Sony Bravia KDL-46EX700

Motion Performance (16.00)

Motion Smoothness (8.25)

Typically we disable various video processing features, but in the case of the KDL-46EX700 we found it was beneficial to leave the MotionFlow feature on Standard. This will result in some slight artifacting, but it will all but eliminate motion blurring. We really saw no issues with blurring in pictures at 1080p. A moving set of color swatches showed significant blurring, however, as did a series of black and white bars. We thought this was an interesting combination: complex pictures didn’t blur much, but basic patterns did. We’re guessing the MotionFlow feature is simply geared towards complex images, since turning it off caused the photos to blur just as much as the other figures.

Motion Artifacting (7.75)

Artifacting was a very mixed bag. On our photo test and color chart test, we saw very minor rolling shudder. Alternating black and white lines prove a much larger challenge for the TV: the bars were wracked with blocky shuddering and acquired a slight color cast. The shuddering was much more noticeable than the smooth effect we typically see. Herringbone patterns or high contrast stripes will likely cause noticeable artifacting. More on how we test motion performance.

3:2 Pulldown & 24fps (6.50)

The KDL-46EX700 performed adequately in its 24fps mode. There were two main issues. First, the TV again has troubles with fine patterns. We saw some weird, randomly shifting blotches in a block of white and black stripes. Another block of stripes flashed slightly. This wasn’t terrible compared to some of the other TVs we’ve seen, but wasn’t great. We enabled the CineMotion feature and set it to Auto 1, which reduced the frequency of artifacting a bit, but didn’t eliminate it. Another test video pans an empty stadium. The seats looked noisy (less so with CineMotion), like their outlines were crawling. Again, it wasn’t a particularly distracting issue, but it will be annoying once you notice it. More on how we test 3:2 pulldown and 24fps.

Resolution Scaling (6.35)

There are various different standard resolutions that today’s content comes in. HDTVs need to be able to display them all well. Since the TV will have to upscale or downscale content that isn’t the native resolution. Below we’ve outlined how the KDL-46EX700 handles different formats. More on how we test resolution scaling.

480p

The TV didn’t have many issues with 480p content. There was a 3% overscan on all sides, but that was about it.

720p

There weren’t any issues with 720p content either. Some lines were a bit soft, and there was a 2% overscan, but that was about it.

1080i

The TV handles 1080i about as well as the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway’s Super Chief handled that concrete barrier in 1948, or about as well as we’ve handled this metaphor: train wrecks, all around. We saw crazy amounts of moire interference and some seriously blurry lines.

Other Models in the KDL-xxEX700 Series
For more information on other models in this series, check our Series Comparison Page.
Sony Bravia KDL-32EX700 32 in.	Sony Bravia KDL-40EX700 40 in.	Sony Bravia KDL-52EX700 52 in.	Sony Bravia KDL-60EX700 60 in.