Sony BRAVIA Z Series 46 inch KDL-46Z4100 and 40 inch 40Z4100 1080p LCD HDTV Review

The Sony BRAVIA Z series LCD HDTV models are available in either gloss piano black (KDL-46Z4100/B and 40Z4100/B) or brushed metal (KDL-46Z4100/S and 40Z4100/S). Z series models also feature a distinctive, very thin surrounding bezel. With native Full HD (1080p, 1920 x 1080 pixels) high definition content doesn’t need any downconverting so video from Blu-ray Disc players or PlayStation 3 systems is going to look its very best. Contrast ratio is an essential factor of picture quality and the Z models have excellent qualification with 3,000:1 static and 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratios.

Sony BRAVIA V Series KDL-46Z4100

The Z models are the premium of Sony’s non-XBR LCD HDTVs. They share all the high end features of the W series (one step down the features ladder) including Motionflow 120Hz technology which smooths any motion blur with fast moving on screen action and removes any judder associated with the viewing of video shot at 24fps.

A quick list of the Z series additional features to those of the W series is;

10-bit Display Panel (up from 8-bit)
Deep Color
Live Color Creation Technology
DLNA Certification
BRAVIA Theatre Sync
Photo TV HD
Power Management (for PC Input only)
Digital Media Port Connection

10-bit Processor and 10-bit Panel

A significant feature upgrade of the Z series over lower series is the change to a 10-bit display panel. Combined with the 10-bit processing the 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 (x.v.Color) Technology

With the Z series Sony has adopted the new xvYCC color standard (IEC 61966-2-4 color standard called xvYCC (short for Extended YCC Colorimetry for Video Applications). Sony has simplified the terminology by referring to it as x.v.Color. This new color standard provides an extended gamut (color space) supporting some 1.8 times as many colors as the standard sRGB color space. The extended gamut naturally allows for a more accurate reproduction of the source video which supports the xvYCC color standard. Unfortunately, there are very limited xvYCC video sources available at the moment (eg. Sony’s own HD camcorder models) so this feature could be considered as a future proofing one.

Live Color Creation

The infinite range of real world colors, particularly deep reds, greens and clear blues are not fully represented with conventional display technologies. In fact, standard CCFL backlit LCD TVs have a color gamut of approximately 72% of NTSC broadcast TV standard. To provide more “true to life” color images, Sony and other manufacturers are incorporating WCG-CCFL ((Wide Color Gamut Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) backlighting which have have a color gamut of approximately 90% NTSC.

Sony’s Live Color Creation is a combination of the use of WCG-CCFL backlighting and advanced chroma signal (carries the color information of the picture) processing algorithms for clear blues, natural greens and an overall vibrant color.

Recently Genoa Color Technologies announced a CCFL backlight with a 110% NTSC capability. It’s possible this innovation may be incorporated into LCD displays in the near future for even more realistic color images.

BRAVIA Theatre Sync

Sony’s BRAVIA Theatre Sync allows single button control of the television and CEC supporting external AV equipment connected by HDMI. Theatre Sync is based on the Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) optional feature of HDMI which allows up to ten devices to discover and communicate with one another through a HDMI cabled network.

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.

DLNA Certification

The Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) is a collaboration of the world’s leading consumer electronics, PC and mobile companies which has created design guidelines for a new generation of DLNA Certified products that can work together regardless of brand. 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 for viewing on your BRAVIA Z series HDTV using PhotoTV HD picture mode (see below). You can search and match DLNA compatible consumer electronics at the DLNA website.

Power Management

With the Z series LCD HDTVs Sony have included PC Power Management (for PC input only) which is a common feature to most monitors whereby they automatically switch to Standby mode following more than 30 seconds with no signal input.

Digital Media Port

Sony’s digital media port connection allows 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

Photo TV HD

Television sets are optimised for moving images. Sony’s PhotoTV HD mode fine tunes picture parameters such as sharpness, gradation and color to provide superior reproduction of high quality digital photos on your HDTV. Controls allow image browsing, zoom, HD slideshows and other functions.

Other Sony BRAVIA 1080p LCD HDTV Series

Sony BRAVIA W Series 1080p LCD HDTV - Deleted 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 - Additional 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

Operating Manual Sony Series Z (pdf 6.5Mb)

TV Guide On Screen Interactive Program Guide Brochure (PDF)

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