Sony KDL-40XBR4

When those bright blue eyes of Chris O’ Donnell in Vertical Limit all but jump off the screen, you can know that the Sony Kdl-40XBR4 is the top-of-the-line in picture quality. Not only do the colors shine with outstanding quality, but the snow falling down the precipitous and deep chasm looks smooth and even realistic.

LCD televisions have come a long way and Sony’s Kdl-40XBR4 is a good way to gauge how.

The top-end features and stylish chassis of Sony’s XBR4 stand out among TVs. With the superior picture that comes from the 120Hz and the 1080p resolution the XBR4 is still one of Sony’s best TVs and will continue to be a big force in the TV market. Tack on a style that is sure to grab your attention—an attractive glass panel surrounding the screen—and you’ll realize why Sony has long since had a reputation for making some of the best TVs on the market and this model surely doesn’t disappoint.

Stand out Features

• 120Hz refresh rate
• 1920 x 1080 resolution (aka 1080p)
• 2000:1 contrast ratio
• 3 HDMI ports

Features

TVs aren’t just about the picture anymore. While Sony puts the latest in picture quality in the XBR4, this model also has a stylish casing that makes a statement on quality all its own. The Sony KDL-40XBR4 features a screen that appears to float on a glass panel, with the Sony logo floating just below the screen. The logo also has a cool feature on the XBR4 where it lights up and can be turned off. The standard black casing is outlined with a glass panel that, if nothing else, makes the XBR4 stand out in a crowd.

A main feature that is becoming standard on Sony’s XBR line is a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s no different on the XBR4. The higher refresh rate, 120Hz, on the XBR4 makes the picture look smoother. With a 120 Hz refresh rate, the picture is refreshed 120 times in a second. This refresh rate gets rid of the motion blur that is sometimes associated with LCD televisions. It also makes TV viewing easier on your eyes, reducing the flickering that is associated with lower refresh rates. The benefit of the 120Hz is especially evident on fast-paced action scenes when the Sony XBR4 gives you a smooth, detailed picture.

The Sony Kdl-40XBR4 features a contrast ratio of 2000:1, which will make all your TV shows shine with outstanding quality. This ratio, along with the 1080p resolution allows Sony’s XBR line to produce some outstanding black levels. The built-in digital tuner ensures that you won’t be left in the dark when the transition is made to digital-only broadcasts. This will also enable you to receive high-definition signals over the air on your Sony Kdl-40XBR4 right out of the box.

With 3 HDMI ports, the Sony XBR4 will help you declutter that area behind your TV. HDMI ports, or High Definition Multimedia Interface ports, reduce the cabling between your TV and other devices like your DVD player. It takes all that jumble of wiring and makes it possible to hook up your DVD player to your Sony Kdl-40XBR4 with only a single cable and connector.  

Summary of Reviews from Across the Internet

The expert reviewers like the overall picture quality of the set, particularly the brightness which enables it to be viewed in a well lit room. LCD TVs, in general, are better for viewing in well-lit rooms. So if you’re watching the soaps in the middle of the day, the picture quality will hold up.

The 120 Hz and 24 frames per second are also added benefits, providing less flicker than on a standard television. Reviewers also like the “floating glass” design, making the set distinctive from among other brands and models.

Consumers are impressed by the overall picture quality as well, particularly on the high-definition sources. The 8 ms response time is also a benefit, especially for those who play video games on the set.

Summary

The Sony Kdl-40XBR4 is a good example of just how far LCD televisions have come. With the 120 Hz refresh rate and the 1080p resolution, this model will stay at the top of the list of LCD models for some time. The Sony Kdl-40XBR4 is sure to continue to add style to the display floor or your front room.

While you’re looking for a new LCD TV, check out TopTenREVIEWS list of LCD TV definitions to help you be educated on what all those terms the salesman uses really mean.

Or, if you want to know how to get the most out of your HDTV , check out our article on TopTenREVIEWS.