Sony XBR6 Series 40 – 52 inch | 1080p 120Hz BRAVIA 52 inch KDL-52XBR6, 46 inch KDL-46XBR6 and 40 inch KDL-40XBR6 Review

The Sony XBR6 Series of Full HD 1080p LCD HDTVs has 5 sizes the; 50 inch KDL-52XBR6, 46 inch KDL-46XBR6, 40 inch KDL-40XBR6, 37 inch KDL-37XBR6 and 32 inch KDL-32XBR6. The two smallest screen size, 37 and 32 inch, models have a reduced features specification. The XBR denoted Sony BRAVIA models are Sony’s premium LCD HDTVs with the latest technology and features to deliver the best picture quality and functionality.

Sony XBR6 Series

Sony XBR6 Series Highlights

Sony XBR6 models have the highest HD image format, Full HD 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels), for viewing Blu-ray discs. Contrast ratio (on-screen) which is for a single image (frame) is 3,000:1 while the dynamic contrast ratio is 50,000:1 giving an indication of good performance, for an LCD, in maintaining contrast ratio performance over both lighter and darker scenes. To provide a smooth picture Sony have included their Motionflow 120Hz technology. Impressively lifelike color images are delivered by a number of features including extended color gamut WCG-CCFL backlight technology, 10-bit panel and processing or extended color bit depth, the expanded color space of x.v Color and Sony’s Live Color creation. Sony’s Bravia Engine 2 ensures quality video processing for enhanced image quality. An Ethernet input is included for network and Internet access and DLNA compliance ensures trouble-free connections and sharing over a network. Sony have included a pre-set game mode for optimum performance while using the Sony XBR6 LCD HDTV for gaming.

Sony XBR6 Series Design and Appearance

The XBR6 models have a clean floating glass design and have bottom speaker. While XBR6 LCD HDTVs ship with a silver speaker grille as standard, optional speaker grills in other colors (red, brown and gold) are available.

BRAVIA Video Processor Engine

The beating heart of the Sony BRAVIA XBR6 is it’s video processor which is a single chip containing all Sony’s algorithms for processing video including scaling, sharpening, noise reduction, color optimization, contrast optimization and other enhancements. Contrast enhancement works with the Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE) circuit.

Why is a sound video processor so important? While the high resolution and larger screen sizes of HDTV produce more life-like images they also magnify any image defects which may include noise and image artefacts caused by poor video processing. Image defects masked by lower resolution displays can become evident on a HDTV. Artefacts and image noise can also 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 latest DRC-MF v3 chip supporting the BRAVIA video processing engine provides a few improvements over the previous v2.5. This latest version will perform the impressive feat of upscaling a standard definition (SD) broadcast all the way up to 1080p HD. Using specialized processing algorithms it examines each pixel and those surrounding before completely re-creating the image in the higher 1080p resolution. Previously only 1080i was possible.

10-bit Processor and 10-bit 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.

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.

Motionflow 120Hz technology

Sony’s Motionflow 120Hz Technology which deals with two problems; LCD motion 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 blur resulting from fast on-screen action.

24p True Cinema

With a 24p output capable device, such as a Blu-ray Disc player, you can watch films at the 24 fps they were shot at. If video deriving from film is not viewed at 24p, inserted frames can cause some lack of smoothness (judder).

Deep Color – x.v.Color Technology

The Sony BRAVIA XBR6 Full HD LCDs are capable of displaying the new xvYCC color standard (short for Extended YCC Colorimetry for Video Applications). Sony refer 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 commonplace sRGB color space. The extended gamut naturally allows for a more accurate reproduction of the source video.

Sony XBR6 HDTVs support the optional Deep Color of HDMI v1.3 which increases the number of available colors for the for the RGB or YCbCr color space thus reducing false contouring.

Unfortunately, there are very few video sources available that support xvYCC or Deep Color at the moment (eg. Sony’s own HD camcorder models) so these features are best looked at as future proofing ones.

Live Color Creation

Not all real world colors (particularly deep reds, greens and clear blues), can be reproduced by current display technologies. A standard CCFL backlit LCD TV has a color gamut of approximately 72% of the 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 which has 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.

BRAVIA Theatre Sync

With a single button Sony BRAVIA Theatre Sync equipped HDTVs can control 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.

Enhanced Xross Media Bar

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

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.

Digital Media Port

Sony’s Digital Media Port connection allows 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

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.

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. There is a USB port for loading your multimedia content.

DLNA Certification

The Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA, a collaboration of the world’s leading consumer electronics, PC and mobile companies, created design guidelines for a new generation of DLNA Certified products that can work together regardless of brand. DLNA Certified consumer electronics 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 XBR6 series HDTV using PhotoTV HD picture mode. You can search and match DLNA compatible consumer electronics at the DLNA website.

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. The Sony system doesn’t rely on wall reflections making room shape and size unimportant. Those not able to run the wires for rear speakers will appreciate it.

Voice Zoom

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

Other Features

Energy Star Compliance

ATSC/NTSC tuner with QAM

Quick-set Picture Modes are available for adjusting on-screen images (video and still) to match viewing conditions or personal tastes ; Vivid boosts contrast and sharpness, Cinema is for film based content and Custom allows preferred settings for Backlight, Picture, Brightness, Color, Hue, Color Temperature, Sharpness, and Noise Reduction to be stored. Photo quick-sets include Photo-Vivid, Photo-Standard, Photo-Original and Photo-Custom.

CineMotion 3/2 Pulldown Processing allows film content to be automatically detected and and a reverse 3-2 pulldown process to be applied for more natural, life-like images.

PC PIP Feature Allow you to use your PC in the full screen mode while having a PIP of whatever television chanel you may wish to keep track of. Something for keeping tabs on a sport like golf while still getting some work done.

Favorite Channel Like a web browser, this feature lets you store your favorite channels for easier later access.

Jump Function Allows you to jump between the current channel and the last channel selected.

Sound Settings Provides some flexibility to customize sound output for clearer spoken dialogue and treble, bass and balance.

Parental Control Using a 4-digit password protected control, it’s possible to set viewing limitations based on ratings.

Channel/External Input Block Is an extension of Parental Control allowing the complete blocking of particular channels or external inputs independent of program ratings.

Sleep Timer Following a set time interval the sleep timer switches the television off.

Power Saving This is something that allows you to take advantage of a lower ambient lighting environment to reduce the displays backlight brightness to save power.

PC Power Management Sony XBR6 models have PC Power Management (for PC input only) which is a feature common to most monitors whereby they automatically switch to
Standby mode following more than 30 seconds with no signal input.