Sony BRAVIA EX500 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV Review

Sony’s BRAVIA KDL-EX500 series is Sony’s premium LCD HDTV with conventional CCFL backlighting. There are five models with a wide range of sizes from 32 to 60 inches ( 60 inch KDL-60EX500, 55 inch KDL-55EX500, 46 inch KDL-46EX500, 40 inch KDL-40EX500 and 32 inch KDL-32EX500 ). Features of note are; Full HD (1080p) for outstanding clarity, 120 Hz motion smoothing, ambient light sensor for an optimized picture for all lighting conditions, a USB input for music, photo and video playback, BRAVIA Sync for convenient integrated remote control and 4 HDMI inputs. The EX500 LCD have the attractive new Monlithic shape (slab like) with a black, gloss finish and glass face.

Sony EX500 120Hz LCD HDTV

EX500 as a Multimedia Entertainment Hub – Sharing Photos, Music and Video

The EX500 series LCD HDTV can function as a multimedia entertainment hub being able to connect a wide array of optional High Definition (HD) video sources to the 7 HD input connections including the 4 HDMI. 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. Connecting a 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), Music Player (mp3), Video Player (MPEG2)

Sony’s MotionFlow 120Hz technology

For the purpose of reducing the likelihood of perceived motion blur (a weakness of LCD displays compared to plasma), Sony’s MotionFlow 120Hz technology doubles the frame rate from the normal HDTVs 60 frames per second (fps) by creating a new interpolated frame for each existing frame of source video. This results in a smoothing of on-screen motion. As well as creating the extra frames, the video processor corrects any blur in images created by fast motion or panning while filming. There are a couple of settings for MotionFlow, high for use with film-based (24 fps) content and standard for other use. The control is not as flexible as some other LCD HDTVs such as Samsung.

Sony’s MontionFlow 120Hz technology is ideal for those who like to watch lots of sports broadcasts or action movies.

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

BRAVIA Engine 2 Digital Video Processor

The EX500 models have the entry level BRAVIA Engine 2 video processor, not the BRAVIA Engine 3 of higher models. A good quality video processor is essential and the BRAVIA 2 delivers using a collection of unique Sony algorithms to avoid crushed blacks where dark areas appear as a black blob rather than showing detail. It also significantly reduces noise and produces sharp, vibrant, life-like images. A primary difference between the BRAVIA 2 and 3 Engines is that the BRAVIA 2 will process HD video sources while the BRAVIA 3 Engine will process both HD and Standard Definition broadcasts improving their quality significantly.

Light and Ambient Sensors

Sony EX500 models come with both an Ambient Sensor and Light Sensor. The light sensor automatically adjusts the backlight strength to suit the brightness of a room’s light. It assures a suitably bright picture and minimizes power consumption. The Ambient sensor is a new technology feature and works differently, adjusting the picture color to produce the most natural color for the quality of the light in the room. So, despite the different light color temperatures from sunlight, flourescent or incandescent lighting you will always see the most natural color picture possible.

Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE)

The role of the Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE) is to avoid the crushing of dark areas such that they appear as black blobs rather than revealing shadow detail. Sophisticated video processing algorithms analyze the brightness of original video signals and adjust the backlighting to optimal levels. This type of modulation does not produce the same contrast improvement achieved by the local dimming of LED backlit LCD HDTVs which modulates sub-units (areas) of the display backlighting.

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.

Picture Quality Adjustments

The range and quantity of picture quality adjustments available with the Sony NX500 models is extensive. 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.

Convenience Features

Sony include a wide range of convenience features with the NX500 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 NX500 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

Sony e-Support

Sony have made finding Online support easier by having a a dedicated home page for the NX500 models rather than having support information scattered over their website. Links to book a phone call from a Sony Rep, Live chat and E-Mail Sony are prominent.

Connectivity

The Sony NX500 has an excellent range of connectivity options including four HDMI split evenly between the rear and side of the panel for connecting devices such as Blu-ray Disc players or gaming consoles. There is a convenient HDMI PC connection for using the HDTV as a computer monitor as well as the traditional HD-15 pin.

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