Sony KDL40Z5500 Launched

Update 7 November 2009: We have now completed a full review of the Sony KDL40Z5500.

Sony have launched their Bravia Z5500 series which — as indicated by the model name — will directly succeed their critically acclaimed Sony Z4500 series, though word has it that the Z4500 will still continue to be sold alongside the Z5500. The Sony Z5500 range of Bravia HDTVs will be available in three sizes, namely the 40-inch Sony KDL40Z5500, the 46-inch Sony KDL46Z5500, and the 52-inch KDL52Z5500.

Just like the Z4500 series, all the LCD televisions in the Sony Bravia Z5500 series will feature full HD 1920 x 1080 panels, and of course Sony’s Motionflow 200Hz motion-compensated frame interpolation (MCFI) technology (which helped the Z4500 achieve the highest motion resolution we have ever recorded on an LCD TV to date). Whilst on the Z4500 series this did not translate into any drastic improvement during subjective viewing when compared to the Motionflow 100Hz found on the W4500 series, perhaps things may be better with the Sony Z5500 series.

Sony KDL40Z5500

Sony KDL40Z5500

On paper, the Sony KDL40Z5500 offers the following extras over the KDL40Z4500:

  • Applicast internet widget function;
  • One additional HDMI input (4 vs 3);
  • Expanded DLNA media streaming;
  • Reduced power consumption; and
  • The latest version of Bravia video processing (Bravia Engine 3 vs BE 2).

Based on our experiences with Sony’s 2009 Bravia LCD models (specifically the W5500 series), the Sony KDL40Z5500 200Hz LCD HDTV should also sport these improvements over the Z4500:

  • Inclusion of user-accessible white balance and gamma controls; and
  • Eradication of undefeatable edge enhancement on 1080 content.

Interestingly, the Sony KDL40Z5500 retains a 10-bit panel and WCG-CCFL backlight which is very good news indeed — as a consequence of these features being “downgraded” (to an 8-bit panel and only CCFL backlight) on the W5500 series, the colour gamut was not as accurate according to our measurements.

The Sony KDL40Z5500 LCD television is expected to hit UK stores sometime in July, with an RRP of around £1,800… hardly an alluring price in these times of economic uncertainty, but we’ll reserve judgement until we get our hands on a review sample.

42 comments

  1. Do you think sony has fixed the problems from KDL40Z5500 on this new model regarding the 200 mhz button?

  2. What about switching to 100mhz during Game Mode?
    I know it happened while using ps3/x360 in this mode – instead of well advertised 200mhz, users could count only on 100mhz.

  3. Im wondering when this new TV will be reveiwed. Hopefully it will be soon. I hope as well it is not £1800 when it is released in July cuz that is a fortune. So im hoping it is atleast a few hundred lower

  4. I just wait your review ! I am now in balance between Sony KDLxxZ5500 and the latest plasma from Panasonic PxxV10 ! I have checked an V10 in the store with SD input from local digital cable supplier and I was totaly disapointed !! I hope for Sony !

  5. Well I have got one and have to say it is better than the 4500 as I had the old z. All I ask is you do us all a favour and post the settings every set I have had your settings really bring out the best picture. I am in the trade so have had a few Sony sets x z and now the new z the only down side I can see is the sound it is good but still nothing like the old x3500….

  6. Just wondering how these stack up against the new LED TVs…KDL40WE5B for example?

  7. Gabriel if you look around you can pick up a samsung ps850 plasma and it’s a 50 inch model for the same price as the z5500 and a couple of hundred more than the 42 v10.

    Flat panels dk have a very good review online. They said it’s mostly on a par with the v10 but is far better in a bright room.

  8. Did you allready scheduled a preview? I’am very interested to konw if the z5500 got the good d65 grayscale and good primary chromaticities like z4500 plus extram stuff. If so i know what my next TV is.

  9. How much longer do we have to wait for a review on the Z5500. I would expect you’d be jumping at the chance to review only the most eagerly anticipated & talked about top end, high spec HDTV’s. :) Everyones going crazy over them. There are lots of us over at avforums aswell. lol anyways. thanks again

  10. P.S – this TV has a 10 bit panel which is unrestricted unlike the W5500 with BE3. I heard a rumour it may also sport builtin freesat tuner in the next lot they sell, but there are such currently high stocks available, they are going cheaper than £1800.00 RRP… I also heard that the inpug lag is very low, an fellow avforums owners can’t notice difference with any FPS, beatem up, MMORPG, etc… Another exciting feature is the low power switch.

    We are still waiting to hear how good the SD is over previous sony’s. I’m wanting to know if’t it’s worth the upgrade over my 40W4000, for the faster gaming responses, & the SD, as SD on mine is poor even at 10 feet. It’s blurry & noisy & I usze it at the HDTV recommended settings.
    Sorry for long post, just wanted to get that across. This is such an exciting year for HDTV’s really getting good!

  11. p.s – sorry, just one more thing, really, just one more thing. If it’s any constellation, I’m using my TV with SkyHD, but since there are only a couple of SkyHD channels & freeview suddenly getting worse broadcast signals, I’m very limited for choice. Thjis is why I’m hoping that Z5500 will be a big improvement over mine with fast input, no lag, better colour gradience with panel type, better blacks, better motion, but most importantly for me SD. phew, thanks the last time…
    byye

  12. Dears, indeed every one is waiting your review ! As Jamie underlined, the HD channels offer is very limited in this moment and most of the time we are stuck on SD TV programs ! It will be very helpfull if you will check a large screen TV like 46Z5500 or even 52Z5500 with SD TV signal ! A small TV like 40 inch will not reveal the SD problems as a big one ! Please do not keep us with our breath taken too long ! We are turning blue !
    Thank you in advance!

  13. I received my new 40″ kdl-40z5500 TV & I must say Im a little disappointed with it. I upgraded from a 32″ Philips Ambilight 32PF9731D & I have to admit that for picture sharpness in SD, the Philips is better. Im going back to my retailer to see if theres anything I can do, but some of the SD, & actually the Sky HD channels appear to be a blurry or “fuzzy”. the motion, is out ofthis world, with the 200Hz motionflow, but as it stands, its almost as though theyve concentrated on getting this bit righth & havent paid as much attention to picture sharpness. There is a “sharpness” level that you can tweak & I have this set to max,, but as I say Im a little bit disappointed with the overall picture quality.

    On the other hand, I watched Sky Sports 2 last night, a Champ lgue game & it was out of this world. I couldnt fault it, but if I flicked back to normal BBC1 through Sky, it was poor. Flicked to another HD channel & it wasnt the best. I know Sky ships out some channels that are HD, but arent, (if you know what I mean) e.g Sky Sports News on HD1 isnt proper HD.

