Sony’s KDL–S3000 series are all 720p (1366 x 768 pixels) high definition with an excellent dynamic contrast ratio of 8,000:1. A wide color gamut backlight renders more life-like colors than conventional backlights. For reduced power consumption and more comfortable viewing an innovative light sensor monitors ambient light and automatically adjusts screen brightness. All models come with Sony’s BRAVIA Engine PRO for high power digital video processing.

In keeping with other LCD HDTV series the KDL S3000 series come with a traditional black bezel and for screen sizes 32 inch and below a range of designer color bezels including Cosmo Pink, Sedona Red, green, Oxygen White and Ocean Blue Mist as well.

Contrast Ratio

Sony’s S3000 models all have an excellent dynamic contrast ratio of 8,000:1. The high contrast ratio is delivered by Sony’s Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE) through real-time image processing adjustments to the contrast along with the optimization of backlight levels. Backlight intensity adjustment is in response to the automatic sensing of the APL (Average Picture Level) of the video signal. The 8ms response time (gray-to-gray) is excellent.

Live Color Creation – a Wider Color Gamut

The diversity of real world colors, particularly deep reds, greens and clear blues, have not been fully represented using conventional CCFL backlit LCD TVs which have a color gamut of only 72% of NTSC (broadcast TV standard).

For more “true to life” color images, Sony and other manufacturers are incorporating WCG-CCFL (Wide Color Gamut Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) backlighting of their LCD displays. A wide gamut CCFL can have a color gamut of approximately 90% NTSC.

Sony’s Live Color Creation for “clear blues, natural greens and an overall vibrant color” is a term for their technology combining WCG-CCFL backlighting and advanced chroma signal processing algorithms.

Interestingly, Genoa Color Technologies have announced a CCFL backlight capable of achieving an even greater 110% NTSC. Possibly this innovation incorporated into LCD displays soon for even more realistic color images.

Video Processing – BRAVIA Engine PRO Full Digital Video Processor

Video processor performance is having a progressively greater influence HDTV image quality. Unfortunately, while the extra detail of HDTV produces more “life like” images, it also magnifies any image defects which may include noise and image artefacts caused by poor video processing. Some image defects masked on lower resolution displays are clearly seen on higher resolution display. Artefacts and image noise can be introduced through the compression required to pack hundreds of channels within limited transmission bandwidth or during de-interlacing required to convert NTSC or PAL interlaced signals to progressive-scan for digital display.

Sony’s S3000 LCD HDTVs have 10 bit video processing which refers to the width of the stream of bits the video processor can handle. The outcome of using 10 bit video processing with a 10 bit display is more subtle color changes and more “life like” or natural images.

The BRAVIA Engine PRO Full Digital Video Processor features Sony’s latest generation of proprietary video processing technology: Digital Reality Creation – Multi Function (DRC-MFv2.5). The DRC=MFv2.5 can up-convert all lower resolution standard and high definition video sources to 1080p. Additionally, it features “1080p Direct Creation” for minimizing losses in interlace-to-progressive (IP) conversion by performing Digital Reality Creation and IP Creation algorithms simultaneously.

DMeX – Ready (Digital Media Extender)

Sony’s Digital Media Extender (DMeX) provides a digital connection to a BRAVIA Internet Video Link module (optional item). When linked to a broadband connection, the DMeX allows users to view select Internet video (including HD) content from providers currently including AOL, Yahoo! and Grouper, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony BMG Music. Navigation of available content is by Sony’s Emmy award winning XMB user interface.

Sound

Sound quality has not been ignored with the S3000 series coming with S-Force Front Surround delivering a virtual surround sound experience using just two front speakers. A complex audio processing delivers dynamic virtual surround sound without the need to bounce sound off walls and back to the listener.

BRAVIA Theatre Sync

BRAVIA Theatre Sync is Sony’s term for it’s implementation of the optional Consumer Electronics Control (CEC or HDMI-CEC) feature of HDMI v1.3. It allows global control all CEC-enabled peripherals using a single remote. CEC will allow up to ten devices to discover and communicate with one another through HDMI cabled network.

Intended to simplify control of A/V equipment, CEC allows individual AV devices to control each other. As an example, closing the DVD tray can trigger the DVD player to switch the TV on, select the correct video source on the TV and set the appropriate video and audio modes for playback.

Some of the many names manufacturers have used to refer to CEC include; Regza Link – Toshiba, Simplink – LG, EZ-Sync – JVC and Aquos Link – Sharp. Generally, all units with CEC enabled should work together without any problems.

Connections

The Sony KDL–S3000 models have a good range of connection options including 2 HDMI connectors (Rear), 2 component video (Y/Pb/Pr ) inputs (Rear), 3 composite video inputs (2 rear/1 side), 2 S-Video inputs (1 rear/1 side) and PC Video Inputs.

No LCD Motion Blur Reduction Technology

Missing from the KDL—S3000 models is LCD motion blur reduction technology such as the 120Hz refresh rate of the Bravia XBR5 models. For motion intensive applications like gaming it would be worth considering upgrading to the XBR5 series. The S3000 series also misses out on x.v.Color which is Sony’s name for implementation of the xvYCC color standard with an extended gamut for more life like pictures. As video sources to the standard are rare at the moment it’s more of a future proofing inclusion at the moment.

Choosing an XBR5 series LCD HDTV model delivers the following specification improvements;

• 1080p full high definition vs 720p
• 18,000:1 vs 8,000:1 contrast ratio
• DRC Multifunction circuitry
• x.v.Color
• montionFlow
• Deep Color
• Digital Amplifier
• Voice Zoom
• Longer 18 months warranty vs 12 months

Resources

Owners Manual for S3000 Models (PDF)

User Reviews and Price Comparisons

Amazon is an excellent site to find competitive prices and customer reviews and ratings.

Sony Bravia KDL-46S3000 46-inch 720p LCD HDTV

Sony Bravia KDL-40S3000 40 Inch 720P LCD HDTV Accessory + Kit

Sony Bravia KDL-32S3000 32-inch 720p LCD HDTV

Sony Bravia KDL-26S3000 26-inch 720p LCD HDTV

Extended Service Plan

Buy.com have competitive prices and user reviews

Sony BRAVIA S Series KDL-46S3000 46 LCD TV – 46 – ATSC – 178 Horizontal / 178 Vertical – 16:9 – 1366 x 768 – HDTV

Sony BRAVIA S Series KDL-40S3000 40 LCD TV – 40 – ATSC – 178 Horizontal / 178 Vertical – 16:9 – 1366 x 768 – HDTV

Sony BRAVIA S Series KDL-32S3000 32 LCD TV – 32 – ATSC – 178 Horizontal / 178 Vertical – 16:9 – 1366 x 768 – HDTV

Sony BRAVIA S Series KDL-26S3000 26 LCD TV – 26 – ATSC – 178 Horizontal / 178 Vertical – 16:9 – 1366 x 768 – HDTV

Sony Bravia KDL—S3000 Series Specifications