Written on November 4, 2009 – 6:34 am | by CoolGadgetConcept |
Surprisingly (or not), Sony has into its portfolio some excellent LCD HD Televisions with a diagonal varying from 42 inches to 70 inches. However, the price tags are certainly inadequate even for non economic crisis time. I am not really sure how to present these products, since it is impossible to show them in a favorite way, but I must take into consideration the design and hardware package they have to deliver. In the light of the current situation, I have chosen to make a short presentation of each model, leaving you, the reader, and maybe potential buyer to decide either this products are offensive or simply brilliant. There are 19 LCD HD Televisions with a screen diagonal between 42 inches and 70 inches in Sony's portfolio.

Probably one of the most expensive LCD HD TV's out on the market is Sony 70 inches Bravia XBR7 Series LCD HDTV, or easily the KDL 70 XBR7. This LCD HDTV has an amazing design with glossy black frame on the front cover, and matter black plastic on the back, with small finishes within the built in speakers (grey frames) or the silver "Sony" logo, which is very small compared to the dimensions of this TV. With a height of 1065 mm (42 inches), wide of 1850 mm (or 72.875 inches), deep of 401 mm (15.875 inches) - including the pedestal, or without pedestal, height of 1012 mm (or 39.875 inches), wide of 1850 mm (or 72.875 inches), deep of 153 mm (6.125 inches), the KDL 70 XBR7 weights about 86.5 Kg (or 191 lbs) with pedestal, or 72.5 Kg (or 160 lbs) without the pedestal.

Therefore, you should be careful not to try to unpack it alone, or set it into your living room by yourself. It sports an enormous feature data base, but in the main features view you will check the full high definition 1080p resolution, the seven high definition inputs, the 10 bit panel and processing, 70 inches display with 15.000 to 1 dynamic contrast ratio, the Motion flow 120 Hz refresh rate, and the second generation of the Bravia Engine PRO. Within the retail package you should find beside the actual LCD HDTV the remote control (RM YD024), two AA batteries for the remote controls, the operating instructions, quick setup guide, warranty card, online registration card, online POP, table top stand, and the AC power cord.

Sony offers the KDL 70 XBR7 for $19999.99 price tag, an enormous price even for what it has to offer. The next LCD in Sony's offer is the 65 inches Bravia W Series LCD HDTV with the actually screen size of 64.5 inches and the model number KDL 65 W5100. This LCD TV has also several good key features such as full HD 1080p resolution, 7 HD inputs, Motion flow 120 Hz refresh rate, 100.000 to 1 dynamic contrast ratio, Bravia Engine 3 and Bravia Internet video widgets. The retail package sports everything you might need. The KDL 65 W5100 has a nice design, conservative, yet stylish with enough special finishes delivering. This TV is a better choice than the previous one since it sports a smaller price tag of $4999.99.

The same price tag is included within the 55 inches Class Bravia XBR8 LCD HDTV (KDL 55 XBR8), which sports the same design as the KDL 70 XBR7. By adding to the design and smaller price tag high features as the Bravia Engine 2.0 Pro, full 1080p resolution Motion flow with 120 Hz Pro refresh rate, 10 bit panel, and the Triluminos RGB LED backlight, Sony successfully delivered one of the best sold LCD HDTV. Within the same price range, Sony offer another two LCDs, the 52 inches Bravia XBR10 Series LCD HDTV (KDL 52 XBR10) and 46 inches Bravia XBR10 Series LCD HDTV (KDL 46 XBR10 for $4499.99). The first model sports beside the full HD 1080p resolution, 1 million to 1 dynamic contrast ratio, Bravia Internet video, Motion flow 240 Hz, Edge Lit LED backlight, and 1080p wireless transmission.

The second model sports exactly the same features but includes a smaller display, from 52 inches down to 46 inches. In the $2000 - $3000 price range you can find several Sony LCD TVs. The first one is on sale from $3099.99 to $2499.99. The 52 inches Bravia XBR9 Series LCD HDTV (KDL 52 XBR9) sports beside the full HD 1080p resolution, a 100.000  to 1 dynamic contrast ratio, Motion flow 240 Hz refresh rate, 10 bit panel, the Bravia Internet video / widgets, and the Bravia Engine 3. With $100 less than the KDL 52 XBR9, you get the KDL 52 Z5100 also known as 52 inches Bravia Z Series LCD HDTV.

This LCD HDTV is a good bargain (from the $2699.99) since it sports beside an excellent design, but also a full hardware package including the latest generation of Bravia Engine, the full HD 1080p resolution, the Motion flow 240 Hz refresh rate, 10 bit panel and processing, 100.000 to 1 dynamic contrast ratio, 7 HD inputs, Bravia internet video and widget, and the latest Energy Star 3.0 certified. The last Sony LCD HDTV with the price tag between $2000 - $3000 ranges is the KDL 46 XBR9 (46 inches Bravia XBR9 Series LCD HDTV). The KDL 46 XBR9 is basically the same LCD like the KDL 52 Z5100, but with a smaller screen and lacking the 7 HD inputs. However, Sony offers a deal for this LCD, with a $2099.99 price tag (until October 31, from the normal price tag of $2599.99). Under the $2000 price tag, Sony really launched several LCDs. Some of them offer great features for less money, while others have inexplicable price tags.

These LCD HDTVs are from different series, S Series, V Series, W Series, and Z Series. However, at the $1599.99 price tag Sony delivers a product that other manufacturers haven yet successfully created, a LCD TV eco friendly, part of the new VE5 Eco Series. The model, KDL 46 VE5, sports a 46 inches diagonal screen. This LCD TV includes besides the obvious features (7 HD, full HD 1080p, Motion flow 120 Hz refresh rate, 100.000 to 1 dynamic contrast ratio, Bravia Engine 2, and energy saving backlight and power switch) at least three important eco friendly features. The first feature is actually the design itself, with the 46 inches display that includes a HCFL backlight high efficient that provides optimum brightness and reduces power consumption to 50% (below the Energy Star 3.0 requirements).

Sony also included a presence sensor which detects if you are in the room or not. In case you have stepped out from the room, the TV will switch the picture off. If in 30 minutes nobody will enter the room (the sensor doesn't detect movement), the KDL 46 VE5 will turn itself off completely. Even more, Sony included a new switch off, which will not allow this LCD HDTV to consume any power when turned off (because usually any electronic device, even when switched off still consumes power). The retail package is standard, but includes everything you might need (remote control - YD028, two AA batteries for the remote control, AC power cord, pedestal with four screws, operating instructions, quick setup guide, warranty card, and table top stand). If you are looking for a new Bravia powered LCD HDTV, then you should definitely check Sony's portfolio. Within the 42 inches to 70 inches diagonal LCD HD Televisions range you can find 19 products, from different series, with a retouched design within every series, excellent features even for the $1099.99 46 inches Bravia S Series LCD HDTV.

The prices are certainly not small, but keep in mind that most of the above products have a diminished price tag, since Sony already started the holiday promotions (even if the promotion is only until October 31, Sony will probably extended it until Christmas). Overall, in this economy the key element is the perfect balance between design, features, and price, and the ultimate decision is in the hands of the potential buyers.