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Introduction
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01.Tour & Design
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02.Blacks & Whites
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03.Color Accuracy
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04.Motion
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05.Viewing Effects
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06.Calibration
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07.Remote Control
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08.Connectivity
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09.Audio & Menus
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10.Formats & Media
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11.Power Consumption
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12.Vs Panasonic TC P50U1
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13.Vs LG 47LH90
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14.Vs Sony KDL 52XBR9
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15.Conclusion
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16.Series Comparison
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17.Ratings & Specs
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18.Comments
Samsung UN46B8500
Previous: Page 13
Vs LG 47LH90Next: Page 15
Conclusion
Sony KDL-52XBR9 Summary
• Both high-end, home theater-oriented models
• Sony offers much better Internet features
• Sony has better performance, overall
Value Comparison Summary
The Sony KDL-52XBR9 is a very good television – excellent performance, outstanding online content, and all the right ports for home theater connection. It's also cheaper than the Samsung. For its part, the Samsung is thinner than the Sony, and has two USB ports if you really need to jam in the thumb drives and hard drives. Fundamentally, though, the Sony is probably the better buy.
| Comparison Specifications | ||
 |
 |
|
| Samsung UN46B8500 | Sony KDL-52XBR9 | |
| Size | 46 inches | 52 inches |
| Price | $3599 (MSRP) | $2500 |
| Type | LED-Backlit LCD | LCD |
| Format | 1080p | 1080p |
| Other | Internet video, widgets | Internet video, widgets |
Blacks & Whites
The Sony KDL-52XBR9 is a tough TV to beat when it comes to black & white performance. The TV offers an incredible contrast ratio, due to impressively deep blacks and bright whites. The Samsung UN46B8500 is a good performer, in its own right, but nothing can stand up to the Sony.
| Blacks & Whites Comparison Chart | |
 |
|
| Samsung UN46B8500 Score: Black Level: 8.48 Peak Brightness: 9.03 Contrast: 8.96 |
Sony KDL-52XBR9 Score: Black Level: 9.51 Peak Brightness: 9.65 Contrast: 10.61 |
Color Accuracy
The color performance between the Sony KDL-52XBR9 and the Samsung UN46B8500 is evenly matched. Both TVs managed to produce consistent color temperatures, smooth color curves, and matched up in similar ways to the rec. 7090 color standard.
| Color Temperature Comparison | |
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|
| Samsung UN46B8500 Score: 9.35 | |
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|
| Sony KDL-52XBR9 Score: 9.86 | |
| RGB Comparison | |
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| Samsung UN46B8500 Score: 8.07 | |
   |
|
| Sony KDL-52XBR9 Score: 8.19 | |
| Color Gamut Comparison | |
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|
| Samsung UN46B8500 Score: 4.22 | |
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|
| Sony KDL-52XBR9 Score: 4.66 | |
Motion
The Sony KDL-52XBR9 produced better, smoother motion than the Samsung.
| Motion Scores | ||
| Samsung UN46B8500 | Sony KDL-52XBR9 | |
| Motion Smoothness | 6.25 | 7.75 |
| Motion Artifacting | 5.25 | 7.00 |
Viewing Effects
The viewing angle on the Samsung UN46B8500 is pretty bad, and therefore not difficult to beat. The Sony's viewing angle measured 22.23 degrees, compared to 18.59 degrees on the Samsung.
| Viewing Angle Comparison | |
 |
|
| Samsung UN46B8500 Score: 2.48 | Sony KDL-52XBR9 Score: 4.71 |
Connectivity
The Sony KDL-52XBR9 offers more ports than the Samsung, which may or may not be important to your home theater setup. Both TVs have LAN ports, and excel at online content, which we discuss below.
| Connectivity Comparison | ||
| Samsung UN46B8500 | Sony KDL-52XBR9 | |
| HDMI | 4 | 4 |
| Component | 1 | 2 |
| Composite | 1 | 1 |
| S-Video | 0 | 1 |
| VGA | 1 | 1 |
| Analog Audio In | 1 | 1 |
| Digital Audio Out | 1 | 1 |
| Analog Audio Out | 1 | 1 |
| LAN | 1 | 1 |
| USB | 2 | 2 |
| Memory Card | 0 | 0 |
| Other | Ex-Link, DLNA Support | DLNA Support |
Other Comparisons
It comes down to the multimedia features between the Samsung UN46B8500 and the Sony KDL-52XBR9. You might think that both TVs access the 'same internet,' but the gawky interface and strictly controlled content in no way mirror the way you would interface with a regular computer and browser. That said, the Samsung's interface is particular terrible due to incredibly sluggish menus and maddening scroll wheel on the remote control. Sony wins this round.
Shop for the Samsung UN46B8500
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