Sony BRAVIA NX800 Series 180p LED LCD HDTV Review

The Sony BRAVIA NX800 series is one of Sony’s 2010 range of LED LCD HDTVs and is one which has the superior LED backlighting rather than CCFL fluorescent backlighting. There are three models in the NX800 series including the 46 inch KDL-46NX800, 52 inch KDL-52NX800 and the 60 inch KDL-60NX800. Apart from the impressive detail of Full HD 1080p resolution for HD sources like Blu-ray disc, other topline features are Motionflow 240Hz Technology for motion blur reduction, built-in Wi-Fi for wireless connectivity, BRAVIA Internet Video (including Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand) and Widgets for providing extensive content delivery options.

Sony NX800 240Hz LED LCD HDTV with WiFi

At first site the most striking impression is how different the shape of the NX800 is to the previous years Sony LCD HDTVs and to any other in fact. The LCD display has the shape of a slab with a black, gloss finish, glass face (while off) framed by square silver edges. The base is very different – somewhat like a thick black plank. Oddly, there is provision for the screen to be tilted back 6 degrees so it can sit at a lower height than the viewers.

There are different types of LED backlighting and this model is edge-lit (which allows the very shallow depth) and as such does not have local dimming. While this Sony HDTV has a really nice picture with excellent color reproduction, is doesn’t have the black level or contrast ratio performance of fully backlit LED HDTVs such as the Samsung 8500 models. Balancing this is the fact that edge lighting is, significantly cheaper (40 percent or so) to manufacture than full array LED backlighting presenting a significant price advantage for the consumer.

The video processor is the heart and soul of the modern HDTV and the NX800 models feature the latest processor incarnation, the BRAVIA Engine 3. It packs the latest advanced processing hardware and software for superior image detail, life-like images, reduced noise and optimized contrast and color. With the available Internet connection the latest software updates are automatically downloaded and installed.

Sony’s MotionFlow 240Hz technology

For the purpose of reducing the likelihood of perceived motion blur (a weakness of LCD displays compared to plasma), Sony’s MotionFlow 240Hz technology which quadruples frame rate a normal HDTVs 60 frames per second (fps) to 240 fps. Confusingly Motionflow does actually quadruple the frame rate as opposed to Sony’s MotionFlowPRO which does not as it uses complementary scanning backlight technology to further reduce the likelihood of motion blur. There are also a couple of settings for MotionFlow, high for use with film-based (24 fps) content and standard for other use. It’s not a flexible as some other LCD HDTVs such as Samsungs which allow much more control.

CineMotion Reverse 3:2 Pulldown Technology

Movies are shot at 24 fps and broadcasters and many DVD players convert 24 fps movies by 3:2 pulldown to play on an 60 interlaced fields per second (similar process with PAL TVs). The pulldown process can introduce a form of judder called Telecine judder. Sony’s CineMotion Reverse 3:2 Pulldown Technology in an impressive feat of sophisticated number crunching by the video processor reverses the process so you can watch a movie in its native 24p. A couple of points to note however; 1) you will still have the judder resulting from the film being shot at 24 fps and 2) Telecine judder can actually reduce the harshness of the worst of the 24p judder. It is something to be tested to decide on one’s preference. For more in-depth explanation read our technology guide on judder.

24p True Cinema Technology

For those who would prefer to have movies look the same as at the cinema Sony have provided 24p True Cinema Technology. You may see this technology referred to as 1080p/24 which means 1080 lines displayed progressively (all lines for each frame) at 24 fps. The 24p is shorthand for stating that there are 24 full frames (all lines of resolution) for each second.

To maintain the cinema quality each frame is repeated by a suitable multiple for the frequency of the display. For example, dividing 120Hz by 24p gives a multiple of 5. Frames being repeated rather than performing any sort of pulldown means no associated judder is introduced. In cinemas it is common for the each of the 24 fps to be shown twice for an overall frame rate of 48.

Any judder that results from filming at the slow 24 frames per second will still be present. However, that said, some much prefer 24p playback to what they see as the unnaturally smooth motion produced by smoothing by the video processor.

BRAVIA Internet Video

Sony’s incarnation of IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is known as BRAVIA Internet Video. It represents a revolution in the way TV is watched from scheduling to on-demand. Busy lives making scheduled TV programs hard to catch is driving more consumers to look for entertainment options which they can watch when they want. Demand for bandwidth hungry direct streaming of videos is driving countries around the world to plan significant upgrades to their broadband infrastructure. BRAVIA Internet Video had some 27 content providers at launch but, considering the exponential expansion of the Internet, their number will rapidly increase. Video content is navigated using Sony’s award winning XrossMediaBar. Additional channels will appear automatically on the TV as they are added over time. Some content sources currently available include YouTube, Netflix, and Wired.

Video: President/COO Of Sony Electronics USA Stan Glasgow Introduces The Bravia NX Series

BRAVIA Internet Widgets

BRAVIA Internet Widgets are small downloadable applications which source and present data feeds available over the Internet. By choosing and personalizing your own Widgets you can control what data you will receive from information apps such as local news, weather, sports headlines and Twitter updates. You can locate them wherever like on the screen. To avoid them taking up too much room on-screen Widgets can be minimized to “Snippet” size and restored when required.