    So as a consumer, Im a little confused with what I think of it (so far). On one channel its amazing. On other channels, the Philips was better & the picture looks poor.

    the menus are easy to use, as is the controller. Ill let you know if the Sony Centre finds a way to improve the SD channels, e.g better HDMI cable, but Im not so sure

  14. Just a word of warning to new owners of the Z5500-it arrives with POWER SAVING set to LOW in the ECO part of settings. This does in fact take the edge off the picture quality. Set it to off, and the PQ is pin sharp.

  15. Hopefully there will be a review soon!

  16. Jojo, it seems that you already own a Z550 !? If yes, please share us your impressions as Vincent is already one month late with his review ! Please let us know which one do you have and how is handling SD in normal day by day life !
    James, please let us know if the suggestion from Jojo worked out !

  17. I have my 46Z5500 noe 2 days and its absolutly fantastic!!!

    SD is excellent… and also the playback from my dvd-recorder in longplay is fine. The TV has a very good scaler engine!!

    On area-dvd is a review in german and they say it is the new masterpiece!

  18. I wonder whether the Z5500 of James is a real one with Bravia Engine 3. I’ve seen some some damn cheap Z5500 models shipping for €500,- with BE2 instead, which are known to have crappy SD.

    But I also watched a 40Z5500 in a store with ugly unnaturally smoothened faces, probably due to the external decoder, the (component) signal or a bad setting on the set. The salesman was not able to get it right. So a good review would clear some things up I suppose…

  19. Dears, an Sony Z5500 at 500 Euro is a fake for sure! In Romania, in Sony store, an KDL 52Z5500 is about 2800 Euro and an 46Z5500 is 2300 Euro ! So… avoid cheap stuff !!
    How can we ceck if it is BE 3 or not ??? Just by trusting Sony !?

  20. I ordered my 46″ in an official sony retailer for 1650€.

    Here is the link to the german review: http://area-dvd.de/hardware/2009/sony_kdl_z5500.shtml

  21. Jonathan Meadowcroft

    Google Translation of the Area DVD review! Mine arrives this Friday!

    The Sony KDL-Z4500 is rated 2008 with our Masterpiece seal. A few days ago, not quite a year ago is the test of the Z4500, introduced us to the successor of Sony KDL-Z5500 in 52 “version, which costs 2.999 EUR (EIA), the practice test. Are a result of the standards-setting predecessor of our expectations and requirements if the KDL-Z4500 on the diagonal was significantly smaller) to the new panel of the Bravia series high. Sony is once again on a WCG-CCFL display, equipped with “Live Color Creation” and the “Bravia Engine 3 “It will ensure optimum contrast and vivid, natural colors. Even Sony’s Motionflow 200Hz technology is integrated in the panel and is optimum motion reproduction and conjure crisp images onto the display. Multimedia fans are over the existing DLNA connectivity and USB Media Player be pleased: photos, music and videos can be played over a network or external USB media on the Sony TV. Whether Sony in the area of large LCD displays once again sets the standard, is in the following report.

    The new Bravia presents simple and noble. The have not only supported when compared to its predecessor, small frame slim appearance. Gap dimensions are accurate and uniform. A sturdy stand made of black acrylic and deactivation illuminated SONY logo in the lower frame area round off the overall impression of the noble and interpret an indication that we have here is a device of the 3000 Euro-do class. The connectors are firmly fitted and not to weaken even after repeated plugging. The included remote control is indeed on the optical design is no design miracle, but boasts the most robust processing. 5 years warranty for the slanted BRAVIA buyers are also always worth a mention here SONY speaks clear words: “We stand behind our product. Overall in relation to the price category: Excellent.

    Rear connections:
    • 2x HDMI
    • Component video
    • 2x SCART
    • VGA
    • Stereo RCA In
    • Optical In

    Side ports:
    • 2x HDMI
    • CVBS
    • Stereo RCA In
    • USB 2.0
    • Ethernet
    • Headphones
    • CI slot

    The connectivity options are preisklassentechnisch excellent. The mandatory terminals joined by a USB and Ethernet port, whose functions we will examine later, of course, accurate. Not installed a Sony Digital Media Port, on the KDL-52Z4500 was found that too, but then we missed a fourth HDMI port. Meanwhile, there are also in the price range of 5500 including flat with five HDMI inputs – the connection assembly sets standards do not differ. Rating connections in relation to the price category: very good – excellent.

    After the first start you first select your language and location, the other is a special site be chosen. “Business” and “accommodation” to choose from, with the mode “business” (for the average user in any case not of interest to some settings) are regularly reset. After this brief introductory setup an automatic channel scan via cable or antenna can be started. Upon successful completion of the Channel search a configuration of the ecological setting is made to save the various options: energy, TV stand for non-use, PC-power management and light sensor. In addition, may, at the conclusion of the initial setup “guide” are installed and loaded. Guide is a free 7-day program guide. One has the introduction of the SONY TV setup is complete and ready for use immediately have performed the channel scan, depending on the analog or digital TV picture is displayed.

    Before we take the various menu controls under the microscope, we take a brief look at the Remote: Sony Remote RM-ED019 is from an ergonomic point of view very well in hand, the navigation cross is fitted centrally and within easy reach. Also, the playback and program change buttons are excellent in size and pressure point. Without an overload of buttons all the important functions to find a place, we particularly like the lighting of all the existing remote control buttons. Are not included in the lighting more, by a hidden sliding mechanism, operation buttons for other devices such as “Rec”, “Rec Pause” or similar. The range is good and even at a very oblique angle of the TV responds perfectly. In addition to the remote control are on the right side of the device stationary mounted controls. These include: On / off, program change, volume control, according to the HOME button on the remote control, Enter (equivalent to pressing the navigation cross the remote control) and an Energy Saving Switch.

