Sony Bravia XBR-Series KDL-40XBR4 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

Over the years XBR has stood for the best consumer TV's Sony has to offer and this year's line up is no exception. The XBR line of Full HD 1080p televisions incorporate all of Sony's latest technologies (including HDMI v1.3 features such as x.v.Color and Deep Color). Additional features like Motionflow 120Hz enable smoother motion when viewing movies or fast-action sports. BRAVIA Engine PRO with Digital Reality Creation upconverts all interlaced and progressive video signals including HD signals directly to 1080p for amazing detail and sharpness. And it's only fitting that your XBR make a statement not only through breathtaking picture quality, but by taking your breath away with optional color bezels. Now your LCD TV can be as distinct as your own personal style.

The Sony BRAVIA XBR KDL-40XBR4 40-inch 1080p LCD Flat Panel HDTV continues Sony's tradition of making outstanding televisions. The 40-inch screen is ideal for medium-size rooms. Sony does not hold back with any technologies, and the XBR series is its flagship line--so with the XBR, you know you'll get the best quality home theater experience available. The KDL-40XBR4 has vibrant colors and a 178-degree viewing angle. View larger. View product demo (requires Flash). The XBR series delivers beautful visuals while incorporating all of Sony's latest technologies. View more details. Top-Notch Video Performance The XBR KDL-40XBR4 is a 1080p television with a full 1920 x 1080 resolution, the highest resolution available for the sharpest, clearest picture. The KDL-40XBR uses the most recent HDMI 1.3 interface, which houses both audio and video signals in one connector and has the bandwidth to support the data needed for the high resolution. Sony's Bravia Engine Pro Full Digital Video Processor upconverts all video signals to 1080p so you can watch all your old DVDs on this glorious display. Sony complements the high resolution with the latest technology in color reproduction. The KDL-40XBR is a 10-bit display with 10-bit processing. Most panels are only 8-bit. The added bit depth here means a larger color palette for more faithful color reproduction and smoother transitions from one color to the next. Additionally, the display also supports the new x.v.Color standard, which dramatically increases the available color space. The end result is a picture that is so detailed, colorful, and vibrant, you'd have a hard time distinguishing it from real life. The KDL-40XBR4 features Sony's Motionflow technology, which automatically adjusts for and applies the proper processing for optimal motion reproduction depending on the video input. This includes support for 24 frames per second (24p) video, which displays video content at the 24-frames-per-second rate at which it was originally filmed or recorded. With 24p, you get the most faithful possible reproduction of the original. A Wide Variety of Inputs This Sony television's wide variety of inputs ensures compatibility with your other home theater components. There are three HDMI connections for Blu-Ray, HD DVD, and other technologies requiring the high bandwidth, and two component video inputs, three composite video inputs, one S-Video input, one PC Audio and Video input, and five analog audio inputs. Even with a collection of legacy components, you shouldn't have a problem connecting to the KDL-40XBR4. Stunning Looks The KDL-40XBR4 not only displays stunning video but is itself a head-turner. It features Sony's unique floating glass frame along with a black bezel that can be interchanged with optional color bezels to match the display to your decor. Outstanding Ergonomics and Simplicity of Control Sony's Xross Media Bar interface is an award-winning, intuitive on-screen display that makes setup a breeze, with menus and controls logically laid out for quick access. The KDL-40XBR4 also features Theatre Sync technology, based on the HDMI-CEC standard, which means you can easily connect to and control compatible devices. For example, when the KDL-40XBR4 is connected to a compatible DVD player, you can turn on both the DVD player and the television and start playing a DVD with a single push of a button on the remote. When you're done, another push of a button powers everything down. With Theatre Sync, you can spend time enjoying the movie rather than waste time setting everything up. More Than Just a Television Because more and more people expect to view photos on their HDTVs, Sony developed a Photo TV HD mode that optimally sets the sharpness, gradation, and color to make digital photos look like printed photography. The KDL-40XBR4 is backed by a 1-year limited warranty for parts and labor. Full HD Quality HDTV provides up to six times the visual detail of the Standard Definition television. You need an HDTV set, HD sound and a source of HD content to make sure you're really getting HD. One-step Simplicity It's easy to setup your HDTV system. A single HDMI cable carries both audio and video signals, while it also banishes confusing setup and cord tangles. You're Surrounded HD broadcasting can include up to 7.1 channels of surround sound. A Sony HD Audio system lets you experience every whisper. Ready for Primetime You've got the set, now get the shows. HD sports, comedies, dramas, movies and more are available on Broadcast, Cable and Satellite TV. What's in the Box KDL-40XBR4 40-inch LCD flat panel HDTV, remote control, 2 AA batteries, AC power cord, operating instructions, quick setup guide, warranty card, table top stand, and support strap.

