Sony KDL-52XBR2 LCD TV Review

Model: Sony KDL-52XBR2 LCD TELEVISION
Description:52" diagonal LCD flat screen Television, Widescreen 16:9 Format
Resolution:1920 X 1080 (1080P)
Dimensions: 55.71" Width X 32.56" Height (without included stand) X 4.92" Depth

Includes: Speakers and table top stand. 3 HDMI inputs as well as the standard complement of component and other usual suspects

Color: Silver speaker surround with "floating glass". Silver stand

Reviewer: Robert Wiley
Date:  June 2007

INTRODUCTION

This is the largest LCD flat panel screen produced by Sony. LCD manufacturers such as Sony didn't miss a beat in developing the extra pixels necessary to jump from 1080i to 1080p. Was the jump to more pixels worth the increase in price? Was it just a ploy to try to leave plasma manufacturers seemingly stuck in the mud? Sony competes directly with Sharp and Samsung in the large 46" to 52" LCD size range.

PICTURE: 90/100

Of course Sony's XBR Bravia televisions are always loaded with features and the best technologies available for maximum picture performance. White Balance controls are normally found in the service menu of plasma or LCD televisions. With the KDL-52XBR2 any user has access to these controls - allowing for exact D6500K calibration without entering the service menu. Straight out of the box we noticed some light concentration issues. So our first mission was to calibrate using our Sencore ColorPro and Avia test disc with both 1080i and 720p signal generation. Following are instructions on how we got to D6500K color temperature:

First, go into the advance settings menu and turn the edge enhancement feature to off. Next, change the preset picture mode from Vivid to Custom (the Sony XBR is no different from other LCDs that come tweaked to peak contrast and brightness for the showroom floor).

Next, change the color temperature setting to Warm 2. This will position you very close to D6500K. Then make the following adjustments in to the picture menu:

Using these adjustments will get the user to a post calibration color temp of almost spot on D6500K (note: This Sony Bravia XBR has discrete inputs, so these calibration adjustments must be made for each input that is being used). As well, after calibration and toning down the backlight, any owner of this TV should not have any problems with a light blotching (clouding) issue that has been reported. We did not notice it at all. We used an ANSI checkerboard pattern to measure post calibration contrast at 240:1, which is stout for an LCD television. However, black levels could be deeper. Sometimes the blacks with this LCD appear soft - a little hazy. This is a common problem with LCD televisions due to that all present back lighting (black is produced by attempting to block all backlight). As well, with a 1080p signal the darker scenes lost some detail from over saturation. I actually felt the Sony KDL-52XBR2 performed better with the 1080i option from the Sony Blu Ray player.

One of the key differences with 1080p (or 1080i) is the definition in facial features. The viewer can definitely see the blemishes, acne pockmarks, even the makeup of the actors. We viewed the 1080p HD version of The Manchurian Candidate for this review. In one face to face scene involving Denzel Washington and his disturbed corporal, the intensity grows with the intensity of the facial expression as the two allude to painful events in their past during the first war with Iraq. You "feel the pain" more when you can see a face that clearly. The acting penetrates, reeling the viewer in.

Color rendition was all over the place at times with the 52XBR2, but flesh tones were solid after the unit was calibrated. Colors were very vibrant and as mentioned, could be over saturated with the 1080p signal.

The military uniforms in Manchurian were excessively sharp against the green palm frond background - every medal and pin of rank popped off the navy blue officers uniform.

From 6 feet there was just a slight visual background noise. It was just a flutter - not noticeable enough to be distracting. From 12 feet there are no discernible digital artifacts with 480p, 1080i or 1080p signals. Viewing angle was very good on the natural anti glare screen. Contrast is lost at around 80 degrees and goes slightly downhill from there.

The unit excelled in bright scenes especially ones with sunlight in the background. It truly is amazing how 3 dimensional the image becomes when sunlight and shadow is introduced in high def on this LCD panel.

Displaying a 480p signal from an older DVD player proved a challenge for the 52XBR2. There was certainly more video noise and "edginess" produced and displayed with the lower signal. From 2 feet there was an enormous amount of background noise visible in the processing as the LCD worked to up convert the signal. This noise was still prevalent at 7 feet, but at 13 feet was negligible. Note: Viewing distance still matters with flat panel pixel technologies, especially when viewing incoming signals other than HD. You will enjoy lower resolution signals on this LCD at distances over 12 feet.

The "wide" button on the remote control adjusts aspect ratio for algorithmic scaling from: Zoom - stretched vertically too much - distorted. Wide Zoom - still stretched vertically too much, Normal gives you 4:3 format and Full which produces the signal unaltered.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS: 93/100

Aesthetically, the silver and floating glass effect are extremely cosmopolitan and appealing. However the unit is nearly 5" deep. What happened to thinner is better? I've noticed this depth increase on several LCD televisions lately in Sharp and Samsung as well, which is confusing since so many of these larger LCDs are wall mounted. The KDL-52XBR3 is the same in all features except the frame is black rather than silver.

The remote control and menu functionality were easy to navigate and user friendly for the most part. There is no signal auto sensor in the 52XBR2 so one drawback is having to scroll through the inputs to find your signal. Press the poorly named TV/Video button to perform this function. It takes time and is an annoyance.

The wide button on the remote control adjusts aspect ratio for algorithmic scaling from: Zoom - typically stretched vertically too much - distorted. Wide Zoom - still usually stretched vertically too much, Normal gives you 4:3 format and Full which produces the signal unaltered.

Motion lag did not appear to be a problem with this LCD as Sony's 8ms response rate time. I did not view a lot of sports programming, but from what I saw it appeared solid. The normal sheen that causes some slight glare was present on the 52XBR screen. It caused some haziness, but wasn't a major concern.

This Sony LCD, like most newer flat screen televisions comes with a full complement of inputs including 3 HDMI and a couple of component inputs. The unit comes with a table top stand already attached for easy installation (if not wall mounting).

The speaker package included in the 52XBR is remarkable - providing crisp room filling audio.

VALUE: 82/100

As mentioned in other articles, it's just hard to justify extra expense for 1080p vs. 1080i (720p). It's the newest higher resolution to sell the consumer, but is it worth the extra money? Not in my opinion. Having seen the 1080p vs. 1080i several times with several TVs, I can hardly tell the difference and there is that odd event when the 1080p picture actually looks worse due to color over saturation.

At the time this article was written the Sony KDL-52XBR2 was priced at around $3999, which represents a small premium over Sharp and Samsung, but a hefty premium over a top of the line 50" plasma tv.

OVERALL RATING (WITH PICTURE DOUBLE-WEIGHTED): 88.75/100*

Rating scale from 70 (denoting poorest quality) to 100 (signifying the very best quality). A rating in the 60s for any particular category of a product review indicates a serious defect which causes the product not to operate properly. Picture quality is double-weighted in the Overall Rating Score calculation.