    The Menüführumn the KDL-52Z5500 is divided. Through the “Options” on the remote side will open a popup with some basic settings for picture and sound, and other important settings. Pressed to open the “Home” button of the Sony Xross Media Bar known XMB menu.
    Input Select: currently selected input is shown

    Picture Mode: This can easily preset the video will be selected EQ Standard / users / Brilliant.
    Standard, Neutral, high-contrast image; authentic Farbsaturation
    Users: Users: Regarding the brightness slightly darker image, very warm.
    Brilliant, Increasing the brightness and contrast, slight sharpening, color a little pop

    Normal values: The Sony can be reset to factory settings

    Backlight: In the 1st steps of 0-10

    Contrast: The 1st steps of 0-100

    Brightness: In the 1st steps of 0-100

    Color: 1st in increments of 0-100

    Color:

    Color Temperature: Neutral/Warm1/Warm2/Kalt

    Sharpness: The 1st steps of 0-30

    Dynamic Noise Reduction: Off / Low / Medium / High

    MPEG Noise Reduction: Off / Low / Medium / High

    Motion Flow: Off / Standard / High

    Movie Mode: Aus/Automatisch1/Automatisch2

    Other settings:
    Normal values: Reset to Factory Settings
    Black Correction: Off / Low / Medium / High
    Conn. boosts contrast: Off / Low / Medium / High
    Gamma: -3 to 3
    Auto Lichtbegrenzer: Off / Low / Medium / High
    White-emphasis: Off / Low / High
    Color Space: Standard / Wide; mode “Far” delivers richer, almost poppy colors
    Vibrancy:
    White balance is a very useful feature if you want) to calibrate precisely for instance, using the white point color Facts:
    Red Gain from -20 to 0
    Green gain from -20 to 0
    Blue Gain from -20 to 0
    Red bias from -10 to 10
    Green bias from -10 to 10
    Blue bias from -10 to 10

    Ton

    Input Select: currently selected input is shown

    Sound Mode: Standard / Dynamic / Clear Voice

    Treble: -12 to 12

    Depth: -12 to 12

    Balance L / R

    Auto Volume Off / On

    Surround: Off / S-Force Front Surround

    Voice Highlight: -5 to 5

    Sound Enhancement: On / Off

    Sound enhancer: Off / Low / High

    Two-tone: Stereo / A / B

    PIP / PAP

    Picture in Picture, Picture-against-Picture

    AppliCast

    Equivalent to Yahoo’s Widget TV

    Device Control

    Menu options and contents list of other controllable components

    Speakers

    TV speakers

    Audio System

    Motionflow
    High / Standard / Off

    Off Timer
    15/30/45/60/90/120 minutes

    Save energy
    Off / Low / High / image

    Xross Media Bar (remote control button “Home”)

    In addition to the “Options” brings the SONY with the XMB, some functions can be also above the “Options” status, but offers more detailed options Xross Media Bar. The best of SONY system is concise and easy to use. Horizontal menu is selected the top dot, in consequence of the vertical adjustment point.

    Preferences

    System Update: Firmware Update

    Operating Instructions: Complete instructions for using the digitized KDL-52Z5500

    Bravia Tips: explanation Bravia internal functions

    Clock / Timer: switch-off and Einschalttimer 15/30/45/60/90/120, Automatic Uhraktualisierung with existing Internet

    Normal values: save energy, low / high / off, TV stand for non-Off / 1,2,3 hours; PC power management on / off, light sensor reset / off; the factory settings

    Image: Equivalent image in the “Options”

    Sound: Does sound in “Options”

    Setting the screen: input selection, image format Smart / 4:3 / Wide/Zoom/16: 9 / 14: 9, AutoFormat on / off (4:3 code aus/4/3/Smart), display area Autom / 1/-1 / -2/Normal, H. position -5 to 5, V. position -5 to 5, amplitude of 0-10 V.

    Video settings: x.v. Color Auto / x.v. Color / Normal Photo Color Space sYCC / AdobeRGB / sRGB

    Audio settings: Speaker TV / Audio System, Audio Output Variable / Fixed, headset settings, Optical Output Auto / PCM

    Preferences:
    o USB autostart slideshow / thumbnails / Off, Quick Function Early morning 4:00-7:00 / 7:00 to 11:00 in the morning, etc. is (Turning on the TV brisk, but increases the standby power consumption of 0.19 Watts at 16 , 5 watt)
    o AV settings (to specify inputs and disable), AV2 input Auto / RGB / S-Video / Video, AV2 Output Auto / RGB / S-Video / Video,
    o HDMI Basic Settings: Control for HDMI on / off, auto switch-off devices on / off, auto switching TV on / off, tuner box control Normal / Advanced HDMI device list (see it via HDMI connected devices)
    o reinitialization
    o Logo Illumination On / Off
    o Language: German, English, Espanol, etc.
    o Product
    o Restore Factory Settings

    Analog settings: assign program list display On / Off, Direct On / Off, Favorite setting, auto search, programs, program name, Intelligent Picture Off / On / On with the show

    Digital settings: Basic Settings Subtitles Off / Standard / hearing impaired

    Analog settings: assign program list display On / Off, Direct On / Off, Favorite setting, auto search, programs, program name, Intelligent Picture Off / On / On with the show

    Digital settings: Basic Settings Subtitles Off / Standard / hearing impaired

    Set default language

    Audio Preferences: Audio Type Standard / hard of hearing, default language, audio description off / on, mixed levels from -15 to 15, Volume Adjustment Standard / compressed, MPEG-volume -10 to 0

    Digital scan: Auto Arrange search, programs, manual digital scan, LNA on / off

    Radio display random / slideshow / Red / Green / Blue / Off

    Parental Control with PIN

    PIN code set

    Technical Settings: Auto Services. Update on / off, system update on / off, adjust the system info, time zone, Autom summer / winter time, service exchanges Off / On, program guides Guide

    CAM-setting when inserted CAM

    Network Settings: Obtain automatically after connecting a LAN cable via DHCP, the IP address and router information or set IP, DNS, gateway parameters manually

    Select Server Settings
    • Server Diagnostics
    • Renderer function On / Off
    • Renderer Access Control
    • Render settings: Automatic access permission on / off, renderer name BRAVIA KDL-52Z5500

    Photo

    Frames: Use it as a frame set, the Sony panel, the duration of the advertisement

    Bravia images: Sample Pictures

    Music and video are top points, but the multimedia features reserved

    Digital (Tuner)

    Favorites: Favorite stations can be set in 4 different lists

    Guide: GUIDE EPG

    Channel List

    Analog (Tuner)

    Favorites

    Guide: GUIDE EPG

    Channel List

    External inputs

    HDMI1/2/3/4

    AV1/2/3

    Component

    PC

    Network

    AppliCast: widget application, closer in network and multimedia

    Using AppliCast: Introduction AppliCast

    Analog Clock: analog clock next to TV picture

    Calendars: calendar next to TV picture

    Overall configuration, setup and operation in relation to the price class: Excellent – perfect.

    The Sony KDL-52Z5500 has the side through a USB port. After connecting a USB stick to the TV you select on the XMB play the desired format photo, music or video. Here appears in all three points, the display “USB Flash Memory” and selecting a folder list of available files on the USB stick will be displayed.

    Music: If there are MP3 files on your drive and scan it played with no load time. If you press the option key shows back in at the right side is a pop-up menu:
    • audio options: tone (leading to the above-described sound settings), speakers TV / audio system
    • Play options: Play target individual titles / all tracks, Repeat on / off, shuffle on / off
    • To slide show (here you can add selectively add MP3 files to a folder so that it ready for music to the visual slide show are available).
    • File information: song number, song name, artist name, album name, genre, year, file name, size, duration, bit rate, copy

    All MP3 files are played without compromise, the information displayed like in size.

