TopTenREVIEWS

TopTenREVIEWS - Silver Award - Awarded for excellence in design, useability and feature set

By Brian Thomas

Sony continues its tradition of high end televisions with its Sony KDL-55XBR8. The Sony KDL-55XBR8 features elegant lines and breaks away from the norm with side mounted speakers. The speakers are separated from the screen by a small panel of glass which gives the speakers the appearance of floating. The screen itself is a glossy black with only the Sony logo visible.

The included remote control is of the long and skinny variety. There are controls which allow the remote to control various other devices such as DVD players and cable boxes. The menu is navigated using the control dials in the center of the remote.

The screen is supported by a matching black pedestal. The stand also allows the screen to swivel making it easier to angle the screen to the desired viewing position.

Standout Features

• Full 1080p Resolution
• 120 Refresh Rate
• LED Backlighting Technology

Sony KDL-55XBR8 Screenshots

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Features:

1080p is about as good as it gets now for televisions and of course Sony’s flagship XBR line is capable of it. 1920 x 1080 resolution means that you will be able to see all of the detail in your favorite movies on Blu-ray and TV. Many broadcast television shows and cable programs are broadcast in 1080p. It is the best way to watch your favorite movies and TV shows.

Most TVs refresh their image at 60 Hz. Doubling this rate decreases motion blur that is sometimes noticeable on fast moving objects. Even real-time sporting events are projected clearly and evenly. The football traveling through the air remains crisp and focused. The numbers on the backs of jerseys also remain visible.

The biggest thing to hit LCD TVs lately is the use of LED lighting. There are many advantages to LED lighting. LEDs have the ability to be turned off and on instantly. This means that in portions of the screen that are meant to be dark the LEDs can be turned down, increasing the contrast and detail in these portions. The overall result is a contrast ratio that is much improved over TVs that use standard lighting.

Those looking for one of the best TVs on the market had better be prepared to pay for it. The Sony KDL-55XBR8 has an MSRP of $5,000 which makes it one of the most expensive 55 inch TVs we have ever seen. People who can afford it will surely not be disappointed as it offers some of the most advanced technology available today.

Expert Reviews:

Sony doesn’t disappoint with its latest XBR offering. This model shows why Sony continues to be one of the biggest TV manufacturers there is. The picture quality was excellent and the TV was able to produce bright and vivid colors with ease. The local dimming was noticeable when watching dark movies such as the Dark Knight. The detail in dark areas was excellent as well because of this. Motion blur was also less visible with this set thanks to the 120 Hz refresh rate.

The four HDMI inputs and one PC input allowed for maximum peripheral connectivity. The video processing was also among the best seen. The TV also exhibited some of the best bright room viewing characteristics of any TV tested.

Perhaps one of the only bad things about this TV was its price. Most expert reviewers noted that the price was its biggest detriment.

User Reviews:

Users were also unanimously impressed with the Sony KDL-55XBR8. Brights were bright and darks were just that: dark and detailed. The outstanding picture quality and ease of use were some of the better things mentioned by users.

Summary:

Anyone looking for a top-of-the-line TV should put the Sony KDL-55XBR8 on their list. It features some of the latest technology available on any TV and comes from a manufacturer that knows a thing or two about making TVs.