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Sony KDL-46EX500 46" HDTV-Ready LCD TV
Price Range:
$699.00 to $930.00
Experience Full HD 1080p! Incredible contrast and sharp, vibrant images with the Sony BRAVIA KDL-46EX500 HDTV. Features incredible motion performance so you enjoy crisp, fluid motion during fast-action scenes, plus Light Sensor technology that automatically adjusts brightness based on a room's lighting.
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5 Reviews from Epinions.com
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Sony KDL-46EX500
Just bought this TV yesterday so this is mostly first impressions. I did a lot of research over the previous couple of days so I considered a lot of other makes and models before picking this one. In the end, it was the combination of features, price, seeing it in action and Sony's reputation that did it. The added bonus was that the retailer extends the standard one-year warranty to two years and has a 90 day return policy. This isn't just for Sony but it was a pretty decisive factor in deciding to buy something from that particular retailer. I wasn't going to get a 46" (I was thinking about the 40") but they only had the 46 in the store and I'm glad that I decided to take it.
This TV provides a good combination of all the basic features. It uses the Bravia Engine 2 (not 3) and CCFL (fluorescent) back-lighting (not LED) so this isn't for those who must have the latest and greatest. None-the-less, it works very well and provides dark blacks, bright whites and realistic color. With good quality HD input, the picture is fantastic. Right now I'm watching the Avatar movie (BlueRay disk through a PS3) and I can't imagine the picture being any clearer or the colors any better. I was originally looking for an LED TV in order to get the brighter picture but I don't see any issue with this model using the CCFL back lighting.
This model is 120hz and has the Motionflow technology. It probably does a good job with high quality HD input. I watched a low resolution soccer game last night and the motion didn't look very good. I think this is probably a case of garbage in, garbage out so it doesn't concern me too much. This is probably pretty "normal" for LCD TVs running low res input.
We ran a game from the PS3 through the TV and that was pretty impressive. It takes the game to a whole new level going from a PC monitor to a 46" screen. Haven't tried music or pictures or a PC connection yet so I can't comment on those. They weren't high on my priority list (but I'm sure they will do what they are supposed to do). Many of the new TVs have internet features but this model is made for those who are looking for a good TV and don't care too much about some of the frills. I'd rather pay a lower price and do without some of the extra features. I can run my laptop through the TV if I want to see the internet on the big screen or play a PC game.
This TV has a relatively wide viewing angle for an LCD TV. The picture brightness remains good even when you view it on an angle. Reviews for most of the LCD TVs seem to pick on the sound as a weak point. I wasn't expecting theater-quality sound so my expectations weren't that high. I found the sound to be quite adequate in terms of sound quality and volume. If you want theater sound, then you can plug the audio-out into a sound system and get the powerful bass and sparkling highs.
You will want to adjust the settings after you start it up. Initially, I found the picture to be really weak and sort of washed out. I turned everything up and that helped but it still wasn't great. I was seriously thinking that maybe I would need to return it. Then I turned the Ambient Sensor off and wow, all of a sudden, everything looked great. I haven't fully sorted that out yet. I still had the protective plastic on the bezel so maybe that was interfering with the sensor. At this point, all I know is that it is working much better with it turned off. The Ambient Sensor and the LightSensor are both significant features of this TV so I will need to do some experimenting with them.
Sony KDL-46EX500 is a Keeper
| Author's Rating: |
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Pros: Good features, good picture, good price.
Cons: Doesn't have internet features. Not the latest technology. Dedicated remote (not universal).
The Bottom Line:
Good choice for a well-priced HDTV with a full range of basic features. Great picture, decent sound and the Sony track record.
Just bought this TV yesterday so this is mostly first impressions. I did a lot of research over the previous couple of days so I considered a lot of other makes and models before picking this one. In the end, it was the combination of features, price, seeing it in action and Sony's reputation that did it. The added bonus was that the retailer extends the standard one-year warranty to two years and has a 90 day return policy. This isn't just for Sony but it was a pretty decisive factor in deciding to buy something from that particular retailer. I wasn't going to get a 46" (I was thinking about the 40") but they only had the 46 in the store and I'm glad that I decided to take it.
This TV provides a good combination of all the basic features. It uses the Bravia Engine 2 (not 3) and CCFL (fluorescent) back-lighting (not LED) so this isn't for those who must have the latest and greatest. None-the-less, it works very well and provides dark blacks, bright whites and realistic color. With good quality HD input, the picture is fantastic. Right now I'm watching the Avatar movie (BlueRay disk through a PS3) and I can't imagine the picture being any clearer or the colors any better. I was originally looking for an LED TV in order to get the brighter picture but I don't see any issue with this model using the CCFL back lighting.
This model is 120hz and has the Motionflow technology. It probably does a good job with high quality HD input. I watched a low resolution soccer game last night and the motion didn't look very good. I think this is probably a case of garbage in, garbage out so it doesn't concern me too much. This is probably pretty "normal" for LCD TVs running low res input.
We ran a game from the PS3 through the TV and that was pretty impressive. It takes the game to a whole new level going from a PC monitor to a 46" screen. Haven't tried music or pictures or a PC connection yet so I can't comment on those. They weren't high on my priority list (but I'm sure they will do what they are supposed to do). Many of the new TVs have internet features but this model is made for those who are looking for a good TV and don't care too much about some of the frills. I'd rather pay a lower price and do without some of the extra features. I can run my laptop through the TV if I want to see the internet on the big screen or play a PC game.
This TV has a relatively wide viewing angle for an LCD TV. The picture brightness remains good even when you view it on an angle. Reviews for most of the LCD TVs seem to pick on the sound as a weak point. I wasn't expecting theater-quality sound so my expectations weren't that high. I found the sound to be quite adequate in terms of sound quality and volume. If you want theater sound, then you can plug the audio-out into a sound system and get the powerful bass and sparkling highs.
You will want to adjust the settings after you start it up. Initially, I found the picture to be really weak and sort of washed out. I turned everything up and that helped but it still wasn't great. I was seriously thinking that maybe I would need to return it. Then I turned the Ambient Sensor off and wow, all of a sudden, everything looked great. I haven't fully sorted that out yet. I still had the protective plastic on the bezel so maybe that was interfering with the sensor. At this point, all I know is that it is working much better with it turned off. The Ambient Sensor and the LightSensor are both significant features of this TV so I will need to do some experimenting with them.
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