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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 Samsung UN46B6000
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13.Vs Vizio SV471XVT
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14.Vs Sony KDL 46Z5100
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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
Sony Bravia KDL-46VE5
Previous: Page 4
MotionNext: Page 6
Calibration
Viewing Effects Summary
Editorial Note: This is a review of the Sony KDL-46VE5. Test results are for this model, but should indicate the general performance of other sizes in the VE5 series. The VE5 series includes the following models: KDL-40VE5, KDL-46VE5, and KDL-52VE5. Read here for more details on series differences.
• The wide angle on this TV is bad, even for an LCD
• Special processing modes conservative in their effects (this is a good thing)
• Testing done using DisplayMate Software
Viewing Angle (2.66)
LCD TVs are never champions when it comes to viewing angle. It's just not in their nature; you need to look to a plasmas TV for success here. When we tested the Sony KDL-46VE5, we found that it lost 50% of its contrast ratio at only 20 degrees. This is a the worst of the four TVs in this comparison pool.
| Viewing Angle | |||||||
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| Compare the Sony KDL-46VE5 to other HDTVs | |||||||
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| Samsung UN46B6000 46 inches |
Vizio SV471XVT 47 inches |
Sony KDL-46Z5100 46 inches |
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Reflectance (4.0)
The Sony KDL-46VE5 has a highly reflective screen, there's no getting around that. What's strange is that the diffusion screen meant to mitigate this problem actually creates a 8-pointed star pattern around any reflecting light. That's just the physics of light, baby, making your Sony glow like a Christmas tree.
There is some hope, though. If the light shining on the TV at enough of an angle, you might not get too much of the star-shape bounce. Oh, but there's yet another problem: the inside of the bezel is highly reflective. Even if lights are far off to the side, you're going to see a gleaming reflection on the very edge of your screen.
Video Processing (3.5)
There are a bundle of extra features that Sony, like so many other companies, packs on to try and lure you in. Most of them are things you don't need, but let's walk through them one by one.
| Setting | Claimed Function | Our Impression |
| Noise Reduction | Reduces random noise. | Takes noise that is continuously flickering and makes it flicker slower and more regularly (and therefore more noticeably). |
| Adv. Contrast Enhance | Automatically adjusts contrast based on the picture's brightness. | Boosts contrast. |
| Clear White | Emphasizes whiteness of picture. | Boosts whites, which can cause loss of detail in highlights. |
| Live Color | Improves vividness of color. | Oversaturates. |
| Other Models in the VE5 Series | |||
| This is a review of the Sony KDL-46VE5. The other sizes of HDTVs in this series should be similar in terms of performance and usability. For details about any differences, click on the image to jump to the Series Comparison page. | |||
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| Sony KDL-40VE5 40 inches |
Sony KDL-46VE 46 inches |
Sony KDL-52VE 52 inches |
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Shop for the Sony KDL-46VE5
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