We have at times struggled to understand the philosophy behind Sony’s NX series of Bravia LCD TVs, which is sandwiched between the affordable EX (ESSENTIAL) range that appeals to those on a budget, and the HX (CINEMATIC) range that offers the best in picture quality from the Japanese TV manufacturer. Depending on which press release you read, over the past couple of years Sony has defined the NX moniker as PRESENCE (with an emphasis on design aesthetics) or NETWORK (focusing on connectivity). Either way, the Sony NX range has proved popular among television buyers, and its latest incarnation comes in the form of the NX723 series.
The HDTV we’re reviewing today – the Sony KDL-40NX723 – brandishes the company’s distinct Monolithic design, edge LED backlight technology, 100Hz motion, 3D capabilities, integrated Freeview HD tuner, and built-in wireless connectivity among its list of impressive specifications. Having never tested a Sony NX television to date, we’re obviously keen to find out how the LED LCD TV will fare in terms of picture performance.
Design
Tastefully sculpted in the mould of an enigmatic black slab, the Sony KDL-40NX723 is a beauty to look at even when switched off. A single sheet of Gorilla glass overlies both the LCD screen and the bezel, bestowing the TV with a breathtaking frameless design. Its minimalistic appearance is further enhanced by the sub-3-cm slenderness afforded by edge-mounted LED backlighting.
The illuminated Sony logo (when the KDL40NX723 is powered on) at the bottom of the panel is a classy touch. A swivelling pedestal stand featuring a brushed metallic finish is included within the shipping box – assembly is easy and straightforward (particularly when compared to Samsung’s LED TVs this year). Owners can also choose to spend an extra £180 on an opulent SU-B401S brushed aluminium stand that allows the TV to be reclined at a 6° angle, although the accessory’s most useful benefit comes in the form of an embedded 2.1 audio system with subwoofer to compensate for the utterly flimsy and soulless sound put out by the NX723’s on-board speakers.
Connections
Because of the slimness of the chassis, breakout adaptors are supplied for component and SCART connections. The infrared 3D sync transmitter is now built into the KDL-40NX723 (an improvement over last year’s 3DTV models from Sony), but users will still need to purchase a pair of compatible active-shutter 3D glasses (for example, the Sony TDG-BR100 or TDG-BR200) for extra-dimensional viewing.
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| 4 x HDMI, VGA, Component, SCART, aerial, ethernet & audio outs |
Thanks for the review. Just wondering if you thought the difference between the 100 Hz NX and the 200Hz HX series is a noticeable improvement. Are fast moving objects more clearly defined with the HX?
I have the 40 inch version of the EX725 (german version of the EX723 I guess) and I noticed that on my set the corners are brighter than the center of the screen, worst of them being the top left and bottom left corner, the top and bottom right are not bothering me.
My main concern is that it’s not only noticeable during dark scenes or when a fully black screen is shown (which wouldn’t bother me) but that it’s clearly perceivable in brighter scenes as well as during day time viewing in a rather bright room. Is this possible with backlight bleed/unevenness and should I get it exchanged or is it an entirely different fault? I never witnessed clouding/blacklight bleed during bright scenes or even during day time on another TV before. It’s annoying as I use the TV mainly for gaming and blu-ray over a PS3 and always looking at washed out/brighter colours on the left just isn’t much fun :-/
Sorry for being of topic here (at least it’s about a Sony), but I hope someone can help me :)
@steve: Both the NX723 and the HX723 achieved motion resolution of 1080 lines, but there is a possibility that the HX can go even higher (i.e. it’s limited only by the test pattern which tests for a maximum resolution of 1080 lines). However, from our experience, Sony’s 200Hz offers no significant advantage over 100Hz in real-life viewing.
@Paperclip: It does sound like backlight bleed, but it’s unusual to witness it in brighter scenes or a bright room unless your backlight is set too high or you’re using the dynamic/ vivid mode. Maybe you can try our calibrated settings here?
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.197089450335438.55635.110909255620125&type=1
Warmest regards
Vincent
@Vincent
Thanks for your reply. I am using your calibrated settings, both in Cinema and Game-Original mode. For daytime viewing I set the backlight to 7 and as it gets darker I reduce it to 5 or 4 depending on the ambient light in my room. I never use dynamic or vivid picture modes.
Sadly it is noticable during daytime and with bright content on screen. I displayed a 20 IRE image over my PS3 and it’s best seen here (as with all greyish content but also other colors) top and bottom left corners appear like 40 or 50 IRE although it should be 20.
While playing games or watching movies it mostly just looks like the left and right sides have washed out colours compared to the middle of the screen with the effect being strongest in the corners. I do know how clouding or backlight bleed/flashlights looks like but I’ve never noticed it during bright scenes or daytime viewing that’s why it’s puzzling me.
