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Sony Bravia KDL-40XBR2 Television

User Reviews: Sony Bravia KDL-40XBR2

Sony Bravia KDL-40XBR2 Television
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4.6 out of 5.0 stars 57 Ratings (13 Reviews)

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    Finally... an LCD Worth Buying!

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Oct 3, 2006 | 46 out of 51 found this Sony Bravia KDL-40XBR2 review helpful

    Pros: Excellent Picture Quality, Wide Viewing Angle, Deep Blacks

    Cons: Expensive, No Cablecard Support (not a huge loss)

    This was the flatpanel TV I've been waiting for. Finally, a company has produced a (relatively) affordable 1080p-compliant LCD panel with an excellent picture, that addresses many of the shortcomings common of LCD. Whereas many LCDs have a narrow... optimum viewing angle, the Sony XBR2 claims a 178 degree viewing angle -- and it's true. Stand practically perpendicular to this set and the image is perfectly clear. Another common complaint among LCDs is that black-level is too light to accurately display dark pictures -- another area where this Sony outperforms the competition. A fast refresh rate (less than 8ms) keeps even extremely fast-moving action sequences from experiencing "ghosting" effects. Sound is also excellent, though I'm using my receiver exclusively. The set also accepts up to three HDMI inputs (two in back, one on the side for PC connectivity). One downside to switching to panels with resolution this high is that regular resolution (non-HD) TV signals will appear to be rather poor in quality -- digital channels fare a bit better, while the HD channels will blow you away (though none are yet even taking advantage of the full HD resolution the Sony XBR2 provides). There is also no cablecard support for this set; however, if you order PPV, Video on Demand or require any two-way communication between your TV and cable/sat provider, you can't use a cablecard (yet) anyway. All-in-all, a very welcome release from Sony. Full HD-capability that won't make me want to have to upgrade my TV when they finally settle on a standard 1080p content format (Blu-Ray or HD DVD?), in a set that can fit in a normal-sized room without looking ridiculous. Read more Less

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    ONE WORD - CLOUDS!

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Dec 18, 2006 | 22 out of 33 found this Sony Bravia KDL-40XBR2 review helpful

    Pros: Good picture quality under CERTAIN CONDITIONS!

    Cons: TERRIBLE CLOUDING IN DARK VIEWING ENVIRONMENT!

    I have been through 4 XBR TVs and all of them have had clouding backlight issues - also known as 'mura'. I swapped my first 40XBR2 out for a 46XBR2. The 46XBR2 was the worst of the four I'd had. I came complete with the brightest and most... widespread clouding and also one stuck green pixel! The problem is most visible in low lighting conditions and can be readily seen when watching dark scenes in movies or games. I noticed my first set had clouding when watching Superman Returns. During the scene when Superman flies into outerspace and is kicked back with his cape flowing out behind him, I noticed clouds with him in outerspace. It was impossible to overlook this issue. Were it not for the superior picture during other conditions (i.e. a lit room showing content that didn't contain a lot of shadows), I'd have given up immediately on the Sony XBR2's. However, I have been through the ringer with buying a set only to have to cart it back to Best Buy the next day. Sony is also officially not acknowledging this problem. The customer service response for some members of the AVS forum has been alarming. Some have had Sony authorized repair techs come to their house only to be told "this is normal." When I called Sony, they told me to "return it to the store" if I was still within the thirty day period. I strongly suggest anyone considering this TV to search on Google the following words "Sony XBR clouds." You will find more than a few hits that will lead you to online forums. I particularly recommend AVS forum. Once Sony fixes this problem, I will be able to recommend this TV and will purchase one for myself again. Read more Less

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    No Clouds, Perfect Picture,

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Apr 29, 2007 | 8 out of 8 found this Sony Bravia KDL-40XBR2 review helpful