    Photo: A smooth playback of JPEG files is given, high image resolution, but provide a small quality (10 MP image approximately 6 seconds). Other formats are not specified as being supported by Sony, and could therefore not be played.

    Options:

    • Image options: Image (leading to the above picture settings), video settings (see Options menu)
    • Play options: slideshow effect fades / simple slide show music / USB / choice of music (from various angeschlössenen devices / network)
    Slideshow speed fast / medium / slow, repeat on / off, shuffle on / off
    Pruning / without zooming and cropping, high quality / fast
    Map using GPS (Internet access must be given)
    • Slideshow
    • File Options
    o Information: File number, folder, file name, date / time, resolution, protection, manufacturer, model, focal length, aperture, exposure bias, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, flash mode
    o Turn + Save: Rotate clockwise turning against the UZS, rotate 180 degrees
    o Frames are: image for the mode originally painted with ready
    In addition to the above image options has the ability to change different imaging characteristics. Image Options -> Image mode presets, the user opens the “Photo-Standard, Photo-Original, Photo-user” and “Photo-Brilliant.
    Unlike the default mode offers the original mode subscribed softer, warmer image. The contrast is somewhat weaker, detail, however, be equated. The Brilliant mode both brightness and contrast is drawn, the focus is raised. Details are clearly visible, however, creates a very unnatural image.

    Video: According to Sony, the KDL-52Z5500 MPEG1, MPEG2 can, and play back AVCHD files. Our first example MPEG1 video recognizes the TV and play it off easily and without hesitation.

    The video options are:
    • Image options / audio options, see “Options”
    • Play options: Play target individual clips / all clips, repeat on / off, shuffle on / off
    • Restart: playing video again
    • Next Chapter: Chapter information in the video file necessary
    • Previous Chapter
    • File Options: Information: File number, folder, file name, date / time, resolution, protection, permanent

    With Sony’s new AppliCast function users can access via the TV in a convenient widget. Even without an Internet connection can be displayed next to the tuner picture an analog clock and a calendar. By connecting the device to the Internet, to display five widgets: An alert for the timely notification of appointments, a calculator, a world clock, a new picture frames to use the TVs as a picture frame and an RSS reader to retrieve current news on websites .

    After we connected our test device via Ethernet to our network, the additional widgets to appear automatically. Further installations are not required here. In the menu of the XMB (Home on the remote control), we move to the last point “network” and choose to use the item “AppliCast. A brief moment and we receive a screen layout: the left two thirds takes the currently selected tuner program claim that AppliCast widgets are in the right third. It will display all available widgets on the display, irrelevant of the previously selected item in the home menu. However, widgets can be selected easily moved manually in their position, or be completely removed from the list. Pressing the button “Options” with activated AppliCast opened this pedestrian options. Preset as an RSS feed on the Bravia KDL-52Z5500-product news, of course, the RSS reader on the personal desires of the user can be configured to “Options” here gives another point prepared to do the widget settings. In addition to the RSS feed URL of the view (list view or element view / picture view) can be changed, the display color can be changed to blue, black or pink.

    The KDL-52Z5500 can also stream data from the PC – so PC audio and video files will find their way onto the flat screen. Windows Vista Home Premium, the data streaming works extremely simple – but our first AntiVir firewall blocked the connection between PC and TV. After this, we briefly de-activated, was directly established a connection. Our request to all processes involved in network software and hardware providers: The compatibility issue should simply be written even greater. With PCM Audio, MP3 and JPEG files, the Sony had no problems. AAC files are not the KDL-52Z5500 again. Regarding the video playback, it does not looked so good: Neither WMA, or AVI or MPEG-2 were detected with streaming.

    Conclusion: Except for the device that does not exist in our support for streaming video of the Sony delivers excellent performance, the AppliCast Integration has succeeded, the USB function perfectly. Overall in relation to the price range: excellent – excellent.

    Consideration of the EQ and the various video image fields

    The Sony is equipped with the standard image fields, users, and Brilliant. User replaced the “Cinema” mode of previous devices. The canned image field settings are:

    Standard: Backlight 5, Contrast 90, Brightness 50, Color 55, Color Temp. Neutral, sharpness 15, Dyn Low Noise, Low MPEG Noise Reduction, Motion Flow Standard

    Users: Backlight 4 Contrast 90, Brightness 50, Color 50, Color Temp. Warm2, Sharpness Min, Dynamic Noise Reduction Off MPEG noise reduction off, Motionflow Standard

    Brilliant: Backlight Max, Max Contrast, Brightness 45, Color 60, Color Temp. Cold, sharpness 20, Dynamic Noise Reduction funds, MPEG-Low Noise, High Flow Motion

    Burosch Test BD, 1080p, “Gray Steps” and “Faces”

    Gray-scale: In the standard picture mode are neatly worked out all the subtleties in contrast, only the upper black area, the differentiation could be even better. Double contours are practically not available, to avoid them completely, the sharpness still about 3-4 steps are reversed. In the user mode, the contrast is still a better differentiation of Deuteronomy, the slight weakness in the black area is eliminated here, and a complete differentiation of the blocks without difficulty. The warm color temperature is a matter of taste, and for us a little too much, Warm1 instead Warm2 here seems a good choice. In “Brilliant” receives a very cold a sharp, crystal-image. Double contours are clearly visible, unfortunately, the blocks are partly white and completely in the black area is no longer differentiable.

    Faces: The faces of the two ladies work in standard mode durchzeichnet very well by the high sharpness of the hair of the two can be finely differentiated. Also facial contours are well identified and the image depth is high. The color reproduction seems authentic, the skin tones are very realistic. Here the picture in the user mode slips a bit off to créme-beige, the skin tones drift thereby change something in his brown and earthy. Again, we can confirm a better color reproduction when choosing the color temperature “warm 1”. The plasticity adheres to a very good level, the necklace of the blonde lady stands still extremely well off of their skin. Withdrawn by the sharpness of the coloration of facial contours and the differentiation of hair does not quite optimal, an increase in the sharpness value is recommended. The Brilliant mode is not recommended here. The image is very bright, authenticity of skin tones is no longer given. Also the sharpness is tightened. The color reproduction is lost very pop, very fine details of facial contours pass through the maximum image brightness.

    The Sony also has Motionflow 200 Hz for optimal motion reproduction of interlace material:

    • Adjustable in 3 levels: Off, Standard or High. The work of the 200 Hz feature is best seen in image content with very rapid movements (such as sports broadcasts) action films. Movements appear much sharper, both the moving object and the static background image look clearer. There will be less fraying – otherwise it was sometimes observed that during fast movements, the contours of a moving object were no longer clearly defined.