I try taking a picture and uploading it to some image host. Or could I maybe send you an e-mail, so you could take a quick look at it?
Thanks in advance for your time
Alex
@Vincent
I uploaded to pics, a 20IRE and a 0IRE fullscreen. Both were made with the backlight at max in a completely dark room for the purpose of stressing the issue. It’s still noticeable with lower backlight settings though, even at min, so that’s not the problem. I hope the links work ;-)
20IRE: http://www.hifi-forum.de/bild/20ire_119152.html
0IRE: http://www.hifi-forum.de/bild/0ire_119151.html
Greetings
Alex
@Vincent
Here are two pics, one with a 20IRE, another with 0IRE fullscreen.
20IRE:
http://www.hifi-forum.de/bild/20ire_119152.html
0IRE:
http://www.hifi-forum.de/bild/0ire_119151.html
Greetings
Alex
Thank you for the excellent review.
I am struggling at the moment between the 40EX723, 40HX723 and the 40NX723.
If the 200hz has no real world benefit over 100hz, does the X reality pro engine over the X reality?
I really like the NX723 design but if they all suffer edge bleed and motion is the same, then i think i am swaying towards the EX723 and saving some money, the crease does bother me. Not so much how it looks but the fact last years models didn’t have this “feature”. I am not going to be using 3D so this isn’t an issue.
What are your thoughts of the three models? Apart from design are they similar performance wise?
I unfortunately haven’t been able to see a HX723 for myself as no stores have them on display, but i have seen the NX (it had the crease) and the EX. The EX models blacks always seemed a little blue compared to the NX.
Does the NX models gorilla glass add anything other than design, strength and reflections?
Sorry for the 20 questions and thanks again for the excellent review.
I got the 46nx723 from Sony this weekend and have 1 question..
What is the best way to test if you have a “crease” in the tv? is there any simple way?
Thanks
@SonyDude
Get some some solid colour slides and put them onto usb, this is the best way to find the “crease” a bright red should do it.
Aaron
Thinking of getting a local dimming set HX923 or this model, would I able to tell a difference between picture quality in terms of black level, as they both the same measurement, according to your test.
In HX923, do you think its worth the huge extra, even though the black level is same as budget models, or it maybe your test did not re-create real life viewing, to ascertain black levels.
Babu
Bangla Babu@
The HX923 being full led backlit may have better uniformity, although have heard some have edge bleed. From what i hear the 100hz of the NX723 is enough to resolve all 1080 lines of motion. Black level wise the NX723 is excellent.
Its up to you but i would save my money and get the NX723.
Aaron
First of all, great review, as always!
Did your review unit suffer from banding? Read on forums that many 2011 Sonys and also Samsungs with S-PVA panels have banding issues.
Also, on your review of the Samsung 40C580 last year, on update #3, Nielo stated that the 1017 S-PVA panel has the “classic S-PVA banding” and that it “did significantly improve after 24 burn-in”.
I’m no expert, but what does “24 burn-in” mean exactly? Just displaying a full 100IRE white picture for 24 hours? My current TV has some banding and I would really like to know if I could lessen it somehow.
Also for my next TV I would really like to get a set without clouding/backlight bleed, banding and less input lag! I hope the manufacturers improve on those issues, especially Samsung. Sadly I think that I’m asking to much of them for their liking -.- lol.
Kind regards
Great review. Which one would you pick between this Sony and Panasonic TX-L37DT30? Thanks a lot!
Just a quick question. I know this isn’t related to this 3d tv. But I own the shrek collection in 3d. I play it on my ps3 and watch in on the Sony nx713 LCD. I’ve heard that the 2d versions of the movies are also available on the discs but there are no options to view them in 3d. The only thing I can do is turn the 3d effect off via the actual tv itself to view in 2d. Do I get a full 2d image this wa?
If any of you people are interested there is more AV discusion over here and you are all very welcome:
http://forums.hdtvtest.co.uk/index.php
Thanks
Barry.
Nice review, this NX723 is without a doubt one of the best tv’s i have come across in terms of picture quality, i love the Very readable menu, and also i can play many formats of video files,
Great Review! Many thanks for this. I was looking for the review for the NX713 which I own but this will do. Do you know of any real difference between the two models? I also noticed clouding but managed to fix this by tweaking the settings. Would be great if you have the calibrated settings for the 713.
Thanks again and keep posting those great reviews.
Hi, I know all individual TVs are different, but what settings did you change in white balance? Was it the gain or the bias? Am I correct in thinking, that raising the green bias +1 and the blue -1 would be correct? Thanks.