By Philip Wong, CNET Asia
16/10/2009
URL: http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/home_av/tvs/0,39037585,44758310p,00.htm

The Bravia KDL-46Z5500 is Sony's latest 200Hz LCD TV based on its proprietary MotionFlow technology. Compared with its predecessor, this new entry offers a few incremental performance-oriented upgrades ranging from its Bravia Engine 3 video processor to better dynamic contrast. If you've a home media server, the panel's overhauled multimedia playback system is an interesting option to share family photos and videos. Another gimmicky addition is an energy-saving switch (read: Mechanical rocker) that shuts down the TV with zero power consumption.

Design

The KDL-46Z5500 may be less flamboyant than many past Sony's HDTV offerings, but its clear smoke finish and slim 30mm panel frame are refreshing changes that exude a neat minimalist appeal. To add some bling, there's also an illuminated white Sony logo which can be turned off if users find it distracting. Aesthetics-aside, the auxiliary A/V ports and TV controls are easily accessible on the left and right, respectively. Our only gripe lies with the awkward side Ethernet jack and the eye sore due to its exposed network cable--a rear placement would have been a more logical choice.

Design and layout

Form factor	All-in-one design; 86mm thin
Finishing	Clear smoke color
TV controls	Right side; non-backlit; push buttons
Auxiliary A/V inputs	Left side; Dual HDMIs, USB, Ethernet and composite-A/V
Mounting option	Swivel table stand, manual wall bracket

You'll get both blue backlit keys and multifunctional controls compatible with Sony DVD/Blu-ray players, video recorders, home theater systems and A/V receivers for its ergonomic remote. Most critical functions are adequately covered by responsive shortcuts including Option that displays a list of major configurations. The less common variants are tugged away under a slideout cover. There're input, digital and analog TV buttons for switching between video sources, too. This process is further simplified via automatic port connection sensing and menu programming.

Remote control

Form factor	Longish; arched bottom; 253mm long
Finishing	Matte black, silver trimming
Key backlighting	Blue color
Input switching	Digital TV, Analog TV, Input
Multifunctional control	Blu-ray, DVD and amplifier

This Bravia sports an advanced XrossMediaBar (XMB) user interface for its software menu and multimedia playback system accessible from the remote's Home key. Instead of pure text, XMB uses icons in a drill-down, left-to-right navigation flow and includes handy information such as a full product manual and usage tips. We counted 11 picture modes tailored for different program genres with independent customization options for each input. These range from backlighting to dual video noise reduction and advanced white balance adjustments for SpyderTV calibration.

Software Menu

Text-based; colored	Icon-based; colored
Video modes	Vivid; Standard; Custom; Cinema; Photo-Vivid; Photo-Standard; Photo-Original; Photo-Custom; Sports; Game; Graphics
Audio modes	Dynamic; Standard; Clear Voice
Advanced settings	Backlight; film mode; white balance; edge enhancement

Features

The KDL-46Z5500 is one of the very few selected LCD TVs endowed with an ultrafast 200Hz refresh rate. It's delivered via Sony's MotionFlow function, implemented based on the MEMC or Motion Estimation-Motion Compensation technology. This interpolates new intermittent picture frames to smoothen fast motion. To boost picture quality, the KDL-46Z5500 is powered by an upgraded Bravia 3 Engine video processor coupled with a future-proofed 1080p panel that outputs a high 100,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio.

Interestingly, it's the onboard multimedia playback system which has been overhauled more than anything else. Besides catering to the common JPEG and MP3 files through its USB and Ethernet ports, the new model is also able to recognize more exotic varieties out-of-the-box, particularly in the video department. For starters, this DLNA-compatible display can remotely stream MPEG-2 and AVCHD clips from networked PCs. Shutterbugs should be pleased with its RAW photo support through USB, although the DivX format is notably omitted.

A/V and multimedia

Video	Full-HD resolution; 100,000:1 dynamic contrast; 200Hz frame interpolation
Audio	10W x 2; S-Force front surround
Multimedia	MP3, JPEG, MPEG-2, HDV, AVCHD via USB and Ethernet
TV tuner	Analog; digital (DVB-T)

As with most high-end Bravias, the KDL-46Z5500 has Integrated Digital TV (IDTV) capability for digital broadcasts. It provides free-to-air digital content up to HD resolution and Dolby Digital surround sound, plus an electronic program guide where applicable. There're plenty of 1080p-ready inputs to go around as well, comprising four HDMI 1.3 terminals with added 24p film mode, two sets of component-video sockets and an analog PC jack. Rounding up the connectivity suite is a digital optical audio output, legacy composite-A/V, and even S-video input.

Connectivity

HDMI input(s)	Four sockets; version 1.3; 24p-ready; Bravia Sync (HDMI-CEC)
Component-video input(s)	Two sockets; 1080p-ready
PC input	Analog; 1080p-ready
Audio output(s)	Analog stereo; digital optical

Performance

Standard-definition (SD) content
For starters, the KDL-46Z5500 offers good clarity even if regular broadcasts weren't as sharp as we would have liked. Nevertheless, overall TV reception was very stable, mostly grain-free and smooth. Switching to digital (DVB-T), however, brought back the Bravia magic characterized by crisp pictures and fine details. Our upscaled DVDs, on the other hand, were rendered in revealing shadows and jaggy-free pictures, though noise reduction really kicked in only at mid level. It was also a walk in the park for Avia's grayscale tracking test, held back by slightly off-color decoding.

SD performance

	Analog TV	Digital TV	DVD
Details	Average	Good
Sharpness	Good
Noise suppression	Average
Motion	Excellent

High-definition (HD) content
Tuning into the local MediaCorp HD programs, we immediately observed a notable fidelity boost with accentuated subtlety. That said, it was this Sony's Blu-ray playback which sealed our nods of approval. We were delighted by the panel's balanced sharpness, film-like visuals, rich yet natural hues and skin tones despite the earlier Avia flaw. Furthermore, black was deep (one of the best for its class), while its 200Hz engine removed judder effectively. Our review unit had no problem in tackling the HD-HQV's video resolution loss test and nearly nailed the film resolution loss chart, too.

HD performance

	HD broadcast	Blu-ray	Game
Details	Good	Excellent
Sharpness	Excellent
Noise suppression	Average		N.A.
Motion	Excellent

Games, PC and multimedia
Gaming-wise, full-HD graphics piped through our consoles using HDMI and component-video outputs were fluidly clear and razor-sharp with negligible motion blur. This high legibility applied for PC text at 1080p resolution as well, matched by banding-free color gradations on our test chart. The KDL-46Z5500 was a bit slow loading our JPEG files. Still, they were displayed brilliantly in print quality. As for videos, one of our MPEG-1 files was strangely played back in a small window, but this was not an issue for the rock-solid and sharp MPEG-2 and AVCHD clips.

Multimedia performance

	USB	Ethernet
8MP JPEG	7 sec, print quality.
MP3	Musical, clear sounding with decent bass presence.
Video	MPEG-1 playback in a small window only	Smooth and brilliant AVCHD and sharp MPEG-2

Audio And Conclusion
There was a healthy bass presence, paired with an articulated vocal and extended treble range that made MP3 pretty enjoyable on this Sony. Add to these fine credentials was a good stereo imaging ideal for jazz and pop soundtracks. We did have to crank up to 60 percent of full volume for our reference loudness, while S-Force front surround was fairly useful in opening up the sound stage. The S$4,999 KDL-46Z5500 is a strong all-rounder, particularly in audio-visual performance. It's also more affordable than the Samsung LA46B750U1M, though the latter offers Web content streaming.