    Blu-ray image quality, Pirates of the Caribbean 1, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Casino Royale, in playback 1.080p/24 Hz, picture mode, “users” with the following changes: color temperature “Warm1” Sharpness “12” Motion Flow ” Off

    Pirates of the Caribbean: The Galionsschiff rises vividly clear in the fog, the wear of the rail, at the little girl stands, is drawn very realistically. Impressive, the Sony is working up to the close-up details and implications of the girl out of the dense fog, then fog streaks are still dimly visible in the foreground. The skin tones of the characters work perfectly authentic. A brown and earthy impact is not visible, on the contrary, whether Caucasian or a darker complexion, both are excellently depicted realistically. After a jump to Chapter 2, like the liquid wave motion and the glossy effects on the sea surface. When you turn on Jack Sparrow on its mast, the coloration is very good on the facial contours, even the dark areas of an image on the collar and the shoulders are finely resolved and inspire you with detail. As Jack passes on the three hanged pirates, the KDL-52Z5500 is working out details in all areas of excellent contrast, even in the darkest areas here can still make out the texture of the rocks.

    Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: The 24p playback seems to meet the excellent Sony TV, an improvement is hardly possible. The Motionflow technology will be also appear footage still liquid, but especially interlaced and / or SD material. In BDs, we would not use motion flow, because the Sony excels in native 24p playback in highest measure. We have yet again switched on the Motion Flow mode “Standard” and found no further improvement, on the contrary, it can eg to edge Schlieren come to the contours of a moving car. With high-quality playback 24p should therefore be dispensed with Motion Flow. The 24p image stability is among the best of what the market currently offers, including high-frequency image details are very stable and are clearly durchzeichnet. Flickering in the approach itself is not available. As in Chapter 2, the hangar doors open the AREA 51 shows us the KDL-52Z5500 can be back in the contrast range and the outstanding image depth. Signal depth of the boxes are well designed, the extra high detail in all areas of the image supports the plasticity of the panel to a large extent.

    Casino Royale: The camera pans over the crowd succeeded in pure 24p playback again excellent, even here we have discovered problems at edges with Motionflow switched technology. Plasticity in all planes will fascinate the eye, examples are the snake amidst the people, the car wreck on the right side and lying on the corrugated iron roofs tires at the margin. As noted the villain’s shading and Daniel Craig, the camera next to the charred wooden beams in the focus increases, shows a distinct coloration of the beam structured such as we have seen only rarely. Even the most delicate subtlety and uneven stands out the panel. Of course, the Sony show the features of 007 same performance: small pits are clearly visible and even the skin of impurities, which lie in the shade of the shirt collar to identify, are. According to the prosecution by the lush jungle section and the flight of the enemy from 007 to the site, the natural development of the rust of the structural work is excellent. Again, we can signal depth, while praising the scene of the fight on the crane, only in the highest terms.

    De-interlacing and upscaling for DVDs: Star Wars Episode III and ‘AVEC Test DVD, “fed, a 576i signal via HDMI, Motion Flow,” Standard ”

    Star Wars Episode III, Chapter 1, footage 576i

    The upscaling and deinterlacing of the Sony KDL-52Z5500 demonstiert uncompromising strength. On many night sky, the letters are stable and calm to the rear, a weakening of the rich yellow is no way to detect Buchstabenäußeren too. Minimal noise at the edges of the letters can be seen, but this is so slight that it strikes only the very experienced user. After the last few lines of text on the screen are gone over and the camera pans to the Star Destroyer, welcomes us a stable image with little edge flares on the bridge, MPEG-hold noise is very clear and stands out only in the red region of the destroyer. Surface details of the vessel are worked out in spite of the 576i signal is still very good. It is striking how calm and stable are the contours of the small spaceplane, which are Obi-Wan and Anakin. When bending the hunter opened itself to the audience an excellently tiefengestaffeltes picture, the various destroyers, indeed, seems to float above Coruscant, and not resting on the planet surface. At very nimble movements, such as the spaceships in battle, and emerges from the edge flares to light, but the overall picture is resting on an extraordinary level. Even details in the faces of the protagonists are drawn out from the 576i footage still excellent, the color reproduction of skin tones is at a similarly high level as in the Blu-ray playback. Accounting for the Sony here is for an LCD monitor standards and has some good BD or DVD player sovereign in their place.

    AVEC Professional Test DVD, video footage 576i

    • works in different speeds on different colored backgrounds: Almost perfect! All speeds are excellent read, and spent almost no noise artifacts. Here, Sony’s Motion Flow feature shows what it can do: Was she still wanted at 1080p24 playback, it seems to have found its true destiny. The difference is immense, without Motionflow is here at all speeds, noise and detect flicker, the setting “default” almost completely eradicates this out and conjures up a clean, clear, stable picture on the display. Between Motion Flow “Standard” and “high” can not really differentiate more clearly recognize itself in providing the fastest speed of the scrolling text “standard” an almost optimal performance. <<
    • pendulum in different speeds: The swinging pendulum in turn, reveals a very good performance. Such a stable pendulum line, we were able to admire now only very few LCD displays. Even the arrow head is very stable with few approaches of steps, of course, are the colored bars in the arrow at all speeds clearly differentiable. Here, too, is made by Sony’s Motion Flow, when a shutdown function to occur significantly more steps on the edge of the arrow and the line is generally much less stable. Only minimal tightening of the arrowhead is visible despite Motionflow switched.
    • cityscape Esslingen: Even the last of the three moving test patterns can be an excellent rating in terms of preventing upscaling and deinterlacing not. The overall picture is wonderfully quiet, even the top of the wall remain flicker-free. A lush greenery covering the meadow, the paving of roads contribute based on the source material very well differentiable.

    Digital TV Tuner

    ZDF Germany hub, scene mode, “General”, DVB-T, picture mode “Standard”

    The color reproduction, especially the facial tone and nature photography is excellent. The information content in the SD signal is still very limited, but the Sony is also working the smaller details as far as possible out fine. Even freckles on the face of the stock market reporter are still visible. Easy MPEG noise around the edges of letters, of course, still exists, which holds artefacts are being very limited and occurs only at very poor signal intensity on (example here: images) from a war zone with a weak camera. At sharp edges from and to connect both steps as well as double contours on here can be improved somewhat by adjusting the sharpness value. Overall, the best so far from us under the microscope taken digital tuner.

    Analog cable TV tuner

    ZDF Germany hub, scene mode, “General” image mode “Standard”

    The analog tuner very good job done. The image is drawn a little softer, so no double contours are visible and the stairs are withdrawn, however, the picture looks washed out and, of course, the target noise by text lines is slightly more pronounced. The color reproduction can again full points, but the skin tones seem a bit less natural and the green does not seem quite so tired.

