Sony KDL-52XBR9 LCD Review

Off axis viewing dramatically affects blacks and grays when calibrating - making calibration difficult when colour shifts at different angles. See Viewing Angle section for a lot more.

HD image top quality was a lot crisper and hues are much more saturated. Blacks become slightly hazy at side angles but straight appear plenty saturated. I beleive the anti glare technology introduced into the LCD panel creates most of the weakness issues with color calibrations and off angle viewing. Dont misunderstand, the HD picture from Blu Ray and Broadcast HD was clear, vivid and colorful as usually, but alas the image doesn't appear as deep as a few of the much better pictures we've viewing lately.

Generally, we were not all that impressed while using image high quality with 480i signals. Since nearly all programming we watch is not HD, this is an important consideration. While the 240Hz element did a good work at times with smoothing out side to side panning, there was still jerkiness present at times. We were pleased that the 240Hz function did not introduce the cardboard cutout impact that occurs with some TVs with high Hz rate processing. Hues did not pop enough, and also the image was usually too subdued and dark when viewing a lot of 480i programming. And lastly, there was a excellent bit of grain/motion artifacts visible. Throughout 480 HQV processor testing we noted average noise reduction which coincided with our content material viewing.

Post calibration ANSI contrast measured an unexceptional 750:1. That's a lazy figure for today's far better Tv set. Black levels can appear oversaturated and hazy concurrently with some 480i images - hampering shadow detail. Rich, deep blacks may possibly be observed with the finest HD content material available - but they're not a typical element of this Tv.

Oversaturation of blacks in dark scenes causes loss of shadow detail at occasions specifically with normal broadcast or 480i programming. With HD content this issue pretty significantly goes away the the Tv does a great job.

Flesh tones appeared very realistic after calibration, but all shades seem too subdued. Despite not being able to dial into D6500 perfectly during calibration, we didnt discover numerous problems with colour presentation.

There exists a big problem with coloring and contrast loss when viewing this set from just 25 degrees above the center axis. Grayscale colors change, and contrast decreases. When viewing from direct eye level, this occurs from aspect angle viewing starting between 35 and 40 degrees. The Tv can be looked at from severe aspect angles, but contrast is lowered and shades will be less rich and much less accurate.

There was some shutter impact (picture shaking) with 480i signals, but overall the 240Hz Motionflow feature did a good work of reducing, but not eliminating, lateral jerkiness observed with the amount of LCD TVs.

We noted only slight banding and false contouring throughout HQV stadium seating testing.

Obviously one of the major functions of this Television could be the 240Hz choice. The truth that we could in fact use this element with film and broadcast programming without unwelcomed background information is often a main plus. This prevents having to flip the feature off and on depending on viewing content material, which happens with some other branded TVs with the higher Hz rate. Nonetheless, the 240Hz rate Motionflow function was not as powerful as on some branded TVs with the same function, therefore the XBR9 did not do as successful a task of cutting out motion lag and side to side judder influence. There is a now standard inclusion of usb port spot for digital pics and videos from Sony cameras or flash memory drives. Tv guide on screen is one more present feature which gives the alternative of a guide with over-the-air antenna or with cable service but with no the cable box. Internet functions are discussed below.