Sony Bravia KDL-46W4100 LDC HDTV Review - Remote

The Sony Bravia KDL-46W4100's remote is a combination of good design along with some strange choices. We like the feel of the remote and buttons, and the size and weight are good, but we wonder why the D-Pad is on the other side of the remote from the volume and channel buttons.

Ergonomics & Durability (6.9)
The Sony Bravia KDL-46W4100's remote is better designed than many other remotes we've seen. Unlike the remotes from the JVC LT-47X899 or the Sharp LC-46D64U the Sony Bravia KDL-46W4100's remote is fairly small and light. It's still longer than the remote for the Panasonic TH-46PZ8OU, but its light weight means that it can be easily balanced as you move up and down the remote. Also of assistance is the contoured back that is also textured to make it easier to hold. The buttons on the remote provide decent key travel and tactile feedback and are made from a soft plastic. About the only major negative we saw with the remote is that there's no backlight, so in dark conditions you may have trouble trying to find the button you want. Durability seemed solid, with the battery cover having a well designed latch.

Button Layout & Use (5.5)
We have mixed feeling about the button layout on the Sony Bravia KDL-46W4100's remote. On the one hand we feel the remote's buttons are easy to find by feel, well labeled and we like the wide angle at which the TV can be controlled, out to ten degrees in our test. On the other hand Sony made a strange design choice by placing the directional pad at almost the opposite end of the remote from the channel and volume keys. This means you'll have to shift your hand along almost the entire length of the remote to switch between the two. Although the remote's light weight and shorter length makes this easier than on some other remotes, it's still annoying.

Programming & Flexibility (1.0)
The Sony Bravia KDL-46W4100's remote cannot be used as a universal remote, however it can be used to control other Sony devices via the Bravia Sync service, as such we are awarding a single point for that functionality.