-
Introduction
-
01.Tour & Design
-
02.Calibration
-
03.Blacks & Whites
-
04.Color Accuracy
-
05.Motion
-
06.Viewing Effects
-
07.Remote Control
-
08.Connectivity
-
09.Audio & Menus
-
10.Formats & Media
-
11.Power Consumption
-
12.Vs JVC LT32J300
-
13.Vs Samsung LN32A450
-
14.Vs Sony KDL46W4100
-
15.Conclusion
-
16.Series Comparison
-
17.Ratings & Specs
-
18.Comments
Sony Bravia KDL-32L5000
Previous: Page 1
Tour & DesignNext: Page 3
Blacks & Whites
Calibration Summary
• Used Cinema Mode
• Only minor adjustments needed
• Calibrated using DisplayMate software
Calibration
It's rare for a television to come out of the box ready to give you the best picture, as such we take the time to calibrate our HDTVs before testing them. For our calibration process we use DisplayMate software, which is the same software used by many television manufacturers.
With the Sony Bravia KDL-32L5000 we found we needed to make only some minor adjustments from the standard Cinema mode. We turned down the picture and brightness controls a little and turned off the Noise Reduction and Cinemotion options. We also turned the sharpness down to zero.
Although our calibration settings are not perfect for every situation, they are a good place to start if you want to try and fiddle with your HDTV, and it's a lot cheaper than paying someone to come to your home and professionaly calibrate your television. You should also note that our calibration settings are focused on achieving the best picture accuracy, which means we are willing to give up things like brightness for the sake of color accuracy, for example. Our complete calibrated settings for the Sony Bravia KDL-32L5000 are listed below.
| Setting | Default | Calibrated |
| Picture Mode | Cinema | |
| Backlight | Min (0) | Max (10) |
| Picture | 80 | 73 |
| Brightness | 50 | 46 |
| Sharpness | 8 | 0 |
| Noise Reduction | Low | Off |
| Cinemotion | Auto | Off |
Video Modes
As with most HDTVs the Sony Bravia KDL-32L5000 offers several preset video modes. As we mentioned above we used the Cinema mode as the starting place for our calibration process. The KDL-32L5000 also offers a Vivid and Standard mode, below are what Sony says these modes are for.
| Mode | What it Does |
| Vivid | 'Select for advanced picture contrast and sharpness.' |
| Standard | 'Select for standard picture settings. Recommended for home entertainment.' |
| Cinema | 'Select for viewing film-based content. Most suitable for viewing in a theater-like environment.' |
Shop for the Sony KDL-32L5000
Latest News
& Reviews
-
30-Jan-2012
Superbowl HDTV Buying Guide
The weeks leading up to Super Bowl Sunday are fraught with anticipation and last-minute big screen HDTV sales. But rushing a major purchase can often lead to buyer’s remorse come Monday morning. Let us coach you to a winning purchase with this helpful guide. Read More...
-
26-Jan-2012
Samsung UN32D5500 LED LCD HDTV Review
The D5500 has a rather high MSRP of $699, considering it’s only a 32-inch TV. There are some “premiums upgrades,” a term we use with some dubiousness, knowing that these features can be far less valuable than they appear. Nevertheless, at its core this is a good television. If you can find it a significantly reduced price it would make a great addition to a home theater. Read More...
Top Rated HD Televisions
-
Also in this series
$1,742.001
Size: 59 in.Samsung PN59D7000
The Samsung PN59D7000 ($2,599 MSRP) is a stunning, high-end plasma TV fashioned by Samsung for 2011. It has 59 inches of great, 1080p picture quality, and as a second-generation plasma, it handles 3D reasonably well. Read full review
$1,742.00All TypesPlasmaOnline Features (with or without)YesWith Online FeaturesNoWithout Online FeaturesYes3D and non-3D TVsYes3D TVsNoNon-3D TVsYes -
Also in this series
$2,614.002
Size: 60 in.Samsung UN60D8000
The Samsung UN60D8000 retails for a whopping $4299 (MSRP). That's well over a $1000 more than the equivalently-sized plasma from Samsung that includes nearly all the same features. Read full review
$2,614.00All TypesLCDOnline Features (with or without)YesWith Online FeaturesNoWithout Online FeaturesYes3D and non-3D TVsYes3D TVsNoNon-3D TVsYes -
$728.493
Size: 46 in.Samsung UN46D6000
Everyone wants a Smart TV, but how smart is buying the Samsung UN46D6000 for its $1299 MSRP? With its reasonably good performance in many categories and more internet features than you can shake an e-stick at, that question might be hard to answer if it weren't for this review. Read full review
$728.49All TypesLCDOnline Features (with or without)YesWith Online FeaturesNoWithout Online FeaturesYes3D and non-3D TVsYes3D TVsNoNon-3D TVsYes -
4
Size: 50 in.LG 50PZ950
This 1080p plasma television with internet and 3D capabilities is purportedly the best LG has to offer in 2011. Read full review
All TypesPlasmaOnline Features (with or without)YesWith Online FeaturesNoWithout Online FeaturesYes3D and non-3D TVsYes3D TVsNoNon-3D TVsYes -
$714.935
Size: 42 in.LG 42LV5500
The LG 42LV5500 is packed with a lot of fun features that may sound good, but can distract from what a TV is supposed to do: deliver a good picture. Fortunately, the color performance cannot be beat. Read full review
$714.93All TypesLEDOnline Features (with or without)YesWith Online FeaturesNoWithout Online FeaturesYes3D and non-3D TVsYes3D TVsNoNon-3D TVsNo
Features
-
TelevisionInfo.com 2011 Select Awards
After testing dozens of televisions this year, the staff of TVI has made its official selections for the very best televisions of 2011. Read More...
-
3D TV, Not Ready for Prime Time
If you’ve been shopping for a new TV is the last two years, you’ve probably heard a lot of hype about 3D. As with most new technologies, customers are awash in baffling terminology and misinformation. Here’s a simple guide to walk you through the basics. Read More...
-
HDTV Streaming Content Compared
Televisions aren’t just getting their content through the coax cable anymore. Just as the internet has gradually moved towards a video-rich space—YouTube, Hulu, Vimeo, etc.—those same sorts of features are creeping into your TV sets. Like it or not, those 1000+ channels of direct cable are not enough anymore. Read More...
-
Technology Preview: Haier Completely Wireless Television
Imagine a TV with no wires. You’re talking about WiFi, right? No, we mean no wires, at all. Haier, the Chinese company better known as an appliance manufacturer, is showcasing a new technology here at CES that conducts electricity wireless to the TV, as well as streaming content. The TV is pretty far from production at this point, but it’s among the more amazing things we’ve seen at the show. Here’s an in-depth look at the technology and how it might be implemented in future products. Read More...
(add your own)