    Suitability for Gamen, tested with the Sony Playstation 3

    Prove to the KDL-52Z5500 here at Need for Speed: Carbon, in this car racing game include rapid movement maneuvers to-day business. The Sony can show whether it can be seen between the command input on the PS3 controller, and command execution on the display delay. This so-called “input lag” is frowned upon in video game friends very much. Rightly, if not the display is able to represent the commands without gross delay is accidentally encroached into the game events and distorted in the worst case performance of a player. We can not determine at the Sony TV, the TV actually fired the entries onto panel. Fast Brake deposits, unforeseen curves and other maneuvering can be instantly displayed excellence without compromise. Even the presentation and quality of the supplied material is excellent at Sony again. Of course, NFS Carbon is not that graphically demanding game and can be leaked even in 720p, but worked out the authenticity of the colors and surface structure (for example, of the road surface) high enormously. No openings in the gaming area, can recommend the Sony KDL-52Z5500 also excellent here.

    Use as a PC monitor via VGA

    Drawing on the VGA connector, and particularly the often under-utilization is a big TV screen as a PC monitor, we want to take the performance of the KDL52Z5500 briefly under the microscope.
    As an example, PC is a netbook with an external VGA port. The handshake takes place without problems, the Sony display is found within seconds in the Windows display settings and can be used as a second / primary monitor. The resolution can be almost arbitrary, but we only use the native resolution of the KDL-52Z5500. The Sony display here does not tolerate criticism, texts are perfectly readable, to see any tightening.

    Evaluation of basic parameters

    Brightness: The Sony offers a properly chosen mode of operation even with greater external light a uniform brightness and brilliant image. In low light or outside in the completely darkened room, the image brightness can be adjusted downwards on a very eye-level.

    Diffuse: the Sony reference results achieved, as even subtle patterns in very dark or very bright areas of an image works out perfectly. That individual picture elements, especially in dark areas sink, the KDL-52Z5500 will not even begin to before – brilliant.

    Black: Good for a CCFL device, but the only discipline in which even after the current technical state is something more. In all previously tested CCFL panel is the 5500 but at the top.

    Gamma Curve: The Sony shines even from the factory with a clean gamma, which support our experiences in the contrast rating. Image portions in gray / black image areas are treated with excellent balance and great consistency.

    Color Intensity: The KDL-52Z5500 not make the mistake of many LCDs and drifts off in color reproduction in Poppige (the color space should not be, however, to “far” place). Even the green Play for a CCFL device (here, there are often significant problems with a natural green) very convincingly. Skin tones are not too strong and not too pink lastig play.

    Color Temperature: We recommend using a neutral color temperature, which allows an authentically-designed, color-very realistic-looking image.

    Sharpness: Very good – sharp and crisp with virtually no double contours of the Sony full HD-feeling has – without any natural touch just throw overboard. Sent is an unnatural-looking playback digital extra clearly avoided. Top – on this performance are currently no other known to us comes up LCD.

    Detail reproduction in the high frequency image area: Exemplary – small image details that offer a glimpse, some devices do not work out right Sony is the clear and finely differentiated dar. It is neither flickering nor the formation of artifacts.

    Picture plasticity: Excellent – the Sony differentiate all existing levels of visual imagery in the deal to the lowest outstanding and sets the standards. The image depth is sensational, by the enormous plasticity of the image already has almost a 3D effect.

    De-interlacing: clean, stable, bewegungsscharf – many BD players of the upper middle class here draw the short straw.

    Upscale: Enormously sharp, low noise and detail – Quasi HD look for normal DVDs.

    Response of the panel: Here we can only express our praise – panelbedingte tightening does not exist at the Sony. In addition, the panel also spoke at Gamen exemplary quickly.

    Noise behavior of the panel: record – as a low-noise panel we have never had in the newsroom.

    Viewing angle: First class – including who sits diagonally, gets a complete picture impression.

    Peer comparison

    Pioneer PDP-LX5090: Acting “Masterpiece” future hits “Masterpiece” – the great duel between the giant screen is a draw. During the (no longer produced after) Pioneer is still the best color brilliance, the most natural picture and offers the deepest blacks who thinks Sony with the best 3D effect, the minimum of noise and the sensational panel De-Interlacer/Scaler against.

    Sony KDL-55X4500: 55-inch Sony in the format comes from the 2008 generation. This model came without Motionflow 200 Hz, but even at that time yielded superior performance. Only because of the high price we are given the large panel Masterpiece no status. Today, the 55-incher up short against the Z5500: The new model is attracting offers better black level, an even better De-Interlacing-/Scalingleistung and an even more convincing 3D effect.

    Samsung LE46A859S: The Samsung also has older is much smaller (46 inches) and have very favorable. Otherwise, the South Koreans see themselves considered a perfectly good device, not much land for the Sony: The contrasting dynamics is significantly lower, the color balance is not as precise, and the sharpness is less than the Sony-Level.

    Philips 42PFL9803: Unlike the new LED backlit LCD TVs, there was the 2008 LED backlit model from Philips only 42 inches – and the high-tech flat screen can also put nearly a year after his appearance still outstanding in scene image brilliance Black level and still belong to the best that we’ve seen so far. The balanced color reproduction (Philips) with slight green weakness, extreme dynamic contrasts, and the excellent upconversion of SD signals, but the Z5500.

    Conclusion image

    Better is currently no more – the Sony KDL-52Z5500 Image sets new standards in the LCD TVs, and even though he is still without LED backlight on the road. Contrast, overall image sharpness, video EQ settings, 3D effect of the picture – the Sony here disassociates all known competitors. Overall in relation to the price class: Excellent – perfect.

    Ton

    Sound Menu

    Ton
    • Input selection: currently selected input is shown
    • Sound Mode: Standard / Dynamic / Clear Voice
    • altitude: -12 to +12
    • Depth: -12 to +12
    • Balance L / R
    • Auto volume off / on
    • Surround: Off / S-Force Front Surround
    • Voice Highlight: -5 to +5
    • Sound Enhancement: On / Off
    • Sound enhancer: Off / Low / High
    • Dual tone: Stereo / A / B

    Sound of the Sony provides for a flat relatively good results. The thin, bland sound of many LCD TVs is not his own. Rather, he develops a proper virtual space effect and pleased with a good momentum. The treble pleased with full tracing. The intelligible voice reproduction is always already given in the standard mode. Overall, the KDL-52Z5500 offers a creditable performance in this discipline. Overall in relation to equipment category and price category: very good – excellent.

