Sony KDL40V3000 Review Conclusion

Pros

• True 1080p/24 handling without resorting to internal 2:3 conversion nor interpolation
• Revealing shadow detail portrayal especially for an LCD television
• Capable of exquisite detail retrieval and presentation with [Full Pixel] 1:1 mapping
• Greyscale tracks extremely close to D65 after calibration (but requires service menu access; see Cons)
  
• Ample connectivity (3 x HDMI, etc.)
• Settings can be saved independently for each input
• User menu and channels can be navigated speedily
• Relatively inexpensive price (£750 for a Full HD LCD TV, a Sony no less)

Cons

• Black level not as deep as the best examples of SPVA panels like the Sony W3000/ X3500 and Samsung M86/ F86
• Undefeatable auto-dimming when the content on screen is black/ near-black
• No white balance controls available in the user menu, which means that service menu access is required for greyscale calibration
• Standard-definition video processing only average (soft scaling, limited jaggies reduction)
• Colours can look a touch oversaturated
  
• Some low-level motion smearing in dark scenes especially if the source is poor
• Digital TV info banner placed poorly at the top of the screen

Conclusion

The Sony KDL40V3000 retains some of the best traits we have come to expect from Bravia LCD televisions manufactured by this Japanese electronic giant. It is one of the few LCD TVs on the market that can handle 1080p/24 video signals smoothly without needing to resort to internal 2:3 conversion nor frame interpolation. Also, shadow detail and fine HD detail presentation on the Sony KDL40V3000 rank among the very best any LCD television can offer.

But some compromises have had to be made to achieve the frankly remarkable price of £750 for a full HD 1920x1080 LCD TV... a Sony no less. Calibrated black level on the Sony KDL40V3000 is nowhere near those found on W3000/ X3500 series, which makes the undefeatable auto-dimming all the more obvious and distracting when the content on screen turns black or nearly black for more than a few seconds. White balance controls have been omitted from the user menu so greyscale calibration needs to be performed from the service menu, and the colour gamut is not as accurate as those implemented on higher-range Bravias.

At the end of the day, the Sony KDL40V3000 is an above average rather than outstanding LCD panel, with its biggest appeal being its relatively inexpensive price.