Sony KDL40W4500, KDL40X4500 Announced
By Vincent Teoh • Tuesday, 12 August 2008, 2:14 pm GMT
Update 16 November 2008: We have now completed a full review of the Sony KDL-40W4500.
Sony has issued a press release today which introduces the forthcoming W4500 and X4500 series of Bravia LCD HDTVs, all of which will feature their proprietary Motionflow 100Hz motion-compensated frame interpolation (MCFI) technology in one form or another. Here we outline the differences between the new and the existing models.
Sony KDL40W4500
The Sony KDL40W4500 is the next step up from their current multi-award-winning KDL40W4000 LCD television. The Sony W4500 range will offer the following extras over the W4000:
- Motionflow 100Hz technology
- Image Blur Reduction technology (probably frame interpolation with some algorithmic tweaks)
- Higher dynamic contrast ratio of 50,000:1 vs 33,000:1… hopefully this will translate into an even deeper black level than the already superb W4000
- DNLA media streaming capabilities, allowing you to view photos and listen to music from compatible networked devices
- Classier design: the linking bits from which the bottom speaker bar hangs seem to blend with the bezel more seamlessly
The Sony W4500 series will also be available in 46″ (KDL46W4500) and 52″ (KDL52W4500) screen sizes.
Sony KDL40X4500
A direct replacement for the outgoing X3500, the X4500 series will become the flagship range of Sony Bravia LCD TVs. The smallest one in the range, the Sony KDL40X4500, is actually inferiorly-specced compared to its larger siblings, but still offers the following advantages over the X3500:
- Hopefully better video processing (Bravia Engine 2 Pro vs Bravia Engine Pro)
- One extra HDMI port (four vs three)
- DLNA media streaming
Sony KDL46X4500
Here is where things really get interesting. The Sony KDL46X4500 and KDL55X4500 will be driven by RGB LED backlight, which – just like the Samsung F96 we reviewed last year – can dim down the light leakage from darker portions of the picture. This theoretically can allow the Sony KDL46X4500 and KDL55X4500 to achieve 0 cd/m2 true blacks… it’s no wonder that the dynamic contrast ratio for these LCD HDTVs has been quoted at an astounding 1,000,000:1.
The Sony KDL46X4500 and KDL55X4500 will also feature Motionflow PRO 100Hz technology (likely improved MCFI algorithm) and “backlight blinking” which is probably similar to Sharp’s [Action Mode] and Philips’ [Clear LCD] scanning backlight systems meant to reduce motion blur.
KDL46X4500 vs KDL40X4500 vs KDL40W4500
Here’s a table listing the key differences between these new models:
| Feature | X4500 (46″ & 52″) | 40X4500 | W4500 |
| Screen Size (inch) | 46, 55 | 40 | 40, 46, 52 |
| Bravia Engine | BE 2 PRO | BE 2 PRO | BE 2 |
| RGB LED Backlight | Yes | No | No |
| Dynamic Contrast Ratio | 1,000,000:1 | 50,000:1 | 50,000:1 |
| Deep Colour | Yes | Yes | No |
| MotionFlow | PRO 100Hz | 100Hz | 100Hz |
| HDMI Inputs | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Assist Woofer | Yes (only 46″) | Yes | No |
Exact pricing details remain unknown, although they should start appearing on the UK market from September onwards.
Too bad the 40” X4500 has no LED Backlight!
It would be nice to have a built in hard drive & PVR a la Loewe connect.
for X4500 (46″ & 52″), what will be the approximate price?
Must be at a reasonable price as there is now a huge selection of excellent tvs to choose from.I am very interested if the price compares with the previous X series.
Can’t wait for the review!!! I want to buy my first Flat Panel TV but cannot choose yet… Hesitating between Pioneer PDP-LX5090, new Sony 55X4500 and new Panasonic 58″… Prices and review will certainly help to decide!
Anyway, if someone could give me an advice… I’m using a Mediacenter, PS3, will watch Blu-Rays & DVDs as well as Standard Definition TV (Scaled & Processed by Mediacenter)… I don’t want to start a new post with Plasma against LCD (I think that both are great in their own areas) but I just want to make sure not to spend my money in the wrong screen (technology) according to my personal needs (usage?)…
Can someone tell me is the KDL 40X 3500 an excellent picture in analogue .
Teljac: I’m sorry but unfortunately I don’t think there’s any of the ones I’ve seen so far that have “excellent picture” with analogue signal.
Probably a few that will disagree but an analogue signal will probably always look best on a CRT since it’s blurred a bit…
Agreed with Swwedish Viking!
But if you absolutely want a Flat Screen with something acceptable go for a Plasma! I like Sony LCDs a lot (I’ll buy one if I don’t go for a plasma) but I’ve to admit that they don’t handle Standard Def very well…
Pioneer is the best for that I think…
desige is not good and expensive
they want £3500 for KDL-46X4500 pfffffff screw that just go and rob sonystyle store get it for free.
When will we see a test of KDL40W4500? This looks to be my next LCD
The feature is called DLNA (not DNLA) feature allows not only viewing photos and listening to music, but also watching movies from compatible networked devices. Which is really a revolution. Other TV vendors have DLNA as well, including Samsung and Pioneer.
SO when, when, when… can we get a detailed review of the a w4500 or x4500, this has to be the best among few places to read a proper well done review. HDTV,co,uk seems to have such a high and grand standard, i can’t buy a tv for my company with finding out your views,..so please an email or review and i would be gratful. coz i need to know if i should buy four kdl40×3500 or five kdl40w4500?????? it seems like the only upside on the 40×3000 is the s-force sound but what of the picture, eh? i need to hear it from the best online
I’ve enquired about the KDL40X4500 and Sony customer helpline say it’s been discontinued, to be replaced by the kdl40ZX4500, yet if you ring a Sony franchise they say they are waiting on delivery, and Sony style say they don’t know anything about this model, I’m desperately seeking this model, and would like to know what’s going on, is it available in this country, if so who has it and how much, otherwise I’ll have to purchase the KDL40W4500, help!
I contacted sony last year about 46X3500 they said they didnt know anything about this model, what do they teach them at sony…… anyway there are 46X4500,s on pricerunner for £3500, thats 1 1/2 times the price of the PDP-LX5090……. what do you get for the extra dough…..
After reading the KDL40W4000 review that Vincent gave the thumbs up to, I am surprised to read other reviews and forum posts saying how appalling the upgraded model - KDL46W4500 is! Apparently many are claiming “pools of leaking light spilling across the picture” which cause an inconsistent picture, lack of depth and background detail. See one review here: http://www.trustedreviews.com/tvs/review/2008/10/28/Sony-Bravia-KDL-46W4500-46in-LCD-TV/p1
I would have thought the migration from W4000 - W4500 would only have seen a handful of tweaks such as 100hz and DNLA connectivity. Surely there can’t be such a massive gulf between the actual panels and an issue this significant would have been picked up on the W4000?
Have you heard about this Vincent or seen a KDL46W4500 to clarify? Surely not a myth as reviews and owners alike have commented on it.
A full review of this set would be fantastic - especially since prices are dropping to a more affordable level, making it available to all.
iv got a sony kdl-40w4500u hd picture great sd picture good i will give 9/10
Only 9/10?????????????