Sony Bravia XBR-52LX900

Internet Features (11.00)

The Sony XBR-52LX900 has the same great internet features of all the 2010 Sonys that feature an ethernet or WiFi connection. Sony offers the widest selection of streaming video of any manufacturer, by far. There are now over 30 channels (or apps, or streams, or content partners), expanding every few months with new partners. In addition to video, there are also several music channels, photo services like Picasa, and more. The complete list of everything Sony offers, along with what everyone else offers, is here#.

But we can’t help but feel something missing in the LX900 series. It’s hard to believe that Sony made a TV with a built-in camera and completely failed to capitalize on its potential. The camera, located right below the Sony logo on the facade, has absolutely no function as a telecommunication device. No video chat, no audio at all, and no photo capture – it doesn’t even record the video. Instead, the low-resolution camera is used for some truly lame features like energy conservation and keeping your children from sitting too close to the TV. They even managed to include face recognition software and do virtually nothing interesting with it. We can only hope that this is a baby step towards something much cooler in the future.

Local Media Playback (7.00)

The Sony XBR-52LX900 can play back photos if they’re stored on a USB drive. Just plug it into the USB port on the side and you’re ready to roll. Unfortunately, the interface suffers from the same frustrations that most TVs do. Despite the fact that the LX900 can play back photos, videos, and music, when you plug a thumb drive in, you first have to select the media type, then drill down through the folder hierarchies to find the desired file. Only the file names that pertain to that media type are visible. It would be a lot easier if you could simply plug in, select the folder, and view all the playable files, regardless of media type.

When playing back photos, you have several options for controlling the look of a slideshow, including selecting audio files from the same storage device for background music.

You can also use the USB port for connecting Sony branded cameras and camcorders. Any other brand will have to use the composite, component, or HDMI ports, depending on what fits. The only benefit to this Sony-Sony relationship is that you can use the TV’s slideshow interface. Other brands will have to use the camera’s playback interface.

The music and video playback interface functions a lot like the photo interface, described above. With music files, you can create custom playlists. Videos must be played one at a time.

Other Media (0.00)

The Sony XBR-52LX900 does not play back any other media type.

Other Models in the XBR-xxLX900 Series
For more information on other models in this series, check our Series Comparison Page.
Sony Bravia XBR-60LX900 60 in.