Sony LCD Televisions: boosting interactive features to compete strongly in the market

Instead of focusing on screen technology, contrast features and angle viewing, Sony is focusing in providing attractive add-on to their newer models – which is easier for consumers to distinguish. So the Sony LCD televisions currently under promotion feature interactivity.

Sony is working hard on this and provides a lot of extra goodies, including select Yahoo widgets, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Shout cast, and very soon Netflix. The company’s overall package stands out quite beautifully from the others, but at a price (around two hundred dollars more).

The models to look for are in the W5100 series, with models in 40 inches (Sony KDL-40W5100), 46 inches (Sony KDL-46W5100) and 52 inches (KDL-52W5100) respectively. I has a look at the 46 inch model only, knowing from experts that the other models boast the same features, and that the only difference is the size and price.

The outside of the KDL-W5100 series is good looking and stylish enough. The frame with the sharp angles counts one and a half inch from the edge of the picture to the edge of the panel, with a nice grey. The speakers are invisible and the panel sits on a non swivel stand

The series supports the new Bravia Internet video suite, with interactive capabilities matching those of the XBR 9 series, i.e. select Yahoo widgets, Internet powered content and information that can be downloaded and fired on the set. It will be great if Netflix is activated as Sony promised, this Fall.

In addition there is an onscreen electronic programming guide, allowing Sony to show information from cable and aerial channels. It was also nice to see a 2 step saving option in the ecological menu with features like room lighting sensor, screen turn off mode with active sound and auto turn off.

The pros of the series:

  • Attractive style
  • Fully blown connectivity (4 HDMI, 2 component video, 1 PC input)
  • Good black shade and accurate color (100K-1 Dynamic contrast)
  • Extensive interactive features

The disadvantages of the series:

  • Pricey
  • Some screen uniformity problems
  • Dark screen with blue
  • Free streaming video options unworthy

In all, all three models of the W5100 series (Sony KDL-40W5100 at 40 inches, Sony KDL-46W5100 at 46 inches and KDL-52W5100 at 52 inches represent a very good and solid proposition by Sony.