| Viewing Effects Summary |
| Editorial Note: This is a review of the Sony KDL-40W5100. Test results are for this model, but should indicate the general performance of other models in the W5100 series, which include the KDL-46W5100 (46"), the KDL-52W5100 (52"), and the KDL-65W5100 (65"). Read here for more details on series differences. |
 • Somewhat shallow viewing angle.
• Reflectance shouldn't be much of an issue.
• The TV offers a bunch of video processing features, which have varying degrees of usefulness.
• Testing done using DisplayMate Software.
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Motion |
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Calibration |
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Viewing Angle (4.54)
The Sony KDL-40W5100's viewing angle is pretty shallow. Contrast ratio drops below 50% once you get more than 19º away from dead center. While this is very shallow compared to plasmas, compared to other LCDs the KDL-40W5100 isn't bad.
Reflectance (7.25)
For this test, we shine an LED array at the screen to see how it reacts to the external light. The KDL-40W5100 diffuses incoming light to a certain extent, which creates a bit of a glow around them and softens the reflection a bit. When the screen is bright, we could still see the individual LEDs in the array. When the screen was dark, the light streaked across the screen horizontally and vertically, creating a faint cross pattern. Although the streaks caused the reflection are a bit eye-catching, they'll only appear if the light is shining directly at the TV. The KDL-40W5100 didn't have any issues with light shining onto the screen from an angle.
Video Processing (3.5)
Manufacturers love to pack HDTVs with video processing features, and Sony is no exception. Below we've listed the KDL-40W5100's array of options, what Sony says they do, and our impressions of what they actually do. Many of these features hinge on boosting a certain spectrum of light, which blows out some detailing in those areas.
| Setting |
Claimed Function |
Our Impression |
| Noise Reduction |
Reduce repetitive random noise. |
Reduces some noise. |
| MPEG Noise Reduction |
Reduce video compression noise. |
Reduces some noise. |
| Black Corrector |
Enhance the black in images for stronger contrast. |
Blacks darken, leading to a loss of fine detail in dark areas. |
| Advanced Contrast Enhancer |
Automatically adjusts the contrast based on bicture brightness. |
This is basically a dynamic contrast mode. |
| Auto Light Limiter |
Controls the backlight to reduce excessive brightness in bright scenes. |
Works as advertised, but the effect itself doesn't do much. |
| Clear White |
Emphasizes whiteness of the picture. |
Makes whites whiter, leading to a loss of fine detail in bright areas. |
| Live Color |
Improves vividness of colors. |
Oversaturates certain colors. Details are lost, etc. |
| Other Models in the W5100 Series |
| This is a review of the Sony KDL-40W5100. 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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KDL-46W5100
46 inches |
KDL-52W5100
52 inches |
KDL-65W5100
65 inches |
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