    Every age has its heroes – in relation to the here and now and on LCD screens, we admit the Sony KDL-52Z5500 up to date on this role. With excellent facilities, but above all, the standards-setting image display quality for all types of signals fed he has earned our “Masterpiece” in good faith as the highest Test award. He replaces a device from the same house – the Sony Full HD LCD KDL-40W4500 has been adorning themselves with this predicate. This proves that Sony is ahead right at the device’s extremely important Signal the decisive step. No other known to us Flat-panel LCD offers a 24p so spectacular play, such an enormous 3-D effect and such a contrasting dynamics. Only the black level of any new standards are set – the only chance for the competitors to work their way up to the Sony-armada. With the outstanding video-EQ but creates our Testkandidat another differentiating factor, it is also offered for the experienced photo enthusiasts everything that is necessary for accurate calibration and contractors often miss. The lavish equipment range includes everything that is of relevance, including a virtually complete network integration. Designed to operate in spite of the enormous variety of functions in no way confusing and complex, but reveals himself to less experienced users in a short time. In addition, the build quality and attractive appearance – the KDL-52Z5500 will be in any discipline points lie – just an internal HD TV-tuner is missing.

    The Dominator: Sovereign secures the Sony KDL-52Z5500 our highest test predicate – it is the best LCD flat panel, which we have so far been tested

    LCD TVs over 50 inches / superclass
    20th Test August 2009

    + 24p Making the best picture playback
    + Standard-setting three-dimensional and dynamic contrast
    + First-class De-Interlacer/Scaler
    Neutral color reproduction +
    + Enormously comprehensive video-EQ
    + Abundant Amenities
    + Send Optics
    + In view of the surprising benefits of fair price

    – No built-in HD satellite tuners

    Absolute preisklassenübergreifende Classification

    “Masterpiece” – that says it all. From absolute, preisklassenübergreifender oneself is the KDL-52Z5500 current standards. That Sony combines this with a very fair price, is our special applause.

    Technical details can be found here: http://www.sony.de/product/t46-z-series/kdl-52z5500

    Test: 20 August 2009
    Authors: Carsten Rampacher, Philip Child (cr / PHK)

  22. Jonathan Meadowcroft

    What Hi-Fi Review

    For
    Impeccable motion processing; punchy, detailed pictures with subtle, neutral colours; good sound; compact, stylishly-understated design
    Against
    Blotchy backlight
    The Z-series always arrives after Sony’s other TVs, but it tends to be worth the wait.

    And it’s no different here, for the KDL-40Z5500 boasts four HDMIs, internet access and a 10-bit panel with 200Hz Motionflow.

    It’s this last feature that’s key, and the ’Z5500 proves once again that Sony has absolutely nailed motion processing, keeping edges sharp and detail intact while producing exceptionally smooth movement.

    No weird motion effects here
    Crucially, unlike other sets the Sony avoids ever making motion look unreal, and even those who usually don’t get on with motion processing should like this, so long as you keep it on the ‘standard’ setting.

    The rest of the calibration is very straightforward, thanks to an out-of-the-box ‘home’ setup that’s even more accurate than most, and any tinkering takes place in the cool PS3-style XrossMediaBar menus.

    Play The Duchess on Blu-ray and the typical Sony contrast quality shines through. True, blacks aren’t as deep as some, but there’s more insight into them, as well as greater white punch. Colours are a touch more neutral and subtle, too.

    Its delivery also highlights what a detailed performer the Sony is, avoiding over-enhancing blemishes.

    Impressive with DVD and Freeview
    The ’Z5500 continues to impress with DVD and Freeview. Colours are still more neutral than most, and motion is very accomplished.

    Detail in the upscaled image is very good, and if there’s a touch of noise evident in difficult patterns, the overall insight and punch is good consolation.

    See all our Sony TV reviews

    Turn the fancy modes off and keep the equalizer flat, and the Sony’s sound is impressively balanced and big – so you might be wondering why, if the performance is so rounded, it gets four stars. Well, it’s mostly because this is yet another Sony with dodgy backlighting.

    The ’Z5500’s issues aren’t as glaring as other Sonys’, but in very dark scenes, there are still blotches of light evident on the display. Given its price, that’s simply not good enough.

    See all our TV Best Buys

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  23. Dears, I got mine ! It is a 52Z5500 ! I have it since Saturday and the opinion is …so and so ! In HD is brilliant ! In SD … having in view the dimmension …. is middle -top !
    My advice – do not go over 117 cm. From SD signal the upscaling is working hard BUT it could be better. Maybe I did not find the best setings but up to now I am not 100% convinced !
    Widges … is a bad joke ! Internet link is just a money grabbing ! Not an real use of it ! At this high end TV it could be wireles connection not cable !!
    Should we wait for an software update ?
    I will keep testing it and I will keep you posted !

  24. Well my KDL40Z5500 arrived on Friday and straight out of the box I was wowed. I was slightly worried about the What Hi Fi review mentioning blotchy back lighting. With virtually no set up whatsoever I fired up Iron Man on Blu-Ray. The early scenes ,when Stark is a prisoner in the cave, are particularly dark and I couldn’t see any blotchiness at all! The German review didn’t notice any either. Whilst the SD shows from my Sky box aren’t great they are certainly better than I was expecting. Motion flow 200Mhz on Moto GP race made a very noticeable difference. Sky HD arrives this Friday so will update more then and once I’ve had a chance to tweak settings.

  25. @Gabriel:

    Perhaps there are some noise-reduction settings taking away too much brilliance? Could you try that?

  26. re the comment from
    ?Gabriel on 22 August 2009 7:51 am
    James, please let us know if the suggestion from Jojo worked out !

    My TV was from the Sony Centre, so yes it will be a genuine Sony TV. The Sony engineer set it up and he made sure that power saving is set to off.

    Regards

    James

  27. Two days after getting the KDL40Z5500 they announce the KDL40Z5800! Still not sure I need the freesat tuner anyway. Sky HD is installed and I’m very impressed by the results. Can’t pickup on any picture defects in fact the only real thing I’ve noticed is that the SD feed looks better via the HD box than it did on the vanilla box! Rugby on Sky Sports HD2 was very impressive indeed.

  28. Bought one of these to replace a Samsung LE37M86BD.

    Subjectively, picture quality is better and generally brighter.
    SD stuff looks much better, less noisy.
    As for HD content, I haven’t got past the BD Dark Knight yet – it looks so good, especially the 16:9 Imax scenes.

    Problems encountered so far:

    The supplied RM-ED019 remote can be programmed for the Sony RDR-HXD870, providing all of the control capability of the recorder’s original remote, but inexplicably Sony has mapped the ‘enter’ button to the line input function. I can only imagine that this is a programming bug because it makes it impossible to use the recorders on-screen menus. Very annoying.

