The Sony Bravia KDL40W5500 TV – Is It As Good As It Looks?

September 19th, 2009 by Andrew Emerson, under Movies. No Comments

What a lot of attention has greeted the Sony Bravia KDL40W5500! This 40 inch LCD TV (also known as the 40W5500U by Amazon) provides a wealth of the latest features – and, crucially, the best picture quality of its class.

Sony leads the field by including the latest and best features in its products. And the Bravia KDL40W5500 has a host of them. Media files can be streamed from a PC via an ethernet port. And internet access is included. This is via Sony’s Net Application and offers access via an expanding offering of over 30 widgets.

Such features aside, its the picture quality of the 40W5500 that is by far the most important in a TV and here is where Sony excels. Detail, colour and depth are impressive and, despite a slightly poorer picture watching Freeview, the overall effect is very natural. And high definition provides wonderful detail and depth.

Sound quality for the KDL40W5500 is only average, as is often the case with flat screen TVs – the narrow casing doesn’t provide sufficient depth. There is some lacking of clarity in low frequencies. It is recommended to add an external hi-fi or surround sound system if audio quality is particularly important to you. With digital optical and analogue stereo outputs, this isn’t a problem.

In addition to the audio connections, the KDL40W5500 has a range of connections including 4 HDMI sockets, 2 Scart RGB sockets, an analogue VGA port and USB port to link to your PC, and a headphone socket with an independent volume control that can be controlled by the remote.

Usability on the Sony Bravia KDL40W5500 s very good.

On screen menus and the EPG (electronic programme guide) are easily navigated but they can be somewhat difficult to read and the buttons on the remote could be better laid out.

There is an instruction manual available on-screen that includes the Bravia’s features, together with some tips.

It also has audio description – an additional narrative for visually impaired people, a voice zoom feature that can boost dialogue over background music for those with hearing difficulties (or maybe a wider audience- very useful) and an automatic volume control that keeps the volume at the same level across programmes and adverts.

It is very energy efficient, using around 110 watts – low for a 40-inch LCD . This can be reduced to 60 watts by selecting a power-saving setting. It also has an ambient light sensor that cuts power in lower lit conditions and a screen-blanking option useful for listening to the radio.

In summary, whilst the audio quality is only average and ideally needs external speakers, the extra features are very useful, and above all, the picture quality is outstanding.

The Bravia 40W5500 is a great TV from Sony – you wont regret buying one if you are in the fortunate position to be able to do so.

Information on the Sony Bravia KDL40W5500 available at KDL40W5500 and Sony KDL40W5500 Price