Video – Sony BRAVIA TV Internet Widgets

Picture Quality Adjustments

The range and quantity of picture quality adjustments available with the Sony NX800 models is enough to be exhausting. Apart from CineMotion, MotionFlow and 24p True Cinema discussed in detail already, other functionalities worthy of special note are: separate resets for the standard and advanced picture adjustment menus, Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE), color temperature, gamma control (7 step) and the Picture Mode (for video, cinema, still images, sports and gaming). Those who like to tweak often will appreciate the facility to apply settings to the current or all inputs.

The contrast enhancement provided is referred to as one dimensional as it dims the entire backlight. This does not come near the performance improvement of two dimensional backlight dimming which is commonly referred to as local dimming and can only be achieved (at the moment) with LED HDTVs which have a full matrix of LED backlights behind the LCD display.

Convenience Features

Sony include a wide range of convenience features with the NX800 models which are listed in full in the specification linked to below. Some of the more notable features include; input labelling, auto shut-off, on-screen clock, PIP (Picture in Picture), on-screen TV Guide, password locked channel block, favourites and the USB player.

The Favourites feature gives you the Web browser like capability to bookmark frequently used content for quick shortcut access. You might want to save favourite TV channels, media files, Internet content or Widgets.

Audio Features

Sony has provided an extensive range of audio features with the NX800 including 5.1 Channel Audio Out, Clear Voice for clearer dialogue, Dolby Digital, Sony Original Surround, Sound Mode (Dynamic, Standard, Clear Voice, Custom) and Surround Effect (Cinema, Music, Live Sports and Game). A full list of audio features is in specification linked to below

Sharing Photos, Music and Video

Using the USB input it’s possible to quickly share your photos or home videos on the big screen or listen to your favourite music. Connect your digital camera, MP3 player, USB memory stick or other storage device brings up an interface to play the digital content. USB Applications: Photo Viewer (jpeg, RAW), Music Player (mp3), Video Player (AVCHD, AVC, MPEG4)

Digital content including video, photo and music files stored on a DLNA Certified media server can be accessed via your home network.

PhotoMap

Picking up the fact that many digital photos are now geotagged (using a GPS device) with the coordinates at which the photo was taken Sony has included PhotoMap in the NX800′s feature list. Customers will no longer be wondering where photos were taken as utilizing the Internet connection the NX800 displays a map pinpointing where a photo was taken.

Energy Use and Saving

The NX800 models are some of the most efficient LCD HDTVs on the market. To even further minimize power consumption, Sony has provided a number of passive and active controls including:

LightSensor Technology – automatically senses room lighting and adjusts backlight to suit
Eco Settings – a two step power saving option for limiting peak brightness
Backlight Off Mode – display off but sound on
Idle TV Standby – turns off the TV after a set period of inactivity
Energy Saving Switch – eliminates standby power consumption without unpluging your TV (a real off switch)

Sony e-Support

Support provided by HDTV manufacturers is not something regularly covered in reviews but we believe the quality, quantity and convenience of the support for owners provided by Sony needs to be highlighted.

Rather than having support information scattered over their website Sony have a dedicated home page for the NX800 models. With the Wi-Fi access this information is accessible directly from your HDTV. The e-Manual is not the standard black and white pdf but, a full color website style manual complete with color imagery. Links to book a phone call from a Sony Rep, Live chat and E-Mail Sony are prominent. To aid discussion with support staff your HDTVs serial number and software version are displayed. Truly impressive is the bank of video tutorials which are much clearer in conveying their message than reading a manual.

Connectivity

The Sony NX800 has a premium range of connectivity headlined of course by Wi-Fi providing a more convenient cordless mode of Internet access (Ethernet port also provided). It provides the convenience of being able to access your home network and retrieve stored movies, photos, music and videos. Wi-Fi also provides access to the Internet through you gateway for even more content. As well as providing a conduit for accessing entertainment content, Wi-Fi also provides access to software updates. With the increasing reliance on computing power and software for HDTV functioning Sony have provided an automatic software downloading and updating functionality.

The NX800 models have a good range of connection options topped by four HDMI split evenly between the rear and side of the panel. The convenient HDMI PC connection is also worthy of note.

Analog Audio Input(s) (Total) : 3 (2 Side/1 Rear)
Audio Out : 1 (Rear)
Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Input(s) : 1(1 Side) (Composite input common use)
Composite Video Input(s) : 2 ( 1 Side (Component input common use)/ 1 Rear)
Digital Audio Output(s) : Optical Digital Output – 1 (Rear)
Ethernet Connection(s) : 1 (Rear)
HDMI Connection(s) (Total) : 4(2 Side/2 Rear)
HDMI PC Input : Yes
PC In (D-Sub) + Audio In (Stereo Mini) : 1 (Side)
RF Connection Input(s) : 1 (Rear)
USB 2.0 : 1 (Side)