dynamic/ Standard/ Custom
SRS® TruSurround® XT Audio Effect:	Yes
Dolby® Digital Decoding:	Yes (AC3 for ATSC)
MTS Stereo Decoder:	Yes
A/V Synch:	Yes
General Features
Auto SAP:	yes
Video Label:	yes
Closed Caption (CC):	yes
ID1 Dectection:	yes
Convenience Features
Picture Freeze:	Yes
Favorite Channel:	Yes
Channel Label:	Yes
Channel Skip/Add:	Yes
Parental Control (V-Chip):	Yes
Input Skip:	Yes
Power Save Mode:	Yes
Clock:	Yes
Sleep Timer:	Yes
Timer Clock:	Yes
Power
Power Requirements 120 – 240V (50/60Hz):	Less than 0.1W
Power Consumption (in Operation):	120W
Power Consumption (in Standby):	Less than 0.01W
Weight:	74.96lbs with pedestal; 61.73lbs without pedestal
Dimensions:
WxHxD	31 3/16″ x 23 11/32″ x 8 5/8″ (792 x 593 x 219 mm) with pedestal; 31 3/16″ x 21 1/2″ x 3 7/8″ (792 x 546 x 99 mm) without pedestal
Supplied Accessories	Tabletop Stand RM-YD005 Remote Control AA x 2 Batteries Coaxial Cable (x1) HD-15 to HD15 Cable (x1) Support belt and screws Operation Manual
Opitional Accessory:	SU-WL31 Wall Mounting Bracket
Color	Black