    Pros: Picture Quality, Cabinet Design, Input Features

    Cons: Price

    I purchased this TV for my mom who has macular degeneration. Within one hour of having it installed, my mom called to say she could see the clues on Wheels of Fortune for the first time in years. Subjectively that about sums it up. Objectively, I sp...ent a great deal of time researching sets from LCD to Plasma, and decided on this model after seeing it in person and comparing it to others at Best Buy and Circuit City. My short list boiled down to Samsung and Sony. The Sony XBR set was hands down the better picture but much more expensive. I am loyal to Sony after having 2 CRT sets over the past 20 years with the second still working. So I decided to go with the Sony. My only hesitation was the mura effect "Clouding" issue. After much research, this is a software issue not a LCD issue. All new sets have the new software fix, and a fix is available for sets that have the mura effect. My set manufactured in November 2006 had the fix. No mura effect seen. The picture quality is simply unbelievable. The design is great. I only wish the price was less as I do think you pay a premium for the Sony brand. However, I have no regrets and once again Sony has produced a great product. Read more Less

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    the best lcd of them all

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jan 2, 2007 | 7 out of 8 found this Sony Bravia KDL-40XBR2 review helpful

    Pros: easy use and set up great picture looks bigger than it is

    Cons: none here

    right out of the box 5 min set up easy use of remote best picture i have ever seen 1 wire hdmi hook up looks a lot bigger than a 40inch

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    Best TV EVER!

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jun 1, 2007 | 4 out of 4 found this Sony Bravia KDL-40XBR2 review helpful

    Pros: Picture Detail, Contrast, cosmedic

    Cons: A little pricey

    For the CLOUD people out there. There are no clouds when you're watching TV. The fact is the backlight at times comes through the panel in spots when the TV is on an input NOT being used. When you are watching TV you NEVER see clouds. I've o...wned the 46XBR2 since it first came out and it is by far the best TV on the market. Read more Less

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    40xbr3

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Apr 10, 2007 | 2 out of 2 found this Sony Bravia KDL-40XBR2 review helpful

    Pros: style, picture quality, the hd

    Cons: price

    Just got the xbr3-the newer one that just came out. First of all, picture quality is 1000% better than a plasma. Also, it's much clearer than a plasma. Love the black frame of the xbr3 over the xbr2. plus the black accents the tv well and cuts do...wn the glare. This t.v. also operates cooler than the plasma because my plasma burned out, while my other lcd sony is still working fine. A bit pricey, but most stores offer 12-18 months payment plans that act like same as cash purchase. Read more Less

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    Absolutely Outstanding

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Sep 21, 2007

    Pros: Best 1080P picture out there

    Cons: none

    Picked this outstanding television up as an open box special.....saved some dollars by doing so, but after getting this thing home and hooked up....I would pay full price, twice if I had too. No regrets here, killer HD picture

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    Sony Bravia XBR 40" 1080p

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jun 3, 2007

    Pros: Great picture quality

    Cons: Minimal clouding on "pitch black" screen

    I've had this TV for about six months now, and I love it. In my opinion it's the best 1080p HDTV out on the market right now (and probably for some time to come). The picture quality and clarity can not be beat; it&#39...;s the best picture I've ever seen. Every time someone comes over and sees it I can not pull them away from it, I've gotten nothing but compliments from every kind of person. Its well worth the price and it's a bonus if you can find it on a good sale. If you're look to upgrade and get a new HDTV look no further than this masterpiece. Read more Less

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    'The next level'...................

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Mar 8, 2007

    Pros: Outstanding color and image clarity

    Cons: A bit spendy; not a full 42"

    .......This TV was fairly easy to hook-up, straight out of the box. The Sony 'backlighting' system gives awesome contrast betwwen dark and light colors. There is a definite distinction between channels that broadcast in 'Hi Def', and ...all of the others. Hopefully broadcasting technology will catch up with the capabilities of these TV's. I find myself watching channels that I normally wouldn't, just because of the clarity of the picture. Read more Less

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    Great TV Full HD at it's best

    By Yahoo! Shopping User  Jan 30, 2007

    Pros: Best color and clarity of any LCD

    Cons: Slightly more expensive

    Well, you get what you pay for. This LCD is the best out there. Most other LCD's have a problem with color rendering. Not the Sony Bravia. The reds are a true red not a pink, purple or maroon. The greens are a true green not blue-green or gre...y-green. The shadow detail is fantastic. Watching a movie like Pirates of the Carribean or Batman Begins will really show off the level of blacks and shadow details it can produce. I have not seen the clouding some talk about. I think they are seeing things that are so faint they wouldn't like anything. Overall the TV is the best out there. Watch it at 1080p and you will be amazed! Read more Less

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