Sony BRAVIA W Series 40 inch KDL-40W4100, 46 inch KDL-46W4100 and 52 inch KDL-52W4100 Full HD 1080p LCD HDTV Review

Sony’s W Series W4100 models (KDL-40W4100, KDL-46W4100 and KDL-52W4100) are third tier members of the 1080p line of LCD flat panel HDTVs introduced at the start of 2008. Full HD, 1080p, resolution provides advantages like being able to sit closer to the screen and avoiding the necessity of downconverting from a full HD video signal source such as a Blu-ray Disc to the native resolution of the display. The avoiding downconverting advantage will gain importance as full HD Blu-ray Discs become more common.

Sony BRAVIA W Series KDL-46W4100

Sony BRAVIA W series shares the same base specification as the V series with the following additions/differences.

Improved contrast ratio of 30,000:1 compared to the 25,000:1 of the S and V series models.

Sony’s Motionflow 120Hz Technology which deals with two problems; LCD blur commonly associated with fast action movies or sports and frame rate conversion judder linked to playback of movies shot at 24 fps. The Motionflow algorithm identifies film content and removes judder resulting in a clearer picture with smoother motion during sweeping pans without a visible jerking or stuttering. Motionflow 120Hz also boosts the frame rate from 60 to 120 unique frames inserting an additional 60 interpolated frames between each of the existing 60 frames minimizing any blur resulting from fast on-screen action.

Other Sony BRAVIA 1080p LCD HDTV Series

Sony BRAVIA Z Series 1080p LCD HDTV - 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 V Series 1080p LCD HDTV - Deleted/Modified Features

Reduced 25,000 vs 30,000:1 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 S Series 1080p LCD HDTV - Additional 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

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.

If you don’t watch a lot of sport or action movies then you could consider going to the lower specification Sony BRAVIA V series which also has Sony’s Motionflow 120Hz Technology which do not have LCD blur reduction or judder reduction for 24fps sourced movies.

The BRAVIA S series is the 1080p range entry level models which do not have Sony’s Motionflow 120Hz Technology, Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE), Bravia Sync (for one remote control of multiple devices), DMeX (Digital Media Extender for Internet connection), TV Guide On Screen, a fourth HDMI connector or S-Force Surround Sound Enhancement.

TV Guide On Screen Interactive Program Guide Brochure (PDF)

Based on geographical maps and signal strengths, AntennaWeb locates the best antenna for you — whether the antenna is for use with a home satellite system, high-definition television (HDTV) or a traditional analog set.