KDL-40EX640
3.7
5
11
11
Nice TV but one audio "gotcha" got me
The TV meets my expectations for picture quality and internet connectivity, but I can't say that it really exceeds them, so I would have given it 4 stars, but because of the the problem with its audio output, it gets 3 stars.
I'm using the TV's optical (toslink) output to connect to my stereo receiver since I prefer good stereo sound to the clutter of 5 or more speakers in a typical home theater configuration.
Unfortunately, the TV toslink to stereo receiver configuration does not work for all sound sources, especially Dolby 5.1 streamed by Netflix and Amazon. Videos with HE-AAC sound work OK, but those with Dolby 5.1 sound are silent. There are various workarounds (I've consulted both Sony and Amazon Instant Video support), but the problem could have been avoided if Sony had simply included a "downmix to stereo" feature , as is commonly found on Blu-ray players, for the TV's optical output.
This deficiency probably won't affect many people, but it did affect me.
April 12, 2013
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The picture and color is great, and the Clear Resolution Enhancer & Digital Noise Reduction improves non high def sources from streaming or over-the-air. It does a good job with quick moving action such as sports (for example, basketball or tennis) The case design is good - the bezel has a matte stipple pattern, not a glossy black I often see in other brands. It also has a narrow silver stripe on the edge. The screen is not glossy so it avoids reflections. The network streaming works well -- including Netflix, DLNA from my own network file server or PC.
Overall, it is good in that it simplifies common settings and tasks for most people with easy to use settings. If you want to configure detailed settings, that is possible, but those are available and do not clutter the basic interface. Most of the default settings do the right thing, so out of the box, you can get it working for most TV viewing.
The Bravia Link for connecting with Sony HDMI devices works great with another Sony Blu-Ray player. It does the right thing, so that when I turn off the Blu-Ray player, the TV automatically switches to TV mode. The remote keys are similar between the TV and Blu-Ray so if you press the navigation keys on the TV remote, it controls the Blu-Ray player properly, so I avoid switching remotes. Although picture quality is key, having a good remote and interface goes a long way to improving the experience. But getting a good universal remote may be best if you have many devices.
The Scene Select modes for sports, movies is a great way to avoid fiddling with settigs and is accessible via one button from the remote and seems to make the right choices.
There is web browser built-in, but it is best for just simple browsing. I recommend a real PC for serious viewing and you can connect a PC to this device if needed
Note:
1) For DLNA streaming, devices such as a 2013 Sony BDP-S5100 3D Blu-ray Disc Player can display more file formats, so if you have less popular media formats, that's a better way to go. For plain MP4, MP3, etc. then this TV is sufficient.
2) The user interface does not use the Sony XrossMediaBar (XMB) found in PS3, PSP or the S5100 Blu-Ray player. For just TV watching, the built in UI is simpler since you do not get distracted with Photo, Video menu choices and you can focus on TV related tasks. Practically, if I want to look at the many streaming or DLNA file choices, I tend to use the Sony S5100 Blu-Ray player. The device is more up-to-date in its ability to stream more file formats and is a better DLNA client device (TV is a DLNA Renderer. Blu-Ray is Renderer and Player). I believe some of the other Sony TVs do use XMB, which will give you consistency in the interface, if desired.
March 31, 2013
BraVADA 40
Bought this Bravada tv paying over $1500.00 for it after researching thinking I got the best that there was to buy. Now it does not work after only 2.5 years. Called a service tech costing me $80.00 to have it estimated at another $500.00 to have it fixed. I have bought cheaper model tvs and they are still working after nearly 30 years. I did NOT get my moneys worth. This tv was only used my myself no children in this household or other adults. Really disappointed in the SONY brand.
November 23, 2012
Internet Access to read Text Only
I was looking forward to having a Sony HD Internet access TV but I am very disappointed since I am limited to text only. I cannot check my email since it won't load fully, I cannot watch any small videos such as a news clip on the internet since I get a message stating I need Adobe Flash player and I cannot download it to watch videos unless it is through a preloaded app which many are for a fee. The only way I can watch any news clips or the like is if I set up my laptop to this Internet TV. I ask myself why would someone need a TV like this if I have to use my laptop hooked-up to it to view news clips. This is suppose to have internet access. There is not much you can do on the Internet unless you just want to read everything minus any clips. I sure hope there is going to be a download put out by Sony to enable viewing of internet clips directly from the TV. The older model was able to do such things.
June 8, 2012