One word to describe this Sony HDTV...AMAZING. The picture quality will be like nothing you've ever seen. The aesthetics of the TV is absolutely gorgeous. The sound is good, but you would be doing yourself an injustice if you didn't get a nice sound system with this TV. I am extremely pleased overall with this TV. One minor gripe I have about this TV, however, is the fan noise in the back. I knew about this issue before I bought the TV and it's unnoticeable when you're watching TV since it's just a small buzzing noise. You would really only notice it when shuffling through the inputs when there is absolutely no sound coming from your TV or if you were to put the TV on mute.

This is TRULY a TOP of the LINE television from sony in terms of performance. The HDTV is UNREAL. When I first ordered an HD movie on demand I was FLOORED by the 1080P picture. INCREDIBLE. Hooked up Xbox 360 and was amazed at the quality. Incredible TV,

I love this TV. I have a PS3, Wii, XBox 360 Elite and DirectTV connected no problem and getting maximum quality out of each. Blu-Ray anything on this TV will make you drool. It's in a naturally lit room resulting in minimal glare. Viewing angles are impressive. Check for deals, I got it for $1599 and it's been worth every penny!

I've been a Sony video guy forever. I still own a SLHF-1000 Beta VCR, and this XBR is replacing a 27" Trinitron as my main television (which is still going strong after 12 years, and will for many more, undoubtedly). I finally caved in to the modern era when I found this TV for $1349 at a major big box retailer. Now is the time to buy XBR4 models, as the new XBR 6/7 models are about to be released, and if you can find the XBR4/5 on clearance. Although Samsung shares some components and R&D with Sony, it's not just the LCD display you're buying when you buy a Sony. It's the other electronics, firmware and other important aspects, too (and it plays nice with other Sony equipment and remote controls you might have). The Sony picture looks better than any Samsung I've looked at. Sony is simply the King of the LCD TV Hill, just as Pioneer and Panasonic share that reputation on the plasma side. In my opinion, you simply can't do any better. Pictures are very good out of the box on Standard video setting; although, "Vivid" is apparently just for the showroom, or for someone who wears sunglasses while watching TV. Audio and stereo separation is very good for in-TV speakers (hence the much wider bezel compared to many lesser sets with skinny speakers on the side, or cheat and place the speakers underneath the screen). A friend's Samsung TV's speakers rattle and distort like a crappy 20 year old RCA, and analog channels looked just horrible; analog pics on the XBR look almost as good as on my tube Trinitron. Buyers of Vizios and other cheap manufacturers are today's VHS 8-hours-on-a-T120 crowd, while the real video aficionados who used to buy Betamax, EDBeta (or maybe SuperVHS) are now enjoying XBR LCD (or Pioneer plasma). With the 120 Hertz refresh rate, motion blur is almost unnoticeable. For less blur and quality of picture, you'd need to go to a high-end plasma. Concerning the comments of a couple reviewers: I hear no fan noise (and there is a Sony fix for earlier-manufactured sets with that issue). At least, the Sony does not have Samsung's huge problem with TVs turning off by themselves that require a firmware update. I highly recommend this TV (or it's big brothers in 46 and 52 inch) highly, especially if you can grab one for a clearance price.

Let's review the thought process from the beginning. - Purchased first flat screen was a 37 inch plasma Panasonic Viera 3 years ago: excellent buy. - I was sure my next tv would be a plasma Viera as well until I started reading that the black levels of LCD have improved significantly. - Checked out the Samsungs (red frame versions) but what caught my eye in a circuit city store was the Bravias with the "motion enhancers" features. The Bravia pictures truly look like it was window or portal through which you can reach through and touch the characters. It was **unbeleivable**. - I happened to be driving across the USA at the time and hence, I stopped by 3 more Circuit City or Best Buy stores in different cities. Confirmed that the stunning Bravia picture quality is due to the TV alone (and not due to variation in connection or poor feeds etc etc). In each of the stores, I checked out the equivalent Samsung LCDs and the picture quality was no up to par. - Received my Bravia today (amazon delivery was effective) and yes, the picture quality is truly stunning (I am using a HDMI) Conclusion: At time zero, the Bravia is a clear win! Additional thoughts on impact of Blue Ray: - Using the Bravia with a PS3 (40Gb) box as the Blue Ray player. As a test to confirm what all the Blue Ray hyperbole is about, I loaded a rented Blue Ray DVD "3:10 to Yuma" and of course, the picture quality was stunning. I also happen to own the regular DVD version and when I loaded it immediately for comparison, I really cannot see any degradation or significant difference. For both DVDs, the quality is truly great. Bottom Line: I don't plan on running out and spending $ to upgrade my existing DVD collection to Blue Rays version. Any new releases specially designed for Blue Ray technology, of course, maybe that is a different story.