    Whites appear unnaturally bright (saturated) and I can’t find any setting to correct this other than winding the contrast down, which of course affects the whole dynamic range. I put on the grey scale from the ‘Digital Video Essentials’ DVD and this showed that the two most black bars and the two most white bars were indistinguishable. Also the change in brightness to full white seems very abrupt compared to my original Samsung on which I could distinguish all of the grey scale bars.

  29. Neil, you can dimm the backlight, keeping the bright and contrast unchanged !

  30. Is there someone that have calibrated this TV with for example an Spyder? I still playing with the different settings.

    Can someone post there settings?

  31. IS THIS SITE STILL ALIVE? LAST REVIEW ON AUGUST 18!

  32. Hey,
    Anyone know what the input lag is like on this tv?
    Thanks for reading,
    Dell

  33. I bought the 40Z5500 from Comet but sent it back due to damge. I had to wait for my replacement, during which time the Z5800 was released. Comet allowed me to use the Z5500 until the replacement arrived. During this time the Z5800 was released. I went to my Comet centre to ask if I could change model from the 40Z5500 to the 40Z5800 – they agreed. The problem was their price (£1599.00). I thouht it was a bit dear, so I phoned the local Sony centre who, after a bit of bargaining brought the price down to £1299.00 including £100.00 trade on anything that looked like a Telly. Got a refund and went to the Sony centre.
    After having been in the company of both telly’s, the Z5800 looks the better of the two extremely high quality pictures.
    The settings between Digital and Freesat are shared and not separate as is the case for other inputs, but the quality is stunning. I think that some “Sony behind the scenes” adjustments have been going on here, to take account of both sets of transmissions. I have the Humax PVR and the PQ is not as good as from the Sony tuner.
    Freesat SD is brilliant and all HD stuff is amazing.
    Absolutely no backlight clouding either.
    Great TV but shop around my friends.

  34. @Gabriel

    I bought the 40Z5500 and watched it for a while. There is a difference between upconverted 576i->1080i by the broadcaster in the Netherlands (Ned 1, 2 and 3) and upconversion in the set. Our broadcaster provides both signals, so comparing is easy.

    SD with film cadence interlace is more clear than with video cadence with upconversion on the set. The film cadence upconversion in my opinion deserves ‘excellent’ as long as there are no fast pans.

    The upconversion of video-cadence to 1080i by the broadcaster gives clearer textures on clothes than the internal upconversion, but blinking eyes, talking lips and teeth are build of two different lines, so watched closely they are really unsharp. The set does not straighten out lines with signals that are converted too many times. So external up/downconversion always delivers worse results with line straightening and picture optimization.

    With the upconversion of video-cadence on the set the lips are perfectly in sync, lines and glasses are better. But textures and overall sharpness are a bit less then should be possible.

    But also film-cadence is not perfect. With fast pans there is a slight jumpiness on the left upper corner of the screen. And fast pans are overall jumpy. The left corner only jumps out of sync with the rest of the picture. It depends on colors and textures whether this is visible or not.

    Watching football with a ball of half a cm on the screen the set is not able to speed it up to 200 hz. The tiny ball jumps estimated with the eye with steps of about 50 hz. When growing bigger the 200 hz mechanism seems to lock on. I’m not a sports fanate, so I haven’t studied the exact measures of the ball needed.

    When switching teletext or film mode on and off the sound shuts off for a moment, so following talking is hard.

    It is hard to get a good demo in a shop, while salesmen always try to sell you the most expensive Panasonic plasma’s, while their interlace-cadence decoding is probably not as good as the Pioneer one yet. Pioneer however needed to switch manually between film and video cadence.

    The MPEG-filter does not filter out al mosquito noise, probably some signals are too compressed. I expect this can be done better.

    Nevertheless this Sony set is good enough to switch to from watching analog and enter the HD-era. I waited enough for a set that permitted switching channels on the set itself with CI+ (provided by our cable-provider), so this was the time to buy.

    Other competitors were Samsung, LG, and Philips, also providing CI+. Samsung and LG are also good, but their analog inputs have less quality and Samsung has more visible mpeg-noise. Philips should also have excellent quality with SD. I didn’t check that. I should have had the opportunity to put them side to side with the different signals. How does motion correction on film cadence perform on a Philips?

  35. What the hell is going on with this site.
    The least they could do is post what problems their facing and when to expect a review!!!!

  36. It would be very nice if hdtvtest would do a proper review of the Z5800 range and give us some advice on what to do with the white balance controls.
    Perhaps a wee bit busy right now.
    As I said earlier – brilliant picture quality but a advisory tweak here and there might be of benefit.
    I will keep looking though.

  37. Help!!!!
    I have just taken delivery of the 40z5800 following rave reviews.
    Previously I had a Pioneer and I can’t get the sharpness anywhere near the contrast I had on the old set.
    I have had the contrast up, down, reset it but still the picturem isn’t over sharp.
    Even through Sky HD the quality isn’t up to much.
    I’m sure its down to me but can someone give me a guide on how to get the picture to optimum sharpness

  38. has also another series for Europe? i didn’t find in my country with KDL40Z5500

  39. SONY BRAVIA 46Z5500 SEVERE CLOUDING PROBLEM

    I just bought a 46Z5500 and tested it by watching a full-hd 1080/24 movie from Pixar from my mac book pro connected to the 46Z5500.

    I thought to get one among the best TV’s out on the market today.

    Even though image quality is stunning, this TV suffers from extremely severe clouding problem. I can see huge and very bright white patches on a black background. Sometimes, I also see these patches when the format is anything else than 16:9 (in other words, when I have two horizontal block stripes on the top and bottom). These patches are not always there, but sometimes they pop up. This is not acceptable to me for what i paid. Hence, my questions: did Sony make a crappy TV or did I got a defective unit ?

    Please advise :-(

  40. We have the KDL-46Z5500 since December 2009. It is an excellent TV all round. The best feature is the Bravia Engine 3 which is superior not just for high quality SD and HD pictures but also for the older material you may want to play on this TV set, such as VCR tapes etc. Those tapes look a lot better than on previous SONY LCD TV’s and that must be an important feature for most users. The Blue Ray disk look fantastic when played on a TV such as this model and it is fairly easy to use and set up. In the advanced menu you can set black levels and white balnce etc. to get superior blacks on this LCD TV. In the past this has not been the best feature on LCD TV’s but these models do give very good blacks. Watching sport in HD is a joy with this LCD TV set – here in the land of OZ ( Adelaide ).

  41. i have this one, the image is awesome; the only thing i dont like it is the consumption power.

  42. I’m interested if you have USB stick slot to view pictures and videos directly from your TV?