Sony EX308 | KDL-32EX308 and KDL-22EX308 720p LCD HDTV Review

Sony’s BRAVIA KDL-EX308 series of LCD HDTVs with conventional CCFL backlighting comes in two smaller screen sizes – 32 inches and 22 inches. The combination of size, HD 720p resolution (1366×768 pixels – WXGA) and other features make them ideal as computer monitors which will double as a HDTV (or the reverse). This series has the more advanced BRAVIA 3 video engine, is Internet video equipped, comes with a Wi-Fi adapter for cordless networking convenience, USB input for music, photo and video playback, has DLNA compatibility and the latest Ambient Sensor technology for the best picture quality under any lighting conditions.

Sony EX308 LCD HDTV Monitor

BRAVIA Internet Video

To make full use of its Internet connectivity, the Sony EX308 has Sony’s incarnation of IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is known as BRAVIA Internet Video. It represents a revolutionary shift in the way TV is watched from scheduling to on-demand. BRAVIA Internet Video had some 27 content providers at launch but the number will rapidly increase. Video content navigation is via Sony’s award winning XrossMediaBar interface. Additional channels will appear automatically on the TV as they are added over time. Some content sources currently available include YouTube, Netflix, and Wired.

EX308 as a Multimedia Entertainment Hub – Sharing Photos, Music and Video

The EX308 series LCD HDTV can function as a multimedia entertainment hub utilizing the USB input to quickly access photos or home videos for the big screen or play 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, 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.

BRAVIA Engine 3 Digital Video Processor

The EX308 models have the premium BRAVIA Engine 3 video processor which will notably process both HD and Standard Definition broadcasts improving their quality significantly. The BRAVIA Engine 2 only processes HD video sources. The BRAVIA 3 includes collection of unique Sony algorithms to avoid crushed blacks (where dark areas appear as a black blob rather than showing detail), significantly reduce noise and produce sharp, vibrant, life-like images.

Light and Ambient Sensors

Sony EX308 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 NX308 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 NX308 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 NX308 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

Connectivity

The Sony NX308 has the Wi-Fi providing uber convenient cordless Internet/netowork access (Ethernet port also provided). It enables access your home network and retrieve stored movies, photos, music and videos and Internet through you gateway for online 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.

Other connectivity options of the NX308 models include 4 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) : 4 (1 Side/3 Rear)
Audio Out : 1 (Rear)
Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Input(s) : 2 (Rear)
Composite Video Input(s) : 2 (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)