Sony’s V4100 series were introduced as part of Sony’s new 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels) line of LCD HDTVs introduced at the start of 2008. Sony BRAVIA V series is one step up in features from the recently reviewed, entry level 1080p Full HD BRAVIA S series. The displays contrast ratio is the same, impressive 25:000:1 and 8ms response time as the S series.

The V series models have the same base specification as the S series with the following additions.

Motionflow 60Hz High Frame Rate Technology

LCD displays are prone to motion blur because pixels do not fully darken between frames as with other display technologies. Sony’s Motionflow 60 Hz technology includes motion-compensation algorithms which identify film content (shot at 24 fps) and smooths judder which may happen during sweeping pans.

Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE)

The Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE) circuit dynamically controls the backlight improving contrast and resulting in deep blacks in dark without losing fine details in shadows and other dark areas of the picture. Dynamic backlighting systems are also beneficial in reducing power consumption.

BRAVIA Sync

BRAVIA Sync is a combination of the single remote control convenience of BRAVIA Theatre Sync with the ability to control CEC-enabled Sony Handycam camcorders using the TV’s remote and an on-screen display. Devices must be connected using one of the four HDMI ports. Sync capability will work across other brand devices as long as they implement the HDMI-CEC standard.

DMeX - Ready (Digital Media Extender)

Sony’s Digital Media Extender (DMeX) is a digital connection for a BRAVIA Internet Video Link module (optional DMX-NV1). When plugged into a broadband connection, the DMeX allows users to view select Internet video (including HD) content from providers currently including YouTube, Yahoo!, CBS, blip.tv, WIRED, Dailymation and Sony Pictures Entertainment to name a few. Navigation of available content is by Sony’s Emmy award winning XMB user interface.

Enhanced Xross Media Bar

The Sony XrossMediaBar (pronounced CrossMediaBar, abbreviated as XMB) is an Emmy award-winning graphical user interface for navigating the television’s menus, controls, and user settings. It was developed by Q-Games, a small software development company from Kyoto, Japan. The Xross refers to the horizontal bar of category icons crossed by a vertical bar of icons listing items within the category.

TV Guide On Screen Interactive Program Guide

The TV Guide On Screen Interactive Program Guide, integrated into the Xross Media Bar, provides continually updated, free, program listings for TV viewers. The guide allows you to sort through television programs and channels, locate HD broadcasts, set reminders and record TV shows. The search functionality allows you to search by title. TV Guide On Screen works with regular and digital cable.

Connections

As well as having the same connections as the BRAVIA S series, the V series has a fourth HDMI input providing the flexibility of adding another HD input source. There is also a digital media port connection allowing the use of optional digital media port adapters to connect compatible digital media devices direct to your BRAVIA HDTV. Optional Digital Media Port adapters available include;

Digital Media Port Wi-Fi Client for streaming data from a Wi-Fi network
Digital Media Port Adapter for iPod allows you to share your iPod content directly with your BRAVIA HDTV,
Digital Media Port Bluetooth Interface allows you to receive and play music from your Bluetooth enabled device with your BRAVIA LCD.
Digital Media Port Walkman Cradle connects your Walkman mp3 player direct to your BRAVIA HDTV

S-Force Front Surround Enhancement

Sony’s S-Force Front Surround enhancement creates the impression of rear sounds of a surround sound system using only two TV speakers similar to SRS Lab’s SRS TruSurround XT. Sony’s system does not rely on wall reflections so room shape and size are not important. It’s a useful inclusion for those not able to run the wires for rear speakers.

Voice Zoom

Voice Zoom helps with hearing commentators by extracting human voice frequencies so that their level can be controlled.

Other Sony BRAVIA 1080p LCD HDTV Series

Sony BRAVIA W Series 1080p LCD HDTV - Additional/Modified Features

• Higher 30,000 vs 25,000:1 Contrast Ratio
• 120 Hz Motion Blur Reduction: Reduces LCD blur associated with fast action sports and judder linked to playback of movies shot at 24 fps

Sony BRAVIA Z Series 1080p LCD HDTV - Further Additional Features

• 10 bit panel: Provides 64 times the levels of color expression. A wider available color gamut allows for smoother transitions between adjacent colors and a more accurate representation of real world colors for a more life-like picture.
• Deep Color: New color standard provides 1.8 times as many colors as the standard sRGB color space allowing more accurate reproduction of the source video which supports the xvYCC color standard.
• DLNA: DLNA Certified devices will connect, discover and communicate with each other over a home network. It enables you for example, to access family photos from a networked PC.

Sony BRAVIA S Series 1080p LCD HDTV - Deleted Features

• DMex: Sony’s Digital Media Extender (DMex) offers a digital connection path for optional modules like the BRAVIA Internet Video Link
• True 24p: Watch movies in natural, cinematic motion as seen at the cinema with no possibility of jerky motion due to 2:3 pulldown of filmed material
• TV Guide IPG: Delivers continually updated program listings with no subscription fees
• 3D Graphic On-screen Controls: Colorful thumbnails cascade before your eyes allowing you to visually choose what you want to see.

Resources

If you can do without Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE), Bravia Sync , DMeX , TV Guide On Screen, an additional HDMI connector and S-Force Surround Sound Enhancement then you should look at the S series entry models of the 2008 Sony LCD HDTV range.

If you watch a lot of sport or action movies then it might be worth considering the BRAVIA W series 1080p LCD HDTVs which have Sony’s Motionflow 120Hz technology for reducing motion blur through doubling the frame rate displayed.

The premium Sony LCD HDTV model which is not an XBR is the Z series which adds the following features to the W series specification; 10-bit Display Panel (up from 8-bit), Deep Color, Live Color Creation Technology, DLNA Certification, Photo TV HD, Power Management (PC Input) and Digital Media Port Connection.

TV Guide On Screen Interactive Program Guide Brochure (PDF)

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User Reviews and Price Comparisons

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